Tipping Topic (Again)- This is what my hall told me...

Original post by StepherG

Feb 12, 2004 11:02 AM

I went for my final last night. On our way out the door, the banquet manager said that it's typical to give $3 per person to the Maitre D, $100 to the Bridal Attendant and $100 to the Captain.

My first question was 'what's a captain?' he said it was the behind the scenes person making sure the white coats are doing what they're supposed to etc...

OKAY...when we walked out, my FH looked at me and said 'NO WAY are we gonna give the Maitre D $600! Are they crazy??' We can understand the $100 to the Bridal Attendant, but we're not sure about this captain too. We're paying a fortune as it is to have this reception and do we have to tip someone that makes sure the people are doing their job? Wasn't that included in the price? Come on!

Obviously I'm in the wrong business. If I can work 2 weddings on a Saturday for $600 a piece as a Maitre D, then why am I working a 5 day workweek???

What are you tipping? Martha Stewarts tips obviously don't apply to NY Catering Halls!!!

I NEED HELP AND ADVICE! My FH asked me to post this to find out what everyone else is doing.

StepherG Posted: Feb 12, 2004 04:54 PM

Re: Tipping Topic (Again)- This is what my hall told me...

I think we are just going to do a set amount as well. We can't do $600. Glad to know that we weren't the only ones who thought that was crazy!

valentinesdaywedding Posted: Feb 12, 2004 05:51 PM

Re: Tipping Topic (Again)- This is what my hall told me...

are you tipping your banquet manager??

steph4777 Posted: Feb 12, 2004 05:56 PM

Re: Tipping Topic (Again)- This is what my hall told me...

Posted by valentinesdaywedding

are you tipping your banquet manager??

HE$$ no, I think they got enough of my money....I am sure he is compensated quite well!

charlotte227 Posted: Feb 12, 2004 05:57 PM

Re: Tipping Topic (Again)- This is what my hall told me...

Well seems like all of the catering halls are the same....mine said to tip our Maitre D $1-2pp, the Bridal Attendant whatever we wanted...I found this strange...as a customer you are already paying for a service to be provided by staff (staff who are on salary already), which also incurs not only the tax rate but an 18-20% gratuity charge as well....what is the point....the gratuity charge should suffice otherwise it is known as double dipping...Would you tip a waiter or bar staff 2x? Hardly not...and pls don't forget the limo driver, photographer, videographer, florist, makeup artist etc.....and if they attend your event you have paid for their service, paid for their food and beverage(the catering hall won't let them eat for fr ee) and tipped them on top of it....would your own boss treat you that good? Hell no....

SteffieSunshine1 Posted: Feb 12, 2004 05:57 PM

Re: Tipping Topic (Again)- This is what my hall told me...

NO, NOT tipping the banquet manager.

Tipping the M'D $2 a person for 200 people & I thing that's pretty good for 5 hours of work!

I hadn't even heard about the 'captain' & hadn't thought about the bridal attendant, but I will definitely add her to my budget.

I mean, when we go to a restaurant with a large group & the 15-18% is included, we don't tip anyone...you ALREADY FORCED me to tip!!!

While on the subject, tipping the officiant, or just paying the flat fee if he is 'freelance'?

princess99 Posted: Feb 12, 2004 06:01 PM

Re: Tipping Topic (Again)- This is what my hall told me...

We think this whole tipping of everyone and there monkeys uncle is insane!!! Our catering hall told us to tip like we would in a restaurant- if we are happy tip according to what we feel is what we can afford. If I was told to tip a certain amount I would be so angry! However , if you think about it you are paying off the wedding with money as the date draws near they are working with your money already and making interest on it. I really do think I am in the wrong field. I want to open a catering hall!!! LOL But seriously we will probably tip about 200 to 300 for matre'de, maybe 150 to 175 for the rest , and the rest of the vendors we hired are the owners of the company so we will probably just add a little more onto there fee. The people at the catering also get a salary alsoI hope, I'm not made out of money!

minniemouse Posted: Feb 12, 2004 06:05 PM

Re: Tipping Topic (Again)- This is what my hall told me...

Posted by Bluebaby08

Want to hear one better.....

Mu hall told me the other night that average tips for maitre'd was $5 per person which meant their tip would come out to $1,250 !!!! I was like- You've got to be kidding me!
She said that was just the average and we didn't have to give them that much if we didn't want to, or we could give more. Darn right I'm not giving them that much. Are they nuts or what!? Plus the bridal attendant and captin. I may take out a loan just for tipping.

OMG $1250!!!!
I am getting married at JT also. They said $3-$5 per guest for Maitre'd
Whatever you want for Bridal attendant
Then do we have to tip for banquet manager?

Besides what do they all do that costs sooo much in just 6 hours????

butterfly20 Posted: Feb 12, 2004 06:06 PM

Re: Tipping Topic (Again)- This is what my hall told me...

no tipping the banquet manager.. they are getting commison

valentinesdaywedding Posted: Feb 12, 2004 06:35 PM

Re: Tipping Topic (Again)- This is what my hall told me...

I have another question is you do not mind. Imy photgrapher does not get paied in full until I see tha proofs, do you tip on the day of??? If so howdo you judge how much?

Jo Ann Posted: Feb 12, 2004 06:56 PM

Re: Tipping Topic (Again)- This is what my hall told me...

Honest question.. You tip these people at the end of the night right?? So if you give your M'd $100 instead of $1250 what are they going to do about it?? They are never going to see you again.. and chances are you are never going to deal with them again.

One wedding I went to they decided to tip the M'd at the begining of the wedding so that they would get 'better' service.. The guy disappeared they didnt see him again for the rest of the night. They were actually very lucky that they had a really good DJ that saw what happened and ended up helping with the Cake cutting and other things.

hbradio Posted: Feb 12, 2004 06:59 PM

Re: Tipping Topic (Again)- This is what my hall told me...

Posted by Jo Ann

Honest question.. You tip these people at the end of the night right?? So if you give your M'd $100 instead of $1250 what are they going to do about it?? They are never going to see you again.. and chances are you are never going to deal with them again.

One wedding I went to they decided to tip the M'd at the begining of the wedding so that they would get 'better' service.. The guy disappeared they didnt see him again for the rest of the night. They were actually very lucky that they had a really good DJ that saw what happened and ended up helping with the Cake cutting and other things.

Very interesting - I would have to agree.

But my question is, how much and WHEN do you tip the other vendors? Photographer, DJ, who else?

september2004 Posted: Feb 12, 2004 07:25 PM

Re: Tipping Topic (Again)- This is what my hall told me...

Posted by valentinesdaywedding

I have another question is you do not mind. Imy photgrapher does not get paied in full until I see tha proofs, do you tip on the day of??? If so howdo you judge how much?

As of now I plan to tip my photographer when all is said and done. Only when I see the final product will I tip him.