Tip for caterer?

jafreder

Hello-
I know this is on here, but I couldn't find the answer.  How much do you tip the caterer?  I have looked at the contract and there is a service charge, but this does not include gratuities.  The toal bill is $6500, but $1000 of that is rentals, do I tip on the food and staffing total of $5500, the total of $6500 or the total of just the food?  Does $1000 seem right for the gratuity?  Do I give some to each wait person or just give the total to our coordinator and she will hand it out?  Thanks for the help!

sep72fendr

Having worked banquets for weddings, the service charge (normally 20-22%) is your gratuity. Unless the staff did an AMAZING job with taking care of your reception, there is no need for additional tip.

sucrets4

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_tip-caterer?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:acf409a0-b12b-426a-89bd-a89d5900db02Post:465d9640-3325-4614-81e9-1259ec70840a">Re: Tip for caterer?</a>:
[QUOTE]Having worked banquets for weddings, the service charge (normally 20-22%) is your gratuity. Unless the staff did an AMAZING job with taking care of your reception, there is no need for additional tip.
Posted by sep72fendr[/QUOTE]

I disagree.

Our contract specifically stated that the gratuity was separate from the service charge.

I'd contact your venue and ask...our place wrote in the contract that they suggested $3-4 per guest for a gratuity.

ETA:  our place also told us to give it all to the maitre'd and that he'd distribute it.

agk0125

Does it say in your contract that the service charge isn't the tip or are you assuming?

jafreder

It says that the service charge is not the gratuity, it clearly spells out that it is separate.