GRATUITY!!! HOLY COW!!!

I was reading posts, and I can't believe we have to tip everyone.. OF course I am going to but I didin't even think about it..

THe florist
the dj and MC
the Maitre'D
The bridal attendant
Who am I forgetting???

The videographer
The photographer and assistant...

the list just never ends...

I panicked too, its alot of money, one thing I do know is that my package comes with tax and gratuity, the gratuity covers valet parking, the wait staff and the coat check, I think it covers 18%, so if they do a good job, I can throw them each a few extra bucks, it DOESNT cover the Matre D, but maybe check and see if yoru package covers any gratuity, otherwise you may be shelling out TOO MUCH cash!!!

Yes, most packages include the tips for MD and waiters. Also, you don't HAVE to tip people if they own a business OR if they didn't do a good job! We didn't tip my bridal attandant because she was totally not helpfull! I am not quite sure how she even got the job! It's been more then 7months and the memories still tick me off! No tip for those who didn't deserve it!

i didn't know you had to tip the photographer and videographer and the florist! how much do you tip them?

my dj is the owner- do i still tip him- i know the above post said you don't tip owners. what about the maitre'd- what should we tip him? and the bridal attendant (assuming she does her job).

HOw much should you tip everyone?? ie:

DJ
videographer??
florist??

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Posted by WhatNow?

Yes, most packages include the tips for MD and waiters. Also, you don't HAVE to tip people if they own a business OR if they didn't do a good job! We didn't tip my bridal attandant because she was totally not helpfull! I am not quite sure how she even got the job! It's been more then 7months and the memories still tick me off! No tip for those who didn't deserve it!

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exactly - a tip should be given if you feel they deserved it - there is no set standard though you will probably get some sort of consensus here. maybe you should ask on vendors helping brides - im sure you will get an honest answer *sarcasm*

in any event, i would imagine putting a monetary amount into a sealed envelope and giving it to them at the end of the day would be satisfactory. I'm assuming typing is done at end of event.

i would not suggest this with the photographer and videographer as their work extends beyond the wedding date and a bad tip might make them forget to airbrush that lingering stress zit from your husband's forehead.

edited to ask why someone who is getting married in 2005 is stressing over gratuities given on the wedding date - if anything, rip open a couple of envelopes at the end of the night and divvy out the cash then. also, getting a tip with a thank you card after the event is not a bad idea either - its like getting free money when you didnt expect it - they got paid the day they were working anyway.

I just asked my hall about this the other day. They told me, the Maitre'd gets $2-3 per head. Bridal attendant $50-75. Waitstaff $20-25 each.

He told me that when I give the Maitre'D their tip, they usually go around to the bartenders, coat person, Valet's at the end of the night and ask them what they made on tips. If they didn't do too well the Maitre'd will throw them some extra money. That is why the Maitre'd gets such a large amount so they can share it with others that didn't do well.

Coatroom person, valets's and bartenders usually will get tips from your guests, so he told me not to worry about them, they will be taken care of by the maitre'd if they don't do well.

Great. I hadn't even thought of the waistaff. Oy

What about the band members? I've been told that they are their own company and therefore the fee you pay them goes directly into their pockets so you don't need to tip. And what about food? Do you feed the photographers and the band?

I'm pretty sure the waitstaff, valet and coatroom people are included in your 18% gratuity. If not...I'd question your hall as to where that $$ is going!

According to my reception site, the people I mentioned above are included in gratuity. They said that it's 'customary' to give a tip to the Maitre D' and the Bridal Attendant.

What I am confused about is the tipping part if they own their own company. Will they expect it at the end of the night? How much for photography?