Tip Jar

I would ask the venue to further explain in detail what they mean. I say this because my venue told me the same thing, nearly verbatim. So I asked point-blank if the 20% covered tips/gratuity to the staff… and found out it does NOT.

A service charge is NOT the same thing as gratuity. The bartender will not see any of it. A service charge includes stocking barware/washing glasses (equipment and energy usage), etc. I would argue the 20% fee if it was nowhere in your contract. Also, for the reason you mentioned, a tip jar should not be set out .

View Quoted Comment So I did ask them point blank and that is when they gave me the line above. They never said yes and never said no. Which is what makes me believe that yes. I noticed the 20% on the invoice and just said “is the 20% service charge actually gratuity?” And that’s when they gave the answer they did

View Quoted Comment Hmm even if I am being forced to rent glassware and my caterers are the ones washing it? I definitely want to argue the 20% because it’s not in the contract and I def don’t want a tip jar out. Just wondering if it’s normal in this situation. Thank you!

View Quoted Comment In this case, I would absolutely fight that service fee. Honestly, some venues are the absolute worst and will just tack on extra fees and costs as your date nears since most people will just pay it. I would demand it be removed since it isn't in your original contract. I'm sorry you're dealing with this.

If it wasnt in your contract, you shouldn't be required to pay

View Quoted Comment It sounds like they are sidestepping the question. I would ask them directly again. My venue tried to sidestep it as well, and I had to ask strictly “does the 20% charge go directly to the servers/bartenders as a tip?” That’s when I finally got a straightforward answer. And PS, the entire email response to the question was “no”. So it doesn’t sound like they are wanting to answer this question - probably because they know this 20% service charge is BS. Supposedly it is for “administrative fees and behind the scenes labor”. So really, it’s just a sneaky way to charge you more, but make the wedding fee/packages they offer sound cheaper than they are. Had I not continued to press my venue coordinator about the fee, I would have assumed that money was going towards gratuity and the service staff would not have received a tip.

View Quoted Comment Absolutely agree. If you have a signed contract and it doesn’t list this fee, I would fight it.

View Quoted Comment Thanks for your input everyone! Seems as if I have some following up to do this morning! I appreciate your input

That certainly sounds like the venue/staff is trying to double dip for extra money.
If you pay them the extra 20% fee for gratuity than I do not see any reason as to why a tip jar should be placed out, as they have already been compensated before then event. Now if you get clarification and do not pay the 20% fee then I can absolutely agree with the tip jar being placed out. Unless it states somewhere in the contract/paperwork that gratuity has already been included within the price (this was the case for us and so there was no tip jar placed out for the bartenders during service).

It sounds like they are trying to get extra money from you because they know they can and most couples won’t question it. However a tip jar should not be out because it is not the responsibility of your guests to tip your vendors, nor open their wallets for any reason. Wait until after the honeymoon when you can objectively assess everyone’s performance and tip those who went above and beyond.

Either way there shouldn't be a tip jar out. Guests shouldn't be pressured to pay for anything at the event.