Feeding Vendors

Definitely feed them. All of our vendors had it in their contract that they required a hot meal. Our vendor meals were $35 compared to $135 for normal guests. We had 7 vendors we fed on our wedding day.

Our venue require vendors in head count. It is full service venue as well.

I'm paying for vendor meals for vendors who will be there through the reception, like DJ and photographer. And I think $40 is a good price.

Of course you feed your vendors

Hi Nohely,
I was going back and forth with this as well since our venue is full service so we have to include vendors in our final headcount. I feel as if it is important to feed planners, photographers and videographers as those are the individuals that are with you all day. If you dont want to include everyone else I would definetly include them. But if you can afford to include all please do!

Some of our vendors require meals on contracts and others don’t. Out of courtesy we are feeding all of them We also have a full-service venue - our vendors (5 during the reception) will be eating the same meals as our guests for 1/2 price.

Our photographer, 2nd photographer, DJ and DOC have a hot meal in the contract. The officiant is leaving after the ceremony. I would have included them anyway, I think it's rude to have everyone eating in front of them.

Anyone working more than 4 hours, and across a mealtime, should be fed. You can talk with your vendors. Some will tell you that they prefer not to have your meal choices, as they may be eating at a different time by a couple of hours, like a photographer who takes a break after the first half hour of dancing, or a bartender who sets up , then takes a half hour to eat before cocktails start. And some who do 10 events in a month, or more, simply cannot manage that much rich food . So they might prefer the equivalent of a box lunch. Two of ours wanted sliced turkey or chicken sandwiches, a yogurt, fruit, and a dessert. The DJ had our meal. And one bartender and one photographer chose to accept $25 from us paid up front, to buy themselves a lunch to bring, and brought sandwich type things, with several things they could eat a little here, a little there, in ten minute breaks. Work it out with them, before you talk to the caterer about meals again. Not worth a disagreement with your caterer only to find some vendors prefer not to have the main meal.

I work as a wedding photographer and people tell me all the time to help myself. I rarely have a full plate of anything, I am too worked up and busy to settle and eat. Too afraid to miss something! So what I’m saying is, it’s a nice offer, but I’ve never really taken advantage. Vegan cupcakes however, I’ll always grab one of those. ♥️

You should absolutely feed your vendors. They will be with you for hours and will need to eat. Many vendors even have it in their contracts that they need to be provided with a meal.

Our guest meals are $131/person, we get 4 free vendor meals through our contract with our venue, and additional vendor meals are $40 on top of that. Gotta feed the vendors and keep everyone happy!

You need to feed your vendors. In fact, a lot of vendors have it in their contract that you provide a meal for them or else they need to leave for an hour or so to have their meal.

My venue does discounted vendor meals. A few of my vendors required a meal in their contracts. But I will be feeding all of my vendors. That is a long time to expect people to stay full and just good etiquette to feed them at least something

We fed our vendors the same meals as our guests.

We’re feeding our vendors. I feel like its etiquette to do so and its a long day. Our vendors are $100 each so consider youdelf lucky

You have to feed them. Most require it in their contracts. A lot of them will be working 5+ hours, you can't ask the to go that long without being fed. Especially since they'll be on their feet the whole time. And most venues will charge you for them, they're getting the same meals. Some venues may offer 50% off for vendors and gift them something more simple (since they likely won't be eating every course). But I'd say $40 a person isn't a bad fee. A lot of venues charge $100+ pp for weddings so $40 sounds about right for a vendor.

I know I'll be paying the full price for vendors around $65pp (this is the price pp for just food)

You have to feed them. Most will include it in their contract. My photographer says that if not provided a meal, they will leave the venue for an hour to go and get one, not responsible for whatever they might miss during that time. My caterer includes 5 vendor meals in the package.

You definitely feed your vendors.

Thank you for the feedback.
I want to clarify because I feel I did not do so clearly in my initial posting, that I'm a firm believer in feeding vendors and always have in prior events. However, I've never held an event at a venue that requires you to include the vendors in the headcount which is what prompted my question. I did learn a lot though!

None of my vendors have stated in their contracts anything about food, although by prior postings this seems popular, so good to know for future reference! And it looks like some places offer different rates for vendors (which has been my experience in the past) and others don't (which is interesting).

Thanks for replying ya'll! Happy wedding planning!

We’re feeding them, at least photographer & videographer who will be with us all day. But our caterer charges half price for them & venue doesn’t count them in the total number.