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Just Said Yes December 2016

Tipping at venue

Kristin, on November 16, 2016 at 9:39 PM Posted in Etiquette and Advice 0 4

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So, at our venue tip isn't factored into the total at the end. Additionally, we have a service fee of 20% that is included that pays the staff at the end of the night. The 20% is not a tip. Anything additional we wish to give is up to us. Here's my question. HOW MUCH? Do we tip on total of the entire bill (e.g., total for plates, ceremony fee, piano player, wedding suite to get dressed in)? Or, do we tip on the total of the price we paid per head (e.g., $15,000 for $105 per plate). HELPPP! We were going to give a 15% tip, however my friend said 35% (i.e., the 20% service fee + the 15% tip) would be a really high percentage of the cost of the wedding.

My thoughts are, find out how many staff will be working and tip them all $80-100? Thoughts.....

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4 Comments

Latest activity by Lynnie, on November 17, 2016 at 12:28 PM

Savvy October 2016
DNJBride · on November 16, 2016 at 11:58 PM
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For the banquet staff, a gratuity of 15-20% is the norm. Look over your contract again or contact your banquet manager if you have questions. The gratuity for that is usually calculated from the final tab (which you get a few weeks before your reception). Ours was negotiated already in our contract...our service fee was 21% and we had an additional Matre D fee that we gave at the end of the night. I calculated this to be about 4% of the final bill. However, this is only based on the reception/banquet services. I would treat the ceremony, music, food and drink as separate entities and tip them separately. Live musicians I would give about $25 each for a tip. I hope I helped, it won't hurt to ask someone at your venue. The service fee plus 15-20% does seem like a lot though...but every venue does things differently!
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Expert July 2017
Ro · on November 17, 2016 at 10:32 AM
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A friend of mine worked in a banquet hall (in New Jersey, if that matters). The only people who were tipped were the personal waiter of the bride and groom, and the bartender. Everyone else was given just the flat wage.
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Celia Milton · on November 17, 2016 at 10:50 AM
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The service charge is just that; it's their pay.

If you want to tip the staff, your initial thought was right, though I'd say that 50-80 is fine. If your bartenders can accept tips at the bar (and I have never been at a NJ or NY venue that doesn't allow this, tip cup or not....), they will make more money than anyone at the venue except your Maitre D.

Ask what they typical gratuity is for the Maitre D and bridal attendant if you have one; that is usually far more, and usually it's set by the venue.

As with any other service, tips should be based on performance, not merely showing up. I have venues where every single person, from the valet parking kids to the Captain are spectacular...I have venues where no one knows where the bouquets are. Truly great pros can make your day. Truly shitty ones can make your day miserable, whether it's a venue staff person of any one of your vendors.
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WeddingWire Administrator October 2016
Lynnie · on November 17, 2016 at 12:28 PM
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Hi Kristin, welcome to WW! Make sure to upload a picture for your avatar (instead of the default icons) so that we can get to know you and tell you apart from all the other posters.

WW has a great tipping guide - check it out:

https://www.weddingwire.com/wedding-ideas/etiquette-advice/wedding-tipping-guide
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