Wedding Cash Withdrawal Calculator
Enter your total tip budget and get the exact mix of bills to request from the bank, plus a printable worksheet to hand to the teller.
Calculate Your Cash Breakdown
Use our main tip calculator if you don't know this yet.
Valet, delivery, coat check, etc. Each typically $5–$20.
Your Bank Withdrawal
Total cash needed
$0
Hand this to the teller:
Why this calculator exists
Most couples find out the week of their wedding that they need $1,500+ in cash for vendor tips. By Thursday they're at the bank, the teller asks "how would you like that?" and they freeze.
ATMs only dispense $20s with daily caps. Banks don't always have $50s and $100s on hand without notice. And if you withdraw all $20s, you're carrying a brick of 75 bills you'll spend the wedding morning counting into envelopes. If you withdraw all $100s, you can't tip the valet without making change.
The right mix is a small number of $100s for big tips, some $50s for mid-range, and enough $20s for the per-vendor stack. This calculator gives you that mix in 10 seconds.
How to use the cash on the wedding day
Get the cash 3–5 business days before the wedding. Larger bank branches usually have $100s and $50s on hand; smaller branches may need to order them. A quick phone call to your branch — *"Can you have $1,500 ready in mostly $20s and $50s for Friday?"* — saves the morning-of scramble.
Once home, count it into labeled envelopes per vendor. Write the vendor name and amount on the outside, seal each envelope, and stack them. The night before the wedding, hand the entire stack to your wedding planner, day-of coordinator, or a trusted family member with a brief instruction list (who to give which envelope to and when).
Common bill mistakes to avoid
- All-$100s — leaves you unable to tip $20 valet/delivery without making change
- All-$20s — makes a $200 photographer tip a wad of 10 bills
- Mismatched math — if your photographer tip is $150, you need at least 1× $100 + 1× $50, not 7× $20 + 1× $10
- No buffer — withdraw 10–15% extra in $20s for unexpected day-of tips
- Last-minute trip — Friday afternoon banks are crowded and may not have specific bills available
What about ATM withdrawal?
Avoid it for wedding cash. Most ATMs only dispense $20s with daily caps of $300–$1,000. For typical wedding tip amounts ($1,000–$2,500), you need a teller, you need to specify denominations, and you need to do it during business hours.
Some larger bank ATMs (Chase, Bank of America in major cities) dispense $50s and $100s, but they're rare and still capped daily. If you bank with a credit union or smaller regional bank, the ATM almost certainly won't have the bills you need.
Supplies for Wedding Day Cash
Tools to organize and distribute the cash you just withdrew.
Cash Envelope Wallet Organizer
View on Amazon →
Wedding Vendor Tip Envelopes
View on Amazon →
Mini Thank You Cards
View on Amazon →
Money Counter / Bill Verifier
View on Amazon →
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Don't know your total yet?
Use our main wedding tip calculator first to figure out per-vendor amounts. Then come back here for the bill breakdown.
Open Main Calculator →Frequently Asked Questions
How much cash do I need for wedding tips?
Most couples spend $1,000–$2,500 in cash tips for a typical wedding. The exact amount depends on how many vendors you hired and whether gratuity is already in any of your contracts. Use our main wedding tip calculator first to figure out the total, then this page to break it down into specific bills.
What bills should I ask for at the bank?
A mix of $100s for big tips (planner, photographer, catering captain), $50s for mid-range tips (DJ, makeup artist), and $20s for small tips (valet, delivery crew). Avoid all-$100s — you'll have to make change. Avoid all-$20s — you'll be carrying a brick of cash. The calculator above gives you the optimal mix.
When should I get the cash from the bank?
3–5 business days before the wedding. Banks don't always have specific denominations on hand — large branches usually do, but smaller branches may need to order $100s in advance. Calling ahead and asking 'do you have $1,500 in mostly $20s and $50s?' avoids the day-before scramble.
Can I use an ATM instead of going to a teller?
ATMs are limited. Most ATMs only dispense $20s, with daily withdrawal caps of $300–$1,000. For wedding tip amounts ($1,000+), you need a teller — and you need to specify denominations. ATMs don't dispense $100s, $50s, or $5s.
Should I withdraw extra cash for unexpected tips?
Yes — add 10–15% to your calculated total. Common surprises: an extra delivery person you didn't budget for, a venue staff member who genuinely earned extra, a shuttle driver who handled a mess. $100–$200 extra in $20s covers most last-minute situations.
What's the safest way to carry wedding cash?
A dedicated cash envelope organizer (the kind with multiple labeled pockets) is the standard system. Hand the entire organizer to your wedding planner, day-of coordinator, or a trusted family member at the rehearsal dinner. They distribute envelopes throughout the wedding day.
Should I use a credit card with cash advance benefits instead?
Cash advance fees on credit cards are typically 3–5% plus immediate interest accrual — not worth it for wedding tips. Better: use a checking account debit withdrawal or a cash-back rewards credit card to pay vendors who accept cards (saving the cash for tips). Some travel rewards cards offer 1.5–2% cash back, which functionally subsidizes the tip budget.
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