Tip catering staff 15-20% of the food and beverage bill in the US, while photographers and DJs typically receive $50-$200 for exceptional service. However, tipping expectations vary dramatically by region—in the UK and Australia, tipping wedding vendors is not customary and often unnecessary1.
This guide covers exactly how much to tip each wedding vendor, regional differences between the US, UK, and Australia, and practical tips for preparing and distributing gratuities on your wedding day.
Quick Reference: Wedding Vendor Tipping Guide
| Vendor | US Amount | UK/AU Approach | When to Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Catering Staff | 15-20% of bill | Not expected | Day-of |
| Bartenders | 15-20% of drink bill | Not expected | Day-of |
| Photographer | $50-$200/person | Thank-you note | After delivery |
| Videographer | $50-$200/person | Thank-you note | After delivery |
| DJ | $50-$150 | Not expected | Day-of |
| Band | $25-$50/musician | Not expected | Day-of |
| Wedding Planner | 15-20% of fee | Gift optional | Day-of |
| Day-of Coordinator | 15-20% of fee | Gift optional | Day-of |
| Hair/Makeup | 15-25% | Not expected | Day-of |
| Officiant | $50-$100 | Donation optional | Day-of |
| Transportation | 15-20% | Not expected | Day-of |
| Florist | Optional: $50-$200 | Not expected | Day-of |
| Cake Baker | Optional: $50-$200 | Not expected | Day-of |
Tipping Culture by Region
Understanding regional differences prevents awkward situations and ensures your gratitude is expressed appropriately for the culture.
United States: Tips Expected
In the US, tipping is deeply ingrained in service industry culture1. Wedding vendors—particularly those who work throughout your event—generally expect gratuities as part of their compensation. According to The Knot's 2025 wedding survey, service staff such as caterers and bartenders should receive 15-20% of their portion of the bill, while vendors like photographers and DJs appreciate (but don't require) tips of $50-$200 for excellent work2.
The distinction between "expected" and "appreciated" matters: catering staff, bartenders, drivers, and hair/makeup artists work in industries where tips form a significant portion of income. Photographers, planners, and DJs who own their businesses typically set their rates to cover their full compensation, making tips optional.
United Kingdom: Tips Not Customary
Unlike American weddings, tipping your wedding suppliers is not the norm in the UK3. British vendors set their prices to reflect their full compensation, and service staff receive at least the national minimum wage.
When British couples want to show extra appreciation, the preferred approaches include:
- Heartfelt thank-you notes expressing specific gratitude
- Five-star reviews on Google, Facebook, or wedding platforms
- Referrals to engaged friends and family
- Small gifts such as chocolates, wine, or gift cards
If you do choose to tip in the UK—perhaps for truly exceptional service—amounts around 10% or simply rounding up the bill are appropriate. One approach is tipping kitchen and wait staff £20 each and the coordinator and chef £100-£150 each, totalling roughly 10% of the venue cost3.
Australia: Tipping Purely Optional
Australia has no tipping culture for weddings4. All hospitality workers receive award wages (Australia's industry minimum wage standards), which are significantly higher than US service industry wages. This eliminates the financial expectation for tips.
Australian couples who want to acknowledge exceptional service might:
- Round up the bill (e.g., from $2,850 to $3,000)
- Offer 10-15% for truly outstanding service (considered very generous)
- Write thank-you notes and leave positive reviews
- Provide a small gift for vendors they've built relationships with
The key difference: in Australia, any tip is a genuine bonus for exceptional work rather than an expected portion of compensation.
Vendor-by-Vendor Tipping Breakdown
Catering Staff and Waiters
Catering staff work throughout your reception—setting up, serving meals, clearing plates, and managing the flow of your event. In the US, they're among the most important vendors to tip.
US Tipping Guidelines:
- Catering/Banquet Manager: $100-$300
- Head Waiter/Captain: $100-$300
- Servers: 15-20% of the food and beverage bill, divided among staff
- Kitchen Staff: Included in the overall gratuity
Check your contract first. Many venues include a "service charge" of 18-22%—but this doesn't always go directly to staff. Ask your venue: "Does the service charge go to the employees serving our event?" If not, budget for an additional tip1.
UK/AU: Not expected. Your contract pricing includes fair wages for all staff.
Bartenders
Bartenders manage drink service throughout your reception, often handling last-minute requests and keeping the celebration flowing.
US: 15-20% of the drink bill, or $1-2 per guest as a rough calculation. If using a cash bar, guests typically tip individually.
UK/AU: Not expected, though bar staff may receive small tips from guests at their discretion.
Photographers and Videographers
Photographers and videographers typically own their businesses and set rates that fully cover their compensation—making tips optional but appreciated for exceptional work2.
US:
- Lead photographer: $50-$200 or 5-15% of the package
- Second shooter/Assistant: $50-$100
Consider the length of coverage and service quality when determining amount. A photographer who stays 12 hours, accommodates all your shot requests, and delivers stunning images might warrant the higher end.
Timing: Many couples wait until receiving their final images before tipping, allowing the quality of work to inform the amount.
UK/AU: Tips are not expected. A glowing five-star review and referrals are the preferred form of appreciation.
DJs and Bands
Entertainment vendors set the tone for your reception. Whether you choose a DJ or live band, your entertainment keeps guests dancing.
US:
- DJ: $50-$150, or 10-15% of the total bill
- Band members: $25-$50 per musician
- Sound technicians: $20-$50 if present
For bands with multiple members, calculate the number of musicians and budget accordingly—a five-piece band at $25-$50 per person means $125-$250 total.
