Gratuity question

[dyelle84]

QUESTION: do ppl typically tip dj and photographer @ a wedding? My FH thinks there is no need to tip a dj, but the photographer is fine i guess. Who usually gets gratuity @ a wedding? I thought you did dj, caterer, photographer and Officiant. Am i wrong? what are ppls thoughts?

[dearmissie]

I've heard that if the person working your wedding is the owner of the business you're not suppose to tip. (Not really sure how that all works). For example, our photographer is the owner of his own business. But we've also became really good friends. And our acquaintance also said he's not the type to take a tip. So we're simply going to send him a thank you gift to the office. We know he enjoys golfing so we're going to give him something golf related and a nice thank you card. Plus, we're going to give him great reviews via Yelp and many other online review companies. But for other things like DJs, bartenders, wedding coordinators, and what not we're simply going to give them a cash tip if they did their job correctly.

[The Proper Wedding]

Not sure if it's "correct" but we're going to probably put aside enough for a tip for everyone (caterer, DJ, Photographer, etc). And if they did their job, or went above and beyond, then we'll give them the tip. But if for some reason we're not satisfied, then no tip. They'll just get paid what we agreed upon.

My officiant is "free" since I"m a member of the church. So we're already giving a donation to the church for his services. So we don't really need to tip there. The donation is like a tip.

Like I said, I don't know if that's correct, but that's how WE are going to handle it LOL

[SkippyNXC]

The only ppl I tipped were the DJ and the limo driver...

The photog was the owner of the business so therefore all the money made goes to him... if he felt entitled to more for an excellent job done he can raise his rates...

[WebLady]

I don't think the average vendors expect a tip; it is usually common to tip the minister (or donate to the church), the limo driver and any service staff (like servers, bartenders, etc). IMPO tipping other vendors should be considered when they have gone above and beyond for you.

I have been tipped a few times ($25-$50) working as a photographer's assistant, photographer and a wedding planner in the past; it was greatly appreciated, but it was never expected.

But it doesn't always have to be money; your "tip" could be flowers, candy, homemade cookies, etc ... or maybe just a card or a letter that they can use as a testimonial/review later.