Navigating Wedding Reception Tipping Etiquette

When attending a bar or restaurant, you might be accustomed to leaving a 15% to 20% tip. However, tipping expectations differ at wedding receptions. As you celebrate the happy couples in your life, understanding when and how to tip can prevent social awkwardness.

Pre-Paid Gratuities at Weddings

The wedding planning platform WeddingWire suggests that couples pre-pay a gratuity of 15% to 20% to food and beverage vendors if not included in the venue contract. This pre-payment generally means guests do not need to tip at the event.

Diane Gottsman, an etiquette expert and founder of the Protocol School of Texas, notes that expecting guests to handle cash transactions at weddings is frowned upon. Generally, the host manages tipping responsibilities.

Open Bars vs. Cash Bars

Weddings feature either an open bar, where the host pays for drinks, or a cash bar, where guests cover their own costs. Gottsman explains that an open bar is most traditional and usually has gratuities already included.

On the other hand, a cash bar is a cost-saving option where guests buy their own drinks. In some instances, couples offer a partial open bar, providing complimentary beer and wine but not liquor. In such cases, guests might need to tip for liquor.

Tip Jar Considerations

Tip jars can create confusion. At open bar events, a tip jar could lead guests to question the host’s hospitality. Gottsman opposes having tip jars for open bars, noting they are only suitable for cash bars.

If gratuity is covered, having a tip jar feels inappropriate, as it presents guests as customers, not honored attendees.

Additional Tips for Peripheral Services

Even if gratuities are covered, a small cash reserve remains useful for peripheral services. For example, if you use valet services and desire special treatment like front parking, a discreet extra tip is appreciated.

Clear communication from the host is essential to avoid guest confusion. If a cash or partial bar is planned, notifying guests in advance on the wedding website is recommended. Clearly noting services like valet or coat check helps manage expectations.

Khloe Quill, a lifestyle production assistant with Fox News Digital, reports on a variety of topics, including travel, health, and food and drink.