Originally published April 2023. Updated April 2026 with current tipping standards and vendor recommendations

You’ve spent months planning your dream Virginia Beach wedding—choosing the perfect waterfront venue, tasting menus, curating your vendor team, and agonizing over every beautiful detail. But there’s one important item many couples forget to budget for until the last minute: vendor gratuities.

Tipping your wedding vendors is a thoughtful way to show appreciation for the people who work tirelessly behind the scenes to bring your celebration to life. Whether it’s the catering team plating a gorgeous dinner, your day-of coordinator managing every timeline detail, or the bartenders keeping the champagne flowing, these professionals pour their hearts into making your day unforgettable.

But who do you tip? How much? And when? We know it can feel overwhelming, so we’ve put together this comprehensive, updated guide to help you navigate wedding vendor tipping with confidence.

Plan Ahead: Tipping Tips Before the Big Day

Review your contracts carefully. Before you start stuffing envelopes, read through every vendor contract. Some vendors—particularly caterers, transportation companies, and venues—may already include a service charge or gratuity in their pricing. If you see a “service charge” line item, ask your vendor directly whether that money goes to the staff. A service charge and a gratuity are not always the same thing.

Budget for tips from the start. Industry experts recommend setting aside 5–10% of your total wedding budget for vendor gratuities. Add a separate line item for tips when you create your wedding budget so they don’t become a surprise expense at the end of your planning journey.

Prepare labeled envelopes. A few days before your wedding, visit the bank, withdraw the cash you’ll need, and divide tips into individually labeled envelopes—one for each vendor or vendor team. Then assign one trusted person (your wedding planner, day-of coordinator, maid of honor, or a family member) to distribute them throughout the day.

Cash is king. While Venmo and other digital payment options are convenient, most vendors prefer cash tips. A handwritten thank-you note tucked inside the envelope adds a personal touch that goes a long way.

Venue Catering Staff & Bartenders

Here Comes The Guide believes the banquet manager & venue manager should receive $1 to $2 per guest or $100 to $300 each. And the catering staff should receive around $50 each.

What is the Service Charge on Lesner Inn’s bill then? I thought that covered the tips for the staff?

A “service charge” is a mandatory fee that gets added to your venue and/or catering contract, but it means different things for different venues. At The Lesner Inn, the service charge (applied to the subtotal of your contract) supports the behind-the-scenes work that allows your wedding day to run seamlessly. This fee helps cover administrative planning, event coordination, operational overhead, and our service team’s hourly wages. It also allows us to properly staff your event based on guest count and service needs, ensuring you have the right number of team members dedicated to your celebration. Please note: the service charge is not a gratuity. Any additional tip for your service team is discretionary and always appreciated, but never required. For more information on service charge, click here!

How much to tip: If gratuity is not included in your contract, the standard recommendation is 15–20% of your total food and beverage bill, to be split among the catering staff, kitchen team, and bartenders. If you want to tip individually, consider $100–$300 for the catering or banquet manager and $20–$50 per server or bartender.

When to tip: At the end of the reception, or hand your envelopes to your day-of coordinator or venue manager to distribute.

Wedding Planner or Day-of Coordinator

Your wedding planner or day-of coordinator is the person who makes sure everything runs smoothly—from managing the timeline and overseeing vendor load-in to handling any last-minute surprises so you don’t have to. They are the unsung heroes of your wedding day. **Read more about the difference of a wedding day-of-coordinator & venue manager by clicking here

While tipping is not expected or required for Lesner Inn’s day-of-coordinators or planners, it sure is appreciated! According to both The Knot & Here Comes The Guide, a gratuity of 10-20% of their service fee is traditional if you choose to tip your coordinator (up to $500). Opting to give your coordinator a personal gift is another popular choice instead of a monetary tip.

When to tip: At the end of the reception, or mail a thank-you card with a check after the wedding.

**At Lesner Inn, your venue manager’s primary focus is the food, beverage, and venue operations. For couples who want someone to manage all the personal details, ceremony logistics, and vendor coordination, we offer in-house day-of coordination as an optional upgrade. If you choose this service, your coordinator works with all of your vendors to make sure your vision comes to life seamlessly.

Photographer & Videographer

Your photo and video team will be by your side for most of the day, capturing every emotional moment from getting ready to the last dance. Tipping is not expected for photographers and videographers, but it is always appreciated—especially when they go above and beyond.

How much to tip: $50–$200 per team member, or 5–15% of the total contract value. Don’t forget second shooters and assistants—$50–$75 each is a thoughtful gesture.

When to tip: At the end of the reception, or when you receive your final gallery or film.

