Plus Plus Isn’t Always Positive
If you are planning a wedding or event anytime in the future, you will want to know about “Plus Plus.”
“Plus Plus” refers to the service charge and sales tax added on top of the fees charged by hotels, country clubs, caterers, and many event service providers. Service charge rates typically range from 15% to 25%. Do not confuse the service charge with gratuity, they are not one in the same. In fact, I consider a service charge more of a “surcharge.”
Example:
You are planning your wedding at the local hotel. The hotel is charging you $100 per person for the food and beverage package you chose. The hotel’s service charge is the normal 25%. The tax rate for the hotel is 9.375%. In addition to the $100 per person, the hotel will add the service charge of 25% and then add the sales tax of 9.375%. The equation looks like this = (100 X 1.25 X 1.09375 = $136.72)
From the example above, it is clear that the fee is not $100 per person. The total fee per person in this example is $136.72. It is important to understand this before you sign the contract. Ask for the “Bottom Line” price. You need to know if the price they are quoting you is “Inclusive” or “Plus Plus.” If the price is “Inclusive” there is no additional charge, service charge and tax are included.
Jason Diavatis is a Certified Wedding Consultant at Bay Area Entertainment. Bay Area Entertainment has been providing Wedding Planning, Day of Coordination and professional DJ and Live Entertainment in the San Francisco Bay Area and Napa Valley Wine Country since 1993.
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