​Guests might forget the centerpieces, speakers, or menu, but they remember
how the event made them feel, who they met, and the moments that stood out.

BIG DEAL Company has compiled a comprehensive list --- download it for free below!

Taking people to a new place can help them think in new ways.
Colorado’s mountain towns are perfect for corporate meetings, retreats, conferences, leadership events, and incentive trips.

Take your meeting or conference to the Colorado mountains.
Download our free tip sheet below.

​Is your website ready to be read by humans and machines?
The way people find businesses and organizations online is changing fast.
In August 2026, 61.1% of HTML web traffic came from automated requests, compared with 38.9% from humans. At the same time, traffic from AI agents and agentic browsers grew 7,851% year over year.

That doesn’t mean humans no longer matter. It means your website now has two important jobs:

• Help people understand, trust, and choose you.
• Help AI systems accurately understand, summarize, and recommend you.

Download our FREE tip sheet below!

Tipping for weddings and events can seem complicated. Here’s how to know who to tip, how much to give, and when you’ve already paid a gratuity.
 
Let’s be honest: We live in a confusing and tip-heavy time. We’ve seen tip screens at takeout counters, self-serve airport kiosks, and even children’s play centers. And when you’re planning a wedding, corporate event, or special celebration, the number of vendors involved and expected etiquette can make tipping feel overwhelming.
 
Who should you tip? How much? Is a gratuity already included? And are you supposed to tip someone who owns their own business?
 
Unless the service was less than satisfactory, it is customary to show your gratitude by tipping many of the people involved in making your event a success. While this tipping standard isn’t new, the amounts change over the years.
 
At BIG DEAL Company, we help clients navigate all the moving parts of events, and tipping is one of those details that can easily get lost in the shuffle. That’s why we put together our 2026 Guide to Tipping Vendors at Weddings and Events, a simple reference you can save, print, and keep handy as you plan.

Download tip sheet below

Check Your Contracts Before You Tip
Before handing out envelopes at your event, take a close look at your contracts and agreements.
Many major event services already include a gratuity or service charge in their pricing. You might see language such as:

• Service Fee
• Service Charge
• Staff Gratuity

These charges are often around 15%–20% of the contract, particularly for catering, bar service, and transportation.
The key is to understand exactly what that fee covers. A service charge isn't always the same thing as a discretionary tip, so if you're unsure, ask your vendor before the event.
Another note: These charges are not always distributed directly to the staff working your event. If someone has gone above and beyond, tips are a great way to show your appreciation in-person.
 
The 2026 Event Tipping Guide
So, what should you actually budget for? Here’s the BIG DEAL breakdown of industry standards for 2026:
 
Bartenders: 10-15% of the Bar Bill
If a tip jar is already available, you generally don't need to add another tip. If there isn't a tip jar or gratuity included in your contract, 10%–15% of the total bar bill, split among the staff, is a general guideline.
 
Band or DJ: $20–$25 Per Musician or $50–$150 for a DJ
For a live band, consider $20–$25 per musician.
For a DJ, $50–$150 is a good range, with the higher end being appropriate for longer receptions or when your DJ goes above and beyond with special requests.

Photographer or Videographer: $50–$200 Per Person
If you're paying a flat fee and the photographer or videographer isn't charging overtime, $50–$200 per person is a thoughtful gratuity.
If they own their own business, tipping is optional, but certainly appreciated, particularly when they've provided exceptional service.

​Catering Manager: $200+
Catering management is a big task, especially for large events, and a $200+ tip or a personal gift is a nice way to recognize the person responsible for keeping your catering operation running smoothly.
 
Makeup Artist: 15%–20%
For professional hair and makeup services, 15%–20% of the service cost is a good general guideline.
 
Event or Wedding Planner: 10%–20% or a Flat Amount
If your planner is an employee of a planning company, consider 10%–20% of the planning fee.
For exceptional service, a $200–$1,000 flat tip is another option. Tipping your planner is ultimately optional, but if they've spent months handling details, solving problems, and making your event feel effortless, a generous thank-you can be especially meaningful.

Hairstylist: 15%–20%
As at a salon, the standard guideline is 15–20% of the total service cost.
 
Waitstaff/Catering Staff: $20–$50 Each
Consider $20–$50 per person, with the gratuity distributed by the catering manager, event planner, or maître d'.
This is another area where checking your contract is particularly important, as staff gratuity may already be included.

