Question about Vendor Meals

Is it a reason they don’t want the chicken skillet dish? Are they able to get that with the rice from the steak? Our vendors will be eating the same thing that guest are eating. Unless there are dietary restrictions I wouldn’t suggest ordering something else.

It's very common for vendors to eat different variations of what the guests eat, but still prepared by the same caterer. Chicken and rice for the vendor meals sounds ideal. It would be frowned upon to provide something completely different to the vendors (think McDonalds or Subway sandwiches), but vendor meals prepared by the same caterer/venue are perfectly fine!

For a plated dinner, vendor meals are often hot meals that are high quality, prepared by the same caterer, but at a lower price. They would also not have the same time to eat the full courses as they have to get back to work. I agree with Hannah that it would be impolite to serve your hired vendors McDonald's when guests eat steak, as well as a liability issue serving outside food.

Vendor meals are commonly a scaled down version of what the guests are eating, made by the caterer.

Our vendors will be served the same meal our guests will be having. We didn’t feel it would be right to serve them something different. We didn’t want the people working so hard for us on our big day to be made to feel “less than”.
We appreciate their hard work very much, and want to show our gratitude in any way we can.

I would check your contracts. That’s where it will usually tell you what each vendor requires. Some do stipulate that they require the same meals as guests, but I think most don’t mind if they get the venue’s “vendor meal”. If all your vendors’ contracts just say they need a hot meal, at that point it’s up to you with your budget on which direction you want to go. If you don’t like what your venue offers as a vendor meal, ask if it can maybe be changed.

My vendors will eat the same as the guests and I gave them the meal options prior to turning in final numbers to the caterer.

Our vendor meals are Chicken tenders and fries. I don’t think they have to have the same meal as the guests.

They should be a hot meal that is the same or comparable to what guests are served minus alcohol. Don’t serve lobster to your guests and a cold sandwich and chips to your vendors who are working 6-8+ hours without a break. They don’t have an opportunity to get in the car and go to the drive thru.

Our vendors are also getting the same meal as guests. Some of my vendors are vegetarian, though. You may want to check with yours to make sure they don't have dietary restrictions.

I guess it depends on the venue and how they conduct their business. In my contract with the venue the price included all vendor meals. They will be having what's on the menu and all of our stations but nothing will be different. I'm having a split menu so of course I will have to officially send my vendors an invitation so they can pick their entrée.