i'm not tipping my caterer...?

Question

...unless an individual does something totally awesome. Then maybe that person will get a tip, for extraordinary service.

they are charging me $23-$25 per hour per server and also slapped on an 18% service charge. so there's no way that i am dishing out another $20 per server.

i busted my *** waitressing in college for 3 years and averaged about $12 per hour. which is a lot better than a lot of people make. so i figure even if these servers don't get all of that money, they are still going to make way more than that.

does anyone agree with me?

i should add that my caterer is not affiliated with a restaurant or hotel. i am having my wedding at venue that does not have a caterer, so i have to bring my own.

lovepink222 you are a little presumptuous. you have no idea where i worked, what town it was in, or when it even was...plus i never even said i was a good server...ha. i got plenty of good tips...as a bartender.

thanks for bragging about yourself and how awesome you are at serving.

Answer 1

I work for a company that caters weddings and I can tell you that the company charges $29.50 per server/bartender and I only get $10 of that. So any tip is certainly appreciated. I bartend and while I would love to make extra tips, I consider a tip jar inappropriate at a wedding so I depend on the host to provide any extra money. While it is in no way required, if they do a great job, and you are able to enjoy your special day while they handle all the details, then a tip would certain be appreciated. A tip is a way to express your gratitude for a job well done. The company I work for doesn't however add on that 18% so I would suggest questioning the company you hired and finding out exactly where that 18% is going. If it is not a tip for the staff, then you should consider adding on an additional tip if they do a good job.

Answer 2

I used to work in catering and I can definitely tell you that those servers will not be getting the entire amount the company is charging you. I would say that each server, depending on level of experience, will get $8-$12 an hour - no more - at the price they are charging. I would actually not be surprised if it was less. My old company charged $35-$40 and hour, depending on experience, and only paid out about $15-$18 an hour.

It might sound like a lot, but caterer service is very different from restaurant service. On top of actually serving your guests, those staffers have to set everything up - a lot of the time that includes linens, tables, chairs, favors at each place setting, centerpieces etc. In a restaurant, everything is already set up for you - I'm not saying it isn't hard because I did it in college too, but this is way more difficult. Most of the time they also have to be trained in different forms of dinner services - all are probably trained banquet servers.

Oh, and don't think that they will see any of that 18% service charge either. Chances are that will not pass "GO" and be in the house's pocket. Depending on how the company is set up, the person who booked your event MIGHT get a small portion (1-5%) of that as a commission. Everything else will go to the owners or will go towards buying new equipment or replacing anything that might have broken throughout the night.

Answer 3

Are you sure the tip isn't already included? Mine was and on top of that I was expected to tip the Bridal attendant, and one other person who I can't remember what is was called.

The 18% service charge may already be the tip.

I once worked for $10 an hour, but the client was being billed $60 an hour for my time. I wasn't a server. Just because you are being charged $23-$25 an hour does not mean it is going to the servers.

For certain positions a tip is expected, now you are saying since they make more money than you did as a waitress they only deserve it for extraordinary service. You are taking your anger out on the servers for the high prices you are being charged. You are frustrated at the costs and that is understandable, and you are frustrated they you were compensated less for a similar job, also understandable.

Check because the tip may already be included with the service charge.

Answer 4

When I got married the Wedding Planner (and all the wedding websites and such) said that you tip the person who is most in charge of the catering on the day of your wedding. If they really screw up, I assume you don't tip them. And I don't see how you could really tip all the servers because there will probably be a lot (depending on how many people you are having). I can see your point though, if they are already taking an 18% gratuity, why give them more? Although, I usually tip 20%, so I would personally probably still give them the difference. It's just polite. But you can do whatever you want.

Answer 5

Not tipping the caterer is different than not tipping a server. You know they won't be getting 23 an hour for what they provide. And they will be running around, hopefully, trying to keep you and your guests happy and well taken care of. It doesn't necessarily have to be a 20 buck tip but 5 or 10 bucks might really make their day.

Answer 6

You need to check and see if the 18% is a gratuity or a service charge from the venue. Many hotels add on a percentage of the catering fees that goes to the hotel or event venue.

If it is actually a gratuity, then no, an additional tip is not expected. If it is not a gratuity, then yes, proper etiquette requires a gratuity.

Answer 7

I agree, mainly because I didn't tip mine either. The service charge was added on in order to tip the servers at our event, it was also 18%. I saw no reason to pay more money when they were already being tipped from the added on fee my location/caterer. For that to be added into your total, the tip has already been added into the bill.

Answer 8

Wow....I'm shocked to here this from the server. I would actually avoid tipping the DJ or something, over the waitstaff. The DJ is stealing way more money from you, then your personal tip to the waitstaff. Yes, catering waitstaff is make a lot of money, but they do more then serve food. I worked for a country club in college. I made $13 bucks an hour. The members of the club were paying $20.000 a year membership fee, plus the cost of the party. Usually around $75,000-$100,000. You think I would make more then $13 and hour, but I didn't. If a party started at 7pm, I was there at 2pm and stayed clean up to 2am. It's tough job. We set all the tables, then we would have to serve the food, clean our areas, pick up all the dirty dishes. Then sort them for the rental company. It's a very tough job.

Have a heart lady. Must people that work in catering are doing it purely for the money, b/c they are desperate. I know, I was one of them.

As for making $12 bucks and hour. I'm waitress now, I make an average of $17-$20 an hour at a chain restaurant. Let me tell you, $12 bucks is average server. Perhaps you're bitte4r that no one found you worthy of a larger then average tip? So, you were just that average. I make 20-30% of may sales in tips every night ( so, if I sell $500, I make $100 or $150 bucks a night. So, stop trying to stay you were a good server and understand.

Answer 9

you have been given impressive tips. you do not tip the owner of a salon in spite of area. As to tipping caterers, it would be on your settlement. maximum gratuities are included interior the regular fee of experience so which you does not tip additionally as an occasion: some (maximum) eating places will upload gratuity to a bill with a party extra effective than (insert variety) frequently at a cost of roughly 18%.

Answer 10

If that is what you want to do then who are we to tell you you are wrong or right?

Tipping IMO should never ever be expected or required. It should be for someone exceeding the good service someone should already be getting.

SO, I feel you are just fine with what you want to do.

And, I think it is cool that, with your former history being a waitress and bartender, to have an attitude such as yours.

Too many people in the waitressing and bartending field seem to think that they should be given a tip no matter how good or bad the service is.