Banguet manager versus the person who booked your wedding...

This is a repost from the Newlyweds board. I'm sorry for the repetition, but I really would like some answers from someone.

We just learned that they are two different people. The BM is the one who will get $3-4 per person tip and we never even met her yet. The 'salesman' said more than one that we can tip him however we feel is appropriate, and I just learned from the billing office that he isn't entitled to anything! Did this happen to anyone else? What if he goes around at the end of the night asking how everything was, acting like he deserves a tip as well? He does get a commission for booking the wedding, I am sure.
What exactly does the Banquet Manager do? We have a day-of coordinator also. Is there a Maitre-D, or is that the BM?
I should know these things being just 10 days away, but it seems we are more confused on some details than before.
Thanks

Our Banquet Manager was the person we booked the reception with. She helped us with all the planning, food selection, etc. We weren't told to tip her, but she was amazing so we did. The Maitre' D is the person who ran the show the night of the wedding. He got us drinks, told us what would happen, etc. He is the one who should get $2-3 per person. We also had a bridal attendant, but for us, she didn't do that much.

Hope that helps!

i used to be a salesperson.

most banquet sales people that I know do not work on commission- especially on Long Island. They do a LOT of work prior to the 'big day'... making sure all the food is ordered, cake is decorated properly, linens are correct- make sure your seating chart is correct and in time, coordinating all the other vendors, make sure they are there on time, etc.

When i was in sales there were many times the day of the party I was tracking down flowers and ministers, etc.. and nine times out of ten, i did NOT get a tip.. even though I didn't need to 'go above and beyond'

I think it's fair to give your sales person $20-25 if they do the above for you.

I sent you FM (to LImom).

Just wanted to tell you ladies that banquet sales for weddings is an aweful job.. You don't get very good benefits- sick days, etc.. you have neurotic brides yelling at you all day- expecting you to lay out everything perfect and god forbic you make one mistake b/c you are human then you will get in trouble and make sure that they tell your manager that you suck...

I would never do it again in a MILLION years... so if you want your sales person to do a lot for you, go to bat with management to throw in extras for you- you should thrown them a bone too.

i think it is venue dependent...

for us, the 'salesman', Banquet Manager, and Maitre-D are the same person (actually there are 2 of them who work as a 'team', don't know which one will be in charge of my day but i feel comfortable with either). when signing the contract i flat out asked who i am supposed to tip, if anyone is 'expecting' anything extra. they said 'no' as there is a fee included in the price.

Sassy, I really appreciate your response. It certainly puts a new twist on my attitude and I'm wondering if it's appropriate to ask the billing office if, in fact, he received any commission for all the work he's done. Yes, I agree, he has played an important role in all of this so far. The woman from the caterer was SO emphatic, she even went so far as to say that we are paying as much for this wedding as many people pay for a new car, and 'do you tip your car salesman, because I don't?'
I think we have to ask more questions and also see how visible he is that night.
I have always been a firm believer in tipping service people who have done a good job and have helped me in any extra way. Thank you very much for your input.

I was told by my hall that the banquet manager gets a piece of the 15% grat that was added to my contract. They told me that the bartenders, waitstaff, coat check, bathroom attendant, and valets are all included in that 15%.

So, the only people left are the Maitre D and bridal attendant...

It seems like different places have different names for for all these people. The person who booked at Woodbury CC is not the Banquet Manager. It sounds like our Banquet Manager does the job of the Maitre'D that all of you are talking about. Plus, Suven, we have an 18% gratutity, so you lucked out with 15%. LOL!