All Episodes

May 21, 2025 17 mins

In this edition, we discuss the essential topic of tipping wedding vendors.

 

Learn who to tip, how much, and when to do it to ensure your special day goes off without a hitch.

 

 

This podcast is for engaged couples who are stressed out with wedding planning and family expectations but want a fun wedding day.

 

They cover various aspects such as who should be tipped, appropriate amounts, and the best times to tip.

 

 

.css-j9qmi7{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;font-weight:700;margin-bottom:1rem;margin-top:2.8rem;width:100%;-webkit-box-pack:start;-ms-flex-pack:start;-webkit-justify-content:start;justify-content:start;padding-left:5rem;}@media only screen and (max-width: 599px){.css-j9qmi7{padding-left:0;-webkit-box-pack:center;-ms-flex-pack:center;-webkit-justify-content:center;justify-content:center;}}.css-j9qmi7 svg{fill:#27292D;}.css-j9qmi7 .eagfbvw0{-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;color:#27292D;}

Mark as Played
Transcript

Episode Transcript

Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
One of the questions we often hearfrom couples is about tipping.
Who should you tip, how much and when?
It can get overwhelming and youdon't want to feel like you miss
someone on your wedding day.
Today we're tackling a common weddingquestion, tipping your wedding vendors.
Who gets a tip, how much you shouldgive and when should you do it?
Don't worry.

(00:20):
We've got you covered with theUltimate Wedding Tipping Guide.
Thank you for joining us.
Hi, I am Sal from AfterHours Events in New England.
We'll answer these questions andmore on today's edition of the
Stress-Free Wedding Planning Podcast.
Welcome to another edition of our podcast.
Hi there.
I'm Sam from Atmosphere Productions.
Please listen now.

(00:40):
This is important stuff anddiscover becoming a wedding tipping
Pro secrets to vendor happiness.
And you know you want tokeep you vendors happy.
These are wedding inside of secretsfor stress free fun memorable day.
Our podcast helps engage couplesnavigate wedding planning complexities
while addressing family expectations.

(01:02):
We will guide you through that journeyof creating the perfect wedding
day without unnecessary stress.
By the end of this edition, you'llget concise tips on budgeting,
wedding party management, ceremony,reception planning, and more.
Perfect for anyone planning awedding all in 30 minutes or less.

(01:22):
Trust us, you don't want to miss this.
Welcome to Stress-Free WeddingPlanning, the podcast that will
transform your wedding planning journeyfrom chaotic to enchanting, Sal and
Sam bring over 80 years of combinedwedding expertise and exclusive
insider information to the table.
If you're recently engaged, feelingthe pressure of wedding planning.
Struggling with family expectations, butstill dreaming of a joy filled wedding.

(01:46):
You've come to the right place.
Get ready to unveil thebest kept wedding secrets.
Discover practical tips andstrategies and learn life-changing
lessons for a stress-free wedding.
Your unforgettable wedding day awaits.
We're here to take you on a transformativejourney of love, laughter, and memories,
so don't miss out on the podcast.
That just might change your life.

(02:06):
This is the Stress-Free WeddingPlanning podcast with Sal and Sam.
On today's podcast, we'll explain
how to become a wedding tip prosecrets to vendor happiness.
Hi, I'm Sal from AfterHours Events in New England.
We're experts at creating stress-free,unforgettable weddings, bringing
energy, professionalism, and apersonal touch to every celebration.

(02:27):
Let's make your big day extraordinary.
Visit us at After HoursEvents of N.E dot com.
Learn more about our experience andjourney to help with Stress-Free
Wedding Planning in the traileror pilot of this podcast.
Tipping is an extra way to showyour appreciation for hardworking
professionals making your big day magical.

