venue tipping

mnlorenz

I have a question about tipping. I understand you are suppose to tip certain vendors. But what about the reception venue?  We picked a hotel reception hall where we have to use them as the caterer (which is perfectly fine with me). They require a 20% service charge plus sales tax on top of the food price. So with the 20% service charge, does that not cover the “tip”? Do we have to give them extra tip after the party?   I have also been think about asking the hotel not to put at a “tip jar” at the bar because it’s an open bar and we have to pay the 20% service charge on that as well so why ask my guest to give them more. Is that alright? 

mwhitson14

What's a carter?

I don't know why you'd tip the venue, unless the venue provides your servers and you want to tip the servers or sometihng.

Night_Sprite

If you pay the service charge, that is tip.  An additional tip and tip jar aren't necessary.

sophistryliz

You don't need to tip the venue, and please do not put a tip jar out.

mnlorenz

mwhitson - Sorry mispelled word. Caterer.

reddy123

why is it bad to have a tip jar?!

lyndausvi

it depends on the venue.  Where I work 'service charge' is the tip.  The house keeps 25% of that amount and the staff splits the other 75%.  If you feel like someone went above and beyond you can always throw them a little extra.

I have seen people on this site say that the venue does not use the service charge for the tip.  To be sure you should ask the venue, but since it's a hotel I would imagine service charge = tip.

tidetravel

Check with your venue to see what exactly the service charge covers.  Service charge does not always = gratuity that gets distributed to the employees.

 

tidetravel

Guests should not feel pressured to open their wallets at your wedding.  Arrange to tip the bartender seperately, rather than leaving a tip jar out for guests.

TheSaltyPeanut

I wouldn't tip the venue and I certainly wouldn't put a tip jar out for your guests to contribute.  It's tacky and rude.

FWIW - I usually tip the bartenders anyway when I get drinks at a wedding even though there is no tip jar and it's an open bar

reddy123

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_venue-tipping?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:b5ab90d1-ce92-4414-80cb-6d32dfcd4c03Post:ed2338d4-b835-4686-90ef-b7961c271cd9">Re: venue tipping</a>:
[QUOTE]I wouldn't tip the venue and I certainly wouldn't put a tip jar out for your guests to contribute.  It's tacky and rude. FWIW - I usually tip the bartenders anyway when I get drinks at a wedding even though there is no tip jar and it's an open bar :)
Posted by TheSaltyPeanut[/QUOTE]

<div>ah ok, that makes sense. I'm just a server in a business where the 'service charge' goes to another group of servers entirely, so that's why I was getting defensive... I agree with pp to check with venue and see who's included in the service charge before you rule out tipping the bartender, the B & G or parents that is, not guests ;)</div>

sophistryliz

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_venue-tipping?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:b5ab90d1-ce92-4414-80cb-6d32dfcd4c03Post:352d9852-29b6-4bd3-8eaf-2ded7c71fa1c">Re: venue tipping</a>:
[QUOTE]Guests should not feel pressured to open their wallets at your wedding.  Arrange to tip the bartender seperately, rather than leaving a tip jar out for guests.
Posted by tidetravel[/QUOTE]

Ok.  I agree with this.