This is a thread that was started in our old BlissWeddings.com forums by SkyeCPHT on 08/12/2004.
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posted by SkyeCPHT
I have 3 "vendors" I guess that I have questions about tipping.
1. Piano player. Her fee for playing at the ceremony for one hour (plus practicing and the rehearsal and all that jazz) is $150. She has requested to be paid in cash as she's going on vaca the next day. So how much would you tip on $150?
2. Photographers. I've hired 2 photography students (whom I know personally) and I agreed to pay the one $575 for the whole day and the rehearsal and she would pay the other (he's her 'helper'). I'm paying her in cash also. How much to tip?
3. Limo drivers. We have two limos that are working for 2 hours for $125 a piece ($250 total). They've requested to be paid in cash also. How much to tip?
I'm not asking because I don't know my math, I'm wondering because I don't know if generally you tip one service more than the other. To me, I would tip my photographer more since she'll be doing much more for me than say, the limo driver is. He's just driving us from one place to the next. She's following us everywhere snapping pictures and whatnot. Anyway, I was just wondering if there were any general rules about how much to tip whom? Please help! Wedding is 9 days away!!
cristin
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posted by Kanona
Most tips are priced between 10 & 15% depending on the type of service being rendered. Some of them can go up to 20%.....me personally, the percentage would be based on the manner of service rendered and the effort that was put forth i.e. did it meet my expectations and exceed, were they prompt, professional, and courteous (sp?), did they get truly involved in pleasing us or could you tell they are there to make a dollar, and lastly what is my budget for tipping.
One thing about tips is exactly that, they are tips and not mandatory gratuities, so you have more flexibility. It also depends on when you have to pay them....if you have to pay them up front, I would go with a general tip for all vendors because you won't have the opportunity to evaluate the services rendered, before paying them.
Hope this helps a little. I'm sure others will chime in that's already been there to give you more specifics, my day is in a couple of months
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posted by Marge129
We didn't tip our photographer or pianist. We simply paid them the flat rate that they requested.
I would only tip these two if they do a spectacular job. By the end of the day, I was ready to kill my photographer (actually everyone was) for following me around all day... there was NO way I'd tip him.
Tip the limo driver about $25-$50. I think that's MORE than enough.
By the way... make sure you get some sort of receipt from ALL these vendors since they are al being paid in cash. You don't want them popping up later on and saying you never paid them, and without a receipt, you'll have no proof.
I found this guide on another website:
Hairstylist, Makeup Artist, Etc. 15%-20%
Delivery Staff (Florist, Bakery, Etc) $10-$15 per person
Officiant $100-$200 (or in some cases a
donation to the church
(approx. 10% of budget)
Transportation: 15%-20%
Valets: $1.00-$1.50 per car
Musicians (not required but appreciated) $20-$25 per band member
Photographer $20-$25
Wait Staff $15-$25 per waiter.
(if not included in your catering contract)
Catering Manager $200-$300
(if not included in your catering contract)
Bartender $10% of Liquor Cost
Margie
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posted by catina
Pianist - no tip - simply because you're paying her direct ( no middle man taking his end)and in cash, which generally means they're not claiming it as income.
Photographers - If you get good vibes from them at the end of the day, tip them each $25-$50. You want good proofs/and or albums. Keep them happy. Again, chances are they're not claiming it has an income. The fee of $575 sounds really cheap! Good for you!
Limos- $25.00 is good enough. Again, it's cash...... Also, like you said, they're only driving you from one place to another.
That's my personal opinion.
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posted by SkyeCPHT
Thanks girls! Great advice. Thanks for the tip on getting a receipt -- I didn't even think of that. I don't think any of these people will be carrying anything to give me a receipt -- would it be out of line for me to write one up and have them sign it once I hand them the money? I'd put someone else in charge of paying these people since I'll be crazy busy.
Marge -- sorry to hear your photographer was the photog from hell! I've made it verrrry clear to my friend that she is to be there but it's supposed to be like I don't even know she's there. She said she'd handle it for me
She even said if anyone gives me a hard time about pictures (I have some family members that are just unpredictable) she would handle them for me. She's a doll. I couldn't be happier with her.
Now I just have to hope... Jackie doesn't ask about a date again in the next 9 days... <fingers crossed>
cristin
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posted by SkyeCPHT
Catina -- ah. Also very good points. I'm thinking twice about tipping the pianist anyway because she's giving me a hard time about playing the song I want to walk down the aisle to, because it's not "traditional". She's a minister and all but we're having a non-denominational and I'm sorry but it is my wedding. So wahtever. She's the pianist that I haven't met, heard, or anything so whatever.
Anyway. Rant is over now. I won't tip her simply for what you said, this isn't her source of income, and also because she is giving me a hard time.
I'll definitely tip my photographer simply because I'm close with her and she's just a doll and she's been my beacon of hope throughout this whole thing.
She's been so nice and so supportive and we've gotten a lot closer recently -- she's almost been more of a bridesmaid to me than my real bridesmaids have been.
Limos -- I was thinking the same, about $25.
Thanks for your help catina!
cristin
Tipping
I'll bring a boombox and play the songs I want. 
Linear Mode