(02:50):
While it's not always required, it'sa great way to thank your vendors for
going above and beyond, and that'sthe key for going above and beyond.
Today we're covering everythingyou need to know about becoming
a pro at wedding tipping.
I'm Sam from the Award-Winning AtmosphereProductions Wedding Entertainment with

(03:13):
Expert Knowledge and the differencein quality, specializing in live
ceremony musicians and cocktail hourstring musicians, plus lighting,
and an elegant, classy presentation.
We have exactly what you need.
Visit us at Atmospherehyphen Productions dot com.
That's Atmosphere hyphenProductions dot com

(03:36):
So first things first.
The word tip as a gratuity isbelieved to have originated from
the phrase "to insure promptness".
It's an acronym, TIP.
It is believed it started in the18th century English coffeehouses,
where patrons would leave moneyto encourage good service.
Over time, this practice becameabbreviated as "tip", and the

(03:59):
word evolved to mean a gratuity orextra money given for good service.
So who actually gets a tipin the wedding industry?
Some include it in theircontracts, but some don't.
And here's some key players to consider.
First you have your cateringstaff and bartenders.
If a gratuity is not included inthe contract, you wanna make sure

(04:19):
that, don't automatically assume.
I've had people see servicecharges in these contracts and
automatically assumed it was gratuity.
And that's typically not true if itdoesn't actually say the word gratuity.
So typically for them it'sbetween 20 to a hundred dollars.
would be a good rule ofthumb on what to give them.
Hair and makeup artists.
A standard tip is 15 to 25%of the total service cost.

(04:43):
Now, there is somethingI wanna hit upon here.
A lot of times when theysay someone is the owner.
They believe the ownershould not get a tip.
And this is true for beauty salons andDJs, photographers and videographers.
Look if you think they did anexceptional job and went over and
beyond for you, why wouldn't you showyour appreciation by giving them a tip?

(05:06):
It's my experience when you're dealingwith an owner, if they went over and
beyond, yes, they should be tipped.
Absolutely.
They did their job and thensome to make your day great.
And now onto our officiant.
If you are part of a church or asynagogue, then obviously consider
donating to that institution.

(05:28):
If they're independent, I mean, if youhad an outdoor ceremony and they came
to you, then we would suggest 50 to ahundred dollars tip is very thoughtful.
And now onto our entertainers.
How much do you tip them?
Well, if it's a DJ, we suggest around 200.
And if it's a DJ assistantbetween 50 and 75.

(05:50):
If you have a musician, maybe a cocktailhour musician or maybe a strolling,
violinist or something like that.
25 to $50 per musician.
If you have a band, usually somesort of percentage would work on
that, but that's again up to you.
Photographers and videographers.

(06:11):
Usually the tip is between 50 and $200.
And don't forget the second shooter,they're like an assistant and they
also should get a a little tip as well.
And let's not forget, our weddingcoordinators and planners, they have a
very important job for your wedding andyou wanna make sure you take care of them.
So if they went above and beyond,typically somewhere between 100

(06:32):
and $500 is such a kind gesture.
Don't forget the people who aredoing transportation for you.
It's usually 10 to 15% of the totalcost is what you would give them.
Please remember, cash is thebest way to handle that for them.
So remember to have enough cash on you.
Also, delivery and setup crew.
This is money you may wanna leavewith your coordinator to give to them.

(06:55):
And it's usually 10 to $20 per person.
and it's always appreciated.
So that's a good range,10 to $20 for that.
Just as a reminder, you can alsojoin us on our YouTube channel.
Just search for Stress-Free WeddingPlanning podcast with Sal and Sam.
Subscribe and get it first.
Now let's talk about how and when to tip.
Timing is the key whenit comes to tipping.

(07:18):
You don't have to be scrambling aroundfor a bag of cash or gold or Bitcoin.
So here's what we recommend before thewedding is probably one of the best times.
You can tip some of the vendorsin advance, especially those
who won't be present on the day.
Think about your florist and your baker.
They won't be theretypically when you get there.

(07:41):
The next best time is during thewedding, assign a trusted friend or
family member, or even your weddingcoordinator to distribute tips and
envelopes that are sealed and labeled.
Now, what I like to say here iswhen you label your envelope, it
should probably have the name ofthe person who's going to get it.
Don't just put band orDJ or a photographer.

