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Our resident wedding expert Grace Clerc shares her wedding knowledge and wisdom with YPB.com.
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Question: What is the general rule for tipping the vendors? (ALL vendors work hard to help make your dream wedding possible and in the realm of things, this seems to be a forgotten issue for most weddings I have coordinated and I honesty feel that tipping your vendors is a must. So I would like to include this as my debut Question and Suggestion topic for YBP.)

Suggestion: It’s not often that my clients will ask, ‘how much should I tip the vendors?’ For the most part, my job is to furnish the vendors with their remaining payments on the day of your wedding then off to work we go! But, generally speaking, it is expected to tip your vendors, as it does serve as a thank you for a job well done. Caterers’ maybe an exception to this rule as they generally include gratuities in their fees, but other vendors will leave the amount up to you. Below is a list to help guide you:

-Officiants. $75 to $100

-Catering Staff. 15 to 20 percent

-Musicians and Deejays. $20 to $25 apiece

-Hairstylists and Makeup Artists. 15 to 20 percent

-Photographers, Videographers, Florists. $30 to $50

-Wedding Coordinators. $50 to $100

-Site Staff. coat checkers /$1 to $2 per guest; Powder-room attendants /50 cents to $1 per guest; valets /$1 to $1.50 per car;

-Seamstresses, Delivery People, and Drivers. Delivery people /$5 each per deliveries; limousine driver /15 to 20 percent; seamstresses /a small gift

The most important rule to remember-following up with a thank-you note is priceless.

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Question: My fiancé and I broke off our engagement, but I REALLY LOVE my ring! Should I return it back to him or keep it?

Suggestion: As much as you would love to…kindly return it. It’s the best policy my dear.

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Question: When should we mail out thank you cards?

Suggestion: Well, it’s not so much when. It’s the mere fact that you don’t forget. Honestly, while the memories are still fresh in your mind. Do write your thank you notes from the heart

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