Is service charge a tip?

View Quoted Comment I’m going to ask my venue coordinator and see what she’s says. I don’t like the sneakiness if it isn’t considered a tip

View Quoted Comment Thank you for clarifying. So may I ask how much a suggested tip would be on top of the 20% service charge?

View Quoted Comment Well that’s good at least you won’t have to put aside a couple thousand more!

View Quoted Comment Thank you for clarifying!

View Quoted Comment I emailed my venue coordinator to clarify, and this is what she responded with...




It seems like they are using this 20% service charge to pay their staff’s wages. Rather than list an all-inclusive price, they add on the service charge so they can advertise lower rates for weddings & attract more potential clients

View Quoted Comment Oh wow. I emailed my coordinator this morning I’m waiting for her response now.

View Quoted Comment It's not a tactic, they cannot tell you how much service will cost until they know how much you will require. This is why it is a percentage and not a flat rate. You would be upset if they charged a flat rate for serving X amount of guests, when in reality you only needed service for Y amount. This is one of the reasons that the service business model is difficult to understand.
In Europe we have a separate service charge line on the bill. This is not a tip as I previously explained, it is just a break down of services rendered; goods, service and tax.

View Quoted Comment How many people are you serving? Is it family style or plated?

Service charge is usually not a tip, the money goes towards paying hourly rate for the staff and the tip is extra.

View Quoted Comment I actually just talked to my coordinator and she stated that it’s actually used to pay the staff for an hourly rate & a tip is not required it’s up to us.

View Quoted Comment The estimated cost is for 80 guest and we are doing buffet style. It seems as though the 20% service charge would’ve happened no matter the dinner style. I just spoke with my coordinator and she stated that it is used to pay the staff at an hourly rate. Understandable.

View Quoted Comment That’s exactly what my coordinator said, thank you!

View Quoted Comment Exactly, a charge for service. Tips are never required they are and always have been at the customers' discretion.

View Quoted Comment It is. I'd do a couple hundred dollars if you can swing it. Everyone should get a $20 tip on the evening.

View Quoted Comment Okay thank you!

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It goes to labor (like paying the servers) and administrative costs. 20% is average actually. Some of the venues I looked at charged up to 28%! Anything between 20 and 25 is pretty standard.

View Quoted Comment Yes my coordinator said it’s to pay the employees hourly who will be working the wedding.

I was married in a church, and a family member catered at a local county park pavilion afterward, so I don't have any experience with venues. That said, I stupidly assumed that the venue would pay it's own employees. They really should be a little more upfront with what the service fee covers. Although I suppose they're afraid people will choose a different venue because of it. I know I would.

View Quoted Comment Yes I wish I was told upfront what the service charge would be and what it entailed. I now know for the next time I need to book a venue for an occasion!

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Not always...On our limo contract it has a 20% required driver gratuity...so we are forced to give them 20% even if their service sucks...