We get a lot of questions about tipping vendors here at our upstate NY wedding venue. Some of the most frequently asked questions include:

• How much should we tip our wedding vendors?

• Do we have to tip business owners?

• How and when should we give our vendors their tip?

• What’s the difference between a tip and a service charge? 

• Do we HAVE to tip our wedding vendors?

So we decided to make a guide for you to answer all of these questions based on Hudson Valley weddings and professionals. 

Hello! Welcome to the Preston Blog by The Preston Barn at Old Drovers Inn. We are a barn venue with rustic charm and modern amenities on the property of the historic Old Drovers Inn. We host weddings from the rehearsal to the send-off brunch for New York City couples looking for that perfect upstate country getaway with unique housing, incredible food, and fun things to do for a full wedding weekend experience. You can find more information about our weddings here or contact us here for pricing and/or book a private tour of our venue!

How much should we tip our wedding vendors?

First, check your contracts! As a venue, we can safely say that gratuity is often, if not always, included in your total fees for venues and catering. Here at the Preston Barn, we are no longer including gratuity, allowing our couples to decide if/how much they would like to tip but we do include an Administrative Fee/Service Charge (you’ll learn more about those later).

With venues and caterers, even when gratuity is included, that does not always include everyone working your wedding. Ask your venue coordinator who the tip goes to so you know who is left out. The coordinator, coat check, and valet/parking attendant are some examples. 

If the gratuity or service tip is not included in the contract, here’s what we suggest (tap the + to see for each vendor type):

This info is inspired by Here Comes The Guide, adjusted to fit the Hudson Valley area.

Do we have to tip our wedding vendor if they are the business owner?

Technically, no. If it is a one-person show, then they are already keeping most of that money other than their business expenses. However, if they have provided an extraordinary experience, exceptional service and/or came a long distance, etc. you can decide if you’d like to give them a little extra. It is not a requirement but it is certainly appreciated! If they have a team with them, it is nice to tip the crew by each person or an overall tip for the team to split.

Of course, there are other ways to tip these amazing business owners. Whether or not you give them a tip, you can leave them a glowing review, recommend them to friends/family, and share your professional photos from the wedding day to use for their website, social media, blog, and other promotional content. These things can be worth way more than cash!

How and when should we give our vendors their tips?

We recommend putting cash tips in envelopes and labeling who they go to. Then you’ll want to assign someone you trust (wedding planners/coordinators will usually offer to do this) to give these tips when the service is completed. 

Is a service charge the same thing as gratuity? 

No, it is not. Again, check your contracts. If you see there is a service charge, you can (and should) ask what that is for exactly. If it does not include gratuity, then that is a separate thing. A service charge is usually referring to administrative fees or maintenance of some sort. 

Do we HAVE to tip our wedding vendors?

Unless your contract states that gratuity is required, then no. You do not HAVE to tip, but of course, it is appreciated when there are services involved. 

We hope that this helps you as you budget and plan for your upstate NY wedding. If you are in need of a venue that offers everything you need and a great team you’ll be happy to tip, contact us for all of our package and pricing info and to book a private tour!

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