How much do I tip an all inclusive venue w/o gratuity included??

melindarose

I am so confused about the tipping issue. The hotel I am having my wedding reception at does not charge gratuity or an added service charge. So there is absolutely no tip included in the cost of the reception. I do want to leave a tip but the amount seems to be very foggy. The reception is costing just over $8,500 which includes everything from the banquet room, food, cake, centerpieces, open bar, linens and a bridal suite. Most blogs I have seen say to tip the maitre'd 15%... 15% of $8,500 seems outragous to me. On top of that what am I supposed to tip the sales manager that I have been meeting with? Do the other waiters get tips as well and if so what do I base their tip on? the $8,500?? This is so confusing for me. Since there is no price for the food alone to base it on. Please help me!! I however do understand that tipping the DJ and Photographer should be done at about 15% which isn't so confusing since they have a rate for their service only, but when everything is melted together like with the venue I get crazy. Again PLEASE HELP ME!!

TurtlesAllTheWayDown

I'd do 15% to 20% of the 8500 - that will include the waiters. You can probably give it to the head person and have him distribute accordingly. 

(My reception is about the same cost and we have 20% gratuity included, and tax - so it is pretty standard.)

fallbride1109

Here is what TK says.  I used this article alot when I was planning:

Wedding Reception Staff

This type of staff includes the on-site coordinator, maitre d', and banquet manager. A service charge (typically 2 percent) is almost always built in to the food and drink fee, so check your contract. If the gratuity is not included, tip as follows.
Protocol: Expected
The Standard: 15 - 20 percent of the food and drink fee (based on labor, not the cost), or $200 - $300 for the maitre d'.
When to Tip: If it's covered in the contract, the final bill is typically due before the reception. Otherwise, have the father of the bride or best man hand the envelope to the maitre d' at the end of the reception since you will need to know the final tab to calculate the percentage.

Wedding Reception Attendants

When it comes to bartenders, waitstaff, parking, bathroom, and coat-room attendants the rules of tipping are dictated by your contract. If the service fee is included, consider doling out extra only if the service was exceptional. If it's not included, ask ahead of time how many attendants will be working your wedding and calculate on a per person basis.
Protocol: Optional, based on contract
The Standard: $20 - $25 per bartender or waiter; $1 per guest for coat room and parking attendants; $1 per car
When to Tip: Although tips are traditionally passed out at the end of the event, you could alternately distribute them at the beginning of the evening, to encourage all the workers to give you great service.

MeaghanandMichael

My two cents: At most venues that have a grauity included in the bill, the servers don't actually see that money. It usually goes right back to the venue. I mean, I guess this means they may see it in higher wages, but rarely does the manager go around handing out $50 bills to people on Monday morning.

fallbride1109

We tipped the 2 main attendants for our reception and brunch (I don't know their titles, sorry) $50 personally even though our gratuity was built in.  And of course told them how much we appreciated everything they had done.

Night_Sprite

We did 19% plus a special gift to the head server who helped when my grandpa wasn't feeling well.