Are we supposed to feed vendors?

If it's over $45 a plate...it's understanding not to feed vendor... but find out what vendor likes to eat and buy separate meal...

example... $10-$15 from subway,,,etc...

One wedding I went too,, they have 1 small room full of food,,,just for vendor $100-$150 budget feeds 10-20 vendors

Most vendors ask if you will be feeding them and if they are allowed to eat while providing their services. I will be feeding my DJ, photographer and DOC.

Great question. I plan on feeing my vendors because we're having 2 separate cultural ceremonies in one day so it will be selfish of me not to feed them (the ceremonies plus cocktail hour=5 hours total), but here's another question... Where do they sit to eat dinner? Should I be making a separate vendor table?

My photographer and her assistant will be working for 9 hours--they are definitely getting fed! My DJ said it wasn't necessary but I am including him anyway and let him know that he is welcome to eat. To me, having these people happy is just as important as having everyone else (and the FH and I) happy. Vibes matter.

I think it depends on the vendors and their length of stay if they are going to be their for a substantial amount of time then absolutely. Some vendors will have it right in their contract and others won't. Most venues will offer some sort of vendor price for their meals mine offers vendors meals at half the price.

I have been seated with guests and I have been seated with vendors -- either is fine with me. As the officiant, my time is short so I don't require that I be fed.

But, if someone is working with you hour after hour after hour, feed them so they don't have to leave to get food.

Check with your venue/caterer to see if they have a separate price for vendors. We're feeding our vendors, but our venue is providing separate meals for the vendors. They're going to serve them sandwiches or burgers plus a side of chips, fruit, or fries. They'll include non-alcoholic beverages with the meals for $10/person. We're paying about $70/person for all of our guests.

Uhm.... YES. YES, you feed every single person who is helping make that day special, guest or vendor. And while I realize many caterers offer a "vendor meal", think about it... Your MOH is helping you with so much, would you consider feeding her a ham sandwich while everyone else is eating prime rib? Your vendors are a HUGE part of your day -- inviting them to the same meal is respect. It should be part of what you budget in. Ask your caterer what the vendor meal is, and think about how you'd feel if that was what YOU had to eat instead of the meal the other 150+ people in the room are eating.

That said -- simply ask. Ask your dj if he will be able to take time to eat. If he would prefer a plated meal or a boxed meal.

As for seating... if there are numerous vendors (2 photographers, wedding planner, videographers, etc.) considering having a vendor table that matches the others. Otherwise, just like every other seating assignment, compliment personalities.

Yes, the venue or caterer usually has a vendor meal that costs a lot less that your guest meal.

Yes, but most venues have 50% price for vendors food.

We did. The way I see it, these people are sharing one of the most important days of your life with you, and you want them to do a good job on your wedding day. So keep them well fed and happy

I will be feeding the DJs , photo/video, and coordinators

I'm such a lucky bride. All of my "vendors" are friends who would be invited as guests even if they weren't--stylist, florist, cake artist, dj. All friends. Saving me a ton of money too. Except my photographer, who is a pro I've never met. When I told him about our menu, he was pretty excited. Said he was tired of eating rubber chicken breasts and limp vegetables every Saturday night.

I am feeding all of mine. I decided this right away, but then was very fortunate that my catering manager feeds them all for free (so I don't even have to pay for it)! I couldn't imagine working all day and not eating...so I definitely knew I was going to feed them at least once!

Some vendors do require this, so you definitely want to check. But even if they don't, I would absolutely feed them.

For my photographer its in her contract that her and her partner get food...doesn't have to be the same as the guest but we are giving them what we are serving at the wedding only because i didn't think that a sandwich was enough to eat

I think it's important that you feed vendors. You may want to discuss with the vendors WHEN they will eat. At my brother's wedding, the photographers and videograher jumped right in the middle of the buffett line. There were still things going on...like toasts and what not. I know it seems that they ought to know when to take their meal break, but I thought it was unproffessional that they skipped out on photographing special things to eat. Afterall, they were paid to photograph the entire day.

Do vendors normally get alcohol? I am just asking because my hall manager asked that she know for the total price. I am assuming that it would be okay for them to have a drink, but not sure what other brides are doing.

@ Bert's girl, personally I wouldn't allow my vendors to have any alcohol, I have no idea how they behave when imbibing and I'm paying them for their services so I want them at the top of their game.

@Bert's girl - I made all of my vendors include in the contract that they are limited to tea, water, and soft drinks. I trust them completely, but you just never know. My aunt and uncle had an open bar at their wedding and the DJ got hammered and it was awful...no thanks!

As far as seating your vendors...do you have to make up placecards for them so they know where to sit?