Tips for services

My husband and I didn't tip everyone. We only tipped our photographer and our day of coordinator. But we had asked them what their favorite restaurant was and we gave them a gift card.

The general rule is any solo operations who set their own prices (ie photographers, videographers, wedding planners/coordinators) don't require a tip. The same logic applies for makeup and hair artists or DJs if they operate by and manage themselves. But if they go above and beyond, it's always appreciated.

The ones you typically tip are those who are sent by a company (bar and wait staff, entertainers part of a company, general labour hired to set up your space, artists sent by a salon that they don't own etc).

Not all tips are restaurant style based on a percentage, a reasonable flat rate is fine. And for those who go above and beyond but typically don't expect tips, a gift card works too. And finally, check your vendor contracts to see if a gratuity is already included in the price.