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To tip or not to Tip?
 
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JohnN



Joined: 22 Nov 2007
Posts: 7

PostPosted: Sun Apr 06, 2008 2:23 pm    Post subject: To tip or not to Tip? Reply with quote
OK, I'm getting married in 12 days, out of town. It's a combination destination/elopement wedding. I'm going through a wedding planner who's husband is doing the ceremony. I'm having a photographer (she's the photographer) as well as a videographer - a different person. It's a package deal, everything included for the 15 min ceremony for $1500.My question is, who do I tip? The wedding planner has been great. She's made recommendations for hotels, making reservations for my hair/makeup, as well as dinner reservations for us after the ceremony. Do I need to tip her? I think I should, but that's part of what I'm paying for in the package. Also, the videographer... he's included in the package, but a private person not associated with the company (not a partner) Do I tip him?I know I'm going to be tipping the limo driver - but I don't know who else. The celebrant? wedding planner? florist? cake maker.... everything is rolled into the package.HELP! I'm stressing! :)Just to clarify - The photographer IS the wedding planner, AND the cleric's wife. It's all one person. The videographer is someone different.The video and pictures (both on CD/DVD - no prints) are included in the price.Also, the only one I've had any contact with is the wedding planner. Everyone else, she's using people she has used for years, so I'm going with her people.
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janefaller



Joined: 22 Nov 2007
Posts: 7

PostPosted: Sun Apr 06, 2008 3:41 pm    Post subject: To tip or not to Tip? Reply with quote
No you do not have to tip
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JennK



Joined: 22 Nov 2007
Posts: 4

PostPosted: Sun Apr 06, 2008 5:00 pm    Post subject: To tip or not to Tip? Reply with quote
no u dont tip her
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jimd3816



Joined: 10 Mar 2008
Posts: 3

PostPosted: Sun Apr 06, 2008 6:18 pm    Post subject: To tip or not to Tip? Reply with quote
here's a guide for ya:http://www.hudsonvalleyweddings.com/guide/tipping.htm
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JellieBeansx3



Joined: 22 Nov 2007
Posts: 8

PostPosted: Sun Apr 06, 2008 7:37 pm    Post subject: To tip or not to Tip? Reply with quote
i would get the wedding planner a small gift rather than tip, because it's more personal and she helped you out a lot more than the others so she deserves it
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Hugelewly



Joined: 09 Oct 2007
Posts: 4
Location: Latvia

PostPosted: Sun Apr 06, 2008 8:55 pm    Post subject: To tip or not to Tip? Reply with quote
My opinion tip the wedding planner, photographer and videotaper. They have helped you along the way Right? And you can tip anyone you wan, you don't need people answering this question for you. You know what you should do...it is your wedding! oh,, AND Congrats!
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immulkciz



Joined: 17 Nov 2007
Posts: 10
Location: Uruguay

PostPosted: Sun Apr 06, 2008 10:14 pm    Post subject: To tip or not to Tip? Reply with quote
Personally, I think that you're paying her so why tip herIf you want to reward her then send her a card after the fact and maybe a bottle of wine and a certificate for dinner as far as photographer and videographer , believe me when you see the prices for the prints, you'll not be worried about tipping anymore because they will stick it to youSame with the florists and cake makersLimo driver only
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Geroskopp



Joined: 09 Nov 2007
Posts: 4
Location: USA

PostPosted: Sun Apr 06, 2008 11:33 pm    Post subject: To tip or not to Tip? Reply with quote
They are receiving pay, why would you tip. They are not service people, they are hired help.We tip 20 percent for service people who go above and beyond for excellent service and are otherwise low paid.
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j153e



Joined: 30 Jan 2008
Posts: 13

PostPosted: Mon Apr 07, 2008 12:51 am    Post subject: To tip or not to Tip? Reply with quote
Make sure it's not included in the price. Our caterer/bar person is charging 20% for that. If you think they've gone above and beyond you can tip. I don't plan on tipping the photographer, as it costs over $2000. I'm going to tip my cake lady, hair/makeup people, band members. Hm..make sure package doesn't include gratuities, and then do what you want. You don't have to tip any of them.
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JM4303



Joined: 02 Dec 2007
Posts: 18

PostPosted: Mon Apr 07, 2008 2:10 am    Post subject: To tip or not to Tip? Reply with quote
There's a great website on Frugal Tipping for Weddings. Here's the link: http://www.frugalbride.com/tipping.htmlIn my opinion, you should tip your planner $50-150 if you are happy with her work. This should cover her role as planner and as photographer. You should not tip the officiant, it's considered bad etiquette.It is optional to tip the videographer. If you want to, tip up to $50.You should tip the limo driver, 10-15% of your limo bill but not more than $150.It's optional to tip the florist and cake maker. Most people don't. You don't need to tip the florist for making your arrangements but you can tip them an extra $5.00 per delivery location (3 locations=$15.00) or $10-20.00 per staff member in one lump sum, for set-up and delivery. For the cake maker, you don't have to tip for the baking of the cake but if you are at your reception venue at time of delivery and set-up = $10.00. If you go to the salon for hair and makeup you should tip 15% (because the salon is making the money and the tip goes to the person doing the work). If the stylist comes to you, you don't necessarily have to tip them.Hope this helps!!
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jimd6512



Joined: 16 Feb 2008
Posts: 8

PostPosted: Mon Apr 07, 2008 3:28 am    Post subject: To tip or not to Tip? Reply with quote
I've been a wedding photographer working at major UK weddings (the top social stuff). As part of my role I am often the troubleshooter and de facto co-ordinator - my work has to fit round other professionals to keep stress off as many people as possible, including the bride and groom... but it is all part of the job, which I am getting paid for and I set the price for!!I have received a few tips in my time (mostly bottles of wine or champagne), and a lot of nice words and congratulations on the way I handled things. IMHO a tip is completely unnecessary - it's just nice to be told you did a good job and know your client will tell others about you! I'd save your money for ordering pictures from your photographer and, if you feel someone made a very special contribution to your day, then perhaps send them some flowers if they are a woman or something small and personal if they are a man.The little touches count - don't let this stress your day any more... relax and enjoy.Congratulations and have a fantastic day!
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