Tipping Wedding Vendors – Who to Tip & How Much

Wondering about tipping wedding vendors for your wedding with the Savannah Elopement Package? You’re not alone! Many couples ask whether tipping is necessary, which vendors customarily receive tips, and how much is appropriate.

This guide will help you navigate tipping etiquette for our elopement package vendors, including who to tip and alternative ways to say thank you! (If you’ve come across this post and you’re not booked with the Savannah Elopement Package, here’s some helpful info from The Knot about traditional wedding vendor tipping etiquette.)

Is Tipping Wedding Vendors Expected?

Tipping wedding vendors isn’t mandatory, but for certain services, it’s customary—just like tipping in a salon or restaurant. Let’s break down which vendors customarily receive tips and how much to tip.

Who to Tip & How Much?

Hair & Makeup Artist – Always Customary to Tip

Suggested Customary Tip: 20% of the total service cost, given in cash on the wedding day

Hair and makeup artists do expect tips, just like in a salon. If you’re happy with your wedding-day look, a 20% tip is a great way to express appreciation.

Officiant – Optional, But Always Appreciated

Suggested Optional Tip: $50-$100 or a small gift

It’s not considered customary to tip an officiant, and tips are not expected – but for a stellar experience, a cash tip on the wedding day will always be greatly appreciated. Online reviews and kind thank you emails are other wonderful ways to show appreciation!

Photographer – Optional, But Meaningful

Suggested Optional Tip: $50-$200

Photographers spend hours capturing and editing your memories. While tipping isn’t expected or considered customary, a cash tip on the wedding day is always appreciated—especially if they go above and beyond to make your day special. If tipping isn’t in your budget, a glowing review or social media shoutout is also very appreciated and valuable!

Florist – Not Customary

Florists put time and creativity into designing your bouquets and boutonnieres. Tipping isn’t expected (but appreciated when it occasionally happens), but a five-star online review and social media post about their work is a wonderful way to show appreciation!

Cake Designer – Not Customary

A beautifully crafted wedding cake takes skill and effort. You likely won’t see your baker on the wedding day (as they deliver your cake to wherever you’re celebrating afterwards!), so an appreciated token of gratitude is a heartfelt thank you email or rave online review.

Day-of Assistant – Optional, But Not Expected

Suggested Optional Tip: $25-50

Our day-of assistants work hard to ensure your day runs smoothly from start to finish! We compensate them well for their time, so tipping is not expected – but a small cash tip on the wedding day is a welcome surprise if they did an extraordinary job and it’s within your budget.

Elopement Coordinator

Our owner Wendy is your elopement coordinator, and she brings your Savannah elopement dream to life! While she never expects a tip, it’s always deeply appreciated when couples add gratuity to their invoice payment. And leaving a five-star review is always a wonderful way for couples to express their gratitude for the package as a whole!

Other Vendors (Musicians, Coordinators, etc.) – Case by Case

Suggested Tip: $25-$100

For other vendors (outside of our package) who enhance your elopement experience, a small tip or a thoughtful thank-you gift can go a long way. Amounts will vary, and you can review some tipping options from Brides.com here.

Other Ways to Show Appreciation

If tipping isn’t in your budget, here are alternative ways to support your vendors:

• Leave a 5-star review – Reviews help vendors book future clients.
• Give a social media shoutout – Tagging vendors in posts or stories boosts their visibility online.
• Write a heartfelt thank-you note – A thoughtful message means a lot to small business owners!

These gestures cost nothing but go a long way in showing appreciation!

Final Thoughts on Tipping Wedding Vendors

Our vendors are highly experienced and fairly compensated. However, if a vendor exceeds your expectations, a small tip or kind gesture is always a wonderful way to say thank you!

💍 Planning to elope in Savannah? The Savannah Elopement Package includes everything you need for a stress-free wedding with experienced vendors—all with just one contract, one invoice, and one point of contact.

📍 Learn more about our elopement package here

💌 Contact us today to start planning your dream elopement!

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More Resources for Eloping in Savannah

How to Elope in Savannah: The Ultimate Guide
How to Get Your Marriage License in Chatham County
Wedding Day Transportation Options