A ? about an estimate.....

[momrek06]

Before I call the restaurant and inquire I wanted to ask here....

I have been working on and planning DS & DF's wedding rehearsal dinner. They picked out a fabulous restaurant. We all went there in May before DH & I left for CA and loved it. Food was awesome and the room specifically for the r.d. is just so lovely.

I got an estimate from them today and on it it states the following......

Gratuity, Staffing and Supervision = 18%
Service Charge (Gratuity, Service Charge and Tax apply to all costs and are cumulative) = 5%
Sales tax = 8%

For the 30 I have attending the rehearsal dinner it will be $845.00 for the tax protion of the bill.

So 31% tax on the rehearsal dinner? Do you think that is what restaurants charge for an event such as this or do you think it might be an error on this estimate?

TIA!

 

[java]

The 18% is the TIP not a tax
You are only being charged an 8% tax
The service charge is in addition to the TIP. I would ask them to drop that. In this economy they may be willing to negotiate. That 5% service charge is one I would dispute.
But it isn't unheard of.

And how much is it a person? To end up with an over $800 portion on around 30% you are talking a bill of $2400? for 30 people??
It must be one hell of a place.
I could get better in NYC I think.

 

[mickeyboat]

8% tax, you can't do anything about.
18% gratuity, is pretty standard for large parties
5% service charge - I would ask what that is for and see if it can be waived.

Good luck, I hope it all goes beautifully.

Denae

 

[momrek06]

The 18% is the TIP not a tax
You are only being charged an 8% tax
The service charge is in addition to the TIP. I would ask them to drop that. In this economy they may be willing to negotiate. That 5% service charge is one I would dispute.
But it isn't unheard of.

Thanks, java.
Yes, absolutely 18% is tip!

I thought looking at it I might be over taxed but then again I am not sure...5% states gratuity next to as well as the 18%. This is the second estimate I have received.

First estimate I received stated the actual meal selection and on the bottom was the following....menu price is $xx per person PLUS 18% staffing, supervision & gratuity. 5% service charge and state tax applied. So I am confused to this 8% sales tax on this new estimate.

 

[momrek06]

And how much is it a person? To end up with an over $800 portion on around 30% you are talking a bill of $2400? for 30 people??
It must be one hell of a place.
I could get better in NYC I think.

It is kinda pricey I thought but DS & DF really wanted this place and DH & I agreed so..........

$75.00 pp. The bill I am looking at right now which is including the wine I will have on the tables (as well as soda and coffee and tea) = $3424.00!!!

Oh and the house wine = $31.00 per bottle. $60.00 for coffee and tea and $60.00 for soda.

I need to inquire as to table linens and decorations and I am so sure that will probably be an additional cost!

 

[CookieDiva]

(Gratuity, Service Charge and Tax apply to all costs and are cumulative) = 5%
Sales tax = 8%[/I]

...
So 31% tax on the rehearsal dinner? Do you think that is what restaurants charge for an event such as this or do you think it might be an error on this estimate?

Well, it really is more than 31%. If I am figuring it correctly, let's say that your food (for ease of math) is $1000. I think that they way that it would be figured is 1000 times 18% which will be $1180. Then multiply THAT times 1.05 (the 5% service fee) which gives you $1239. Then multiply THAT times 1.08 (your tax) and you get $1338.20.

So it looks like you are adding 33.82% on top of the food.

Wow! Did I figure that correctly???

 

[momrek06]

8% tax, you can't do anything about.
18% gratuity, is pretty standard for large parties
5% service charge - I would ask what that is for and see if it can be waived.

Good luck, I hope it all goes beautifully.

Denae

Thanks, Denae!!!


I agree...I will call and inquire about the 5% tax. Seems it may be a duplicate charge??

 

[CookieDiva]

Well, it really is more than 31%. If I am figuring it correctly, let's say that your food (for ease of math) is $1000. I think that they way that it would be figured is 1000 times 18% which will be $1180. Then multiply THAT times 1.05 (the 5% service fee) which gives you $1239. Then multiply THAT times 1.08 (your tax) and you get $1338.20.

