Calling all CLM brides

AeroJenn Posted: Jul 05, 2006 07:16 PM

Calling all CLM brides

I posted this on another board but got no responses. On our contract we have a $300 maitre'd fee. Are you planning on tipping the maitre'd extra on top of that??

We dont plan on doing it because $300 is a lot of money and we cant afford to tip more. I have heard from some other brides that they were told that the $300 fee gets split between 3 people at CLM, but IMO if its called a maitre'd fee then thats who it should go to. Its not my fault if it doesnt and thats all they're getting.

Any thoughts?

sunshine1813 Posted: Jul 05, 2006 07:21 PM

Re: Calling all CLM brides

I need to know the answer to that as well. $300 is a lot money. There is no need to tip on top of that.

Glamorousbride Posted: Jul 05, 2006 07:33 PM

Re: Calling all CLM brides

Yeah I agree. Lou kinda took me by surprise because he didn't mention it until our third meeting. I figure that that is the tip. I cannot afford to tip him/her on top of that.

I'm with you.

PapayaChic Posted: Jul 05, 2006 07:36 PM

Re: Calling all CLM brides

Hey!! Put this question on the official 07 CLM thread that I started

Ummm.... I saw that he waived that 300 fee to some brides o the 06 clm thread after he got to know them. If Nick does this, then I will tip.
If he doesnt waive it, then no tip. That should be sufficiant!!!

lilred13 Posted: Jul 05, 2006 08:23 PM

Re: Calling all CLM brides

The $300 fee gets split between the cooks, waiters, matre de...a total of 7 people which means each person gets like $40. FH and I are planning on tipping them on top of that cause that really doesnt go to just the matre de (spelling) HTH

sunshine1813 Posted: Jul 05, 2006 08:26 PM

Re: Calling all CLM brides

I have to say I love CLM, but this really frustrates me.

AeroJenn Posted: Jul 05, 2006 08:36 PM

Re: Calling all CLM brides

Posted by lilred13

The $300 fee gets split between the cooks, waiters, matre de...a total of 7 people which means each person gets like $40. FH and I are planning on tipping them on top of that cause that really doesnt go to just the matre de (spelling) HTH

Well then IMHO calling it a 'maitre'd fee' is very misleading. And I dont believe it gets split between them and the waiters--the waiters get their own tip (the 18% gratuity that we're paying). I agree with all the other girls...$300 is sufficient and like i said, IMO if it says its a maitre'd fee then thats who it should go to. If it doesnt then thats a mistake on CLM's part. I love CLM, but this one thing is a little sneaky.

sunshine1813 Posted: Jul 05, 2006 08:38 PM

Re: Calling all CLM brides

I agree. Matre D fee is Matre D. 18% gratuity is for the servers. At least that is my understanding.

lilred13 Posted: Jul 05, 2006 08:41 PM

Re: Calling all CLM brides

Posted by AeroJenn

Posted by lilred13

The $300 fee gets split between the cooks, waiters, matre de...a total of 7 people which means each person gets like $40. FH and I are planning on tipping them on top of that cause that really doesnt go to just the matre de (spelling) HTH

Well then IMHO calling it a 'maitre'd fee' is very misleading. And I dont believe it gets split between them and the waiters--the waiters get their own tip (the 18% gratuity that we're paying). I agree with all the other girls...$300 is sufficient and like i said, IMO if it says its a maitre'd fee then thats who it should go to. If it doesnt then thats a mistake on CLM's part. I love CLM, but this one thing is a little sneaky.

The way they explained it was the maitre'd gets like 30-40 bucks out of that cause the cooks get some as well. If you think the maitre'd does a good job then we will give them more if not then we won't. I underatand what you are talking about cause I questioned Lou about it and thats how he explained it. Maybe call them and ask them what happens with the money

AeroJenn Posted: Jul 05, 2006 08:49 PM

Re: Calling all CLM brides

Posted by lilred13

Posted by AeroJenn

Posted by lilred13

The $300 fee gets split between the cooks, waiters, matre de...a total of 7 people which means each person gets like $40. FH and I are planning on tipping them on top of that cause that really doesnt go to just the matre de (spelling) HTH

Well then IMHO calling it a 'maitre'd fee' is very misleading. And I dont believe it gets split between them and the waiters--the waiters get their own tip (the 18% gratuity that we're paying). I agree with all the other girls...$300 is sufficient and like i said, IMO if it says its a maitre'd fee then thats who it should go to. If it doesnt then thats a mistake on CLM's part. I love CLM, but this one thing is a little sneaky.

The way they explained it was the maitre'd gets like 30-40 bucks out of that cause the cooks get some as well. If you think the maitre'd does a good job then we will give them more if not then we won't. I underatand what you are talking about cause I questioned Lou about it and thats how he explained it. Maybe call them and ask them what happens with the money

Thanks for the suggestion. I think I will call Nick and ask him about it

lilred13 Posted: Jul 05, 2006 08:51 PM

Re: Calling all CLM brides

Posted by AeroJenn

Posted by lilred13

Posted by AeroJenn

Posted by lilred13

The $300 fee gets split between the cooks, waiters, matre de...a total of 7 people which means each person gets like $40. FH and I are planning on tipping them on top of that cause that really doesnt go to just the matre de (spelling) HTH

Well then IMHO calling it a 'maitre'd fee' is very misleading. And I dont believe it gets split between them and the waiters--the waiters get their own tip (the 18% gratuity that we're paying). I agree with all the other girls...$300 is sufficient and like i said, IMO if it says its a maitre'd fee then thats who it should go to. If it doesnt then thats a mistake on CLM's part. I love CLM, but this one thing is a little sneaky.

The way they explained it was the maitre'd gets like 30-40 bucks out of that cause the cooks get some as well. If you think the maitre'd does a good job then we will give them more if not then we won't. I underatand what you are talking about cause I questioned Lou about it and thats how he explained it. Maybe call them and ask them what happens with the money

Thanks for the suggestion. I think I will call Nick and ask him about it

If you could let me know what he says Thanx

CaMacho Posted: Jul 05, 2006 09:06 PM

Re: Calling all CLM brides

We tipped ON TOP of the $300 'maitre'd fee' in the contract. We felt that Nick and ALL the staff went ABOVE AND BEYOND and felt they deserved more! We knew they would, since our experience with them during planning was amazing, so we had the tip envelope all ready on the day of the wedding. I'm not sure exactly how they split all the $$, but we wanted to show our appreciation by adding more.

Also, if you don't want a tip jar on the bar, be sure to tip the bartenders. They were SO grateful to my dad for tipping them at the end of the night.

You will all LOOOOOVE CLM!!! Promise to do my review soon.