Do I need to send invites to my vendors?

They're not guests; they're working. So no.

No you don't need to send vendors invites.

I would say "no" for all the vendors except the officiant, only because I don't know how it works for other peoples. For me, we are getting married in my church by a priest I grew up with, so he will be invited to the reception as a guest. Since the officiant isn't working at the reception like your photographer and DJ, sending him an invitation would be a nice gesture.

Uhh I just realized I said "peoples." hah woops.

Thank you guys! I didn't want to look like an idiot by not sending them if I was suppose to. Good to know!

I had considered sending one to the officiant, but he's a total stranger (we won't even meet him until about a month before the wedding) so I thought he might feel awkward about it and almost feel obligated to attend the reception... even if he doesn't want to. :-/

No unless they would have been guests if they still didn't provide a service to you. For example, our photographer grew up with my FH so even though he is working the wedding he and his wife will be receiving an invite from us because they would have been invited regardless and we want them to be able to have actual seats and be able to sit down and eat dinner with us too.

Gee, I'm not Emily Post so I'm not sure what her answer would be. However, I can say I was very touched, and just a little confused when one of my brides mailed me an invitation. BTW, the invitation was just beautiful...I'm saving to bring to the wedding to photograph it in case she forgets. I digress...so I called the bride to tell her, that absolutely, of course I would be there...we have a contract! She stated she wasn't sure (same as you), and was just covering her bases. Sooo, I really don't think you are supposed to send an invite to your vendors...unless you have some extra ones & just really want to. I was touched

I have to agree with everyone on the forum. There is no reason to send it to vendors...They are contracted to be there. That is still very sweet of you to event think of that...If they do a great job you can always send them a nice Thank you card.

You can send invites to the vendors that you would like to stay around as guest like your makeup artist, florist. It is really not necessary and not expected. Happy Planning

Yasmine

I agree with Mrs. Horning and well I guess everyone else. I would only send them if you knew the person and would have invited them if they weren't providing the service for you. A few of my vendors got invites (like my photographer, videographer and officiants) but they are all friends and I would invite them even if they weren't helping to make our special day special with their services.

Thank you guys SO much! At least this will save me a few invites & postage!

@Danielle R.--I also wondered if you needed to send them invites, so I'm glad you asked the "dumb question" before I did. LOL.

Here's one other thing that I wondered about. Do you have to add the vendors in to your total for the food? Do they eat or do they not? I went to my brother's wedding, but it was so long ago, I honestly don't remember if they fed them or not.

I'm a little fuzzy on this one too. I know that I'm including my DJ into the food equation because he did ask me to specify whether or not he would be eating there, so I'll probably include my photographer & planner as well.

Hi Danielle,

Save your invitations for your guests. It is not necessary to send invitations to your vendors. They are just working your event. Hope this helps and good luck to you.

As a supplier of invitations I would most whole haertedly support sending them to your vendors,their relatives, local politicians, the dog catcher...

But in the real world no just send them to the invited guests.

LOL @ Glen

I'm a photo booth vendor and NO, you do not need to send us an invitation nor to anyone else that will work @ your wedding. Hope you have a great wedding. Cheers!!! )))

The officiant typically needs an invitation, if you plan on at least feeding his family. I sent one to my officiant, and they were touched and very grateful for the consideration. But, this is not a dumb question. Congrats!

You don't have to send invitations to any vendor. They should be there to do thier job, not be guests. You may want to have an extra invitation handy for your photographer to incorporate into your album or prints.