Yes, I have paid OOP for HDDR before and the payment includes taxes and tips. You will go to the dinner that night and not pay anything more, other than the extras like the pics you mentioned, or for "specialty drinks" beyond the standard included beverages (which includes free beer and sangria). They take your pic before you enter the show, and then they bring your photo to your table to view and decide if you want to purchase. I don't remember how much they are though...