Hi all!

We are paying a massive venue fee-- the ceremony and reception will be held at the same place. Anyway, they [i]recommended[i] that we give 10-15% gratuity which for us is just over the top. Is it normal to give a gratuity? Thanks in advance!

Andrea

Our cost is also over the top--we are paying per person, not a flat fee--but it is over $200 per person (Ceremony and Reception).

Our venue includes a 25% gratuity per person.

I definitely think at least 15% gratuity is necessary.

Good Luck & Happy Planning!
Anna
Discount Favors & Supplies --PRINTED NAPKINS ONLY $12!

Always tip, if it isnt already in the contract then you should do it yourself. Most servers work their butts off for minimum wage (or less in some states that have server wage) and a tip is a nice thank you in return. I would consider it just like going to any resteraunt.

Thanks for all the advice but I think I worded it wrong. We're not questioning tipping but we are paying a venue fee of $19,000 and then $175 pp so a 15% tip is just insane! We are already refinancing and taking out second mortgages just to pay for everything. I don't want to have to sell off 50% of my assets for the tip. Does it go by a percentage or can we just tip a flat rate? I'm confused

DEFINITELY do not tip on the venue fee!

Gratuity is necessary for the SERVICES provided. I would say it should still be at least 15% of the per person charge...we are paying over $15,000 in gratuity--so I understand your pain!! However, if you choose a top of the line venue (which it sounds like we both have) you can only expect that the service will EARN that money. During the course of our day, we will have over 80 servers, coat checks, bathroom attendants, chefs, etc--so when you break that down, they make around $187.50 for their days work--not much.

Just as MeganAnn said, most servers are paid a REALLY low minimum wage (of under $5.00--I know this because I put myself through Grad School in NYC waiting tables, and minimum wage is $2.34 per hour--which mainly goes to cover your taxes). So their pay IS the gratuity.

Again--I know EXACTLY how you are feeling!

Anna
Discount Favors & Supplies --PRINTED NAPKINS ONLY $12!

Thanks for the advice! We'll start saving our coins now Good luck to you!

We tipped the indivual people like bartenders, cops & servers. We didn't tip the hall itself. We gave it to them seperately. The servers should be tipped on their service. That's what it for.

I know that, coming from a DJ it might be biased, but I've never NOT been tipped. Not to say that it's needed but it's definitely something that most (or everyone) does. I guess I've always done a good job

San Diego DJ
San Diego Wedding DJ