Tipping for Buffet Dinner

Following... We are also have a buffet with servers. Not sure how that works...

Honestly a buffet is still a lot of work. They have to keep everything clean, refill, bus tables, Butler h’orderves etc I’m having an outside caterer with 5-6 servers for a buffet and in addition to the service charge the caterer manager suggested tipping each person 50-100. But keep in mind I’m in north N.J. where everything is $$.

What does the service charge include? My guess is it doesn't get passed on to the servers. We tipped each of ours $75.

Also, please don't have tip jars for your bartenders. You shouldn't pass that cost off to your guests. You should be the ones tipping them.

Unless otherwise stated in your contract the service charge is not a replacement for the tip. You should also not rely on guests using the tip charge as a lot of the times at weddings guests don't treat it the same as they would at an actual bar since a wedding is a private event.

You need to plan to tip all your servers as you would any server. Even if its a buffet you need to consider all the work they are doing behind the scenes and before and after service to make sure your day runs smoothly. Tip your server the same way you would at any restaurant.

My venue has a 22% service fee and i asked and was told that fee does in fact cover the tips for the servers, bartenders, etc.

Oh I also need to think about this. My caterer gave me a price per person and told me it included her paying the staff. I was just going to include a 20% tip on the overall catering bill. I didn't think about that none of it might go to the buffet servers...

My venue also has a 22% service fee. I asked what the fee was for and was told it is to pay the servers. I specifically asked if that covered tips for the servers and bartenders and was told it does. The venue told me not to tip on top of the 22% fee.

I would discuss the service fee with your caterer.

I went with an all-inclusive venue and was confused on whether or not the tip was included. My DOC and my caterer let me know that all servers/bartenders will be tipped through the service fee. I'll probably still give each of them a little something extra.

Does the service fee include the tip? Our contract says that we have a 19% service fee that includes tips

I think it depends on what they do! If they are still walking around clearing plates, quickly filling up empty buffet plates, pouring wine or champagne, I think 20% still makes sense. I'm not tipping until a couple days after the wedding, I'll send a check in the mail. That way if they do an amazing job even for a buffet I can tip 20%, but if I don't feel like the waiters did much I can send closer to 10%.

As others have said, check your contract and see what the service fee includes. If you're not sure, speak to the venue and get clarification. If it doesn't include the tip, then you should tip accordingly.

Tip jars for bartenders are a no-no. The couple (or whomever is paying for the wedding) should be tipping the bartenders, not the guests. I assume this is not a cash bar, correct?

For those brides (and grooms) who are just starting the planning, make sure you review your contract BEFORE signing it so you know if tips are included. This is an important line item for your budget.

I encourage you to ask if the service fee includes gratuity for the staff helping to prepare and clear the buffet, or if you are responsible for an additional tip. The service fee may be designed in much the same way that gratuity is included automatically for large parties in restaurants. It never hurts to ask.

As it had been mentioned, find out what that service fee is for. We have an all-inclusive venue that said they don't charge service fees so we can control our tips. I would want to know if everyone was getting the told they deserve.
also on the tip jar, I think it's okay to have it out. BUT you still need to give them a tip from you. For example at the last wedding we went too, it was a beer wine bar and they had a tip jar. but but the end of the night it wasn't really full at all. so it's not fair to the bartenders to get nothing.

View Quoted Comment Our caterer asked us if it would be okay if they put tip jars out for the bartenders so we said of course.

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But why? So you don't have to tip them? It's rude to ask your guests to open their wallet at your wedding, and having the tip jar out does just that. If someone tips a bartender on their own accord that's fine, but the tip jar makes it seem like it's your guests responsibility, not yours, to tip the bartenders. Plus it looks a little cheap IMO.

Our price already includes the service fee, and we have a cash bar. My reception is an 11 am luncheon and if my guests want to drink that early, it’ll be on their dime and they can tip the bartender themselves. I’m sure I’ll get the no one should open their wallets admonishing, but I don’t agree with it. I shouldn’t be expected to shell out for every small thing like my wedding is about treating my family and friends. It isn’t. It’s abojt me and my fiancé and guests are just that — invited to share the day.

We may leave additional tips for wait wait staff but it depends on quite a few things.

I'm not tipping. I just feel like vendors need to include that in the price. I won't be carrying cash on me that day nor will I be thinking about tipping anybody.

Not tipping the bakery for dropping off the cake, not tipping the caterer because they are business clients of my fiance and he will probably give them a discount on the services he provides for them every year.

If that wasn't the case I still would not tip at the reception because they need to include the gratuity in the final price. My event is not a restaurant. They need to plan wait staff according to what they are making on my event. Don't bring 10 wait staff if you only need 3 for a buffet with 60 people. I received a invoice from a caterer for my job just the other day and it included the gratuity in the final bill.

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In my opinion, t's inappropriate for the caterer to ask that (he/she should know better). There's no reason for a tip jar at a wedding. As I said, the wedding host should tip the bartender.

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This is flawed logic. Restaurant should pay waiters a decent wage but right now they do not. So you tip your waiter for good service. The same goes for your wedding. These people are providing you a service and so you should tip them for that service. Especially people like delivery men and waiters who are hired out and are probably not seeing a dime of the money you paid toward the venue or baker itself. Whether you THINK the tip should be included in the total is not the point. The point is that when someone provides you a service, and does so well you tip them as a thank you. If tipping is included in the final bill thats great - you don't have to tip on top of that but if its not - you need to be respectful of people providing you a service.

It's one thing to wait until you see how services have been provided and then mail an appropriate tip with a thank you card a few days later - its another thing to treat those who are going above and beyond to assist you and make your wedding day relaxing and special by being stingy

20% is a lot! One place we looked at required a 20% gratuity on top of service fees and such, so we said no to them.. i think 10% is kore than enough especially if you are paying in cash!