Guide to Tipping Your Wedding Vendors

One of the questions we receive the most is who and what to tip on your wedding day. We hope this guide is helpful! A few important things to note from the jump:

• Gratuity may be included in your catering contract already, so start there.

• Tipping is never mandatory. You don’t have to feel obligated to tip at all.

• Tipping is showing gratitude for a great service, to whomever provides it, and is always appreciated and never expected.

• If someone went above and beyond, tip accordingly! This is just a guide, not a rulebook.

• Cash is the best way to tip, but if you know the vendors full name, a check is fine too (especially for larger tips).

• We know this conversation can get awkward, so let’s all take a deep breath and barrel on through!

So, who to tip and how much?

Hair + MakeuP: 20-25%

What you would give in a salon is appropriate for your stylists.

Catering: Usually included in the contract

Check your contract first! If there is no gratuity added, 10-20% of the food and drink total is appropriate. Alternatively, you may want to tip one envelope to your catering manager, and one to the chefs, servers, bartenders, bussers, etc. to be divided up between them.

Photographer / Videographer: $100-200

If they have assistants, $25-50 is generous as well.

Florist: $25-50

There is generally a team on your wedding day, but feel free to tip the person you’ve been working with during planning.

DJ : $50-100

They’re making the party happen!

Band: $25-50 each

Or 15% of the service cost. You can give a little more to the band leader/emcee.

Transportation: $20-50 per driver

Navigating traffic in the Loop on Air & Water Show weekend? Yeah, these folks definitely deserve a tip!

Officiant: it depends!

If this person is your pal or a family member, as we most often see, a nice gift and card is appropriate. If they are affiliated with a religion, a donation to that institution. Or, if you’re just paying them to perform your ceremony, $25-50.

Venue Staff: $20-50 per person

This is a person who’s been there for you from the beginning, so it’s always a nice acknowledgement.

Wedding Coordinator: Ooo, awkward. This is us.

But getting a tip is very nice. And we thank you very, very much for your generosity.

We hope this guide has helped!

Keep in mind: tipping is a personal choice. Vendors love making your day go smoothly and watching the joy on your faces. Any acknowledgement of excellent service, even just a thank you card, is vastly appreciated by your vendors.

AELO Alumni | Amanda + Michael, 10/9/21

VENUE: TRIGGER CHICAGO | PHOTOGRAPHY: JAMIE + ERIC PHOTO | CATERING: AMAZING EDIBLES | DJ: TOAST + JAM | CUPCAKES: MOLLY’S CUPCAKES

When the couple says “we’re doing all showtunes through cocktail hour”, we know we’re in for a good time. Amanda + Michael got pandemic-married, and finally got to celebrate with all of their wonderful people at Trigger Chicago on an absolutely stunning day in October.

From their book and book flower centerpieces to Michael and his frat brothers serenading Amanda, to the packed dance floor, the day was perfect. We were so happy to celebrate with two people who so clearly respect and admire each other, and know how to have a great time. Congratulations, Amanda + Michael!

AELO Alumni | Mary Beth + Steve, 11/13/21

VENUE: IGNITE GLASS STUDIO | CATERING: COCINA FUSION | DJ: TOAST AND JAM | PHOTOGRAPHY: MAYPOLE STUDIOS

MB and Steve are two of the sweetest people we've had the pleasure of working with. Hosts at heart, they had to go all out for their wedding--putting on a truly heartwarming wedding complete with an incredible flower man entrance and touching words from their friend/officiant. After rings and kisses were exchanged, guests were delighted by an in-house glass blowing demonstration during cocktail hour. After a spectacular dinner service, MB and Steve's family and friends were anxious to get out on the dance floor and they tore.it.up! We could tell that every person in attendance was feeling the love for this couple; it was so nice to be there to help make this day happen for such an incredible group of people.

AELO Alumni | Mary + Ralph, 10/30/21

VENUE: SECOND UNITARIAN CHURCH | CATERING: TRUE CUISINE | PHOTOGRAPHER: AVINA PHOTOGRAPHY | DJ-CHICAGO | DECOR: THE COUPLE WITH AELO’S EXECUTION!

What a NIGHT for these two Halloween-loving cuties! A costume wedding has been AELO’s dream for so long, and we were honored to be a part of it. So fun, so in love. Congratulations, Mary + Ralph!

AELO Alumni | Christina + Bill, 1/7/22

VENUE: BRIDGEPORT ART CENTER, SKYLINE LOFT | CATERING: D’ABSOLUTE | PHOTO, VIDEO, DJ, PHOTOBOOTH: WELL TOLD WEDDINGS | FLORIST: TRA BLUME | DECOR: ART OF IMAGINATION | CEREMONY MUSICIANS: NEW CHICAGO BRASS | HAIR + MAKEUP: TOTAL IMAGE BRIDAL | DESSERTS: DEFLOURED AND SCOOPS

What a year! Christina and Bill’s wedding was postponed for a year due to COVID and it was an absolute joy to watch them finally walk down the aisle. Christina is magnanimous and fun, Bill is kind and generous, and their families and friends were a blast to hang out with. Everything was stunning, from the chandeliers to the flowers to the bride herself! Christina is glamorous from tip to toe and this wedding sparkled. From a heartwarming ceremony to the sweetest toasts to the Frank Sinatra surprise, we had so much fun celebrating these two wonderful people.

Cheers, Christina + Bill! May your life be filled with puppy snuggles and good bourbon!