So, you’ve planned your party, everything was awesome, and you want to tip your amazing staff. How do you figure out whom to tip, how much to tip, and when to tip? It can be a bit mind-boggling to figure out on your own, and it can be hard to get a straight answer from your vendors. But still, wouldn’t it be nice to get some direction from the experts? Yes! Here are a few helpful hints from us to make you a tipping pro.

1. Are You Sure You’re Not Already Paying a Tip?

Here’s where it’s important to read your contract and ask your Catering Representative questions. Some caterers will charge a “Gratuity” which is split between the servers present at your event. If your contract doesn’t have a line item for “Gratuity”, it probably is not already included. However, be sure to check with your caterer to make sure that the gratuity is not already included before deciding to tip your wait staff. Also, be sure that you know the difference between “production charge” and “gratuity.” Most caterers (including Main Course California) will charge a percentage fee called a “Production Charge,” “Production Fee,” or “Service Charge.” [Read more…]