The Wedding Questions Couples Are Sometimes Afraid to Ask
Planning a wedding comes with a lot of questions, and
some of them can feel a little awkward to ask.
“Are we supposed to tip everyone?” “Who is responsible for the cleanup?” “Do we have to feed our vendors?” “What happens if it rains?”
Trust us, you are not the first couple to ask! After working with so many weddings, we’ve heard just about every question there is. And we’d much rather you ask than spend your engagement Googling at midnight.
Here are a few of the questions couples sometimes hesitate to ask, and the straightforward answer!
“Are we supposed to tip everyone?”
This one comes up on tours all the time, and there’s no
reason to feel awkward asking! Wedding tipping etiquette
can be confusing because it varies by vendor and, in some
cases, gratuity may already be included.
As a general rule, check your contracts first and don't feel like you need to tip every person who works your wedding. For vendors where tipping is customary, couples often give anywhere from $20–$50 per staff member to $50–$200 or more for individual vendors, depending on the service. Your planner, venue coordinator or other wedding professionals can also help you understand what's typical for your particular vendors.
Here is what we recommend:
Vendors (planners, coordinators, photographers, DJs, etc.): $50–$200 each
Bartenders: 15–20% of the bar bill
Waitstaff: $20–$50 each
Delivery crews (flowers, rentals, cake, etc.): $20–$50 each
“Do we have to feed our vendors?”
Usually, yes, if they’ll be working through your meal service.
Your photographer, DJ, planner, coordinator and
other vendors may be with you for eight or more hours. A vendor meal doesn’t need to be the same meal your guests are receiving, but they do need something to eat.
Ask each vendor what they require in their contract, and ask your caterer what vendor meal options they offer. We also recommend asking for their food allergies!
“Who is responsible for setup and cleanup?”
This is one you definitely want to know before your wedding day.
Responsibilities vary by venue and vendor. Your venue may handle certain setup or cleanup tasks, while your caterer, florist, rental company or décor team may be responsible for others.
At Sun Valley, we will tear down all tables, chairs, and linens, as well as, any in-house rentals.
Don’t assume, and don't be afraid to ask for clarification. Knowing exactly who is responsible for what can prevent a lot of last-minute confusion.
“How early should my vendors arrive?”
There isn't one magic arrival time for every vendor. Your photographer may want to arrive early for getting-ready photos, while your DJ, florist or rental company may have a completely different timeline.
Your vendors can help you build a realistic arrival and setup schedule so everyone knows when and where they need to be.
“What happens if it rains, and when does a Plan B decision need to be made?”
This is one of those questions you want answered before you need the answer.
If you're planning an outdoor ceremony, ask your venue about its rain plan. Find out what the backup location is, when the decision needs to be made and whether moving indoors affects your timeline or décor.
At Sun Valley, our covered Veranda can be used as a weather plan for up to 120 guests. Otherwise, it will be held indoors in The Clover Room. We don’t need a decision until day-of, but every venue is different!
Having a plan doesn't mean you're expecting rain. It means you won't have to figure it out while standing outside watching the clouds roll in.
“Do we need a Wedding Planner?”
Maybe—and maybe not.
Some couples want someone whose job is to direct the day so their family and friends can simply enjoy the wedding. Others are comfortable relying on their venue coordinator and vendor team.
Ask your venue what their coordinator handles and, just as importantly, what they don't handle. That will help you decide whether you need additional coordination.
“Can we change our plans later?”
Sometimes! Weddings evolve as you get closer to the big day. Guest counts change, timelines shift, décor gets added and sometimes you simply change your mind.
At Sun Valley, we won’t need to finalize those details until 2 weeks before your wedding.
The important thing is to communicate with your venue and vendors as early as possible. Some changes are easy to make; others may affect staffing, rentals, food quantities or your contract.
The Bottom Line
There really aren't many “stupid” wedding questions. If you're wondering about something, chances are another couple has wondered the exact same thing.
Your venue and vendors are there to help you understand how everything works—not to expect you to already know it all.
So ask the awkward questions. That's what we're here for.
