Saying “yes” to the dress with an added tip

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — One of the biggest moments in most people’s lives is their wedding day. 

Saying “yes” to the dress comes with a cost and an extra cost is coming as a surprise to many.  

A lot of newly engaged couples are faced with the hefty prices that come with wedding planning. 

“Just the wedding dress in general is very expensive. So, I didn’t feel obligated to necessarily tip. Because I’m already spending a lot of money on other aspects of the wedding,” Bride-to-Be Katelyn Hinson said. 

Katelyn Hinson is getting married in two weeks.  

When she bought her wedding dress, the screen prompted her to leave a tip. Hinson was caught off guard with the question but ultimately decided to skip the tip.  

She said the person who helped her find her dress was great but she didn’t feel that it was necessary to tip during her purchase. 

“I wouldn’t say there’s anything she could’ve done differently because it’s just simply her job. As far as my alterations went, yes, I did tip her because it was an on-hands service,” Hinson said. 

Rebecca Lang said yes to the dress more than fifty years ago. She weighed in on these new tipping trends. 

“I think that’s really a disadvantage for any bride that has to be shopping for a dress to consider that percentage rate on top of the cost of a dress,” Lang said. 

Lang compared tipping for a wedding dress to other components of a wedding. She said you wouldn’t normally tip your florist or venue on top of what you’re already paying. So, why make the exception for a wedding dress.  

“I haven’t seen the cost of florals tag a gratuity on it. So, I just don’t see that happening. Another place where someone can change a little extra,” Lang said. 

Meanwhile, Hinson said if she could offer advice to any other newly engaged brides, she would warn them about these new tipping expectations.  

“Just be aware that they expect that from you I feel like,” Hinson said. 

Hinson said being formerly in the food industry, she understands the value of a tip. But in cases like this, she feels it’s a bit excessive.