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Just Said Yes January 2020

Is a service charge a tip?

Kristen, on October 17, 2019 at 9:46 AM Posted in Planning 0 6

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Hi!

I was wondering if the service charge is equivalent to tipping the standard 15-20%. My venue offers both catering and a full bar and the service charge has been added onto the total including the retal and food/drinks. I will still generally tip the servers and bartenders as well as have a tip jar for the bartenders but wanted to see what everyone thought. The service charge is a hefty chunk of our budget!

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6 Comments

Latest activity by Rebecca, on October 18, 2019 at 2:37 AM

Master January 2015
null · on October 17, 2019 at 9:50 AM
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Unfortunately, a service charge isn't the same as gratuity. Most contracts/quotes will state that somewhere in the fine print. Service charges are insanely high in my opinion!
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Legend November 2019
Caytlyn · on October 17, 2019 at 9:57 AM
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The service charge isn’t typically a tip, but I would check your contract.
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Master July 2018
Mcskipper · on October 17, 2019 at 10:18 AM
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Not generally, no. But always worth asking them directly
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Legend June 2019
Melle · on October 17, 2019 at 11:08 AM
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For me ours was an actual gratuity rather than service charge but I agree with PPs in asking
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Devoted November 2020
Kayla · on October 17, 2019 at 3:02 PM
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I think I asked our caterer about this like five times. Everything I read on here said the service charge wasn't a tip, but when we went for our tasting the caterer said it was. When I was trying to draft out the catering budget in my spreadsheet, I asked again just to be sure. But out 18% service charge will count as the tip.
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Master August 2019
Rebecca · on October 18, 2019 at 2:37 AM
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Ours was actually the same thing, plus their servers were paid a high wage. We triple checked before we chose that venue.
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