Do we send invites out to the Band?

In regular circumstances you would not need to send invitations to the band since you are hiring them for the music.

But - in your case I would send the invitations to them so you can get their meal choice if they're not getting the vendor meal.

Well we are having a buffet so does that still matter? Btw I didnt know you could do a vendor meal..thanks for that tip!

Most venues/caterers do offer a vendor meal - it's a good question to ask. Typically it's a sandwhich & chips, or chicken - it all depends on what type of place you're at. We're thinking of serving crab cake & filet mignon together for our guests. As you can imagine it is costly - and doesn't make much sense giving the DJ a $150 meal when he's already being paid a LOT and tipped ;o) We will be giving the expensive meal to our photographer - if I spoil him/her with food maybe the pictures will be better! haha

Do you need the invitations to get their offical headcount? Or will they already be in attendance and you know this 100%? Will they be paid for playing? If you put a deposit down for the band and you know that they'll be there and they wouldn't have been invited to the wedding otherwise - I would skip on the invites. If they're playing as a gift for you and FH I'd send an invitation

I dont need a offical headcount. The 2 friends would be coming either way..the other band members woudnt be since we dont really know them (met once when we seen them play out) but im sure that we are going to get a "good friend" discount from what we were told although not 100% on that so I thought giving them a meal that our guest have and drinks is a good Thanks on top of what we are going to be paying them (at a discounted rate). I just didnt want to send a invite really because im sure I would have to address it "John & Jane Doe" im sure the wifes will be coming and were on a very tight budget. thank you so much for your help