Do you count vendors for food head count?

Anyone working 6+ hours should be fed and included in your headcount. Many vendors require it in their contracts.

I would check with your venue/caterer. Some venues have a discounted rate per plate for vendors and they need to know ahead of time. For my venue the vendors count as a guest but kids under 5 are free, so it all evens out. I would also check with your vendors contract, it may be required that you provide a meal and if you don't have as many no-shows as you think you might have an issue.

I just ordered food for 200. I’m not planning on having that many people.

But, yes, you should plan to feed them even if they don’t eat. It’s better to count them and they don’t eat than not count them and they were expecting to be fed.

I was 😒when my DoC told me that my Vendors would need to eat. They’re being PAID! Why do I need to PAY to feed them as well?!

There’s: Arby’s, Burger King, McDonald’s, and Subway otw to the venue.

Yes you need to feed them. Our venue offered discount vendor meals so check if yours does as well. They are working long hours for your wedding and definitely need food!

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I feel this way, no seriously. I am paying 1200 for photos, deduct your meal?? Anywho I am sure people wont show. I wont be adding extra...Just me.

View Quoted Comment I read something today about if they’re working 8 or more hours then they need to eat.

My Vendors will not be there that long.

View Quoted Comment I’m not sure if there’s a standard “this vendor is working this many hours they don’t require food.” I would check your contracts. My wedding planner, photographer, and DJ had it in the contract that they required a hot meal. Our DJ was there under 8 hours but still required food as it was during dinner time.

For those of you who don't want to feed your vendors, would you like them to leave your wedding for 45-60 minutes to go to Arby's? In many states a meal break is mandated after 5.5 hours. Even if it's not mandated, do you really want your photographer or DJ to be hungry in the middle of your wedding? Feeding wedding vendors is very typical, and as others have mentioned often required by contracts.

We included our photographer and our florist because we’re also close to both of them.

Is this for a plated meal? I'd caution providing an inaccurate head count. What if all show up? You might be able to get away with this if you are having a buffet, but usually there is someone in charge counting people.

Inquire about vendor meals from your caterer. It is normally a discounted price with different options. All my vendors staying for the duration of the wedding required a *hot* meal as part of the contract. They ate when the guests ate (albeit in a different room?) so they wouldn't miss anything. For example, would you really want your coordinator or photographer leave in the middle of your reception to purchase their dinner elsewhere? They could miss important events or throw the whole schedule off if they were unexpectedly delayed.

I know in our photography contract we were required to provide him and his assistant a meal and if not, they had the right to leave the venue for 45 minutes during dinner to get their own food. We decided it was better to provide the meals rather than have them leave and miss something. We also included our DJ.

I doubt your photographer is going to be taking pictures while everyone is eating. Mine will definitely have a hot meal to eat with the rest of us.

Check about vendor meals. Our vendor meals are 75% cheaper than our per plate cost for guests. We asked each vendor that would be there at the reception, our DOC said no, but photographer, DJ and photo booth attendant said yes.

Yes i added in my dj and caricature drawer to the guest list since they will eat

View Quoted Comment LOL!!!!! 🤣🤣🤣

Im not sure about etiquette, but we are including all vendors in our head count. Just seemed like the polite thing to do.

If they are there just as long as the guests you should include them. Or you could always ask them if they would like to eat with you guys.

I would add them in your head count! You know they will definitely be there and I’d like them to be fed and happy! Don’t need any hangry vendors at your wedding!