Venue's complimentary valet - tips?

I'm not sure what proper etiquette is on this, but if I visit somewhere with complimentary valet, like a hotel or casino, I leave a tip. As a guest, I would do the same at a wedding.

View Quoted Comment That is what I was thinking too. Like I said I’d rather leave the gratuity myself so our guests don’t have to open their wallets but I’m not sure how to accomplish this without being like “DONT TIP THE VALET” which seems even tackier than just letting them do it themselves 😂 I mostly just want to make sure not to leave the valet attendants out of our planned vendors to leave gratuity for if we should be giving them something, when we'll be leaving gratuity for the servers/bartenders, etc.

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The only solution I can think of is having a chat with the valet and letting them know that you plan to tip after the event and to please not accept tips from the guests. If you feel comfortable, you could tip before the wedding so they know you're not just bluffing.

View Quoted Comment That is a great idea, thank you!

I think the only way to avoid the double tipping is to somehow let guests know the valet will be covered, if you choose to pay it. However, as a guest I totally don't mind tipping someone myself if I utilize the valet service at a wedding. I don't think many would be offended, since like you said most have no problem giving a few bucks as a thanks for parking the car.

View Quoted Comment I agree, the only thing I’m worried about is what if we assume that the guests will leave a tip, and they don’t?

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I think most would, but at the end of the night you could always ask the valet if the guests tipped, and then supplement whatever you feel necessary. But if they don't tip, its not really on you. That is an optional service, not required. Therefore if a guest chooses to utilize it I feel like they'd know to tip.

View Quoted Comment True, thank you very much!

For our valet, we’re taking care of the gratuity. Some guests will tip anyway, I know I would. That can be a bonus for our valet runners. I think it makes it awkward when someone who is customarily tipped has to refuse a couple of George Washingtons. I wouldn’t put a tip jar on the bar, but it’s not my concern if a guest wants to slide the bar tender a few bucks. Again, I usually slip the bar tender a few bucks at hosted events.

Is there self parking available as well? If not, I would try to tip for everyone and let them know that you'll be covering all valet expenses. If self parking is also an option, I wouldn't worry about it. I feel like if it's an option, guests who choose to use it will tip them.

I don’t think you can rely on valets to be honest about whether or not they’ve been tipped or to turn tips down. I’m sure some people would be honest, but assuming these are strangers you don’t know who you’re dealing with. I think the only option is to tell the guests you will be tipping and accept that the valets may make some extra that night by getting money from you and the guests.

Have you gone anywhere out to eat in which you used valet? You tipped them right? It's not the restaurants job to tip the valet. Just put into perspective here for you. So to answer your question, your guests who utilize the valet should be tipping accordingly otherwise they shouldn't use it. Why bother with an extra expense you didn't have to pay for. You're right, you're not going to know how many cars and if you set yourself up to pay they can just lie to you about how many cars and jip you.

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Tell your guests to leave a tip! If they want to be rude after you told them via say your detail cards or wedding website, that's on them. This is the same thing as tipping the bartender at a wedding as a guest.