Budget & money calculator
Vendor Tip Calculator
Enter each vendor's bill to get suggested gratuities and a ready-to-print cash envelope checklist for the big day. It uses customary percentage ranges for service staff and flat thank-you amounts for everyone else. Once you know your tips, fold them into the bigger picture with the wedding budget calculator.
Your vendor tips
Suggested tips by vendor
- Catering staff17.5% of the bill (15–20% is customary)
- $1,400
- Bartenders15% of the bill (10–20% is customary)
- $225
- Hair & makeup20% of the bill (15–25% is customary)
- $120
- Transportation17.5% of the bill (15–20% is customary)
- $140
- DJ / band12.5% of the bill (10–15% is customary)
- $225
- Photographer / videographerFlat $100 thank-you (tipping is optional for this vendor)
- $100
- OfficiantFlat $100 thank-you (tipping is optional for this vendor)
- $100
Cash envelope checklist
- Envelope for Catering staff: $1,400
- Envelope for Bartenders: $225
- Envelope for Hair & makeup: $120
- Envelope for Transportation: $140
- Envelope for DJ / band: $225
- Envelope for Photographer / videographer: $100
- Envelope for Officiant: $100
- Check each contract first — many caterers and venues already include a service charge or gratuity.
- Hand tips out in labeled envelopes and delegate delivery to a planner, best man, or family member.
- Owners of a business (e.g., a solo photographer) don't expect a tip, but a kind note or review is always welcome.
This is an estimate, not a guarantee. Wedding costs and quantities vary by region, season, and vendor — verify before you buy or sign.
Next: read Wedding Vendor Tip Guide or fold this into a full plan.
Build your wedding planHow this is calculated
- Customary ranges: catering 15–20%, bartenders 10–20%, hair/makeup 15–25%, transport 15–20%, DJ/band 10–15%.
- Conservative uses the low end, generous the high end, standard the midpoint.
- Photographer, planner, and officiant use optional flat amounts ($50–$300).
- Always check contracts first — many include a service charge or gratuity already.
Every figure here is a well-worn planning rule of thumb, not a quote — use it to budget early, then lock in real numbers as you book.
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Open →Frequently asked questions
How much should I tip wedding vendors?
Service-based vendors are usually tipped as a percentage of their bill: catering staff 15–20%, bartenders 10–20%, hair and makeup 15–25%, transportation 15–20%, and DJs or bands 10–15%. Photographers, planners, and officiants are typically given a flat thank-you of roughly $50–$300 instead. This calculator applies those ranges based on the tip style you choose.
Which wedding vendors do I actually have to tip?
Tipping is expected for service staff like catering, bartending, hair and makeup, and transportation drivers. It is optional and appreciated — but not required — for photographers, planners, DJs, and officiants, especially if they own the business. Always check your contracts first, since many caterers and venues already add a service charge or gratuity.
Do I tip on the pre-tax or post-tax amount?
Tip on the pre-tax service total, not the portion that is sales tax. If your contract already includes a service charge or built-in gratuity, that often counts as the tip — confirm with the vendor so you don't pay twice.
When and how should I hand out tips?
Prepare labeled cash envelopes ahead of time and delegate handing them out to a planner, best man, or trusted family member so you aren't dealing with money on the day. Tips are usually given at the end of the event, or as each vendor finishes their service.
Last reviewed June 2026 by Jared Waterworth. Estimates use widely accepted wedding-planning rules of thumb — see how we estimate. Numbers vary by region, season, and vendor, so verify before you book or buy.