According to The Knot, “You’re not expected to give your shutterbugs any money beyond their normal fees. But if the wedding photographer or videographer doesn’t own the studio, consider tipping each person (or give a certain amount with a thank-you note to disperse to staff).”

The Knot

Wedding Reception Music

Your entertainment vendor sets the energy for the entire reception, from the first dance to the final song. Whether you’ve hired a DJ or a live band, tipping is optional but preferred.

DJ: $50–$150, or 10–15% of their total contract, depending on the quality of service. If they brought sound technicians or assistants, include them as well.

Band: $15–$50 per band member. You can give a lump sum to the bandleader to distribute, or prepare individual envelopes.

When to tip: At the end of the reception. Your coordinator or a wedding party member can handle the handoff.

Officiant

Your officiant plays one of the most meaningful roles of the day. Tipping customs vary depending on whether your officiant is religious, secular, or a friend or family member.

Religious officiant: A donation of $100–$500 to their house of worship is customary. If they are also charging a ceremony fee, the donation amount may be adjusted accordingly.

Secular or independent officiant: A tip of $50–$100 is standard, especially if they spent extra time with you during premarital counseling or helped personalize the ceremony.

Friend or family member: A heartfelt gift or cash honorarium is a thoughtful way to say thank you.

When to tip: At the rehearsal or rehearsal dinner, or immediately after the ceremony.

Read more from The Knot & Here Comes The Guide on their tipping recommendations.

Hair and Makeup Artists

Your beauty team arrives early in the morning to make sure you and your crew look absolutely stunning. Tipping your hair and makeup artists follows the same etiquette as tipping at a salon—it is expected.

How much to tip: 15–25% of the total beauty bill, divided among the stylists. If a stylist handled a last-minute crisis (like a complete hairstyle change), consider tipping a bit extra.

When to tip: Immediately after services are completed, before the ceremony.

Florist and Baker

Your florist and baker are typically behind-the-scenes vendors who complete their work before or during setup. Tipping these vendors is optional, but delivery and setup staff should be tipped.

Florist: If your floral designer went above and beyond—think elaborate installations or last-minute changes—a tip of $50–$200 or a small gift is a kind gesture. For delivery crew members, $10–$20 per person is customary.

Baker: A tip of $50–$200 or a small gift is appreciated, especially if the baker was on-site for setup. Tip the cake delivery driver $10–$20.

When to tip: Upon delivery for setup staff. For the florist or baker, send a thank-you note with the tip after the wedding.

Transportation

If you’ve hired a limo, shuttle, or vintage car for your wedding day, check your contract for included gratuity. Many transportation companies build in a 15–20% service charge.

How much to tip: If gratuity is not included, 15–20% of the total bill or $50 per driver is standard.

When to tip: At the end of the final ride. If you have guest shuttles, designate someone on each bus to tip the driver.

When a tip isn’t in the budget

We understand that wedding costs add up quickly, and not every couple has room in the budget for generous cash tips on top of everything else. The good news is that there are meaningful, non-monetary ways to show your appreciation that vendors genuinely value:

Leave a five-star review. A detailed, heartfelt review on Google, The Knot, or WeddingWire can be more valuable to a vendor’s business than a monetary tip. Future couples rely on these reviews, and your kind words can directly help a vendor book more weddings.

Tag and share on social media. When you post your wedding photos, tag your vendors. It’s free exposure that helps them reach new clients.

Send a handwritten thank-you note. In an age of digital everything, a personal, handwritten note stands out and is often kept and cherished by vendors.

Share your professional photos. With your photographer’s permission, offer to share images with your florist, planner, cake baker, and other vendors for their portfolios and marketing.

Refer friends and family. Word-of-mouth referrals are invaluable. If you loved working with a vendor, tell your engaged friends!

Final thoughts from Lesner Inn

Tipping your wedding vendors is ultimately a personal decision, and there is no single right answer. What matters most is recognizing the hard work and dedication that goes into making your wedding day everything you dreamed it would be.

At Lesner Inn, we are proud to provide an all-inclusive wedding experience on the beautiful waterfront of Virginia Beach. Our wedding packages include gourmet catering, handcrafted cocktails, and a dedicated venue manager to oversee your food, beverage, and venue operations on the day of your wedding. For couples who want additional support with the personal details—vendor coordination, ceremony logistics, and timeline management—our optional in-house day-of coordination service is available as an upgrade.

We hope this guide takes the guesswork out of wedding vendor tipping so you can focus on what really matters: celebrating your love story with the people who matter most.

For more Information on Wedding Vendor Tip Etiquette, read this blog on The Knot &/or this blog on Here Comes The Guide.