Wedding Vendor Tipping Guide: Who & How Much

Show your appreciation thoughtfully. In the US, tip service staff 15-20% and consider $50-$200 for vendors who delivered exceptional service. In the UK and Australia, cash tips aren't expected—heartfelt thank-you notes, five-star reviews, and referrals mean more than money¹.

This guide covers proper tipping etiquette, the best timing for each vendor type, regional expectations across the US, UK, and Australia, and meaningful alternatives when cash isn't appropriate or affordable.

Quick Reference: Tipping Etiquette by Vendor

Regional Tipping Culture: What's Expected Where

Tipping expectations vary dramatically depending on where you're getting married. Understanding regional norms helps you express gratitude appropriately without creating awkward situations².

United States: Tips Are Part of Compensation

In the US, tipping is deeply embedded in service industry culture. Many service professionals—particularly catering staff, bartenders, and beauty professionals—rely on gratuities as a significant portion of their income. According to The Knot, couples should budget for tips as a separate line item in their wedding planning¹.

The key distinction: service staff who work throughout your event (caterers, bartenders, servers) generally expect tips, while business owners (photographers, planners, florists) set their rates to include full compensation, making tips optional but appreciated for exceptional work.

About half of American couples tip their wedding planner, suggesting it's genuinely optional for vendor-owners rather than a social obligation³.

United Kingdom: Thank-You Notes Over Cash

Unlike American weddings, tipping your suppliers is not the norm in the UK⁴. British vendors set their prices to reflect their full compensation, and service staff receive at least the national minimum wage by law.

When British couples want to show extra appreciation:

• 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. A common approach is tipping wait staff approximately £20 each, with the coordinator and head chef receiving £100-£150 each⁴.

Australia: Fair Wages Mean No Tipping Expected

Australia has no tipping culture for weddings. All hospitality workers receive award wages (Australia's industry minimum wage standards), which are significantly higher than US service industry wages. The national minimum wage in 2025 is A$24.95 per hour—A$31.18 for casual employees—eliminating the financial expectation for tips.

Australian couples who want to acknowledge exceptional service might:

• Round up the bill (e.g., from A$2,850 to A$3,000)
• Offer 10-15% for truly outstanding service (considered very generous)
• Write thank-you notes and leave positive reviews

Any tip in Australia is a genuine bonus for exceptional work rather than an expected portion of compensation.

The Art of Showing Appreciation

How you present your gratitude matters as much as the amount. Thoughtful presentation shows vendors you value their work and took time to acknowledge it personally².

Timing: When to Thank Each Vendor

Different vendors have different optimal timing for tips and thank-you gestures:

End of their service:

• Hair and makeup artists—tip when they finish your look
• Transportation drivers—tip at drop-off
• Ceremony musicians—after the ceremony concludes

End of reception:

• Catering staff and servers
• Bartenders
• DJ or band
• Wedding coordinator

After receiving deliverables:

• Photographers—many couples wait until seeing final images
• Videographers—after the edit is delivered

Before the wedding:

• Delivery personnel—prepare envelopes the day before
• Setup staff—have tips ready for early arrivals

After the celebration:

• Florists, bakers, and planners—can receive tips or thank-you notes by mail the following week¹

Presentation: Labeled Envelopes and Personal Notes

Prepare your tips before the wedding day. You'll be too busy celebrating to calculate amounts or find envelopes during the reception.

Best practices:

1. Withdraw cash in small denominations ($20 bills work well) at least one week before
2. Use labeled envelopes with each vendor's name clearly written
3. Include a brief handwritten note thanking them for something specific
4. Create a distribution list noting who receives each envelope and when

Delegation: Let Someone Else Handle Distribution

You shouldn't be thinking about envelopes on your wedding day. Designate a trusted person to handle tip distribution³:

• Wedding coordinator (if you have one)
• Best man or maid of honour
• Parent or close family member

Provide them with all envelopes and a checklist including:

• Who receives each envelope
• When to distribute (beginning of service, end of night, or after a specific milestone)
• Any special instructions

What to Say: Brief Thank-You Messages

Keep envelope notes short but specific. Generic thanks feels impersonal; specific gratitude shows you noticed their effort.

Instead of: "Thank you for everything."

Try:

• "Thank you for staying late to capture our sparkler exit—those photos will mean so much."
• "Your calm energy helped me stay relaxed all day. Thank you for making everything seamless."
• "The guests couldn't stop raving about the cocktails. Thank you for keeping the party going!"

Beyond Cash: Meaningful Alternatives

If cash tipping feels awkward, doesn't fit your budget, or isn't appropriate for your region, plenty of alternatives carry genuine meaning for vendors².

Reviews and Referrals: The Most Valuable Thank-You

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 any tip².

Where to leave reviews:

• Google Business Profile
• Facebook
• The Knot, WeddingWire, or regional wedding platforms
• Yelp (particularly for photographers and caterers)
• Their website testimonials page

Writing effective reviews:

• Mention specific things they did well
• Include keywords couples might search (e.g., "outdoor ceremony," "dietary accommodations")
• Add photos if the platform allows

Social Media Recognition

Tag vendors in your wedding photos when posting. This public recognition:

• Builds their portfolio
• Reaches engaged couples in their network
• Costs you nothing but creates lasting value

Ask your photographer which images vendors can use for marketing—giving explicit permission often means more than a cash tip.

Handwritten Notes

A thoughtful card never goes out of style. Send notes within two weeks of your wedding, mentioning:

• A specific moment they handled beautifully
• Something guests commented on
• How they made you feel on the day

When Budget Is Tight: Priority Guide

If you can't afford to tip everyone, prioritise based on industry norms and who genuinely relies on gratuities¹.

First Priority (US Only): Service Staff

Catering staff, bartenders, and servers work in industries where tips form significant income. If funds are limited, prioritise these workers with at least 10-15% of their portion of the bill.

Second Priority: Personal-Touch Vendors

Hair and makeup artists provide intimate, hands-on service. A tip shows appreciation for their patience and skill.

Third Priority: Reviews for Everyone Else

Photographers, planners, DJs, and florists own their businesses and set their rates accordingly. When you can't tip, invest 15 minutes writing detailed, positive reviews on multiple platforms. This costs nothing but provides substantial long-term value.

Service Charges vs. Gratuity: Know the Difference

Before budgeting for tips, review every vendor contract carefully¹. Look for these terms:

• "Service charge included" – May or may not go to staff
• "Gratuity included" – Usually goes directly to staff
• "Auto-gratuity" – Automatically added; no additional tip needed

A "service charge" is not necessarily a gratuity. 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? Does it go directly to the employees serving our wedding?"

If gratuity is genuinely included, you don't need to tip again—unless service was truly exceptional and you want to add extra recognition.

Sources and References