Tipping

bookgirl_2

Hi all,

Just a quick query. We are having caterers for our reception and are wondering whether it is expected that the staff are given a tip at the end of the night. If so, what sort of amount would you give? There will be about eight staff.

Thanks for your help.
R

deano23285

i would imagine their wage would have been included in the original price, so personally i wouldn't

joolesw1972

I suppose it depends on the service you get. We thought that the staff at our venue were fantastic - both the Manager and the waiting/bar staff, nothing was too much trouble, the staff were really helpful and did everything possible to help (including the poor chef who we stopped to thank on his way out to go home and we asked a by the way question to and he then went back to talk to the bar staff to sort it even though he had his coat on!)
Anywat to answer your question - we left a thank you note and £50 to say thank you.

RainbowDrops

One of the venues we looked at included a "suggested gratuity" in the price extimate. To be honest, I think that's pretty cheeky.
In a normal restaurant, I don't mind tipping; however, hiring in caterers for a special event, you are paying them (at a fairly high price) for an expected level of service, so I don't think a tip is necessarry.
That is unless they really go above & beyond what was agreed.

RainbowDrops

Actually, I've just remembered that I used to work for a wedding caterer!
(It was my first job at the tender age of 14!).
We were never tipped. We just got the wage for the night.

angel13

i used to work in a bar and weddings were held there at weekends. i was on low money and didnt get any extra even if i had to stay and clear the room late at night after the wedding. if you do decide to tip the staff who u know are on low wages put it in a small envelope and hand personally to each member so that they actually get the money and not the company.

minerva_windsong

I used to work as a bar maid in a hotel as part of a team ranging from just me to five or six of us, and had tips ranging from nothing to £50 split between us. We never expected to get it and it was always very much appreciated.

hayleythedaisy

I will be putting £50 in a thank you card with a big tub of chocolates, if I feel they have deserved it by the end of the night. The way things are going I'm thinking not!!!

Kildare

I wondered about this too since I read in a magazine that you're supposed to tip. I could understand this a little if your having a hotel wedding, but we're hiring in caterers as we're having a barn wedding and I think they charge enough already!!

RainbowDrops

If you're "suposed to tip" it should be included in the price.

For me, the point of tipping is to reward someone for providing more than what is expected for the price you are paying. EG is someone takes special care & attention when there's a problem.

Charliezoo

Its a nice thing to do but I'm sure on the day its probably the last thing on the bride/groom's mind.