(08:05):
These people have been workingvery closely with you, so keep
a personal touch with that.
Now I'm gonna give you another suggestion.
I'm a big fan of you giving this to yourwedding coordinator because sometimes when
you give it to friends or family, they mayforget, and if they had a couple drinks.
They're totally gonna forget andit just becomes a bad, scene later
when a couple has to reach out toeveryone to give the tips later.

(08:27):
And finally, the besttime is after the wedding.
For the vendors like your DJs,photographers, videographers,
they're all gonna be there untilthe end of the wedding, so there's
no reason why you can't wait andgive it to them, if you like.
Again, put it in an envelope with a thankyou note or a card, so that, you can give

(08:49):
it to them at the very end of the wedding.
And as Sal said, if you havea coordinator, even better.
Well, we've just explained acouple of ways to become a wedding
tipping pro by understanding whoshould tip plus when and how.
Coming up next alternativeways to show your appreciation.
But first, if you have a questionor a concern, go now to Facebook and

(09:12):
join us on the Stress-Free WeddingPlanning Community and ask away.
You can also join uson our YouTube channel.
Just search for Stress-Free WeddingPlanning podcast with Sal and Sam.
Subscribe and you'll get it first.
This is the Stress-Free WeddingPlanning podcast with Sal and Sam.
A podcast for engaged couples concernedabout wedding planning and family

(09:33):
expectations, but who want a stressfree, fun and unforgettable wedding.
Experience the magic of your SpecialDay with Fitzner Productions, our
premier wedding videography companybased in Middletown, Connecticut.
Fitzner Productions dot com.
Our mission is to capture your lovestory candidly and authentically
creating stunning high quality videosthat you can cherish for years to come.

(09:55):
Our founder, Carson Fitzner,combines technical expertise
with a passion of storytelling.
Ensuring every moment from the excitementof getting ready to the heartfelt
ceremony is beautifully documented.
We offer a range of customizablepackages, including drone footage
and multi-location shoots,tailored to fit your unique vision.
Let us help you relive the romance,laughter, and tears of your wedding day.

(10:18):
Visit Fitzner Productions dot com.
That's F-I-T-Z-N-E-R productions dot com.
It's Wedding Tip Wednesday time.
The best way to remember youranniversary is just forget it once.
True words have never been said, Sal.
On today's Wedding Tip Wednesday,it's wedding mistake number 622.

(10:39):
Trying to please everyone.
Your friends and family are morethan happy to tell you what they
would want and what you shouldbe doing on your special day.
It's an effort doomed to failure.
Please, please, please makesure you make yourself happy.
Just being prepared is the bestway to avoid a wedding disaster.

(11:04):
And that's another weddingtip from Sal and Sam.
Wedding Tip Wednesday is availableon the Stress Free Wedding Planning
Facebook group page every Wednesday.
Join the group for free.
Welcome back to our discussion aboutbecoming a wedding tipping pro.
These are the secrets to vendor happiness.
I'm Sam from Atmosphere Productions.
I'm Sal from After HoursEvents of New England.

(11:25):
We've already discussed who youshould tip and when and how.
Now what if you are on a tightbudget and tipping every vendor isn't
financially possible or even feasible.
Don't worry.
There are still plenty of meaningfulways you can show your gratitude.
Firstly, and this is probably to methe most important other than a tip.

(11:51):
If you can't give a tip, leave a glowing,and I will put that in air quotes
" glowing" review online, because thatto me on a personal level is worth more
than any tip you'll likely to give me.
Remember, vendors rely on wordof mouth and online testimonies

(12:15):
to book future clients.
So your thoughtful review goes a long way.
And do us even a bigger favor.
Don't just put it in one place.
Go to Google Reviews, go toWedding Wire, go to the Knot.
These are the three main things we needin the wedding industry for reviews,
'cause this is where the couples go.
Another way is to send a handwrittenthank you note, a personalized

(12:38):
note expressing your appreciationis something vendors cherish.
We love to hear when you are happy andyou're so excited about how the day went.
And we wanna hear all that in yourown words, because, and we love to
share that with our other clients too.
So that's also another good way.
Another way a handwritten noteworks for the vendors too, is

(13:00):
they post that on social media.
I, for instance.
I have one page on my websitethat has all my thank you notes.
They're transcribed so that it's intext, but I transfer that text onto the
website and it is such a positive thing.
I just send my future clientsdirectly to that page.

