![\"wih-blogpost-5-dwphoto2\"](\"https:\/\/www.weddingsinhouston.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/wih-blogpost-5-dwphoto2-199x300.jpg\" "\\"wih-blogpost-5-dwphoto2\\"")
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Photo courtesy DW Photography<\/a><\/p>\n Here\u2019s what\u2019s fun about planning your wedding: trying on gorgeous gowns, indulging in caterer and cake tastings, picking out fantastic florals and luxurious linens, getting your hair and makeup done by a professional, fantasizing about your fabulous life as the future Mrs. So-and-So. <\/span>Here\u2019s what\u2019s not: figuring out whom and how much to tip. <\/span><\/p>\n While tipping wedding vendors (or restaurant waiters for that matter) is not mandatory, it is, generally, expected, particularly when a superior level of service is provided, as it is by the vast majority of Houston wedding professionals. <\/span>So, working on the assumption that your wedding will be wonderful, you should calculate appropriate gratuities well ahead of time, and make sure that they are distributed properly. <\/span><\/p>\n Follow these tipping guidelines, and you\u2019ll do right by your vendors, while keeping your budget in check\u2014a big plus in these tough economic times: <\/span><\/p>\n Officiant: $50-$100, before wedding day, or at end of ceremony. <\/span><\/p>\n Caterer: Check first to find out if a staff gratuity has already been added to your total. <\/span>If it hasn\u2019t, figure $100-$200 for banquet manager and $20-$40 each for wait staff and bartenders. <\/span>Alternately, you can tip 18-20% of the catering bill total, and leave it up to staff to divide accordingly, though this usually ends up being more expensive. <\/span>Either way, hand out envelope(s) with cash at end of reception. <\/span><\/p>\n D.J.\/Musicians: $20-$25 per musician; $25-$35 for D.J., if you book through an agency. <\/span>For an independent band or D.J., tipping is optional. <\/span><\/p>\n Parking attendants: $1 per car. <\/span>Give envelope of cash to valet manager or maitre d\u2019 at end of reception to divide among attendants. <\/span><\/p>\n Hair\/Makeup Stylist: 18-20% of bill, in cash if possible. <\/span><\/p>\n Wedding Coordinator: Tips are generally not expected, but it is always nice to acknowledge a coordinator who has done a spectacular job. <\/span>You can give cash at your discretion, or a thoughtful gift, such as flowers, an accessory such as a silk wrap or cashmere scarf, a unique or elegant home d\u00e9cor item, or a gift certificate for dining or spa<\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n For all reception-related tips, put your coordinator in charge of handing out envelopes. <\/span>As a bride, you\u2019ll be focused on other things, like enjoying the happiest day of your life\u2014assigning tipping to a designated person will ensure that everyone gets what\u2019s coming to them. <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Photo courtesy DW Photography Here\u2019s what\u2019s fun about planning your wedding: trying on gorgeous gowns, indulging in caterer and cake tastings, picking out fantastic florals and luxurious linens, getting your hair and makeup done by a professional, fantasizing about your fabulous life as the future Mrs. So-and-So. Here\u2019s what\u2019s not: figuring out whom and how Click here to read the rest of this post \u00bb<\/a> […]<\/p>\n