How Much to Tip Your Wedding Vendors in 2025: The Ultimate Tipping Guide for Couple

When planning your wedding, one detail that often gets overlooked in your wedding budget is tipping your vendors. From your florist and photographer to your DJ and on-site coordinator, every vendor plays a vital role in making your big day seamless and unforgettable.

While tipping wedding vendors isn’t mandatory, it’s a meaningful way to express appreciation for their talent, effort, and professionalism. In 2025, as wedding costs continue to rise, couples are still finding that a thoughtful gratuity goes a long way toward saying, “You nailed it.”

This comprehensive wedding tipping guide breaks down how much to tip each vendor, when to do it, and what factors to consider — ensuring you handle every thank-you with grace and confidence.

Why Tipping Wedding Vendors Matters

Tipping is a personal gesture of gratitude — not an obligation. It’s your opportunity to acknowledge exceptional service, creative passion, and all the behind-the-scenes work that made your wedding possible.

Before finalizing your tipping plan, review your contracts carefully. Some vendors, like caterers or transportation companies, may already include gratuity or service fees. Keep in mind that a service fee is not the same as a gratuity — the latter goes directly to the staff.

When to Tip Wedding Vendors

Organizing tips in advance will help things go smoothly on your wedding day. Prepare labeled envelopes and designate someone you trust — such as your planner, parent, or maid of honor — to distribute them.

Here’s a quick timeline:

• At the time of service: Beauty team, chauffeur, musicians, bartenders, delivery staff

• At the end of the event: Photographer, videographer, DJ, on-site coordinator, venue staff

• After the wedding (or by mail): Wedding planner, florist, or vendors providing post-event deliverables

  
  

How Much to Tip Each Wedding Vendor in 2025

Wedding Officiant

If you’ve hired a professional officiant, a $300–$350 tip is appropriate. For a religious officiant, make a donation to their house of worship instead. Civil officiants (like judges) typically cannot accept tips by law.

Wedding Photographer & Videographer

Tipping isn’t required but is always appreciated. A good rule of thumb:

• Lead photographer/videographer: 5–7% of their fee

• Second shooters/assistants: 3–5%

Wedding Caterer & Waitstaff

Catering contracts often include a 24–26% service charge, but that usually isn’t gratuity. If tips aren’t included, consider:

• Servers: $100 each

• Banquet captain or chef: $200–$300

🍸 Wedding Bartenders

If gratuity isn’t included in your catering package, plan to give $150 per bartender. If tip jars are prohibited, this gesture is especially appreciated.

Hair & Makeup Artists

Just like at a salon, tipping 18–22% of the total bill is standard. If you’re covering services for your bridal party, you can include their tips within your payment.

Musicians & DJs

• Ceremony or cocktail hour musicians: $75 per musician

• Reception DJ: 5–10% of their total fee

• Live band: $75–$100 per member

Chauffeur or Wedding Driver

If not already included in your invoice, tip 15–20% of the pre-tax total — or roughly $30 per hour for exceptional service.

Delivery Teams

For those delivering flowers, cake, rentals, or décor, tip $25–$50 per person depending on complexity and service quality.

Venue Staff

Ask if gratuities are included for the banquet manager, servers, attendants, and coat-check staff. If not, aim for 15–20% of the total food and beverage cost, distributed among the staff.

Wedding Florist

Florists rarely expect tips, but if yours went above and beyond — with custom installations or same-day setup — a $500–$1,000 tip is a generous way to express thanks.

Wedding Planner

After months (or even years) of planning, your wedding planner deserves appreciation for their dedication. Tipping isn’t required but is always kind:

• Lead planner: $500–$1,000 or a thoughtful gift

• Assistant planner: $50–$150

On-Site Coordinator

Your venue coordinator keeps the event running smoothly. Tip $100–$200 for a coordinator or $25–$50 for assistant staff members.

Final Thoughts: Making Gratitude Part of Your Wedding Budget

Tipping is one of the most personal and heartfelt aspects of wedding etiquette. Including gratuities in your wedding budget planning ensures you can thank your vendors meaningfully without last-minute stress.

Whether it’s a cash tip, a handwritten note, or a small gift, showing appreciation for the professionals who brought your dream wedding to life will always leave a lasting impression.