Venue tip??

Wow, I haven't got this far yet with my wedding planning but that seems really cheeky!

Surely a tip is given for good service, how can you pay it before the event when you don't know what the service will be like? ?

That's exactly what I thought!

Our venue has fantastic reviews and already have been so helpful but we didn't budget it in and to be honest it's not cheap anyway!

I know it's optional but now feel maybe we should pay it as they will be aware on the day that we haven't

I would contact the coordinator at the venue and tell them you will not be paying a tip until after the event, if at all. Tips are based on the service you recieve for EVERYTHING, before, during and after the wedding.

Dont pay anything until after then decide based on overall impressions.

Wow thats a lot, i wouldnt pay before no way.

I hadnt even considered a tip tbh. Anyone else tipped? If so roughly how much if you dont mind me asking, probably should be worked into my budget.

Jeeze, that's cheeky as anything!! Agree - say you won't be paying a tip until after the event (if at all)

I agree that tips shouldn't just be for the front of house staff - I'd not tip great service and but bad food, so IMO the kitchen staff should get a share of the tips too! Obviously every place works this differently though.

I'm slightly different that I know who my suppliers are really well, there isn't going to be bad food or service. I also have a MC who I know will do a brilliant job, so I'm planning on making my tips up early and putting them in envelopes for them beforehand, and I'll give them out as we are tidying up.

I'm going to give the venue a call and talk to them, I don't mind giving them a tip as you say after we've received the service!

But I'm still at a loss of how much to give??

We're pretty much at the top end of our budget already and not much time to save anymore as only have 9 weeks to go

My venue requested a 5% service charge fee. It was £625. At the time I thought 'you cheeky wotsits' but then I saw how hard they worked for me on the day, dressing the room, ensuring my disabled mum's meal was cut up neatly, driving us around the estate for photos in a golf buggy, putting my lanterns in the trees, setting out 50 votives around the garden, setting up my 'just married' lanterns etc etc. They were all on earpieces like security guards during the meal, coordinating which table to set the food down on next and ensuring everyone had wine and champagne etc - it was incredible. They all wore white gloves and put all 10 meals down at the exact same moment on each table! When we arrived, it was just like downton abbey with the housekeeper and the butlers and all the staff standing in a row waiting for our arrival and giving us glasses of champagne. They also cleared the carpark so my vintage jaguars could sit at the very front looking photogenic!

I did not begrudge them a single penny. If I had paid for an on-the-day coordinator it would have cost me at least that and I do not believe they would have worked so hard as my lovely venue did.

I definitely do not begrudge tipping, but am not keen on the automatic addition of it on any bill. As a generous tipper, establishments tend to get less if they only add 10 % on

I had no issue with emailing our venue and saying that we would be tipping on the day. They removed the tip from our invoice.

I don't think this is remotely problematic in any type of venue/restaurant/whatever. I have had it on good authority from the owner of a famous Manchester restaurant that they automatically add the tip to act as a reminder to people who might "forget" to leave one - a bit of psychology, if you like.

Oh my gosh, I'd never even considered the tipping in my budget. Is this normal practice?! Wow, best get saving!!

Another one here who hadn't even considered tipping :/
I always tip generously but really hadn't thought to tip our coordinators. Is this a normal thing to do then I take it?
I remember saying to one of ours that we'd pay for an extra 2 people in numbers for her & the other to get something to eat & she said "oh goodness no, we're usually lucky to get a slice of bread by the end of the night we're begging the caterers for a soggy sandwich or something" but then joked how she didn't mind etc.
So I hadn't even thought of tipping. I assumed since paying loads for the venue that they'd be getting a fair amount off that but re thinking my decision now as we were just getting them a nice bunch of flowers each :/

Ours adds 12.5% on all food and drink as standard. I can't remember the exact cost for the food alone but it's at least £500 service charge.

The thing is, if I didn't have my wedding there that day thn the restaurant would be open and the staff would be getting tips. I wouldn't want them to begrudge my wedding as they get less money!!

I hadn't even thought to leave a tip...is it what people do?

It's very early days for us but it hadn't occurred to me that staff may expect tips. If anything, I imagine we'd get a bit of 'thank you' gift for the wedding planner as I can tell already she will be doing whatever she can to make the day perfect.

To the OP, I agree with what others have said, speak to your planner and explain you do not feel comfortable tipping beforehand. That at least gives you a bit more time to think about what to do!