Your wedding is one of the most special experiences you'll ever have. But it's not just a noteworthy occasion because you're forming an eternal bond – It's also about the people who come together to make the day worth remembering, including your wedding vendors.
Although they mostly work behind the scenes, wedding vendors do a lot to ensure your day goes smoothly. As a wedding venue ourselves, here are our 5 favorite ways to see our brides thank their vendors…
1. Write a Review
Writing a wedding vendor review the gift that keeps on giving. By expressing your sentiment in a form that anyone can read, you can empower your vendors to drum up future business. There are few better ways to say thanks than helping someone grow their business!
Remember that writing a review is about way more than merely helping your vendor look good. Not sure what to write? Here are a few starters to get you thinking…
How did working with the vendor before your big day make you feel? Mention your contact’s name if you can.
Share something on your day that could have gone wrong if it hadn’t been for your vendor.
Let the public know if you would recommend them to use the vendor on their big day.
Your vendor isn't the only one who'll benefit from you writing a review. Your testimonial might also improve another couple's odds of finding the perfect wedding services for their own special day – so why not spread the love?
You found your perfect vendor match, so consider this your act of paying it forward to help someone else do the same.
2. Tip Generously
Tipping your wedding vendor is monetary way to say you appreciate their hard effort leading up to, and on your big day. Even though most vendors do what they do for the love of their craft, few would mind receiving an extra bit of cash for their trouble.
So how much should you tip? Don't make the mistake of thinking you should skip the tip entirely if you can't meet some arbitrary minimum: Anything you can provide will ultimately go a long way.
Here are a few pointers to get you started:
Ask your caterer if they included a gratuity in their contract that they'll divvy up amongst their staff. If they don't, ask a trusted bridal party member or family member to make a note of everyone who participated and plan on tipping them.
2. When it comes to catering and food services team members, some people advise that tips ought to fall somewhere in the range of 15 to 20 percent of the total catering bill. If you're unsure what's appropriate or how to split the amount properly, don't be afraid to ask the catering company's owner or your planner.
3. Make your life easier by handing all of the catering tips to the banquet manager or venue director and asking them to distribute the proceeds to their staff. Just be sure to place the money in separate envelopes! This is a lot to remember to do during your day. Consider giving the tips to a trusted bridal party member to handle during/right after the wedding.
4. Officiants, such as ministers and priests, commonly charge fees for their work, but you can expect to tip them an extra $100 or so. Depending on the nature of their vocation, they may not accept cash gratuities, which is particularly common with religious leaders. In these cases, it’s a thoughtful idea to contribute to their ministry or congregation instead.
One major exception is if your wedding officiant is some kind of civil servant. These individuals aren't allowed to accept tips, although they'd undoubtedly appreciate a nice thank you card or note.
As a final note on tipping, remember to include thank-you notes where appropriate. This warms up the gesture as opposed to just stuffing cash in their hands.
3. Refer Your Family and Friends
Know someone else who's planning a wedding? Let them know you've got the hook-up. Even if they don't end up telling your caterer, officiant, DJ, or other vendors that you referred them, you can take pride in helping behind the scenes.
Referrals are a major lifeline for vendor businesses. More than anything, people trust word of mouth, so don't be shy about advocating for someone who really helped your special event shine. You may even get to relive the magic of your wedding as an attendee, so what's not to gain.
4. Send a Personal Gift
Finally, don't forget the value of sending a simple personal note or gift. This is way more appropriate than tips when your wedding vendors are people you knew previously or hit it off with on the big day.
Sending out personal gifts can also be far less costly than tipping everyone after a large wedding. Of course, this all depends on the specific gift.
5. Literally Express Your Thanks
Saying "thank you" directly is one of the most effective ways to show that someone's work has had an impact, which is definitely something to keep in mind as your own relationship matures. Whether this takes the form of a nice note or a verbal acknowledgement, wedding planners and vendors love knowing that they've made a positive difference.