Vendor service charge and tips

Yes

Most likely yes - a service charge is often not gratuity. However, every venue is different and it's possible that this fee does include tip, so definitely ask your venue.

Yes

Thanks! I figured I would still need to tip but just thought I would check! I'll definitely ask though.

Yep!

Ask your venue. We assumed we had to tip on top of the service charge. When we were asking the venue how many people would be there serving, so we could have envelopes for them, our coordinator let us know the service charge includes gratuity. We will be tipping the bartender separately but everyone else is covered.

Definitely ask. Our contract had a 21% service charge that I wasn't expecting to include tips, but it turns out that was all tips for the staff.

I would say generally no, or at least certainly no in the 15-20% range. Maybe 25 per server. Many venues charge service, just like many restaurants charge service for large parties. This is a question to ask BEFORE you sign the contract. They have much less motivation to be straight with use now. If you have already signed, I would phrase it to the venue with the assumption that normal tipping is not required. Perhaps something like, I note that service is charged. Which employees are included in the pool? Then listen, let them talk about their policies. Ask open ended follow up questions. To those who say that a service fee is not the same as an gratuity, I would say at a minimum, it puts employees on a different compensation model than most restaurants. They are likely to be receiving a higher base salary.

My venue charges the same 22% and yes, tip is additional. My venue gives me a suggested tip, but it's a bit much.

At Karen K you're right I should have asked before and honestly have learned so much from these forums since starting my wedding plan that I realize I didn't know! Including tipping etiquette. Good advice on the asking open ended questions and hopefully they'll be up front with me. The 22% is a good amount of money. Appreciate all the advice!

It's usually not tips. If you are using a caterer or a wedding hall, tips are 3-5% since servers are paid differently than restaurant wait staff. If you are using a restaurant, you'd have to ask them what's appropriate.

Mine included tips in the service charge. Just ask

We have a very high service charge like yours and it DOES include gratuity, just check your paperwork, if it does it will break it down.

Most likely you need to tip, I would ask them though. Ours provided a breakdown of staff and suggested amount range which was very helpful.

Ask your venue. Our 20% includes gratuity but it depends.

Our B&G's are charged 20% gratuity on their food and beverage. We get that in our paychecks every other week. Sometimes the couples or their parents will give everyone a cash tip in addition to the gratuity. We are happy when they do tip us, but this is not at all necessary since we are getting gratuity in our checks. If we are tipped at the bar then we split those tips with everyone that worked that particular event.

Yes, and just ask.

Our service fee includes gratuity, but if they go above and beyond we will tip extra on top of it.

I suggest you asking your venue. In most cases the service charge is to off set paying above minimum wage, ensuring that the right people / servers are hired at a better and fair rate. However at some venues a percentage of the MSC is given to the staff as tip.