Meals for vendors?

Yes, it's in the contract of most of mine. My photographer's says "hot meal served at the same time as bride and groom". I can't remember the rest because that one stuck out to me. So I'm feeding photographer and 2nd shooter, videographer and assistant, DJ, planner and two assistants and they're all at their own table.

Weird thing I didn't realize till I saw all the contracts, my vendors are charging me for parking lol.

I budgeted for it but made sure to ask as well, just in case they had any allergies, couldn't eat something for religious reasons, vegan, etc.

Our vendors state if they require a meal in their contracts. I don't care if they all eat since we have a buffet there will be plenty of food. Our photographer's contract states if the client does not provide a meal she is allowed 1 hour to leave to purchase food and then return. I don't know why someone would refuse to feed their photographer but I guess people do lol.

Think about it...would YOU want to be stuck someplace for the amount of time that your vendors will be and not be fed? Its not like they will be able to run up to McDonalds or order a pizza...(I soooo want some pizza now!)

We didn't even have to think about feeding them asked about vendor meals when we booked the reception venue

Look at your contract; anyone who is there for the full day or evening will probably have it in the contract and even if they don't, you should offer something. Vendor meals are usually less than guest meals and they usually do sit at a separate table or area.

Almost all my couples ask me, which is lovely, but I rarely stay past some of cocktail hour; I don't know anyone, very often I have to be somewhere else, and I don't want them to pay for me.

Yep, it states in my contracts as well, that meals are to be provided, and like @MrsPope, if I don't provide it they are allowed to leave for 1 hour to get food.

My photographer, on facebook, will post "thank yous" to the people who feed her the same meal as the bride and groom with the snarky hash tag #boxedmealsareforkids

D: lol

I can see feeding the photographers, videographer, planner, and DJ as they will be there the entire night, and probably won't have eaten. I would think the officiant would say his piece take a few pics and go on about his day.

My photographer has it in her contract and said something about it at our meeting. We are providing for her, her assistant, our two bartenders, our DOC, and I threw in some extra plates for whoever might be working at our venue (security, the gals upfront, etc - around 5 people)

Def feed them....they work all day to make your day gorgeous, I def gave them all a meal!

Our photographer and her assistant and our DJ and his assistant both required a meal as part of their contracts, but we would have provided one anyway. We invited our officiant to stay for dinner but he declined.

Our contract says that they need to be fed. Which I would feel bad if we didn't. Talk to your caterer though, I know ours offers a discounted rate for vendor meals (I believe we only pay $5-$7 for our vendors to eat)

ETA: we need to feed our photographer, his assistant (we offered to feed her though), our dj, videographer, and our 2 photo booth attendants.

From A Caterer : Personally as a professional I ALWAYS feed the wedding staff. From the photographers to the florist. Depending on the brides budget this is usually a complimentary service I offer, since most brides are budget concerned in some way we try not to add on more stress in that area. Talk to your caterer but I will say that if they are going to make you pay see if you can have them do a cheaper, alternative meal for vendors that may more cost friendly if your reception menu has high dollar items on it like lamb, steak etc. Most of the time just a great chafing pan of a well done pasta is appreciated after an event.

@janeen OMG who in the world gives an adult a box meal. How rude lol

That would be rude (box meal). We have no problem feeding them at all as they are there to make our day special and we don't want them starving or having to leave to get food but none of our vendors contracts mention anything about a meal. I just wasn't sure if we needed to add in an extra table just for vendors.

Good question @Sherry. I am not adding a table for them. Is anyone doing that? Seems like it would be empty most of the time.

Our photographer also has a meal served at the same time in our contract. Anyone who will be there for the duration of the wedding should get a meal.

About the vendor table : adding a vendor table really depends on the venue. We just did a wedding at The Swan House down here in Atlanta and they like a lot of the venues we worked with have a separate area for vendors to eat. If they are going to be in a separate area then a small separate buffet is always nice. If you are doing a vendor table on the reception floor ( not recommended ) then ideally they will need to be provided the same menu items as everyone else.

Not In Contract: Always feed your wedding staff, it's thoughtful , even if it's not stated

I totally agree its thoughtful, and I never would have considered not doing it, but I've worked MANY a 12 hour shift with NO access to food, it's pretty standard in hospitality.

Hi Sherry,

Yes, it is standard practice to feed your vendors. Many venues/caterers will offer a discounted meal for them, but you should not assume so and should be sure to check your contract/ask your event manager. You should also ask the venue/caterer for an estimate that includes your vendor meals so that you can plan accordingly.

Best of luck!