This can be offered as a cash gesture, or, if you prefer, a gift certificate somewhere you know it will be used. Limousine Driver/Procession Officials: Anyone helping you with transportation should receive a 15 percent tip above and beyond the traditional fare. Like hiring a cab, this kind of gratuity is appreciated, but not required. If you do tip with cash, you can avoid handing it to the person by putting it in an envelope and leaving it for them. $3-$5, more if the driver helps you with your bags. Limousine driver: 10. It can sometimes be hard to know how much tip limo driver because you don’t do it that much. The key is to think about where you are, how much the normal amount is and how much you liked the service. It is a good idea to start out with a 20% tip. Figure out what that would be and go from there.
19 Aug 2016
Wedding Tipping
Wedding tipping has always been a personal expression of gratitude for service given and appreciated. The question of tipping those persons responsible for assisting you in your wedding planning is one of obvious importance and concern.
Gratuities are almost always added into the final bill, whether you have hired a private catering company or are using one of the finest hotel facilities. The question has been asked, “Is it proper to tip the servers, when I have already paid a gratuity in my contracted price?” The answer is, of course, “tipping has always been a personal expression of gratitude for service given and appreciated.” For instance, if a particular server has spent his evening providing you service, over and above your expectations, and you choose to give that individual a “tip,” that choice is entirely up to you. It should be given for extra special services only. It is not required, as the gratuity has, as noted, already been paid. The customary amount would be up to 15%.
Others falling into the above category, include catering managers, hotel banquet managers, waiters, waitresses, bartenders and bridal consultants. Tipping a hostess or captain would fall in the 1% to 2% range. Remember, this has already been added to your final bill and additional tipping is just that. Additional tipping!
Coat Room Attendants: It is customary to give fifty cents per guest. However, it may be to your advantage to arrange for a flat fee prior to the event.
Limousine Driver: A tip of 15% is the appropriate amount to be given to your limo driver. Be sure to read your contract, as the tip has often already been added into the final bill.
Florists, Photographers, Bakers, Musicians: Tipping only for extra special services, up to 15%.
Civil Ceremony Officials: (Judge, Justice of the Peace, City Clerk) In years gone by, it was considered improper to “ask” a set fee for services rendered. However, today, you may find a “suggested” donation for those in public service. In a recent survey, it was found the average gratuity was between $75 and $100. If travel is involved, an additional gratuity is expected.
Clergymen, Rabbis, Priests: No less than a $75 donation is considered proper and it is rare to find anyone giving less than a $100 gratuity for the wedding officiant. This donation should be given to the best man prior to the ceremony. Following the proceedings, he will then give it to the officiant. If travel is involved, an additional gratuity is appreciated.
Organist and Musician: Fees for church organists and musicians are often included in the rental fee for the church. When this is not the case, a gratuity of no less than $35 is appropriate, but in a recent survey, the average was $50 for each person. When the organist and musician (soloist) are close friends of the couple or family, the gratuity averaged $75.
Not many of us hire a limousine service on a daily basis. Suffice to say, when we hire a limo, it is usually for a special occasion: wedding, bachelor party, funeral, prom. With that being said, most of us are unaware of the etiquette of taking a limo, whether it is to the airport or to a business function. This is especially true when it comes to tipping a limo driver.
For whatever reason, tipping a limo driver is one of the most awkward aspects of our regular transactions. Perhaps because we are too cheap or because we are terrified of making a point (at the wrong time). But tipping shouldn’t be confusing or intimidating, including when you take a limo. You will want to reward a good limousine service after all.
So, how exactly should you handle the tipping for a limo driver? Here are five tips for tipping a limousine service:
How Much Gratuity Do You Give A Limo Driver
1. Tip the Limo Driver in Cash (When Possible)
You may have a kind heart when you leave a tip as you pay with your credit card or debit card. But this may leave the limousine driver in quite the predicament: he may have a terrible boss that will skim the tips, or the tip may be reduced thanks to transaction fees.
To make their life a little bit easier, and to perhaps brighten their day, you should always tip in cash. This will show immediate gratitude on both ends, and leave a little more in his pockets.
2. Limo Tips Vary on the Trips
How much should you tip the limo driver? Well, it really depends on the trip and its length. Here are a few recommendations when you’re trying to determine how much tip to give the limo driver:
- Going to the airport requires a minimum tip of $10 to $20.
- Driving several hours will demand a minimum tip of $50 to $100.
- A night ride of $500 should yield a 20 percent tip.
- All other occasions: 10 percent of the base fare.
Or, if you don’t remember these suggestions, just ask the limo driver how much he usually gets in tips. He will likely be honest.
3. Pay Attention to Service Charge
Some limousine companies do not ask for tips, especially in certain jurisdictions. To avoid complications, they tend to slap on a service charge, akin to restaurants or take-out food businesses. This means that you don’t necessarily need to hand over a tip.
A service charge will typically result in roughly five percent of the total trip. That’s a lot of dough, especially if you’re going vast distances or you’re using the limo for several hours.
4. Ignore Sales Tax When Calculating Tips
Every limo trip will calculate a sales tax, but you should not factor in the sales tax when you’re carrying the one in terms of the total tip amount. For instance, if your overall trip was $100, and there was a 13 percent sales tax ($113 total), then just factor in the $100.
How Much Gratuity Do You Give A Limo Drivers
Remember, it isn’t the limo driver’s fault that there is an unfair consumption tax.
5. Don’t Want to Tip? Leave a Small Sum Anyway
How Much Gratuity Do You Give A Limo Driver For A
The limousine driver was uncouth. You went only a short distance. The trip was only an hour.
How Much Tip Do You Give A Limo Driver
We get it. You don’t want to leave a tip in any of these scenarios. That said, it would still be wise to leave a small tip anyway. Perhaps the limo driver will get the hint that he was a bit rude, or that fares are too expensive for short trips. It doesn’t matter. Always leave a tiny tip for the limo driver, even when you don’t want to tip at all.