Do you tip wedding suppliers in Ireland?

In Ireland, tipping wedding suppliers is appreciated but never expected. There is no equivalent of the American 15 to 20% convention here. A tip is a thank-you for work you were genuinely delighted with, not a line you are obliged to budget for.

Check the service charge first

Before you tip anyone, read your venue contract. Many Irish venues and hotels add a service charge, often around 10 to 15% of the food and drink bill, and that is frequently shared among the waiting and bar staff. If it is there, the front-of-house team has already been looked after, and you do not need to tip them again on the day.

Who people tend to tip

Where couples do tip, it usually goes to the people who went above and beyond:

• Waiting and bar staff, if there is no service charge, or the coordinator to share among the team.
• The band or DJ, a modest cash tip on the night if they read the room well.
• Hair and makeup, similar to any salon, if you are delighted.
• The venue coordinator, who often does far more than the contract says.

Owners of a business, a photographer who runs their own studio, a band leader, are less commonly tipped, because the fee is theirs. A five-star review and a personal recommendation is worth more to them than cash, and costs you nothing.

How much is normal

There is no rule. Common ranges are €50 to €100 for the band or coordinator, €20 to €50 for individuals like hair and makeup, or simply rounding up and saying keep the change. Give what feels right for service you were happy with, in a card with a thank-you, and never feel you have to.

The tip that costs nothing

The most valuable thing you can give a good supplier is a genuine review and a recommendation to the next couple. Word of mouth is how wedding businesses live or die here. If someone made your day, say so in a review, tell your friends, and tag them online. It is worth more to them than an envelope.