Tips & Gifts for Vendors & DFTW

[SRUAlmn]

Hey!! I'm trying to fix my preliminary budget, and I'm not sure what to factor in for tips/gifts for people like photographer, bartenders, EM, floral, officiant, videographer if we have one, etc...


My first question is whom do we tip and whom should we 'gift?'
Secondly, how much approx do you tip everyone?
Thirdly, who all should we plan on tipping/gifting? For example, if the bartender tip included in the budget price DFTW gives you?


I know this may be a sensitive subject for people to share monetary information, but any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Belle83007]

Sorry i cant help you Karen, but I am very curious also

 

[JonetteA]

My communication from Disney eons ago was that everyone was handled as the gratuity was part of the cost of your event. (Double check this with your sales manager) However, it was said that if you felt anyone did an outstanding job you could tip additional. As for the DFTW staff, they are not covered in tips. One thing that I will tell you is that Disney is very funny about tips. What I mean is that in some roles, the cast member is required to turn the tip over to management and then that money is given in the Cm's name to Disney Hand or other charity. If you would like to do something for your coordinator, etc, I would recommend a physical gift. Crystal bowl, etc.

 

[ChocolateMouse]

Since there is a 20% service fee on all food and beverage services, the bartender should be covered. If not, I'd protest why we're paying 20% on top of the food and beverage prices. I've been told more than once by Disney that the service fee is a nicer way of saying gratuity.

For people like the officiant and florist, I'm interested in this topic too because I haven't added any money into my (ballooning) budget for it. I figured since I'm paying a $150 fee straight to the officiant that no further tip was necessary. The hair and make up person is similar. Since the company is essentially the owner, all of the cash goes directly into her pocket. I'd probably feel differently if the hairstylist was earning $12/hr, but her fee is $270 for her estimate of two hours of work and maybe an hour of travel.

Speaking of tipping, I saw someone try to tip a Disney shuttle bus driver once and the driver refused, saying "we're not allowed."