Service Charge is Not Gratuity. Now What?

I'd do 20-50.00 for each server. They probably have a set or recommended fee for the Maitre D' and the bartenders? That's always a tough one. If they are allowed to accept tips at the bar? A token is plenty in that case. I have never been at a wedding where most of the guests didn't throw a couple of bucks on the bar after every drink.

I had the same thing and talked to my venue manager to see what the expectation was and how many people would be working my event. We ended up tipping the staff a dollar amount that we were comfortable with rather than a percentage since they are paid well able the standard wait staff salary and my service charge was going to that salary.

The bartenders had another separate fee per bartender, so again, we did dollar amount rather than percentage.

Ouch! 21% service fee? Our's is only 17%. We haven't figured out gratuities. We were thinking maybe half what the service charge is....

@stacydiane.ox I KNOW!! I am slowly freaking out thinking the expectation for gratuity is standard tipping rates. It sounds like it's not so my blood pressure is slowly going down... hahaha

Dammit I thought they were the same thing I think we will have 4-6 people serving for our buffet. I suppose I should figure out a set tip amount for them. . . We are paying our bartenders an hourly rate and we are making a tip jar for them to split so at least that's covered.

If the 21% service fee is not a gratuity, then what is it? There's a good chance you're running into a simply semantics issue. Many districts have received challenges regarding how tips can be shared and distributed, so sometimes the word "service fee" replaces it so that tips can be shared and paid through payroll. For example, a server's "gratuities" on a regular night cannot be shared with the kitchen or management team, but the "service fee" of an event can be.

Luckily since most of my vendors own their own businesses, tipping isn't standard. But we'll tip our DJ because frankly he gave us an amazing deal we wouldn't have gotten anywhere else, hair and make up people and then the catering staff. Our bartenders come included with catering so we're including them in the lump sum we'll give the caterers, and if they get tips from guests more power to them.

I agree with Elyse- Catering servers are not paid a waiters hourly pay, its much high to account for the fact they aren't tipped. At least that's what my venue told me. It could be different in other states though.

Not tipping an owner is an outdated concept. If an individual provides a tip-worthy service, I think he or she deserves a tip regardless of title.

I used to work for a wedding venue several years ago and the service fee covered the event staff's pay which was $15/hr (pretty good for that area at that time) and tips were distributed between all staff including bar tenders so we would get an extra $30 - $50 at the end of the night depending on the size/cost of the wedding. We did other events and often the hosts of those didn't tip as well or at all (yup!) but it wasn't the end of the world since we were making $15/hr. Weddings were fun and less stressful than waiting tables at the adjoining restaurant.

The contract specifically states "The Service Charge is not a gratuity; it is retained and is applied toward nonitemized labor costs for the event, including but not limited to, hourly staff wages (set-up staff, service staff, bartenders, kitchen staff), management, and administrative." I'm all for tipping as I previously worked in hospitality for many years and know it's hard word. But to tack on another 15% is outrageous.

@Elyse - I think I would definitely feel more comfortable tipping a dollar amount for each staff member.

@Zoe i'll be tipping my photographer when we get our photos back, but i'm not including it for the wedding. And my florist also doesn't take tips. But they also own their own business, and I don't think it's an outdated concept personally., nor do most of the recent articles I'm ready. but to each their own I guess,

ASK people that have organized weddings in your area before. At my sister's East Coast wedding, everyone got a hefty tip. In my area, 5 different people have assured me only the reception servers and hair/makeup people are tipped - apparently it's not the norm to tip a DOC, photographer etc here.

A service fee is usually what venues call the amount of money they pay the servers.

Tip your owner/vendors IF they are great. That advice is antiquated no matter what you personally think. If they go over the top for you, they deserve that.

I would ask your venue just in case. My service charge is also 21% but that is gratuity. I made sure to ask before I signed because I am already paying so much

Our service charge is 20%, plus 13.5% tax (which is added AFTER the service charge)! Unfortunately, that's how it's done in my area. Yep, an additional 1/3 on everything at the venue (ceremony & reception). I swear, 8 months out & eloping is looking better and better!!!

Following...I was wondering the same thing.

Thank you for everyone's responses and insight! It definitely helped calm my nerves. It sounds like it can be different by venue. Bottom line is be sure to read your contract carefully and it doesn't hurt to ask the venue directly. If you're shopping for a venue, definitely keep this in mind. For your reference, we're getting married in Northern CA at a winery.

@MzRosaLu - Reach out to your venue and ask them directly what is the standard that other couples have followed. I posed the question to them and they provided me with clarification on the gratuity.

Our caterer (who is also our venue) adds an 18% gratuity and we're doing a buffet

If you end up tipping a percent, definitely tip on the amount and not on top of the service charge and tax!