So it looks like you are adding 33.82% on top of the food.

Wow! Did I figure that correctly???

ETA: We just had a wedding last year and the price was Food + 19% Gratuity + 6% state tax. No service fee. And I don't know if it was "cumulative" or not.

 

[OctMtnWoods]

I had no idea things had gotten that expensive. Our entire reception didn't even come to that much. Wow.

I'm doing my best right now, but I can't even remember where our rehersal dinner was. I do remember everyone at my DMIL's house, so maybe that's what we did. Have I been married so long that I can't even remember? yikes.

Sounds nice. Have fun with the festivities.

 

[momrek06]

I had no idea things had gotten that expensive. Our entire reception didn't even come to that much. Wow.

I'm doing my best right now, but I can't even remember where our rehersal dinner was. I do remember everyone at my DMIL's house, so maybe that's what we did. Have I been married so long that I can't even remember? yikes.

Sounds nice. Have fun with the festivities.

Thanks, OctMtnWoods....yes, we are having so much fun. Well I have been married a very long time and cannot even remember IF we indeed did have a rehearsal dinner.... !!!!!!!!!!!

I actually asked the wedding planner at this restaurant if it could be buffet style...immediately was told no. Then I was discussing wine and my DS said he would actually buy the wine and bring it to the dinner. I told the wedding planner at the restaurant we would bring our own wine....nope state laws say we cannot bring the wine into the restaurant......so that was a no! Yup, it all adds up.

 

[TLSnell1981]

The 5% may be for "set up". It would be for those who aren't servers. Some places charge a flat fee for this service. You may be able to negotiate this fee.

Weddings are expensive but,...if you can afford it...the experience is priceless.

Good luck and best wishes.

 

[CookieDiva]

I had no idea things had gotten that expensive. Our entire reception didn't even come to that much. Wow.

How long ago where you married? Because our DD and SIL's reception for 200 last year was 10 times that much!

 

[momrek06]

How long ago where you married? Because our DD and SIL's reception for 200 last year was 10 times that much!

I know.....DF's family are paying allot for this wedding. I do not feel all that bad paying $3500.00 for the rehearsal dinner. We are also paying for the flowers for the bridal party. We are paying for the videographer as well.

DF and her parents and DS, DH & I all went to this restaurant back in May and all agreed it was wonderful. We knew we were moving to CA in a matter of weeks and decided instead of going from place to place to look for a restaurant, that this was the place to have it. It was the last dinner we all had together and it was a fabulous meal and time together.

 

[Anewman]

I would not get too caught up with the breakdown of charges, if the TOTAL cost is acceptable... go with it, if not acceptable go elsewhere.

 

[momrek06]

I would not get too caught up with the breakdown of charges, if the TOTAL cost is acceptable... go with it, if not acceptable go elsewhere.

Well, like I said we are all in total agreement on the restaurant, so that is a huge plus right there.

BUT with every payment I have made from the first deposit back in June...it is all non-refundable...so no changing our minds at all.

 

[momrek06]

The 5% may be for "set up". It would be for those who aren't servers. Some places charge a flat fee for this service. You may be able to negotiate this fee.

Weddings are expensive but,...if you can afford it...the experience is priceless.

Good luck and best wishes.

Thanks, TL, my first getting married and we are having so much fun despite the distant between us. The kiddos have recently done their registries. Their excitement as the months and days get closer is priceless.

 

[bumbershoot]

Something I might suggest...let the restaurant know why you chose them. Because sometimes events are done differently than just eating at a restaurant, and I would make sure that they know that your expectations are for the good food you had while just eating there.

I was going to say I'm stunned at the cumulative part, but then as I tried to write it out, I realized that we ONLY had the 18% service charge (aka tip), b/c we married in Oregon, where there is no sales tax (excellent 9% savings right there, versus having it in homestate of WA).