Tipping the Maitre D

Hi -

I'm getting married in a couple weeks at the Inn at NHPK and we recently went to pick up some things and was given an envelope for the Maitre D tips. We were told that you give $3-$5 per person to the Maitre D if you feel he did a good job. I am all about tipping great service but then was looking at my contract and became a bit confused.

On top of what I am paying per head....there is a 20% service fee which will come out to $8000. Isnt that service fee supposed to pay for the Maitre D as well?? Am I supposed to tip then? I fully intended on tipping the bridal attendant bc she is my best friend that day and helping out in a different way - but isnt the purpose of the Maitre D to provide the services? Isnt the separate 20% charge on top of my per head price just for that purpose?

Please respond! I want to make sure I do things the right way and am very confused!

Thanks!!

From what I remember, the $$ for service charge gets split between the waitstaff, chefs, and other service people that day. So its not just $8000 going to the maitre d, it gets split to a lot of people.

That said, they usually do suggest a range to tip the maitre d;

Honestly, give you can afford. if you're having, lets say, almost 200 guests, thats $600-$1000 tip. Seems a bit much. Give what you can and what you feel they deserve based on the service you received.

Hope that helps.

Im getting married at the Inn @ New Hyde Park as well.

The 20% service charge is for all the waiters/cooks. It does not include the Maitre D or your bridal attendants.

Upon booking, they recommend you tip 3-5 as you said above in addition to the 20% per plate.

I know, its annoying, but I do know they made sure this was understood when I booked. She wrote it in my contract.