Mandatory Gratuities

Repost from 05:
This makes me mad. We are back to; Hey I am a bride -- please just KEEP ON STICKING IT TO ME! Have you ever seen those news stories where they call a place and say that they want to rent a hall or get flowers for an anniversary party of X number people and it is one price but then they call back and say wedding and the price doubles!
I am feeling particularly hateful of these nonsense service charges and suggested gratuities. IMO-->gratuities are earned and not suggested. If you do a good job you will be tipped very very handsomely -- I get that this is a part of you livelihood and I respect that but the word MANDATORY GRATUITY IS AN OXYMORON!

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I so aggree. My FI and I were particulary mad at one hall that insists on an 18% gratuity charge PLUS a $550 house Charge PLUS a Maitre'D tip and Bridal Attendant tip. Outrageous!

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Its not only the mandatory gratuities, its the expected tips.

Photographers, are the worst, granted you pay for their expertise, but arent you paying enough without having to tip them!!!

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Posted by Laura1976

Its not only the mandatory gratuities, its the expected tips.

Photographers, are the worst, granted you pay for their expertise, but arent you paying enough without having to tip them!!!

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Fair enough Laura, I meant both of these with my vent.

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BUMP for more opinions, please.

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I feel that all tipping in general has gotten way out of hand. Now everyone expects a tip

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Posted by nov2004bride

I feel that all tipping in general has gotten way out of hand. Now everyone expects a tip

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Exactly!!!!!!

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I just hate that they designate what you tip. What if the service really sucked and I don't feel like giving an 20 % tip.

Just so i get this straight because i am utterely baffled by last night post on this......

when there is a madatory gratuidy you don't tip on top of that right. Like with limos and my hall.
I don't need to tip the mater-d do i? Because there is a 20 gratuidy included??

I am very angered by all of this.

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They love that you are confused -- all about getting more from a confused overwhelmed bride. Many limo companies demand an up front gratuity -- but keep looking, there are those that do not. Frequently drivers will hit you up for additional tips but you are under no obligation. The reason that they ask for these things before:
-with the hall, it is typically because the hall takes the biggest chunk and gives something small to MD--best to hand to them yourself.
--with service providers it is that if you give gratuity up front and then you get good service (like in room service at a hotel) they hope you will give more.
Give what people deserve -- good service deserves generous gratuities -- it is how service people make a living BUT noone should be steamrolled into paying something for nothing.

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I just told FH that we need to tip people the day of-- and he got all pissed.. It really does not make sense.

Ok-- who do we really need to tip? I am not talking excessive tipping here-- but with all the vendors we have, this can add like another 3 to 5 grand on our wedding budget!

Maitre'D (stupid cause you're paying for it)
Banquet Manager (this is the only one I can understand)
Bridal Attendant (again-- paying grat to the venue who is providing this person- included in my cost)
Photographer??? (this I never heard of btw)

What other money hungry vendors??

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Posted by SFP0214

I just hate that they designate what you tip. What if the service really sucked and I don't feel like giving an 20 % tip.

Just so i get this straight because i am utterely baffled by last night post on this......

when there is a madatory gratuidy you don't tip on top of that right. Like with limos and my hall.
I don't need to tip the mater-d do i? Because there is a 20 gratuidy included??

I am very angered by all of this.

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Usually you tip the Maitre D on top of the gratuity for the staff. Yes, it's all very fustrating and has gotten completely out of hand.

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You have to tip your Banquet Manager as well??? Arrggh!

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Banquet manager?

We tipped the photographer because we were very happy with them...tipped the maitre d', he was awesome and went above and beyond to make my day spectacular, tipped the band...

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Randi:
You don't really want to know -- especially since you are getting married at a top place!
-Floral delivery
-Limo driver
-Band members (each)
-Video team
-Photog and asst
-planner or day of coordinator

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We didn't tip our banquet manager...I am pretty sure they get commissions for the parties/events they book.

I don't really understand why the limo companies include the tip. That should be completely discretionary.

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Uggh, now I'm starting to get upset. I think I'm going to try to negotiate the Mandatory Gratuity out of any other vendors that I have to book.

Personally, I do not plan to tip the photographer or videographer until after I see the proofs. I believe in tipping after the service is rendored. In those cases, I won't be able to evaluate the service until after I see the proofs and the video.

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Posted by marc_rai

Uggh, now I'm starting to get upset. I think I'm going to try to negotiate the Mandatory Gratuity out of any other vendors that I have to book.

Personally, I do not plan to tip the photographer or videographer until after I see the proofs. I believe in tipping after the service is rendored. In those cases, I won't be able to evaluate the service until after I see the proofs and the video.

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I didn't plan on tipping our photographers either, but I felt they really worked there buts off that day and even though I haven't seen our proofs, I just have this gut feeling that I will be happy.

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Floral delivery??? You have got to be kidding. I heard you only tip the the photog assistant. My dad used to do wedding photog and he said the tip is for the assistant.

I really think it is silly for me to tip the bridal attendant. My ceramony is not at the hall. what is she really going to do?

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do you tip the DJ...

FYI: FH just read this post and he is yelling!!!!!!!! He says he is not tipping anyone.. they already have enough money! Poor thing he is so silly