Don’t Forget to Include the Cost of Tipping in Your Wedding Budget

When planning a wedding, most people are prepared for big costs like the venue, caterer, and photographer. One area that often gets overlooked, though, is tipping. And it can add up.

As Apartment Therapy points out, there are a lot of smaller expenses here and there that can add up, and tipping can easily get overlooked. They explain:

...as a general rule, you should leave a little envelope for everyone who worked at your wedding with two exceptions: When gratuity is already included in your contract, or when the person performing the service owns their operation (like a self-employed photographer or a band you booked yourself). Don’t forget, too, about cash tips for delivery drivers.

Real Simple offers some suggestions for how much to tip everyone. Here are a few on their list:

Bathroom attendants: $1 to $2 per guest

Catering manager: $200+ or a personal gift

Chef: $100+

Coat check attendants: $1 to $2 per guest

Hairstylist: 15 to 20 percent

Hotel chambermaids: $2 to $5 per room; $10 to $15 if you used a suite as your dressing room

Limo or bus drivers: 15 percent

As you can see, the cost can take an unexpected bite. You may have your own tipping policies, but chances are, you’ll shell out some gratuity on your big day, so you might as well budget for it. For more tips on tipping, head to the links below.