Venue adding on a gratuity payment?

I've not heard of this before, It seems incredibly cheeky. I used to work at a hotel that did weddings (10+ years ago- an independent) and unless the venue kept it we as staff certainly never saw any so I assume it wasnt something they did. I know there are some places that for a meal in a restaurant of a certain number in a group they do add on gratuity but I have no actual experience of it I'm afraid. Maybe have a look online for reviews of your venue and see if its mentioned by anyone? I am a waitress so would always intend on tipping but there's a way to do it and that is in good spirits having had the experience and as a show of gratitude! Maybe just say another family member will be in charge of that part on the day. Good luck

View quoted message Thanks for your reply Louise. I did have a look at the ratings on here but I think this is something they've recently started doing and no-one else has mentioned it in their reviews. That is an idea to say someone else is covering it though, might do that. The hotel planner didn't say anything when we had our meeting but it is there in small print on the brochure. I do feel weird about it, it's a shame 😐

I’ve worked weddings and events at hotels before and have never been tipped. I’m being paid to work that day as a waitress/server/bar tender etc and normally wouldn’t get tips let alone get tipped in advance.
I’m sure the staff wouldn’t know as they are being paid their usual wage that day to work. If the payment goes to them it’s probably a payment in their pay like an extra £70 (random number) for working an event. If it’s optional then I reckon the staff would get a payment regardless.
I personally wouldn’t pay it. But I don’t like paying gratuity before I’ve received the service. Maybe after the event I would then pay depending how it went.

View quoted message Thanks Emma. I'm thinking that if we did that they would probably get their tips in their pay packet and pay tax? I agree, I wouldn't like to tip someone before the service as surely that's the whole point.

Personally if you love the venue then I wouldn’t worry- if the gratuity was included in the base price you expected to pay and you were happy can’t see why them carving it out separately is bothering you. Unless I’ve misunderstood and the £500 is in excess of what you expected to pay.

View quoted message Yes, the 10% is on top of the published price for the package price, so another £500 on top.

View quoted message Oh that’s cheeky. I wouldn’t pay it- if the service warrants I would pay the staff directly .

View quoted message Oh yes I didn’t think of that, they would then get taxed on it!
Maybe you could put some money aside and then on the day, after the dinner maybe, give the gratuity then.

Maybe ask them what it covers and who it goes to?is it If they have to get extra staff in to work the wedding, or is it a bonus to staff for working or even do the staff actually get it xx

It seems weird to me to be giving a gratuity before you receive the service. If you feel the service you experience deserves an extra payment by way of acknowledgement, you can give that afterwards, but to ask for it in advance is really cheeky!

Thanks everyone, I appreciate your comments so far. I had no idea if this was the normal thing to do or not, but it seems like it isn't. It would have been better if the wedding rep at the hotel had explained it but he didn't. I'm a bit funny about extra charges on things, I would have really appreciated the honesty!

View quoted message Yes, I might email him and ask how the money specially gets used, I'd like to know. Good idea.