So here's the background...I'm getting married next week (exactly one week from today) and I'm getting married in LI.
Our hall includes a 20% gratuity fee in our contract which is totally fine. However, I emailed my maitre d to see who was included in that (it's coming out to $3,000 based off our number of guests). He very politely told me who was included and that himself and the bridal attendant were NOT included. That's fine but he went on to say he should get $500+ for the day of. I was a little put off but I figured I would let it slide since no where in the contract is his tip included/suggested/etc.
He then also sent an itemized bill to our house and hand wrote that he should get $500+ for gratuity on the bill! (not as part of the bill but just like a little note ON the bill) I'm now a little more than put off. I'm sorry, he has been helpful but he's not SUPERMAN. I was going to give him a good tip, probably around $300 but the fact that he has now shoved this $500+ number down my throat twice, I'm getting miffed. Not to mention, it's a down economy and I'm paying for my own wedding and I chose this hall bc it was in-line with my budget. I will still probably give him $300 on the night of but shouldn't tip be calculated by service? I always thought so.
So basically, am I being stingy/crazy? I mean a lot goes into wedding planning and YES he has been helpful but he hasn't gone above and beyond what a regular maitre d is supposed to do. Not to mention, I don't even know how he will be the night of the wedding. I've seen various posts everywhere on the internet that tradition says to tip $2-$3 per person but with 150 guests that's really just not feasible and I guess it's my fault for not realizing the maitre d is not part of the 20% gratuity. Then again, a lot of people also say to just tip what ou can. UGH!
Am I being crazy? Help? Advice???