Tipping at our Wedding?

[LorraineD]

Hi Guys,

We have booked our Cypress Grove wedding package through Virgin.

We have filled in our form for "extras" and need to know about tipping.

The 5 hour limo charter is quoted as $315 - do we still give the driver a tip - if so how much?

The flowers are part of the package and I have no idea what they have cost. Do we tip for these?

I have booked for a hair stylist to come to our room - what is the going rate for tipping here??

And tipping the photographer? Any ideas?

And what about the reverend? The whole package has cost us £315 so what part includes him??


Sorry for all the questions but this is our first ever trip and I am getting a bit confused with the tipping situation!

Thanks,

Lorraine

[Keith]

Congratulations! hope you have a fantastic wedding!

We used the Disney fairytale package and it very specifically said tips were included so we didn't need to, BUT we did tip the limo driver because he was SO good. I lent him a small digital camera and said "enjoy" and he really got into the spirit of things and lept out at every opportunity to take photos for us (his ended up being better than many of the official ones) ;-)

I gave him about 25%... only because I happened to have that much in my wallet and I thought he deserved it. As I tried, he said "no really the tip is included" but I made him take it. Only person EVER in the states, did I mention EVER, that tried to turn down a tip.

Flowers, no.... hair stylist, prob 15-20, photographer not if he's in the package no unless you feel like you want to reward him a bit more, reverend nope, the officiants are VERY well paid out of those packages.

I'd say, no one part of the package would get extra tips usually, but if you booked the hair stylist seperately, they'd probably expect something.

[victorlowe]

I have to say something, Keith.

What you say sounds right, of course, except I always thought you had to tip the minister officiating at any wedding.

Naturally, being a photographer yourself, you would think they deserve something extra for fine work

IMHO If tips are included in this package (as in the Disney package Keith mentioned (are they?)), then there is really no need for extra tips to all the others.

Congrats to the happy couple.

[Keith]

Originally Posted by victorlowe

What you say sounds right, of course, except I always thought you had to tip the minister officiating at any wedding.

Well I bow to your cultural expertise Victor seriously though, I did ask and was told no by Disney for their officiants.

Naturally, being a photographer yourself, you would think they deserve something extra for fine work

oh crikey.... remember I'm from the UK ;-) I wouldn't know where to look if someone tried to give me a tip. When I quote, that's my fee for the event, I certainly don't expect anything extra however brilliant the photography is <G>

IMHO If tips are included in this package (as in the Disney package Keith mentioned (are they?)), then there is really no need for extra tips to all the others.

agreed

[OKWTink]

Tip a religious? I'd not have the nerve, nor would I tip the photographer. The limo driver and the hairdresser, maybe if the tip were not included. Flower delivery person? Nope.

[victorlowe]

Well, at least the vicar knows I did my best to encourage the practice of tipping at weddings. I know I was obliged to tip the Episcopal priest at my brother's wedding. Seriously, does this vary with the denomination? Other churches have some other practices, I'm told, particularly on things like baptism (sprinkling vs. immersion).

For Example:
"The only problem with the Texas Baptists is that they don't hold them down in the water long enough," quoted from Molly Ivins' new book, "Strange Political Animals I Have Known". Since she is of that denomination, I assume it's an appropriate sentiment.

I've done my duty, even if I'm not as up to date on weddings as I should be, Keith and OKWTink.

I personally think all young couples should elope, and save their parents the cost of a big wedding. Maybe the dads could bribe their daughters to run away before the big event.

[Keith]

I don't know.. I find "expected tipping" vulgar at the best of times, the idea of pressing some notes into the hand of a vicar makes me shudder.

I'm with you on the eloping suggestion although the practice of parents paying for weddings is fading in the UK, many young couples pay for their own. I know we did and I was glad we did... it made me feel completely ok about having everything the way we wanted it.

[Redkop]

as a person married at cypress grove, we didnt tip anyone, ok we drove ourselves there and the flowers were waiting for us there, but as soon as the service was over the rev jimmy johnson shot away...........still thought with his name he'd be the miami dolphins ex coach , and the person in the house hid away while we did our photos and eat some cake, she only came down to wish all the happiness in the world........so no we didnt think it was right to tip anyone

[Cindernaenae]

Originally Posted by OKWTink

Tip a religious?.

I've always been taught that you do give the minister something. Here's the reason - he/she had to get a haircut, have their suit drycleaned, drive to the church, etc.

When we were married in Vegas in 1997 in our literature with the package it gave a suggested amount of $30 or $35 I can't remember which, to give to the minister.

Here's what I found on one site
Officiant: It may seem a bit odd to slip an envelope to the person officiating your ceremony, but it is the proper thing to do. It's tradition for the best man to hand over the tip, which should be between $100 and $200. If you're getting married in a church, they'll often expect you to donate a percentage of your total wedding cost -- so if your wedding is $20,000, a $2,000 donation is gratefully appreciated. However, if you don't belong to this church and you didn't have a lot of involvement with the officiant, you can choose to contribute a lower amount.

[Keith]

I believe in the Disney package for example, that they DID include a rather generous amount to the officiant, hence no tip needed. (I thought it worth clarifying since it may have sounded like they weren't getting anything)