TIPPING...yet again!

[lov2b@disney]

Hi all- we are leaving in 2 days and trying to figure out who and mostly how much to tip!

Limo driver (3hrs)
bus driver--(8hrs)
violinist-?

WP
floris
WP asst.

Anyone else???


please help

 

[purplegirl247]

We tipped:

the limo driver (Dad tipped, so I have no idea how much; sorry!),
the person who did my hair/makeup ($20, I think?),
our wedding planner (not the assistant, since we didn't know she was going to be there until she showed up that day; we gave the wp a $25 gift card to a restaurant)), and
our Disney photographers ($25 gift card each for the honeymoon shoot and the bridal portrait in the Magic Kingdom)

We didn't tip the violinist or our photographer. It actually didn't occur to me to tip the violinist and I believe the general "rule" is if the person owns his or her own business, there's no need to tip (i.e., the photographer).

HTH a bit and if not, maybe others can help as well? P.S. Keep in mind we had a very small, very low-key wedding, which is why our tipping amounts may seem a little on the thin side!

 

[lurkyloo]

This is based on my research of various wedding sites:

Limo driver & bus driver = 15%-20%, capped at $150 apiece.
Frankly, I hear of a lot more limo drivers who get tipped than bus drivers, maybe because 15%-20% of an $800 bus is a whole lotta dough! I prolly would just slip them each a $20 bill.

Cosmetology = 15%-20%, but you can make a case for the whole "no tipping those who own their businesses" thing. In that case, only an assistant would be tipped. However, the trend around here seems to be to tip all cosmetologists.

Dress steaming = 15%-20% but optional. If you're using Carolyn Allen, I *believe* Kathleen is the owner and anyone else would be an employee. Again, this is tricky like cosmetology.

Violinist = $15-$25, but only for exceptional service. Musicians are not among those you "have" to tip.

Wedding Planner = Professionals (i.e., not service people) usually do not receive tips, but if you really want to do something, you can give a gift or a gift card and a thank you note.

Florist = not usually tipped

WP's Assistant(s) = not usually tipped, but again, you could do a gift or gift card

Officiant = You don't need to tip them if you are paying them a fee.

 

[WithDisneySpirit]

I tipped the three waiters at the Attic because they worked so hard - might have been a couple more that I missed (ie. bartender, we didn't have alcohol but we billed on consumption of all other beverages). I also tipped my caricature artist but he deserved more than I gave him! I tipped the bus driver but the limo got away with nothing because it was one-way and we didn't think. I also didn't manage to think to tip the guitarist before he left. I have gift cards for my WP, her assistant and my floral manager! I was thinking to gift my MK photo shoot photog too

I did not have steaming nor cosmetology so not tip there... My biggest advice is to get it ready before you leave, the tips anyway and put someone else in charge. I didn't and it fell on me.

 

[lurkyloo]

Don't worry - the bartender (along with the servers) is covered in Disney's hefty 21% service charge!

 

[EpcotSweetHrts0512]

Hi all- we are leaving in 2 days and trying to figure out who and mostly how much to tip!

Limo driver (3hrs)
bus driver--(8hrs)
violinist-?

WP
floris
WP asst.

Anyone else???


please help

Hey! I think we tipped our limo driver $40, but mostly because he helped us carry stuff to our resort room which I don't think he was supposed to do and my hair and makeup person $40 mostly because my mom was so annoying and I felt bad for her having to put up with that! We sent our WP a thank you note and gift card and wrote a nice email about our photographer... I think that's it... oh yeah, your getting married on my DD's birthday! YAY, great day!

 

[lov2b@disney]

Thank you everyone!

Appreciate all the help!

 

[WithDisneySpirit]

Don't worry - the bartender (along with the servers) is covered in Disney's hefty 21% service charge!

So, I'm a dummy, huh! I guess the day's magic just got away with me, lol! I only gave $20 each so not too big a deal, I guess I always wonder what Disney actually gives to them - have you ever heard?

 

[Angrypenguin]

That's a good point...do they actually see the 21% tip they force us to pay?

 

[lurkyloo]

So, I'm a dummy, huh! I guess the day's magic just got away with me, lol! I only gave $20 each so not too big a deal, I guess I always wonder what Disney actually gives to them - have you ever heard?

Oh no - not dumb! Many wedding books tell you to feel free to tip for excellent service even when you're paying a service charge. I'm sure you made your servers' day!

And, like you, I wonder how much of that 21% actually ends up in their pockets....

 

[BayouPrincess]

So, I'm a dummy, huh! I guess the day's magic just got away with me, lol! I only gave $20 each so not too big a deal, I guess I always wonder what Disney actually gives to them - have you ever heard?

I had not even thought about that...tipping the servers. But I promise you this, if they are excellent, they will get a little something extra.

Oh no - not dumb! Many wedding books tell you to feel free to tip for excellent service even when you're paying a service charge. I'm sure you made your servers' day!

And, like you, I wonder how much of that 21% actually ends up in their pockets....

I'm sure it's not near enough for the work they do. Serving is many times a thankless job. Many times the good suffer for the mediocre servers. I always reward outstanding service. We had so many servers on our Anniversary trip who were phenomenal!

 

[PhilHarMaestro]

I'm a musician and I've done several weddings, and although I probably wouldn't argue if someone gave me one, I've never recieved a tip...and I think, personally, that my service is pretty exceptional!! LOL!!
I would think don't tip your violinist, just complement his/her talent and that should be enough.
But, now that you've brought it up, maybe I should add gratutity to my fee!! HAHA, I wonder how may over-excited brides (like myself) would even notice!! I better stop now, I'm feeling evil!!!