I am completely lost when it comes to this. For our reception, there is a price per plate. The hall provides the food, and gratuity is left to our discretion. I have done a little research, and the most common way to tip is so much per waiter (they say that most places have gratuity added into the contract, but ours doesn't). Unfortunately, I do not know how many waiters we are having. Any input would be appreciated, whether you have had a reception at a place like this or you work at one. I just need to know how much I should leave. Thanks to everyone in advance.
2007-01-19 06:43:58 · 14 answers · asked by ifernnick 2 in Family & Relationships ➔ Weddings
I am not sure if this matters, but the price per plate pays for the hall rental, the linens, the tablesettings, skirting of tables, wine for each table, champagne for head table, cutting of the cake, and the open bar. How do I find out how much is going towards the food?
2007-01-19 07:47:09 · update #1
Take 20% of the final bill, and divide it among the waiters.
2007-01-19 06:47:37 · answer #1 · answered by Christines256 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Most banquet locations add an 18% gratuity onto the bill. Since your reception site doesn't do that, ask them how they pay their waitstaff. Most waiters/waitresses get a measly amount of hourly wage (far less than minimum wage) with the idea that they'll make up the difference in tips. Is it anticipated that you will be paying a gratuity and they'll be paid accordingly? If so, figure on 18% of the bill. Ask the catering manager who the service personnel there will be so you can divide up the gratuity among them. I suggest getting the names of each of the wait people and making an envelope for each person. Then put a check in each envelope for that person's share of the gratuity. At least, that way, you have some assurance that each person will get their gratuity. Then give the sealed envelopes to the catering manager to hand out.
2007-01-19 06:57:33 · answer #2 · answered by Yo' Mama 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
How much do you tip for a meal when you go out to eat? 20-25%, im guessing. So just take the cost of the food at the hall and then add 20-25% of the total for gratuity, then let the hall sort it out among the waiters
2007-01-19 06:48:43 · answer #3 · answered by dixiegirl687 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I wouldn't tip per waiter, but 15% to 20% of your entire bill should suffice. I am getting married in November, and the hall we have rented out added the gratuity into the bill. I don't remember the exact number, but it was 15-20%.
Then the staff can split it up between themselves.
2007-01-19 06:48:36 · answer #4 · answered by misplay22 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is typically 1-2 waiters per table at the reception- usually 2. The best thing to do is to tip on 15% of the food portion of the reception, 20% if the service is awesome. Congrats!
2007-01-19 06:54:20 · answer #5 · answered by Honesty given here! 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The typically gratuity for wedding receptions is 18-20% of your total per person. Calculate the total per person and then provide a gratuity based on your total costs.
2007-01-19 06:53:03 · answer #6 · answered by Veronica W 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
In family a general gratuity of 20% was given. You give it to the coordinator to distribute. There will be so many people in an out of that reception, its the only way you know that everyone will get something.
2007-01-19 07:45:13 · answer #7 · answered by katmusic 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I own a country club and handle all of the wedding planning. I'm very surprised that a gratuity was not added to your meal. We add 18% to the total food bill.
Some establishments pay their banquet servers a flat hourly rate. Typically in my area, it is $11.00 per hour. However, at our club, we pay standard wait staff pay, which is $2.38 per hour and then tip out the wait staff based on the total amount of the gratuity and hours they worked.
If I were you, I would tip 18% on the total bill.
2007-01-19 07:20:14 · answer #8 · answered by 14b32bbdog 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
You can always contact the location that you will be having your reception at and ask the coordinator that is renting the space to you, how many waiters/waitresses will be on hand the day of the event. You can ask whether it is best to tip one large percentage tip that can be broken down per waiter by the establishment or whether it would be better to tip per waiter. If the establishment says that is better to tip per waiter, you can calculate a percentage per waiter before the event and have one of your groomsmen or bridesmaids hold the money for you. He/she can pay the establishment and/or waiters/waitresses the day of the event so that you don't have to worry about it. It's you and your spouse's sparkling day and you shouldn't have to worry about things like that. Congratulations on your celebration of life-long commitment and love! :)
2007-01-19 06:56:03 · answer #9 · answered by LaPrincesse 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Well this is an odd way of thinking but trying to be fair. If you are going to have say one wait staff per table and six people per table. Lets say the cost per plate is 10.00 and you give 25% tip that would be 2.50 a person times six people that would be 14.50 per server. You could give each server a visa gift card for say 20.00 each for a tip and a small thank you. And give the rest of the staff say fifteen dollar cards. I say give them visa cards because then they know you took the time to care and that they are getting their fair share of the tip in case you have to give it to the hall and not the servers directly. That is time and budget allowing. Good luck. Congrats.
2007-01-19 07:13:22 · answer #10 · answered by samantha s 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