seating for catering staff

Bump, wondering about this as well..

I've never heard of the client being responsible for catering staff's meals during an event. Are you sure this is even necessary?

Agree with Jeanne - unless your contract stipulates it, don't worry about it. But a quick review of your contract and/or a call your caterer to ask them directly will solve it.

No no no, you are absolutely supposed to feed your vendors if your wedding and reception are for an extended period of time. Kaylee, it sounds like you have a great setup. Just ask the caterer what they would like.

I cater weddings most weekends this summer. It gets FH a free golf membership and I get ideas. Caterers and bartenders are VERY GOOD at eating standing up, when an opportunity presents itself. The DJ can eat at their own table and they should be served last. The photographer should have a reserved spot at a table and is also generally served last.

Yeah just ask your caterer what they would prefer. I know our caterer does not need us to provide them their meals but they are based out of the resort we are having the wedding. I know a friend of mine did provide the caterers a meal, and they just ate at a table they set up in the kitchen.

You feed your vendors! And give them a place to sit. I would ask if they prefer to be in the room or not. When I was a Banquet manager, I kept my staff out of the room as long as it was close enough the could still keep on eye on the party.. So they might prefer that but I would ask too.

I am a photographer- and it's easiest to not have us served last. If we are served in the beginning- we can eat quickly and get back to what we're being paid to do. If you wait and serve us last, we're still eating while you are about to start toasts.

My caterer said not to worry about the seating, but all of my vendors are being fed. I verified with her when I did my final count. The only vendors I'm not paying to feed is the catering staff, but that's because they are already built in to the price. (which I DID verify, just to be sure) I believe she has a table set for them as well, but I hadn't thought to ask!

Everyone's feedback was so helpful! I know I should ask the caterer, but didn't know how to word it without being rude! I think I have a starting place now! Thanks again!

No. Th caterer will probably feed them before service, but it's their responsibility, not yours and under no circumstances do you seat them with the guests.

I worked for a wedding venue for a few years. You need to feed and seat all your vendors except the catering staff. The caterer takes care of this and they usually eat in the kitchen or some other back room. This was true for all caterers I ever worked with.

Good to know, Hannah. Thank you so much for your input!

Yes, wait staff and caterers will eat "behind the scenes" so they won't have to be out and bothered By the guests, whom will inevitably ask for things. Talk to them about it, see if they need meals, if so, provide food and let them decide when and where they want to eat. It's not your worry.

Vendors like bands are different than catering staff; sometimes they are seated with guests, at the ir own table, sometimes not. Talk to your caterers; they probably do this every weekend.

But as KD said, catering staff will eat behind the scenes, usually before service (so their time frame is different than your band/photog too....)