Guides · October 8, 2026
How much to tip wedding vendors: two guides, side by side
There is no official rule for wedding tips, and the published guides disagree. Here are two of them next to each other, so you can see the range and decide.
First, read the contract
Some contracts already include gratuity. A service charge is not always a tip: ask what it covers. Both guides also note that people who own their business are tipped less often than employees.
The two guides
| Vendor | Zola (Jun 2026) | WeddingWire (Oct 2020) |
|---|---|---|
| Catering | 16 to 20% of food and drink if gratuity is not included | 15 to 20% of the food bill if the service fee does not include a tip |
| Bartenders | Included above | 10 to 15% of the bar tab |
| Hair and makeup | 16 to 20% | 15 to 20% |
| Photographer and videographer | 1 to 5%, or about $200 | Nothing if they own the business; $100 to $200 if employed |
| DJ | 1 to 5%, or about $200 | 10 to 15% of the bill |
| Musicians | $25 to $50 each | $25 to $50 each |
| Officiant | $50 to $100, or a donation | $50 to $100 civil; $100 to $300 donation to a house of worship |
| Florist | $50 to $100 | Not expected; tip delivery staff |
| Drivers | 15 to 20% | 15 to 20% if not already included |
Where they differ most
- DJs: a flat amount in one guide, a percentage of the bill in the other.
- Photographers: one guide suggests a small percentage, the other says owners are not tipped.
- Florists: one suggests a tip, the other says it is not expected.
How to hand tips out
- Set the cash aside about a month before.
- A week before, put each tip in a labelled envelope.
- Give the envelopes to your coordinator or someone you trust, to hand out after each vendor has finished.
Sources:
General information for planning, not legal or financial advice. My Wedding Plan is independent and not affiliated with the sources cited.