AboutShannon M Mason Expertise As an accredited Professional Bridal Consultant, I can answer questions involving all aspects of wedding and event planning. From budgets and organization to menus and timelines, each part of the planning process is just as important as the next. Whether you are looking for answers to traditional wedding questions or you want to venture outside the box, ask away! If we don’t have the answer we will find it for you!
Experience I am the owner of New Beginnings Wedding & Event Management and have been planning weddings and events for 13 years. I attend networking and training classes on a regular basis to keep abreast of the latest trends and fashions.
Organizations 21st Century Nuptials, Coordinators Corner, Jacksonville Bridal Association
Education/Credentials Professional Bridal Consultant - Association of Bridal Consultants
Question QUESTION: What would you expect the gratuity on in this scenario. And if it is 20% based on great experience what would that 20% be based on.....Food and labor? would cost of rentals be included?
ANSWER: Frank:
Gratuity is usually provided to the labor group that handles the catering. Your other vendors would most likely be owners and therefore should not receive a gratuity.
As far as your rentals are concerned, it depends on your caterer as to whether the rentals would be included.
Best wishes,
~Shannon
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: thanks. In the event that I got an itemized invoice from them listing:
Food
Labor
Rentals
Then could I expect the 20% standard to be calculated from the total of those. Is there a standard here or is it a case by case. Thanks
Answer Frank:
If you are looking to pay a gratuity from the invoice, then it should only be from the food portion of the bill. Nothing else!
I usually tell my clients that gratuity is earned and you should only feel the need to pay that if they go above and beyond. If so, then between 15%-20% is the norm.
