Tipping the event coordinator at the venue?

BTW, Ladylee, I worked at a Double Tree as a banquet server and we set up the entire event and broke it down. And every single one of us got a portion of the 22% service fee. Handed to us in cash at the end of the event. If there was a tip specified for us, we got an even amount of that too which we never really appreciated because it was a fraction of the service fee. Crappy, but true. It was hard work but LOTS of money. And tons of people quit the DT to go work at a more expensive resort for nothing more than the increased money. I can only imagine how much those banquet servers get. And it's the event coordinator that keeps them in business. I walked out of another equally nice venue because the lady was late, rude and dismissive. It isn't always the case, but in my situation, she IS the reason I love the venue so much. It's not about money, it's about appreciation. I just want to figure out what will show her that the best.

I would check your contract if your wedding is at a resort. It is very likely that gratuity is already included. I am having a wedding planner and I will possibly be tipping her or sending a gift, but if it is the coordinator at your venue it is highly likely the tip may be included.

What everyone said is correct. Tip or don't. In my neighborhood, it's classy, and appreciated. In yours it appears that it's not. Whatever works for you. I also think that people who tip, come from parents who tipped, so upbringing plays a part of the equation too. If you're poor, or pinching pennys, then don't tip... send a nice thank you card. Do what your heart and pocket book tells you to do.

I think that a small gift and a hearfelt thank you note would mean more to me personally.

Yeah that's great. Quit while you're behind.

@Z I've never worked in the service industry unless you count working at wendy's in high school lol. But I've been in and out of my venue for one reason or another and I see who does the grunt work.

Honestly, as a wedding planner, I wouldn't tip her. She is getting paid for doing this. I think a note of thanks is plenty maybe a small token at the most. A lot of establishments refrain against tipping their employees or they may have to split it with the catering staff. Giving a gift is much more appropriate. Perhaps a certificate to a spa.

I know the staff does the work, I was saying they get paid for it. Big time. I will get her a gift and a thank you card. Thanks everyone!

Besides the thank you card and or gift, is the venue coordinator included in final count to eat? i know the wedding planner is dj/photo/etc....

Do you include the venue coordinator in final count to eat? i know the wedding planner/dj/photo/priest etc...are all having the venue coordinator to? i would think so but not sure?

I am also an event coordinator for a very high end ballroom. We do get paid for doing our job but its not a great hourly wage for all of the things we do. At my establishment we do everything from personalizing your menu cards, to customizing the mansions ballroom with your specified touches, linen selection, vendor confirmations, cake details, table placement, complementary place card printing and arranging, finding replacement staff for day of the event no shows or call ins, ive even sewn tuxes and dresses. My venue does charge a service charge but that only goes to grounds/ mansion maintenence, and to pay for staffs regular hourly wages. It does NOT get divided up or given to staff as an extra tip. I am positive that your event coordinator spends more time on your event than you realize @ about $12 an hour. So we do not all make wonderful wages to start off and mind you the venue I work for on average our typical wedding during high event season is upwords of $35,000. I assure you that your coordinator works just as hard as wait staff and spends about 30 hours or more time attending to it. So yes tipping is appropriate and necessary if she went above and beyond for you. We are allowed tips and I think just about any venue in this service industry does because the pay is not that great for the stress involved at times. Any kind gesture that you feel comfortable with giving is appropriate and highly appriciated.

Ours is a destination wedding 5 hours from home, and the coordinator at the hotel has been amazing. She has gone above and beyond what a sales and event coordinator at a hotel typically does ( I used to be one). She has handled everything like this is a resort and not just a hotel. She has given me honest opinions on the vendors we've chosen ( or not chosen, after talking to her and others), has offered us extra time for a cocktail hour not in our contract, among other things. I know they cannot accept an outright tip, and there is already a gratuity included, but I really want to do something nice for her. Any thoughts?

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I would be really surprised if they didn't allow her to take the tip. BUT, a way around it is to send her a thankyou note with a check to her home. She won't be offended.

I’m stumped here as well. Our coordinator has been wonderful but we are back and forth on if we should give her $100 cash or a gift card to a nail salon or something like that. Same with our photographer and Videographer - they both own their businesses, so do they get tipped or not? I wish people would just charge the rate they want so tipping would go away.

I think there could be no harm in tipping, if she says she can't take it, at least the offer was there. She has to know she was amazing for your big day. The gesture is nice. If she can take it, she'll be even more happy

OMG absolutely excellent idea!! I'm doing it! Giving her $500 since she's been helping us for over a year now!