Wedding Gratuity Guide – Expert Advice from Aspen Wedding Planner, Gold Leaf Event Design & Production

When to Tip?

The various details can be overwhelming when planning a wedding, as it is often unclear which vendors are supposed to be tipped and when.  Keep in mind gratuity is optional, a tip should reflect the quality of service one provides and doesn’t necessarily have to be monetary.  It is appropriate to tip anyone who went above and beyond to execute your event seamlessly. 

Here you will find Gold Leaf Event Design & Production’s wedding gratuity guide:

Rules:

Check your contracts! Some gratuities are already included. It’s likely the catering, floral, lighting and audiovisual companies have already built these charges into their proposals for you.

Catering:

The contract will typically include gratuity. If it does not, it customary to tip 15-20% of the total catering costs.

 Wedding Coordination:

Wedding planners do not expect gratuity.  However, if your coordinator bent over backwards, beyond the scope of their contract to ensure your day was perfect, it is standard to give them up to $500 or a nice gift.

    Some of the thoughtful gifts the Gold Leaf Event Design & Production team has received include:

·      A one-year subscription to Birchbox or a Wine of the Month Club.

·      A case of Veuve Clicquot

·      Spa treatments

·      Gift certificates to local Aspen restaurants

Hair and Makeup:

One should tip 20% for helping you look your best on such a special day. However, if the stylist or artist you’ve hired owns the company or salon, guidelines state tipping is not expected.

Transportation:

If gratuity is not included in the contract, tipping drivers 20% of the total cost (not including tax) is recommended.  This is to be split evenly between the drivers.  

 Musicians:

It is appropriate to tip each musician $50 for ceremony and cocktail music, and $100 per musician for entertainment at the reception.

Photographer/ Videographer:

These vendors help provide the gift of reliving your special day over again as the years pass.  Once the tent has been broken down and your bouquet has dried out, photos and videos will be there to help bring your memories back to life.  A $50-$100 to per each photographer and videographer is highly recommended.

Officiant:

If a Pastor, Rabbi, Priest or member of a religious clergy is officiating the ceremony, a donation to their affiliated church or synagogue of $100+ is suggested. Whereas civil officiants’ receive a flat fee, and are not allowed to accept gratuities.  If an officiant is traveling to a destination wedding, it is standard for the host to cover costs of their travel and lodging accommodations, invite he/she to the event and gift them with a non-monetary item.

 Alternative ways to tip:

Gratuities are to be decided at the event’s completion.  As we mentioned, perks don’t always have to be monetary.  If the wedding budget doesn’t permit for monetary gratuities, we have additional ideas for you!

                Send a thank you note with the following:

·      A bottle of wine (left over from reception or purchased)

·      A small, thoughtful gift

·      Great review on Yelp, WeddingWire, or LinkedIn

·      Referrals to future potential clients

·      Handwritten, and thoughtful letters

Find more information about Gold Leaf Event Design & Production

Photo Credits in order:  Brett Butterstein Photography, Bryce Covey Photography, Gregory Paul Fine Art Wedding Photography and Jason and Gina Photographers

Kelsey Stamps

Hey, I’m Kelsey! I studied Social Psychology at CU Boulder and now split my time between writing about dreamy Aspen wedding spots, clever planning hacks, and real talk on international marriages (yep, American guys and foreign girls). I also run a small psychology practice, helping couples navigate love, culture, and everything in between. Connection and honesty are my non-negotiables.