Food for vendors

Generally your caterer will have an option for “vendor meal”. Ask your vendors if they’ll need a meal. Most will need to eat, but like my photographers said they prefer to bring their own food so definitely important to ask.

View Quoted Comment Thank you! I didn’t even think of asking the vendors if they need a meal. That’s a really good question to ask!

They usually get a different meal and some vendors might add in the contract that they need it but I think you might want to give some meals anyway because you want them to feel refreshed to do their jobs

I would say yes definitely— they are working hard to help make your day perfect—

I offer for them to eat.

I think it really depends. No I’m not a DJ(yes I know my user name is DJ) But I truly think the only person that might deserve the same meal is the DJ/band. They are the ones that are actually like wedding guests because they are entertaining your guests all night and they’re trying to be the life of the party. At the same time I do think it is a little ridiculous when I see these vendors put it in their contract that they want the same meal as everyone else. We pay them $2000 plus to do a job for roughly 5 or so hours and they don’t know how to feed themselves? Some people claim that they feed all of their vendors down to the florist and they feed them the same meals as their guests! Sorry but I had to make cuts on my own guest list of my own friends and family, I am not going to pay on top of the two grand that I’ve already paid these people to feed them steak dinner. It just gets to the point where some of these vendors think that they are actual guests of your wedding instead of their to do a job. I can totally understand providing a meal for the DJ or band because they have a lot of equipment they have to lug and it’s hard to prepare, but for everyone else it’s just kind of silly. I saw this one woman saying she was even feeding her limo driver! Sorry but I was a server for years and I would never expect to eat the same meal as my customers that I’m serving. Sometimes I would work eight hours straight without a break snacking on a protein bar in between. It’s just a part of the job in all honesty and the fact that some of these vendors are such babies about wanting the same meal is outrageous in my opinion but again it’s entirely up to you. If you can afford to add more people on a headcount then go It

View Quoted Comment Yes the vendor meals are about 25 to 40 bucks per vendor so it is way less than your actual headcount but be prepared as many vendors will get offended by you offering them a vendor meal.

View Quoted Comment I totally totally respect your opinion, but I do have to say I am paying $2000plus each for these vendors to do a job for roughly 5-6hours so I would just think that the price they charge would come with the common professional notion of “yes I will show up refreshed and prepared”. I still haven’t found a photographer because of this very issue. He asked me if I was going to be feeding them and I said yes and my venue offers a vendor meal and he seemed so offended and he said well no sorry I put in my contract I want the same meal as the guests. I’m sorry but I am not going to serve these people filet mignon with lobster on top when I paid them to work, not to mention I had to make cuts on my own guest list just to afford my wedding.

Yes you should definitely feed them. Most caterers offer a vendor meal included or much cheaper then guest. Just think: some of these people will be there for 12 hours. They need to eat!

Our photographer had it in the contract that after x amount of hours were required to provide a meal. Our DJ is a friend and will also get a meal (would have been invited if not doing our music)

Yes - it’s a courtesy to provide a meal for the vendors like dj and photographer. Typically it’s more of a sandwich and at my venue it’s an extra $12. A photographer is with you 8-10 hours or at least mine is and while we’re eating, he should grab a bite to eat. (Do you really want him snapping pictures while you’ve got food in your mouth.)

Yes. Many vendors have it in their contracts, if they work X hours or more, they must be provided a meal. Even if it weren’t in the contract, I would still feed them unless they prefer to prepare their own food. These are the people responsible for making your event happen. Ex, my videographer and photographers will be working 8-9 hours not including their travel time. I want to make sure they have food and energy. Vendors who aren’t there at least 3 hours don’t need to be fed (florists who come to set up, cake delivery person, musicians, etc). If you have a coordinator, s/he will tell the vendors when it’s time for them to eats. If you don’t have a coordinator, write it into the schedule and make sure they know.

Definitely feed them! My wedding planner and assistants worked a 12 hour day. My photographer and her assistants were there for 9 hours. Our vendor meals were $35 compared to $135 for guests. They ate the same thing but it was in a different room and served family style rather than plated in courses. You want your vendors happy and someone who has been on their feet all day and is only fed a sandwich won’t be happy working your wedding. Also usually if you don’t feed them you have to give them a lunch break to go get food which means they’ll miss part of the wedding.

I would also talk to your caterer. Ours includes 3-4 "extra" meals built into our booking so we aren't being charged to feed our photographers or DJ, however I did include our pastor/officiant in our headcount regardless of if I had to. Our photographer also talked to us about when we signed our contract and just requested we let them know if they need to pick up their own food.

Usually the photographer, the DJ and the planner need a meal. Your catering usually sets up a small table for them inside where the guests can see. They take their meals usually while the guests are having dinner. Usually like half hour.

I meant: where the guests can’t see. Haha sorry!

Definitely feed your vendors! Usually the ones that need to be fed are the ones working during your reception -- besides catering staff as that is typically worked out with the catering company. So your photographer, videographer, DJ or band, planner or coordinator, etc. Typically catering companies charge a vendor meal price so it saves you some money and most of the times it's the same food as the guests are getting. I've rarely seen vendor meals be a sandwich and chips anymore. I do have to say, in regards to PP response of the vendors can feed themselves, this isn't always the case. Some venues may be secluded and the vendor doesn't have a chance to leave and get something to eat. Sometimes, parking lots where the vendor may have their food are too far away and they waste too much time getting their meal which, in return, makes them miss your speeches, first dances, etc. Or there may not be a way to keep the meal cool on a super hot summer day. While you may be paying these people, they are also in charge of your memories and making your day the best day ever. So feed them well