Who am I supposed to be tipping at my wedding?

I hear this question a lot. My wedding 20 years ago was very much a DIY situation and there wasn't really anybody to tip. I guess I could have tipped my mom, she would have loved that! These days, a quick Google search will tell us that we should be tipping your wedding planner, your hair and makeup team, your caterer and waitstaff, your officiant (as well as making a donation to the church if you used one), your musicians, your reception staff, your tailor, your band and/or DJ, the driver, the baker, the florist... the list goes on and on. Some of these tips are expected and some are optional. 

As a seasoned wedding photographer, I can honestly tell you that I price my wedding services in such a way that a gratuity is not expected. That being said, I do think that when a vendor - any vendor - goes above and beyond what you expected or contracted for, does an exceptional job, or in some way makes your day easier or more enjoyable, a gratuity is always appreciated. If you don't have the budget to tip, a thank you card is also a really nice thing for a vendor to receive!

And always remember, leaving a review for your vendors on Google (or wherever they prefer) is another amazing way to show thanks for a job well done. Google reviews drive web traffic to your vendors' websites, helping them sustain their businesses.