Previous ROR brides... Tipping

[kitty_kat_uk]

this may sound really awful, and coming from the UK we have a different stance on tips. Yes I will tip if the service has been great, but I won't go out of my to tip everyone just for tipping's sake. The people you are already paying $350 for to do a job, should not then expect a tip - they're already being paid.

[kitty_kat_uk]

that said, we did tip in Mexico, but not after every drink or everytime the maid came. If the same server had done drinks for us all night we'd give them a tip as we were going to bed, the maid would get some at the end of each week! see I'm not all bad

[blurt]

We have been to Cuba & Dominican, we tipped the maid everyday and if any of the restaurant staff had been really helpful. We also tipped the bar staff who served us the most before we went to bed. I think we will be doing the same in Jamaica.

[chicklet]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott-Pierre Maureen- Thanks for the idea about the cards! For the officiant, Chandlyn, and Michael how did you base your tips? For example, restaurant tipping is customarily 15-20%, hair services are 20%, etc. Is there a rule of thumb for wedding related items? Hope that question makes sense!

My advice to you in regards to tipping chandlyn, michael etc is to wait until their services are fully complete and give it exactly to them. I believe the tip I gave to Michael may have not gotten to him.

[Scott-Pierre]

Thanks for all the suggestions!

[geology_rocks]

Quote:

Originally Posted by chicklet My advice to you in regards to tipping chandlyn, michael etc is to wait until their services are fully complete and give it exactly to them. I believe the tip I gave to Michael may have not gotten to him.

I'll second this advice. Chandlyn's tip stayed nicely in my wallet since she couldn't be bothered to help with our wedding but was in a big hurry to attend another couple's rehearsal instead.

We would tip the bartenders and servers $1 here or there, they really seemed to appreciate it. I tipped the salon girls $20 each for mani/pedi/hair/makeup for my MOH and I, they seemed extremely grateful. Tour guides/operators expect to be tipped, they earn very small wages and survive on those tips.

[raeshb]

Thanks for the tipping feedback everyone!!

[KelandJay81]

Hi Ladies,

 

I haven't stayed at the ROR yet either but here is my two cents:

Something I do for the housekeepers is to leave them "gifts" with a note explaining that it is for them. I have left markers and crayons for their children, bath and body works lotions and hand sanitizers (the small ones often go on sale for $1). Then leave them a modest tip.

 

It is too bad but it is human nature to give better service to the person who tips. We were recently at the Melia Caribe and we tipped the bartended well the first night and all we had to do was walk into the bar area the next night and he knew what we were drinking and we didn't even have to ask.

It is your call and not mandatory but appreciated.

 

 

[meeshie77]

Great post!  Thanks for this!

[hutchets]

We just got married in April 2011 at ROR.  We took one's and fives with us for tipping just in case.  I know that we would leave a dollar or two for our maid but not each day.  My husband would tip a bartender in the morning, maybe $5, at the pool we were at.  We did notice that they were more generous with the alcohol in our drinks with an early tip.  I don't like drinking tons of sugary drinks so this helped if you know what I mean.  When we transferred to Couples Tower Isle, tipping isn't allowed and I had to stand by the bartender and tell him to keep pouring the rum so that I got what I wanted.  This was frustrating-especially since it cost more $ to stay there!  (We won't go back to Couples and enjoyed RIU more).

We did not tip the officiant nor the wedding coordinator.  It totally slipped my mind and I realized it after we left the RIU!  We did tip the waiter taking care of us for our semi-private reception because he did much more than I had ever read on here from other brides.  He set up the tables with our decorations for us rather than having to have a friend or family member do this.  He also got us alcoholic drinks from the bar which i guess is not the norm.  You typically have to get them yourself if you want something other than wine.  There were not very many people int he restaurant so our party really lucked out and did not have to leave the table at all.  I believe he got a 50.00 tip!  We took 250 with us for tipping and didn't spend but maybe 80 total on tips.

My travel agent said that she NEVER tips at any all inclusive but my husband tips big here at home so he was definitely going to tip at the RIU.  It makes him feel good because they don't make much money at all.  We are glad we did.