We break down recommended tipping percentages for wedding vendors and share real experience from Grace's recent wedding to help you navigate gratuities for your big day.

• Catering and serving: 15-20% on food/beverage bill or $20-50 per server
• Bartending: 10-20% on bar bill or $100-150 per bartender
• Photo/video: $50-200 each or 5-10% of total bill (less expected for business owners)
• Musicians: $25-50 per musician
• DJs: $100-200
• Hair and makeup: 15-25% of service cost
• Wedding planner/coordinator: $100-500 depending on event size
• Florists: typically not expected, but $50-100 appreciated for exceptional service
• Floral setup staff: $10-15 per person based on complexity
• Consider preparing labeled cash envelopes in advance for easy distribution
• Include gratuities in your wedding budget from the beginning

Remember that tipping is a way to show appreciation for quality service, especially for those who don't own their businesses.

Follow the Wedding Hive Podcast on all social media and podcast platforms!

We dive into Jeff Bezos' upcoming extravagant wedding in Venice, Italy, scheduled for June 26-29, which is projected to cost between $9.5-11 million for just 200-250 guests. The astonishing $50,000 per-guest price tag has us questioning what kind of luxury experiences attendees can expect at this three-day celebration.

• Star-studded guest list including Kim Kardashian, Oprah Winfrey, Katy Perry, and Leonardo DiCaprio
• Multiple celebration events across three different venues in Venice
• Potential ceremony location on Bezos' $500 million super yacht
• Rumored performances by Elton John and Lady Gaga
• Venice mayor's questionable claim that the wedding won't disrupt the city's normal functioning
• Comparison between average wedding expenses and billionaire celebrations

Follow the Wedding Hive Podcast on all social media and podcast platforms!

We dive into the exciting yet overwhelming process of getting engaged and the first steps in wedding planning, keeping it real about what matters and what doesn't.

• Create a dedicated wedding email for all vendor communications
• Proposals don't need to be elaborate Instagram moments to be meaningful
• Discuss vision, values, and priorities with your partner before diving into planning
• Have budget conversations early and establish clear expectations with anyone contributing financially
• Draft your guest list thoughtfully - consider who actively participates in your life
• Choose wedding party members based on meaningful relationships, not obligation
• Book your venue first as it determines your date and affects all other planning aspects
• Consider hiring a wedding planner if you're feeling overwhelmed by the process

For all our newly engaged couples – remember what matters most is celebrating your relationship. The planning should be fun, not stressful!

Follow the Wedding Hive Podcast on all social media and podcast platforms!