Giving out gratuities to your wedding vendors is par for the course and should be part of your overall wedding budget. But even savvy couples who set aside funds for tipping often have trouble determining exactly who should be tipped, how much money to dole out and when to distribute it.

First, bear in mind two important points: While tipping is generally appropriate, poor performance by a vendor does not merit this courtesy. So if your DJ was late for the wedding reception, or the waitstaff was unpleasant to your guests, you are under no obligation to tip them. Also, check your contracts, as sometimes vendors have gratuities already built into them. If that's the case, an extra tip would be very generous on your part, but certainly not necessary.

Tips should always be rendered in cash but the amounts vary depending on the vendor or service. According to Christine A. Wheat of Christine A. Wheat Special Events (cweventsfirm.com), as a rule of thumb, your makeup artist or hairstylist should be given 15 to 20 percent of the total fee. That percentage is also applied to the limousine bill and the final catering bill, and waitstaff typically should be tipped $10 to $20 per staff member. Bridal attendants are usually tipped $75 to $100 at the end of the event. (See chart.)

The easiest way to tip your vendors is to pre-calculate all of the amounts in advance of the wedding (the total balance for each vendor should be in each contract), then place each amount in a sealed and labeled envelope. Wheat also suggests that couples elect a designated person to distribute the gratuities once the event is coming to a close. "At the end of the wedding, it's a very emotional time. The couple and parents are trying to say their good-byes and gather up their things," she says, so it's best to leave this task to someone—a family member or wedding planner—who is trustworthy and reliable.

Tipping Guidelines:

• Bartender ** | 10-15% of liquor bill or $25-$50 per bartender
• Caterer** | 15-20% of food and drink bill
• Maitre d' | $2-$5 dollars per person
• Bridal Attendant | $75-$150
• Coat & Powder Room Attendants | $1-$2 per guest
• DJ or Musicians | $25-$75 each band member or $75-$100 for DJ
• Photographer/Videographer | Determined with final product
• Florist | n/a
• Floral or Rental Production Staff | $20 per person
• Limousine driver(s) ** | 15-20% of limo bill
• Makeup Artist or Hairstylist | 15-20% of fee
• Officiant (if your ceremony is onsite) | $100-$400
• Valet Parking Attendants/Coat Room | $1-$3 per coat/car
• Wait Staff ** | $10-$20 per staff member
• Service Related Vendors | $100-$800
  

** If it's not already part of the vendor's bill