I'm shocked at the suggestion not to tip your photographer or a band, why not? I plan on tipping Randy, his fee is so small for the quality of work he does and I feel like that warrants a cash tip. Same for the band suggestion, some of the musicians are really good and their fee seems to small, so I plan on tipping my violinist and guitarist. I look at a tip as a thank you, if they went above and beyond then i like to acknowledge that with a cash tip. I will be tipping my wedding planner somewhere around $50-100. I'm not sure if they can accept cash, if not I will do a Visa gift card (same as cash pretty much but the policies on gift cards to be different than cash).
Here is who we are tipping:
Chartered transportation drivers 20%
voilinist and guitarist 20%
Photographer 20%, if not more
Hair/makeup artist 20%
Wedding planner $50-100, I'm not sure exactly what her fee is because it is worked in to the whole cost of the ceremony at Swan/Dolphin
Our fee for our dinner already includes a 21% gratuity so we probably won't tip the servers unless there is someone who really stood out
Our Pastor is coming down to perform our ceremony for us and didn't want to accept cash so we've paid for his room for 2 nights and will make an extra donation to our church for his services
Our floral already includes a setup and delivery fee so we don't plan on tipping them unless they do a really amazing job