How Much Should You Tip Your Wedding Photographer?
Carrying chairs for a Long Island wedding ceremony. © Dan Wagner 2023
Deciding how much you should tip, or if you should tip your Long Island wedding photographer and other vendors isn’t easy. All over the Internet are so-called experts on wedding tipping. Tips are normally considered a gesture of appreciation for exceptional service. But, the measure of this appreciation can vary by geography, if the person providing the experience is the owner of the company—although I don’t know why that should matter, and other factors.
Speaking for myself as a wedding photographer I appreciate a tip—who wouldn’t? However, I understand the sacrifices many couples and families make to afford a nice wedding. So, I don’t fault anyone for not tipping. And as a photographer, my fees aren’t inexpensive. Also, it’s only natural for someone paying a photographer or other vendor to think of the thousand dollars or more their paying for a specific service as a per day amount. I would, too.
Wedding Vendors Don’t Earn as Much as You’d Think!
The cost of taxes, insurance, advertising, and all the expenses that go into running a business are more or less invisible to the people paying for them. I mention some of this so people won’t think that wedding vendors earn this much per day. According to Mr. Google, Long Island wedding photographers earn between 50 and 65K—although it can vary. Personally, I shoot weddings, corporate events, advertising, and also write web content for businesses—and that’s in part because all the work I do fluctuates by season and other factors.
But enough prelude, generally a $100 tip for wedding photography is very nice to receive. Hopefully, the same amount will be given to the videographer and to each assistant. Any amount given to the photographer is generally shared equally with the videographer and assistants—that the industry norm. In some cases I’ve given my share to the assistant—especially if they’re working their way through college.
This is just my approach and thoughts as a photographer. I know from viewing other Long Island wedding photographer websites, that some large studios expect a 20-percent tip. Some even put this figure into their contracts. To me, making the tip compulsory feels like it’s really a fee—in which case why not simply raise the fee to include it instead of playing games?
Tips on Tipping Long Island Wedding Photographers and Other Vendors
If possible, try to tip early in the day or after the wedding vendor collects the final balance, but definitely before the end of the day. The reason for this is that the bride and groom will be surrounded by wedding guests trying to say goodbye at the end of the reception. So, by tipping or simply saying goodbye to vendors before the last dance, will make things less awkward. Personally, when I come over to say goodbye and ask couple if they would like me to shoot any more photos, I’d rather it not look like I’m waiting around for a tip.
You don’t have to go with recommendations from writers at The Knot and other places, because none of these writers have ever worked as wedding vendors. Plus these wedding “tipping cheat sheets” are nonsensical. Probably the best person to ask for tipping advice is a family member who works in the wedding industry.
A nice thank you for being part of the wedding can be a good tip. In many European restaurants, tips aren’t expected. In fact, I once had a waiter follow me out of a restaurant insisting that I take back the tip. That was over ten years ago, and I’m still trying to make sense of it. In the US, it might be that some employers—especially large photos studios want bride and grooms to tip so they can pay their freelance shooters less. I’ve actually heard some large studios owners say this.
In conclusion, tip or don’t tip as you choose—and don’t worry about it. Life’s too short!
Stay tuned for more wedding photography tips and advice!
“My friend recommended Dan to my husband and I, and we could not have been happier. Dan is calm, cool, and professional. I have a large Italian Family, and my husband has a large Irish Family. Dan was able to gather all of us for pictures, followed lists we had previously prepared, and did not miss one minute of our special day.”
—Christine and William
Every Bride and Groom Deserve Beautiful Wedding Photos!
Please feel free to share your thoughts on tipping wedding vendors in the comment box below. And thanks for visiting my Long Island wedding photographer blog!