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Tipping Guidance

Month-of Wedding Info

Tipping Guidance


Highlights


  • Tipping is optional and at your discretion—but it’s a thoughtful way to recognize great service on such an important day.

  • Rixey bartenders & extra-hands staff: base staffing fee applies; tip-jar vs. no-jar = $100/bartender prepaid gratuity (details below).

  • Many vendors are owner-operators (photographers, planners, musicians); tips aren’t expected but are appreciated for standout service.

  • When in doubt, prepare labeled envelopes ahead of time and assign a trusted person to hand them out—or give them to us and we’ll distribute.

  • Always check contracts for “service charge” vs. gratuity—a service fee may or may not be paid to staff.

  • Keep small bills on hand for day-of helpers (delivery crews, drivers, valet).

  • Budget for tips early so they don’t sneak up on you.


How to Think About Tipping (Principles)


  • Discretionary, not obligatory: Tip for good-to-exceptional service; don’t feel obligated if service missed the mark.

  • Owner vs. employee: Tips are more customary for non-owner staff (servers, drivers, assistants). Owner-operators don’t expect tips but do value them (and glowing reviews).

  • Service charges ≠ gratuities (always): Ask, “Do your staff receive the service charge as a gratuity?” before adding more.

  • Plan & label: Prepare sealed envelopes with names/roles so tipping is smooth, discreet, and accurate.

  • Delegate distribution: Hand envelopes to us or assign your MOH/Best Man/parent—free yourselves from handling cash mid-celebration.


Rixey Staff (Bartenders & Extra Hands)


  • Bartenders / Rixey-provided event staff Base staffing fee (e.g., $350 each) applies. Tip-jar option: If you allow a tip jar, guests typically cover bartender gratuity—no extra from you is needed (unless you wish). No-jar option: If you prefer no tip jar, we require a $100/bartender prepaid gratuity to ensure fair compensation without guest cash.


  • “Extra Hands” (setup/cleanup/general assistants): Not positioned to receive guest tips; optional gratuity is kind but not expected. Hand to venue manager for fair distribution or include a labeled envelope.


  • Grace: Usually couple who can afford to will tip Grace something as we all know she goes above and beyond a normal extra hand. But much like with Isadora if fund are short (and we have all felt that), a thank you note means the world.



Vendor-by-Vendor Guidance & Ranges


The ranges below align with common U.S. wedding norms; feel free to tailor to service quality, complexity, and budget.


Catering / Serving Staff

  • Check contract first: If a gratuity is already included (often 18–22%), additional tipping is usually unnecessary.

  • If no gratuity included: ~$20–$50 per server; consider more for banquet captain/head server. Lower end for buffet/limited service; higher end for plated/multi-course with attentive service.


Coordinator / Planner (outside vendor)

  • Owner-operators don’t expect tips, but if they crushed it: $100–$200 or a thoughtful gift (e.g., a nice bottle).

  • Assistants: ~$50 each.


Photographer / Videographer

  • Owners typically not tipped; increasingly common to tip for stellar work: $50–$100 for the main, ~$50 for a second shooter/assistant. Same guidance for videographers.


Officiant

  • Professional officiant: $50–$100 gratuity.

  • Clergy: Often a donation to the house of worship (commonly $100+).

  • Friend officiant: A thoughtful gift and inclusion in rehearsal dinner are perfect.


DJ / Band

  • DJ: $50–$100, or 10–15% of fee for exceptional performance (check contract first).

  • Live band: Tip per musician (~$25 each) or a lump sum to bandleader to distribute (again, verify contract).


Hair & Makeup

  • Treat like salon services: 15–20% of the service total.

  • One payer can tip on the group invoice, or each person can tip for their own services—confirm your plan with the beauty team.


Florist, Cake Baker, Other Product-Forward Vendors

  • Not typically tipped (product-based), unless they go above and beyond (last-minute fixes, personal delivery/setup beyond scope): $20–$50 as a thank-you is lovely.

  • Even without a tip, a personal note and a 5-star review mean a lot.


Transportation (Shuttles / Buses / Limos)

  • Check contract for included gratuity. If not: $50 per driver (hand off at the end of service).


“Others” (Photo Booth Attendant, Fireworks Tech, Specialty Vendors)

  • If they’re staff, $20–$40 is a kind thank-you for solid service.

  • If they’re owner-operators, tips are not expected—use your judgment.


When & How to Tip (Step-by-Step)

  1. Prep envelopes 1–2 weeks out. Label with Name + Role (e.g., “Lead Bartender—Sarah”, “DJ Mike”, “Catering Captain”). Do not include an amount on the envelope incase you choose to adjust it.

  2. Add a short thank-you note—it turns a transaction into appreciation.

  3. Assign distribution (or hand to us). Give the full stack to Rixey’s manager and we’ll discreetly distribute at teardown/departure, or entrust a family member/attendant.

  4. Timing cues Rixey venue staff: during/after the event (we can handle). Catering manager/servers: end of dinner/service window. DJ/Band: as they pack up. Photographer/Videographer: before their departure (or at send-off). Hair/Makeup: after the session wraps. Officiant: post-ceremony or at rehearsal.

  5. Keep small bills handy Useful for unexpected helpers (delivery teams who go above and beyond, extra trips, last-minute add-ons).


Budgeting Tips (So It Doesn’t Sneak Up)

  • Add a tipping line to your master budget. For many weddings, a few hundred dollars spread across vendors is typical; larger teams and more service-forward formats (plated dinner, extra bars) warrant more.

  • A quick planner you can adapt: Bartenders (no-jar route): $100 each (required per bartender) Catering staff (if no gratuity): $20–$50 per server + captain premium DJ: $50–$100 Photographer: $50–$100 (+ $50 second shooter) Videographer: $50–$100 Transportation: 15–20% or $50–$100/driver Officiant: $50–$100 (or church donation)

  • Planner/Coordinator: $100–$200 (+ $100/assistant)

  • Hair & Makeup: 15–20% of services


If service was subpar, you are not obligated to tip. Instead, provide respectful feedback so they can improve, and let us know if we can support.


Practical Envelope List (copy/paste & customize)

  • Lead Bartender: $100 (if no tip jar) / or “Thank you!” (if jar allowed)

  • Bartender #2: $100 (if no tip jar)

  • Rixey Extra Hands (optional): $XX (to venue manager to distribute)

  • Grace (optional): $XX

  • Catering Captain: $XX

  • Servers (bundle to captain to distribute): $XX total

  • DJ / Band Leader: $XX (or “$X per musician—please distribute”)

  • Photographer: $XX

  • Second Shooter: $XX

  • Videographer: $XX

  • Officiant / Donation: $XX

  • Hair Stylist(s): $XX

  • Makeup Artist(s): $XX

  • Transportation Driver(s): $XX each

  • Photo Booth Attendant / Specialty Staff (if any): $XX

  • Delivery Crew (if outstanding service): $10–$20 each (cash on hand)

Final Thoughts


Tipping should feel gratifying, not stressful. Use the guidelines above, trust your instincts about service quality, and set the plan in motion with labeled envelopes and a distribution helper (or hand them to us). Whether you tip with cash, a heartfelt note, a small gift, or a rave review, your appreciation goes a long way.


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