I especially would like to hear from the married ladies; how did you go about tipping your vendors? The 15% restaurant standard is out of the question. LOL I was hoping that providing them with their own table and ready made dinner plates would be enough.

I tipped each limo driver 20%, it was spelled out in the companies contract, the 15% gratuity for reception was built into the price of venue, I tipped my organist $50 because wedding started late and he played the entire time guests waited, I tipped DJ 10%. Nobody else got a tip. I did feed my photographer, videographer, DJ and my DOC.

I tipped my DJ and MC 15% because they were excellent.
The photographers got 10%
My stepdad tipped the limo driver close to 5% because he didnt listen at first.
I tippe the caterer 10% (well my cousin did)
the dj, mc, and photographers ate.
Our vendors were not so exprensive to the point that we had to do a double take on the 15% gratuity but if they were, i dont think we would have gave that much. lol

I'll tip the photographer when I get the pictures. I'll enclose it with a thank you note and testimony for him.

My DOC's tip was that she got her whole amount! She def did not earn one.

I ordered my mother a very nice gift to thank her for paying for the food and providing her services free of charge. True, she's my mother but that IS her business.

Pastor was free so we gave a donation. Same with church and hall since they were free as well. (Plus the donations are tax-deductible!)

Gave my co-pastor a thank you card and cufflinks for running the music at the ceremony and reception. Same to one of the trustees that made the frame to drape the fabric to hide the basketball rim (whew), set up all the table and chairs from storage, and made my ice tea!

Since my wedding was so much DIY I didn't have many vendors at all.

The restaurant where I held my reception the 18% gratuity was tack on along with the total of the food and drinks (18% because it was over 15 ppl) which wasn't an issue because I was anticipating that cost. The limo service, when arranging service includes the tip in the cost of the service however we gave the driver a little something extra because he was great. I fed the photographer and the musicians tip was included in the negotiation- and he was fantastic.

You should tip 20% regardless for work well done. Every vendor gets a tip. If the quality if the work fell short you decrease the tip by 5% with a note detailing their shortcomings. Or in the case of a flat rate or included tip keep it at their required amount (usually 18%) and write a withering complaint letter to the owner of the company.
I think every wedding vendor at the reception should get a meal. It should be the same meal that you are serving your guests. The waitstaff will get somthing to eat, but think about all the people involved: The planner, the driver, the photographer... if they are hanging around, they should be fed. Your caterer will have a "sample" style meal for them if you ask.

Beware of Vendor meals! Vendor meals vary from location to location, but the standard "boxed lunch" (a misnomer since it is usually not served at lunch) generally consists of a sandwich and some chips, and maybe some fruit. It can cost as much as $35 a plate and look nasty.

 

Huh michele???? lol

Sorry I had a separate question and I didnt want to take over her thread. LOL

That's OK. You are welcome to take over what you like! LOL. It's great to have you back. I am glad things are getting going again!