Because it can be confusing, many people think that the 'service charge' is gratuity. Your per person charge is for food/drink/supplies. Your service charge pays the measly salaries of all of the staff.
Although a really small handful of places include gratuity on the contract, the service charge, even if it's 18% or more, is not gratuity. The staff should still be tipped as normal.
They really should call it something else, or just work it into the full price.
I hope this helps and is helpful to those looking at places. If you find a 'service charge' you can check with the hall to be sure, but you should generally assume that you should still be tipping that day. Ignore the service charge as just part of your contract, having nothing to do individually with the staff.
franksbride
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Re: A quick note on service charges...
Thanks!
AtticaQT
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Re: A quick note on service charges...
What? Ok - now I am confused - so the 18% 'gratuity' is us paying their salary and we have to 'tip' the staff on top of that? I know that you definitely tip the M'atride (totally spelled that wrong) and hsi tip isnt the 18% - but this is news to me -
julybride444
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Re: A quick note on service charges...
It depends. A HANDFUL of places do include 'gratuity'. But, most include a seperate 'service charge'. A service charge is not gratuity. Often, when you tip the Maitre d' he/she is expected to split that tip with the staff. You should contact your hall if you are not absolutely sure what's included in your contract.
Betty
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Re: A quick note on service charges...
No, I think if they say 'gratuity included' it is just that...a TIP
cookiek1
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Re: A quick note on service charges...
Gratuity pays their salary it is not a TIP.
julybride444
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Re: A quick note on service charges...
As I stated, I was writing about 'service charge', not gratuity. They are different. It's always best to clarify w/the caterer to be sure.
Several girls were confused and thought their 'service charge' was gratuity. It isn't.
Boop2704
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Re: A quick note on service charges...
bump
Pickle
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Re: A quick note on service charges...
My caterer said basically we pay them xx percent, and all tips, etc are taken care of. no need to bring extra money for caterer-type people on day of wedding (i guess unless you want to). that was one great thing about them :)
but now that you say this, maybe we should plan on a little something for bridal attendant/matre d in case they go above & beyond or something...
Arghh so confusing!
KarenK122
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Re: A quick note on service charges...
Our Service charge included the gratuities for waitstaff. The only people that were not covered tip wise was the MD and the bridal attendant.
There was no need to tip each individual waiter. Some of the guests did do that themselves though if the service was outstanding.
sanmik
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Re: A quick note on service charges...
KarenK that's what my hall said. That all staffs' gratuities are covered with the exception of the Maitre'D and Bridal Assistant. I'm going to ask the Banquet Manager again, so he'll think I'm nuts.
dcbride
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Re: A quick note on service charges...
My 18% covers everything but the Maitre d and bridal attendent. Edited to add: when I was a waitress in a catering hall my measly salary was over $10 an hour and that was ten years ago- plus my friends who were bridal attendents made more money than they do now but that was including their tips.
jd414
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Re: A quick note on service charges...
I asked and this is what I found out. 'Service charge' and 'gratuity' when used by the caterer mean same thing. It goes to pay the salary of the waitstaff. It is called by 2 different names because one term allows the caterer to CHARGE US BRIDES tax on top of it and one does not. (Check with your hall and see if they tax it.) But it is not split with the staff. BMs don't tell us this all the time because if we are told that then it might decrease the tipping dollars for the BM or matra d (sp). It is crazy but my FSIL worked in the biz for 8 years! uggg! $ $ $ so expensive.
julybride444
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Re: A quick note on service charges...
Yes, the service charge goes to pay the salary of the waitstaff. That doesn't include tips. Usually you tip the Maitre D' on top of this and then he/she splits it among the staff, but you can usually choose to split it yourself if you want to....
AtticaQT
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Re: A quick note on service charges...
ARE THEY SERIOUS??? Seriously wedding halls are one big money making venture - I need to open one myself!
butterfly20
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so our service charge is paying their salary- and we have to pay tax on paying their salary?
alina
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Re: A quick note on service charges...
Julybride, where exactly did you find a source of the definition of the 'service charge'?
I am curious, b/c it sounds like a definition that a caterer or a restaurant would give?
abridetobe04
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Re: A quick note on service charges...
This is what I found out:
In order NOT to be charged tax on gratuity all of the follwing condition must be met:
Gratuity has to be stated separately from all other fees on the contract. Gratuity has to be specifically designated as 'gratuity' not anything else. I guess that means it can't be used for something else. ALL money designated as gratuity HAS to be paid to the employees.
I called NY sales tax #: 800-225-5829
Crazy, huh......
jenny2penny
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Re: A quick note on service charges...
I am totally confused. When does teh service charge come in? I don't have anything in my contract for it. And I thought gratuidities is the same things as a tip?
alina
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Re: A quick note on service charges...
service charge is usually listed separately on the contract. If you don't have it, then you don't have it (which is good). But for the girls that do have service charge, they are not sure if its gratuity/tips or a separate charge...
Personally, I think its gratuity/tips, b/c why would they ask customers to pay for employee salaries separately... Does not make sense.