(13:20):
It's a great way.
A handwritten note.
Definitely.
Refer vendors to your friends and family.
So yes, you just got marriedand people are gonna ask you.
"Who did you have for yourwedding?" Your photographer?
Your caterer?
Recommend those vendors that you used.
That is so important.
Again, a lot more important thanactually giving cash to the vendor

(13:44):
is that word of mouth referral.
And friends love to hear howyou felt about that vendor.
And when you're boasting about them,they feel maybe they should have them
too because you felt so great about them.
So if you really love someone, pleasetell all your family and friends.
Now, also, something you could do isgive away a small, personalized gift.

(14:05):
Some type of thoughtful gift, like acoffee gift card or a bottle of wine,
can be a great token of appreciation.
I had a bride who actuallymade me something very special.
It was a bracelet and she actuallyhad DJ Sal Fusco right on it.
So that was something really cool thatI was able to keep and always remember.
I've also had the same thing Sal.

(14:25):
I had a client that knew that I wasa, Liverpool football supporter,
and she got me a Liverpool shirt.
With the name of my favoriteplayer, on the back.
That is worth more than gold, to me.
And it's something that Iwill remember the client by.
Now one final way you can show yourappreciation is by providing a meal

(14:49):
and refreshments for your vendors.
So if you can't physically afford togive them a tip, you can say, "Look , I
can't afford to give you a tip, but wewill be giving you meals on that day
as part of our appreciation" and makesure, you know, at the end of the evening
you give them a little thank you card.
That's a great way to show yourappreciation with such a kind gesture.

(15:10):
Now when we talk about refreshments,we're not talking about liquor, we're
talking about soft drinks, water, juices,whatever, 'cause your vendor should
never be drinking at your wedding.
These small gesturescan make a huge impact.
Vendors put a lot of time and effortin making your day so special, and a
little recognition goes a long, long way.

(15:31):
So there you have it.
The bottom line tipping isn't arequirement, but it's a great way to
show your appreciation to the vendors whohelp make your wedding dreams come true.
And as always, planning ahead is gonnarelieve stress and it's gonna ensure
that you don't overlook anyone thatyou wanna show your appreciation.

(15:53):
If you found this editionhelpful, be sure to subscribe
and share it with other couples.
Now as you spend the next week planningyour wedding, if you want me, Sal, or our
community of stress-free engaged couplesand wedding experts to answer any wedding
related questions, then join us in theStress-Free Wedding Planning Facebook
group.
Once you're in, go ahead and shareyour concerns and worries, and

(16:15):
we'll let you know if you are on theright track or if there are some.
Things you need to work on.
The link to join us is in theshow notes of this edition, or
go to Facebook and search for theStress-Free Wedding Planning community.
Remember to do something nice forsomeone today, and if you can't,
then do something nice for yourself.
If you've enjoyed what you've justheard, leave a review and share it

(16:35):
with a friend or someone who wouldbenefit from this information.
Until next time, it's TTFN, Tata now.
Thank you for listening to this edition.
A new edition is released every Wednesday.
Subscribe and get it.
First we'll catch.
Ciao.
The Stress-Free Wedding PlanningPodcast is produced and copyrighted by
Atmosphere Productions in associationwith After Hours Events of New England.
Advertise With Us

Popular Podcasts

On Purpose with Jay Shetty

On Purpose with Jay Shetty

I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!

Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang

Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang

Ding dong! Join your culture consultants, Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, on an unforgettable journey into the beating heart of CULTURE. Alongside sizzling special guests, they GET INTO the hottest pop-culture moments of the day and the formative cultural experiences that turned them into Culturistas. Produced by the Big Money Players Network and iHeartRadio.

Crime Junkie

Crime Junkie

Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.

Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.