Gratuity included....

I dont want to open another can of worms here but I have a question. All of the contracts we have signed (except for the limos), have gratuity included. Should we still tip that day or is it exactly as it says.... gratuity included?? Im somewhat stuck on this one!! Thanks, Brendan.

You can bring them to any photo developing place. I brought our single-use wedding cameras to Genovese to be developed and they came out great :)

Just thought I'd share with fellow "Brides on a Budget"...

Gratuity included....

Brendan, I agree that will all the arguing about tipping, I don't remember this question being answered and I was wondering the same thing myself. I know with the catering hall even though they told us a base price plus tax and 15-18% gratuity, it is my understanding that you are supposed to tip the maitre d' $1-3 a person, in which case I assumed the 15-18% gratuity went to the wait staff. Now my photographer just told me a base price, plus tax, so I plan on tipping him. I am still looking for a dj and limos but I have been quoted base prices, plus tax and gratuity, so I don't know if I'm supposed to tip the driver(s) in addition to the gratuity. I guess the best thing to do (what I plan to do) when you meet with these vendors is to ask them straight out about the usual tipping policies. It is an awkward topic, but might as well get it out of the way in the beginning and set your mind at ease.

Just thought I'd share with fellow "Brides on a Budget"...

Gratuity included....

I think your right Rob, thats probably what we will end up doing when we meet with the vendors. Thats only in about a week or two... so if I find out anything, I'll pass it along. GOOD LUCK!

Brendan

Just thought I'd share with fellow "Brides on a Budget"...

Gratuity included....

When we first booked our limo, the guy told us the price of each limo was a certain amount plus the tip which was included into our price. I always thought that a tip was based on services rendered. Plus, (my fiance's going to love to hear this again), he told us that he would throw in a free ride from the reception hall to our parents house for an additional $30 tip. It gets very annoying when people decide for you how much of a tip you have to give.

Brendan

Just thought I'd share with fellow "Brides on a Budget"...

Gratuity included....

If a tip is included WHY! would you tip again?

Hi Vince!

Gratuity included....

This is always a touchy subject, so perhaps I can help with some clarification. For one thing, the owner (myself) is never tipped. Anyone in a service business who works for someone else generally is. Limo companies seem to be the only ones who always include the tip in the total price. Why they just don't add it on to the price I have no idea. This seems to be a practice in their industry. There is no need to tip furhter (unless someone goes way out of their way to do something special, or you just feel like it.)

I hope this helps. Every business + industry is a bit different. The appropriate thing to do, however, is to show your appreciation for a job well done. Whatever you can afford is always appreciated (especially when accompanied with a thank you and/or a hug!) (you're not meant to break the bank on this!)

So good luck + feel free to call me for further clarification, if necessary.

Gratuity included....

If the tip is included, the tip is included. No need to tip anymore, especially since you had to pay the tip already up front.

I feel like I'm in the twilight zone. I truly don't understand all this hostility and resentment. You obviously don't know me, yet feel ok in forming these judgements. All I've done is answer people's questions, try to give advice, and defend myself against people who seem to be quite angry about something. I don't quite get it.

Gratuity included....

I agree. Of course a tip on top of a tip is appreciated... but totally unnecessary. People are being paid (handsomely) to provide a service on your wedding day. No need to pay them more if you don't feel its warranted.

Thank you Dawn.

For those of you who supported my opinion and feel Mark is wrong... thank you, but as somone mentioned on this site... There is a big click going on here and I don't feel that I can give an opinion anymore without being trashed and shredded to pieces. Therefore, I'm signing off for a while. Our weddings are tough enough without all of this bickering. I get blasted for defending myself and these other brides keep piping in telling me to shut up. If it were there topic or something they felt, I'm sure if would be different. This site obviously belongs to Mr. Mark and his opinions. It's not for me. Thank you to everyone who supported me.

Gratuity included....

I am getting married on Saturday so I have all of the money envelopes set up. This is what I did.

The catering hall charged me a 15% gratuity. I never asked what that was for but someone had mentioned to me that usually this tip goes directly to the catering hall and not to any of the wait staff. Is that true? I'm not sure. My hall asked me to tip the Maitre'd $1-$3 a person and I know that he gets none of the 15%.

As for the Limo, my gratuity is included in the total fee (for the ride after church) and we are not tipping the driver in excess of that amount. As for the ride after the reception and the next day to the airport I was asked to tip the driver between $30-$50. It is my understanding that this is done because the company makes no money for the use of the Limo and the driver does not get a salary (he is living on tips alone). So he would be driving us and not getting paid for the time.

free trip

some free trip...costs you $30! If I was renting a limo and they gave me a free ride home, I would tip the driver...but it should not be up to them to tell me how much that should be. Some free ride....

I'm sure EVERYTHING will be wonderful, not just the tuxedos. I wish you all the best on your special day (rapidly approaching)!

June

free trip

My limo driver didn't tell me how much, he suggested an amount. I am under no obligation to pay the driver anything.

Tabatha, I did both, wedding programs and Reception programs. My wedding programs were tri fold brochures so they had 6 panels of information. 1) the cover 2) the ceremony 3) the bridal party 4) explanation and history of jumping of the broom ceremony 5) explanation and history of the tying of the knot ceremony (both are African American wedding traditions and the 6) had special recognition's and thanks, and dedication of flowers to loved ones. The reception program was plain card stock 81/2 X 11 folded in half. so it had 4 panels the 1) was the cover 2) was the order of the evening…best man toast, Son mother dance, cutting of the cake when dinner was served etc….. 3) was the Menu…with the choices 4) was the bridal party again.. I think that the guests enjoyed it, for those people that did not attend the ceremony they got to still take home a program , and for those who left their church programs in the car they still could follow along with the bridal party introductions. We listed them like XYZ (brother of the Bride) or XYZ (cousin of the groom) hope that this helps!!

Jamelle