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Michelle
Just Said Yes November 2019

Tipping Caterer-owned Venue with Labor & Service Charges??

Michelle, on November 14, 2019 at 12:13 AM Posted in Etiquette and Advice 0 2

I'm getting married this weekend and am frantically trying to figure out what to tip. Our ceremony and reception are being held at the same venue, which is owned by the catering company. So, the venue rental fees, catering fees, bar fees, etc. are all included. We also have two ambiguous fees/charges - one for the service charge, which they have stated does not include gratuity and is charged on food, drinks, equipment and "venue services," and one for labor, which does not include a service charge. They also state that their service staff does not rely on tips and thus gratuity is not included. They provide ranges for tips if we feel the service was outstanding, but do not clarify if it's expected or who is considered "service staff" - i.e. servers, bartenders, our main contact/event manager/on-site supervisor, etc., or any/all of the above?!

So, that being said, after reading all of the tipping advice, guidelines, cheat sheets, forum discussions, etc.... I am at a total loss of what to tip. Anyone else have insight or a similar experience/situation?

2 Comments

Latest activity by Sinéad, on November 15, 2019 at 7:06 AM
  • FutureStephD
    Super March 2019
    FutureStephD ·
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    Just to clarify, did you say this correctly "They also state that their service staff does not rely on tips and thus gratuity is not included."?

    Also, what is the charge for service and labor? Is it a percentage or flat fee? Service charges are usually a portion to pay wages and a portion for tips. Our venue said it wasn't a gratuity, but MIL worked there and said it really was.

    That said, I would tip the servers (if you can) and bartenders. $100 per bartender.


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  • Sinéad
    WeddingWire Administrator January 2025
    Sinéad ·
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    Hey Michelle! Welcome to the WeddingWire community!! Congratulations on being so close to your wedding! That’s so exciting!

    Tipping can be confusing when it comes to additional charges added to your invoice already. I would definitely still tip the waitstaff and bartenders.

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