Tipping....(a little long, sorry)

We are getting married at the Watermill in April. We asked them what is average to tip. They said $2-$3 per person for the MD, half that for the Captain (in charge of the waiters/waitresses) and $100 for bridal attendant. We are having 150 people. So to give the MD $300, $150 for the captain and $100 for the bridal attendant seems a little much. That's $550 already, and we haven't tipped our DJs and Photographers yet! What is everyone else doing? Lisa

Tipping

Wow that is alot of money on top of you are paying for the reception. I'm having 300 people so that means i'll be paying $100for bridal attendant, $600 for MD, and i'm not sure if we have a captain. Does the MD and the captain share half of the tip or its separate?

Great question? - Already hitched brides, please help!

I haven't even thought of that ... it does sound like a lot!

Tipping....(a little long, sorry)

I have another question... I will have 2 bridal attendants with me at Floral Terrace? Do we have to tip them $100-150 each!! That seems like a lot!

Tipping....(a little long, sorry)

Another question..what's a captain? what do they do? I thought the MD was in charge of everything! I hope we don't have one. We're going to go broke tipping everyone! hehehhe

Tipping....

We got married in February at Chateau Briand, a Scotto Bros. place like the watermill. They recommended between $2-$4 per person for the MD, we tipped him $350 (we had 175 people). We didn`t have a Captain (is that just a Watermill thing?). They recommended $50-$100 per bridal attendant. We had 2 we gave them $50 each. The truth is we couldn`t believe the amount they expected us to tip...but they did a fantastic job, so at the end of the night we didn`t feel so bad - they deserved it. We tipped our video and photographers $50 each and their assistants $20 each. I didn`t think we had to tip them...but again they were great so we wanted to show our appreciation. Tipping is really up to you - it`s a way to show your appreciation. The truth is you don`t give them the gratuity until the end of the night so whatever you give them will neither make them do a better or worse job. Don`t stress...this is the small stuff!

Tipping.... from an 'old married lady' : )

Tipping is very personal, and I feel it should be based on the service received, as well as on what you can afford. We had in the ball park of 225 guests (funny how details begin to fade... :( ), and tipped the Maitre'd $500 ($250 at the beginning and $250 at the end of the reception), and our bridal attendant $200 (we found out later that our best man slipped both of them an extra hundred because they were super attentive). Everyone else (DJ, video, photographer's assistant, etc.) got $100. It seems like a lot, but we were so thrilled with the service we got, and everyone went so far above and beyond what was necessary, that we felt they earned it.

Tipping.... from another married lady!

We had 75 guests at our wedding. We tipped the maitre'd $225.00 the bridal attendant $50.00 the DJ $25.00 and the MC $50.00. We did not tip the photographers anything because they own their own business, however we may give them something when we pick up the album. Don't forget also that you usually have to tip the limo driver's and the person who delivers your flowers to your home. In our case the limo driver was nasty so he got nothing and the person who delivered the flowers was the owner of the business. We tipped her individually(she was awesome!). It does end up costing quite a bit and you really need to plan it in as an expense.

Has anyone dared to ask where the 18% gratuities go?s *NM*

I know, my FH and I got into a heated discussion about ...

grats - I didn't want the tip jar by the bartender - he did. He won - since my father and every other male in our household thought that if someone wanted to tip, they had the right too! I hope that 18% goes to the waiters/waitresses. They are doing the most work and get the littlest amount. Plus, it is them that can make things run smoothly! Aiyah!:-(

Tipping

I was a waitress and a captain at a catering hall for a while, and tips are included in the waitress' salary. Catering salary isn't much, but it's more than what a regular waitress makes because of the tip being included. Catering staff generally does not expect a tip, but of course, it's always appreciated! The captain also works as a waitress but is responsible for telling the rest of the waitstaff what should be done when. The maitre'd is there for your convenience and to oversee the whole party. I am going to tip everybody because waitressing is a lot of work and you are never paid enough for it!

Windows on the Lake brides???

Maybe I'm way off here, but I distinctly remember the people we booked with at Windows say that tipping and everything is included in the price and we are not expected to tip anyone. Hmmm. Does that sound possible or does everyone say that?

I'm confused and frustrated!!!!!!

I don't understand, theh 18% only goes to the waitstaff??? This past couple of weeks I have had a lot of anxiety over spending $$ for the wedding. And, now I did not factor in several hundred dollars for tipping...I can't believe this!!!! I mean I read about the photographers and DJs, but to be honest, I didn't know that I even get a bridal attendent and MD, and I certainly did not know they have to be tipped. I know this sounds rude, but how much do they get paid?! I also know that if you have a budget of 20-40K for a wedding, a few hundred is nothing, but my budget is nowhere near that. Ugh!

Windows on the Lake

You should read your contract to be sure what is covered. I was married at The Beach Club which is owned by Windows and the 18% service charge, which is what they call it so they can tax you on it, includes wait staff, coat check, valet parking, bartenders. We were specifically told that we were expected to tip the Maitre'd and Bridal attendant individually. We were not told how much to tip, but the average is $2-$4 per person for the maitre'd and anywhere from $50-$100 for the bridal attendant. If you are not sure what is included for what you are paying, you should call Windows now so you find out and plan ahead.

I`m confused and frustrated!!!!!!----NINA

I know how you are feeling I am getting married next September and I did not even realize all the extras. I am getting married at the North Ritz Club in Syosset. It is a very beautiful one affair at a time reception hall. They really worked with me and my budget. They gave us an all inclusive price that was suitable to both me and my FH. I dont know if you are booked anywhere but you might want to check them out and ask them to work with you. Dont just walk out. Chances are that they are going to drop the price.

Thanks 2003

I've been booked w/ the Watermill, and already have all my vendors, and all prices are in writing. So, I don't really have much else to ask from the Watermill. My wedding is in June, the main thing is that the guest list is 25 more people than we planned and (as usual) on top of that we are spending more on all the vendors than we budgeted for, but still are spending less than many of the brides I hear about. I just started a new job, and if I can stick w/ my savings plan, we'll be alright by the end of June. I am deperately trying not to have anything on a credit card. Another thing is that my father promised me $$, but I haven't seen anything yet. I know it's not fair to count on him though.......and I shouldn't whine.....