Service fees

You should ask the venue where it gets added onto. That way you can plan for exact numbers.

At my venue the service fees are added on to the pp price! They don't add in service fees for the ceremony.

I think at mine they were overall on the venue/catering bill.

Sometimes the service fees covers gratuity for the staff. Keep in mind that if they don't charge one, you'd then need to plan to tip the staff 20% anyway (if gratuity isn't in there elsewhere).

Service fee is usually only on food and beverage, but best to check the contract. They should give you a sample contract.

Every venue is different. My service fee was on top of everything. However, at my venue I didn't have to tip. If you have no service fee or no gratuity fee....you're still gunna have to tip 20% anyway

Agreed, it's mostly for food & beverage but every venue/caterer is different. I was quoted by several caterers. Two of them charged $2,700 just for the service fee and expected additional gratuity on top of that. Another caterer was simply 22% no additional gratuity. It's the one we're likely going with.

Thanks for the advice. I'm glad to hear that there is a possibility that the service fee only gets charged to the food/beverage. But I'll definitely ask the venue to be more specific.