Ceremony Musicians: 15% of the Fee
For musicians performing during your ceremony, 15% of their fee is a general tipping guideline.
For reception musicians, consider $22–$25 per musician.

Delivery Staff: $10–$20 Per Person
For people delivering cakes, flowers, rentals, and other event necessities, $10–$20 per person is a thoughtful gesture.
 
Bathroom Attendants: $1–$2 Per Guest
If your event has bathroom attendants, consider $1–$2 per guest.
 
Coat Check Attendants: $1–$2 Per Guest
For coat check service, $1–$2 per guest is a reasonable guideline.
 
Limo or Bus Drivers: 15%–20% or $25–$50
For transportation, consider 15%–20% of the transportation cost, or approximately $25–$50 per driver.
Again, check your transportation contract first to see whether gratuity has already been included.

Parking Attendants: $1–$2 Per Car
For parking attendants, $1–$2 per car is a general guideline.
For valet parking, consider 15%–20% if gratuity isn't already included.

Officiant: $50–$150 or $200+
If a friend or family member is officiating your wedding as a favor, $50–$150 is a customary thank-you.
If the officiant is a professional and the service isn't already covered by a fee, $200+ may be appropriate.

Alterations Professional: $20–$30
Consider $20–$30 at the final fitting; more is appropriate for extensive alterations.
 
Photo Booth Attendant: $20–$50
If gratuity isn't already included, $20–$50 is a thoughtful tip for a photo booth attendant.

​What About Exceptional Service?
Sometimes a standard tip doesn't quite capture how much someone helped make your event special.

Maybe your DJ tracked down a recording of your grandmother's favorite song, your florist somehow found the flowers you were convinced were unavailable, or your planner remembered a tiny detail you'd mentioned six months earlier and incorporated it into the day.

In addition to a traditional tip, consider a gift certificate, bottle of wine, handwritten note, five-star review, or referral.

A thoughtful thank-you can mean just as much as money, particularly for small business owners who rely heavily on word-of-mouth recommendations.
Don't Let Tipping Become Another Event-Day Stressor
 
When you're planning an event, there are already hundreds of details to remember. Tipping shouldn't become another source of anxiety.
 
Our best advice is to make a tipping plan before the event. Include tips in your planning budget. Before the event, review your contracts, determine which vendors you want to tip, and how much. Prepare envelopes with checks or cash ahead of time. If you're working with an event planner, ask whether they can help coordinate vendor gratuities on the day of the event.
 
That way, you can focus on enjoying your celebration!

Download Our Event Tipping Guide
We've created our 2026 Guide to Tipping Vendors at Weddings and Events so you don't have to remember all of these numbers.

Download the tipping sheet and save it for future reference as you plan your wedding, corporate event, party, or other special occasion. Keep a digital copy on your phone, print one for your planning binder, or share it with anyone helping you manage the event budget.

And remember: These are guidelines, not rules. Your budget, the quality of service, your contracts, and your personal preferences should all factor into your decisions.

At BIG DEAL Company, we know that successful events aren't just about beautiful details; they're also about taking care of the people who help make those details happen.

Need help planning an event? BIG DEAL Company is here to help make the big day a BIG DEAL.

Nobody’s mad you used AI to draft the email. That’s the job now. What lands wrong is when the draft ships untouched, polished, correct, and forgettable.
Here’s what tips people off, and what to fix before it goes out.

*Download our free tip sheet: 10 Ways to Catch AI Writing Red-Handed

Limited venues. Growing demand.
Better events start with an earlier booking.

Northern Colorado is becoming more popular for corporate meetings,
conferences, nonprofit events, and celebrations. Even though more people
want to host events here, there aren’t enough venues for medium and large
groups. By planning early, organizations have a better chance of getting the
venue, dates, and experience they want.

*Download our free tip sheet below

A few years ago, event planners would search Google, browse venue websites, and
depend on word-of-mouth recommendations. Now, planners, brides, meeting
organizers, and corporate teams are using AI tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Copilot to find options more quickly.
Download our FREE printable cheat sheet to learn more.

Most swag ends up in a trash can by Tuesday. Here’s how to pick items people actually keep - and what that means for your brand long after the event.
85% of attendees remember the brand that gave them great swag.

Planning a conference, retreat, or corporate event? BIG DEAL Company handles everything from swag sourcing to full event production - so you can focus on the people in the room.