GRATUITY FOR weddings?

Question

I'm getting married Aug 30. The wedding @ The Bridgewater Manor in central NJ.

Can u pls help me figure out how much i should tip everyone?

-At the catering hall - maitre'd -

(is there anyone else at the catering hall i need to tip?)

-DJ - there are 2 people. MC & DJ

-Video - there is 1 person

-Photographer - there are 2 phtgrphrs

-Musicians - are only for the ceremony & cocktail hour. there are 4 musicians @ the ceremony & 3 @ cocktail hour

-Hair - my hair is costing $150.she is doing 5 bridesmaids. how much do i tip her & how much should my girls tip her (bridesmaids are $75)?

-Make-up - my make-up is costing me ~$125 w trial. She is going to do at least 3 of my girls @ $55\girl. how much do i tip her & how much do my girls tip her?

-The girl from the bridal shop is coming in the morning to help me get ready.That's $100. how much do i tip her?

-We're having a rabbi & a priest-how much do i tip them?

Pls help!! also..who am i missing?

tnx :)

Answer 1

-At the catering hall - maitre'd -

(is there anyone else at the catering hall i need to tip?)- FIRST MAKE SURE IT ISN'T WORKED IN TO THE COST ALREADY - A LOT OF PLACES DO THIS.. OTHER WISE 15%

-DJ - there are 2 people. MC & DJ - $50

-Video - there is 1 person- YOU ARE PAYING THIS PERSON NO NEED TO TIP

-Photographer - there are 2 phtgrphrs

- AGAIN YOU ARE PAYING FOR SERVICES NO NEED TO TIP

-Musicians - are only for the ceremony & cocktail hour. there are 4 musicians @ the ceremony & 3 @ cocktail hour

-Hair - my hair is costing $150.she is doing 5 bridesmaids. how much do i tip her & how much should my girls tip her (bridesmaids are $75)? I WOULD GIVE HER A SET AMOUNT FOR EVERYONE LIKE 10%

-Make-up - my make-up is costing me ~$125 w trial. She is going to do at least 3 of my girls @ $55\girl. how much do i tip her & how much do my girls tip her?

-The girl from the bridal shop is coming in the morning to help me get ready.That's $100. how much do i tip her?

-We're having a rabbi & a priest-how much do i tip them? $150-200

Answer 2

I woudl agree with htchk.. (we just looked up this on Yahoo Answers two days ago.. there are a lot of good questions and answers to help you here).

Musicians -- if they're professionals, and they're getting paid at what appear to be going, professional rates, no need to tip.  if they're your friends, or family, or if they're students charging less than going rate, TIP, at least $20 a person.

Officiants -- make sure you don't call the money you pay them "tips."  They're "honoraria" (singular: honorarium).  If they're your family minister/rabbi, you'd probably want to give a little more.  If they're just the convenient guy, a little less.  I think $100 per guy is certainly sufficient (especially if they're invited to the reception and get free food.)

Only other people I can think of is any coat check people (if there are any) -- usually .50 per guest, and your limo driver (if you have one). Whatever you think it's worth... $20 above what the limo costs maybe?

Answer 3

Hello, I'm an officiant who's been performing weddings for about five years.  I researched the "going rate" in Northern California before hanging my shingle out and found it to be $200-300 encompassing travel and meeting time, ceremony creation, rehearsal, ceremony itself, and filing the completed license.  Personally, I perform by donation based on this activity - I ask my couples to consider the value and quality I give them as well as their ability to pay and let them decide.  Almost all my couples have provided between $150 to $250 for an average small to medium size wedding party.  For this area, I'm compensated fairly (not including the honor of performing the ceremony itself - certainly many intangible compensations as well).  I hope this helps.