UK/AU: Not expected.
Wedding Planner and Day-of Coordinator
Planners and coordinators orchestrate your entire day, often working behind the scenes for months leading up to the wedding.
US:
- Full-service planner: 15-20% of their total fee, or a thoughtful gift
- Day-of coordinator: 15-20% of their fee
About 50% of US couples tip their wedding planner2. A heartfelt gift (luxury candle, spa voucher, fine wine) is also appropriate if you prefer not to give cash.
UK/AU: A thank-you gift is appreciated but not expected. Flowers delivered the week after the wedding, a bottle of champagne, or a handwritten card acknowledging their hard work are all meaningful gestures.
Officiant
Officiants may be religious leaders, civil celebrants, or friends who became ordained for your wedding.
US:
- Secular officiant: $50-$100
- Religious leader: $100-$500 donation to their church, synagogue, or temple
- Friend or family member: A heartfelt gift
UK: Not expected. For religious ceremonies, a donation to the church is customary but not to the registrar personally.
AU: Celebrants are paid professionals; tips are not expected.
Hair and Makeup Artists
Beauty professionals help you look your best on your wedding day, often arriving early and working quickly under pressure.
US: 15-25% of the total service bill. If multiple artists service your bridal party, calculate tips for each person.
UK/AU: Not expected, though many couples tip beauty professionals at similar rates to regular salon visits if the service was exceptional.
Transportation and Drivers
Drivers transport you, your wedding party, and sometimes guests between venues.
US: 15-20% of the total bill, or $50 per driver for limousines and shuttles. For car services, check whether gratuity is already included in your contract.
UK/AU: Not expected.
Florists and Cake Bakers
Florists and bakers are business owners who set rates to cover their full compensation. Tipping is optional.
US: $50-$200 if their work exceeded expectations. A thank-you note is also appropriate.
UK/AU: Not expected. A five-star review or social media mention is the preferred way to show appreciation.
When Tips Are Already Included
Before budgeting for tips, review every vendor contract carefully. Look for these terms:
- "Service charge included" – May or may not go to staff
- "Gratuity included" – Usually goes to staff
- "Auto-gratuity" – Automatically added; no additional tip needed
A "service charge" is not necessarily a gratuity1. Service charges are mandatory fees that may cover the venue's operating costs rather than going to the staff serving your event. Always ask: "How is the service charge distributed?"
If gratuity is genuinely included, you don't need to tip again—unless the service was truly exceptional and you want to add extra.
How to Prepare and Distribute Tips
Tipping logistics on your wedding day require advance planning. You'll be too busy to calculate amounts or find envelopes during the reception.
Before the Wedding
- Calculate all tip amounts at least one week before the wedding
- Withdraw cash in small denominations ($20s work well)
- Prepare labeled envelopes with the vendor's name and your thank-you message
- List the distribution timing for each vendor
Day-of Distribution
Designate a trusted person to handle tip distribution:
- Wedding coordinator (if you have one)
- Maid of honour or best man
- Parent or close family member
Provide them with all envelopes and a list noting:
- Who receives each envelope
- When to distribute (beginning of event, end of night, or after a specific milestone)
- Any special instructions
Timing guide:
- Hair/makeup, drivers: At the end of their service
- Catering, bartenders, DJ, band: End of reception
- Photographer: After receiving final images
- Coordinator/planner: End of reception or the following week
Calculating Your Total Tip Budget
Budget for tips early in your wedding planning to avoid surprises. A common formula:
Conservative estimate: $500-$1,000 for a modest wedding Mid-range wedding: $1,000-$2,000 Large or luxury wedding: $2,000-$3,500+
Factors affecting your tip budget:
- Number of vendors – More vendors means more tips
- Service level – High-touch luxury vendors may warrant higher tips
- Length of event – Longer receptions mean more work for staff
- Geographic location – Urban US weddings often have higher tipping expectations
Add 10-15% padding to your tip budget for exceptional service you want to acknowledge spontaneously.
Alternatives to Cash Tips
If cash tipping feels awkward, doesn't fit your budget, or isn't appropriate for your region, consider these meaningful alternatives:
- Heartfelt thank-you notes mentioning specific things you appreciated
- Five-star reviews on Google, Yelp, The Knot, WeddingWire, or social media
- Referrals to engaged friends—word-of-mouth is invaluable
- Social media mentions tagging the vendor with photos from your day
- Gift baskets with wine, chocolates, or local specialties
- Gift cards to their favourite restaurant or shop
Many vendors, particularly in the UK and Australia, genuinely appreciate reviews and referrals as much as—or more than—cash tips. A single referral can lead to a new booking worth far more than a cash tip.
Sources and References
Footnotes
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The Knot, Wedding Vendor Tipping Cheat Sheet, 2025. https://www.theknot.com/content/wedding-vendor-tipping-cheat-sheet ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4
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Zola, A Guide to Tipping Wedding Vendors, 2024. https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/a-guide-to-tipping-wedding-vendors ↩ ↩2 ↩3
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Little Perfections UK, Navigating the Wedding Tipping Etiquette: Dos and Don'ts, 2024. https://littleperfections.co.uk/blogs/news/navigating-the-wedding-tipping-etiquette-dos-and-donts-for-thanking-your-vendors ↩ ↩2
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ABIA Weddings Australia, Wedding Guest Dress Codes Guide, 2024. https://abia.com.au/wedding-blog/a-simple-guide-to-wedding-guest-dress-codes ↩