Is A Catering Services Charge The Same As A Tip

Our catering bundle includes an 18% service fee described every bit this: The Service Fee (non a gratuity) is calculated on food/beverage and labor and is subject to sales tax. Service staff is paid in backlog of minimum wage. Gratuities non expected and at Client'southward discretion.

Considering that an xviii% service accuse is already a huge amount, are we expected to tip on meridian of this? Another 18% would be an extraordinary corporeality to pay and we simply can't afford it. We also don't want to exist cheap. What is the proper etiquette for this situation?

Brandi Hamerstone, Owner/Senior Wedding Planner All Events Planned

Tipping is optional in all matters. If you receive service to a higher place and across what was expected, then yous should consider tipping someone for their boggling work, you are not required to tip. Since the service staff gratuity is being included you don't accept the option to tip or not to tip them, it is but a fee that is included. Since that fee is already existence paid, yous do not need to tip on top of a tip!

As with whatsoever of your wedding vendors, you are paying them for their services and then exercise not feel obligated to tip them on summit of their fee. If you feel like they did something actress special to make your twenty-four hours fifty-fifty better or if you had a wonderful working relationship with them, then of class y'all tin can choose to tip them, just under no circumstances should yous feel obligated to tip.

I take a question for you. The property is charging this "service fee" of eighteen% which is non a gratuity and is subject area to sales tax. And then does that hateful on top of the 18%, you're going to be taxed an additional 7%, whatever your state sales' tax is? So if your reception cost is $10,000, you're paying $1800 for the service fee and an additional $126 in sales taxation?

If I were y'all, I'd want a definitive breakdown of these charges. If they are also including state and local taxes and fees–besides this xviii% "service fee"–I would dispute it vehemently!

Adept Luck!

Amy Rubins, Fete Perfection

Taxes on service fees vary by city and state so this may very well exist normal but I would double check. Otherwise if your caterer provide fantabulous service above and beyond what you expect you might add another ii to 5% which I am sure would get directly to the servers. Having worked in the catering industry, this would be very much appreciated. Relish your wedding ceremony day!

Emmanuela Stanislaus, Precious Occasions, Wedding ceremony and Event Planner

I agree with the other experts as far as tipping existence optional. Tipping is reserved for service that is above and beyond and then do not feel pressured to provide the staff with a tip. According to etiquette, if y'all receive infrequent service, and then the banquet captain should receive a tip of between $1 to $five per guest which depends on your wedding ceremony location. The wait staff usually receives 15%-twenty% of the food bill (prior to service fee and taxes) or somewhere between $15-$20 per wait staff.

Tips should exist something that you include in your budget. In add-on to the catering staff, you should include tips for your lensman, videographer, dj or band, officiant, limousine driver, and planner. Please do remember that tipping is optional.

Good luck!