Just wanted to see if people got any sort of monetary thank yous or otherwise after the fact...

Recently I received a wonderful thank-you card and flowers from someone who I booked through my "day job", so I know her outside of wedding videography, and just knowing the type of person she is I was not surprised. It was after her video was complete and they had seen the final package.

Now, we just received a thank you from a bride for a wedding that we did a couple weeks ago, with a monetary tip in it. I feel sort of bad taking it because we dont even have a sneak peek or highlight video up for her yet, let alone her whole DVD done...I would feel less uncertain about it if I knew she was pleased with her end result...my thought is don't cash it until the project is complete, or return it all together...don't get me wrong, I love money and love being appreciated as much as the next, but I just have never had this before and thought I would get a feel from others...What would you guys do, or do you ever receive tips like this?

If the bride gave you a tip then she meant for you to have it. You need to cash it and enjoy it as she intended. d;-)

As for receiving tips, some clients do it and some don't. We've even had clients ask us how much they should tip, whereas we've also had some that tipped every vendor BUT the photographer and us. Sometimes it makes no sense, but whatever. The important thing is to feel good about the tip and be sure and thank them for it.

It would be rude to return a tip. Just accept it and say thank you, as Travis suggests.

I never get Tips, but the couple almost always tips my assistant. Like Travis said, they wouldn't tip you if they didn't want you to have it. Cash it and count it as extra cash you didn't know you were going to get and maybe put it towards an upgrade or something.

Thanks for the input guys....of course I don't want to be rude, which is why I asked what others do in this instance.

In the 3 years we have been really busy with weddings, this is the first time it's come up. I'm very happy when we get a nice thank-you card! this was a very nice gesture, and very appreciated.

I got a $500 tip for a $2000 job. I told the couple that was too much, but they insisted! They were super happy with what we did for them. Ok then....I'm happy they were that happy! Thank YOU! Also, we always keep the thank you cards and letters of appreciation.

Once I got tipped $600. It was for a couple's 80th birthday party. They gave me $300 right after the event. Then when I gave them the final DVD and Bluray, I was given another $300. happy =)