Gratuity for Catering

I would be curious as to what the service charge is for then. Maybe I'm totally confused by this and need to look at my contract again 😥

Typically I'm all for tipping but in this case, I'm not sure that I would.

Yes, it would be wrong. It's not the servers fault that you agreed to a package without having all the facts, they shouldn't suffer or work for little/no money because of that. You weren't "forced" to use this caterer, you wanted a particular venue and they come as part of that package. You don't have to tip 20% of the food bill, I think WW and the internet typically recommends $50-$100 per server, depending on the event.

I would ask what the 20% is for and how much the wait staff is getting paid. They said gratuity is not required. Many times the wait staff is making a decent hourly wage. At my old job when we would work events we got paid at least $20 and hr. Of coarse we loved tips on top of it!

View Quoted Comment

This. Why would you punish them because you chose a venue that was out of what you consider a reasonable price?

Yes, it is wrong to not tip the staff because you made a choice that stuck you with a pricier company. Would you not tip if you went out to a fancy restaurant because the food costs more?

you don’t necessarily need to do another full 20% off the whole bill, but you should absolutely be tipping for their service. (I’m planning to do $# amount per role of staffer, since our gratuity is also an add on and not billed, and our catering bill covers wayyy more than just food [rentals, equipment, bartender liability, etc])

YOU chose a venue that required this caterer and YOU didn’t verify that the service charge included gratuity before signing the contract. Why on earth should your servers not get tipped just because of those things? As others have said, $50-$100 per server is more than enough.

I have found that the 20% service charge almost never includes gratuity for the servers. Yes, it would be rude to not tip your service and waitstaff just as it would be at any restaurant. But I agree that you shouldn't feel you need to add another 20% on top. I think $50-100 per server/bartender (as previously suggested) is perfectly acceptable and hopefully more doable for you.

My venue includes a 27% service charge and when we asked them what that was for and if it included tipping they told us that it did not include tip BUT they charge that so that the waitstaff gets a higher hourly rate so most couples getting married there don’t tip and the ones who do don’t go crazy with the tips and the wait staff doesn’t expect it and aren’t use to getting it.

Ok thanks everyone! Now followup, when you tipped per person, did you tip the chefs along with the servers? I know how many servers there are but not how many other staff.

I think just the servers and bartenders. The cooks usually get paid a normal pay, whereas servers get paid less with the expectation they will be earning tips. I am not 100% sure though.

I work at a restaurant that provides catering services and the cost of catering is usually only going to the restaurant.. the servers will earn a regular servers wage (around $2.40 an hour) unless you pay gratuity which will be split between the servers bartenders etc. that will be woring at your wedding.. Although the cost may be steep it's generally a better idea to include the gratuity

View Quoted Comment I agree - just the servers and bartenders.

..............

View Quoted Comment Agreed to all of this!!

Servers at banquet halls and similar venues normally get paid quite a bit more than minimum wage. If they weren't, the managers wouldn't find anyone willing to work. The higher wage is due to not receiving multiple tips per shift as servers do in restaurants. I agree with others that a set amount is fine and will be well received. No need to do 20%.

Thank you everyone!

View Quoted Comment This. When I used to waitress and we did a party, we got paid a LOT more an hour. We never expected tips.

I'm a chef. We do tons of weddings at our restaurant. The servers get paid a flat fee based off the total revenue generated by the wedding. However, your guests can tip extra if they feel so inclined.

Service IS the most expensive part of catering. As someone who works on the service side of it, we're there for 8-10 hours. Your wedding may only be 5 hours but we have to unload, prep, serve, clean and load. So, you're paying for a full day's work for each server. Some venues have a laundry list of things caterers have to do at the end of the night, it could take an hour or more. Others require that garbage be separated, just so. If the venue is providing the dishes, they need cleaned after the event, there isn't always a dishwasher. You're not just paying for the food for catering, you're paying the service, anticipation, and a worry-free event. We don't include gratuity in our bill and sometimes, clients don't even tip. A server in a restaurant may turn 15-20 tables in 8 hours, yet for a wedding or big social events, it's just 1 big table. We're paid a flat fee and a tip is a nice bonus. A tip is just that, not necessary, but a sign of a job well done. I always advise clients to lower their guest count. Honestly, most people can't afford the wedding they want, yet, they want everything.