Seats for vendors?

Ask your venue where the vendors usually eat

I agree with Gen, I would ask them. In my DOC's contract, she mentions that during her break she will eat out of view of the guests if requested (I plan on telling her she can eat wherever she's comfortable).

They do not eat with your guests. My vendors ate in the back where all of the behind the scenes was going on.

We did not account for vendors in our seating chart, and the venue/caterer actually provided a separate vendor menu which provided great options that were a little more hand-held or on the go friendly (sandwiches, etc.).

Lots of vendors will not be eating at the same time as the guests sit down for dinner. The caterer's will be busiest during this time and the photographers/videographers will have likely already eaten sometime before/after the ceremony so they're present for toasts/ cake cutting/etc. that happen around meal time. Other vendors such as florist, cake baker, ceremony music, etc. will already be gone at this time. The two that may be eating during this time are the DJ and DOC, but they will not be sitting at tables with the guests

Ask both your vendors and your venue. After we spoke with our venue, they had no preference on where vendors sit aside from caterers (who are contracted through are venue) who eat after dinner while we are doing speeches & starting dancing! We consulted our vendors and they had no preference either. We ended up just making a table strictly for vendors (DJ, Photographer, Officiant).

Our videographer’s contract specified that they had to be seated within view of the couple during dinner. Since none of the other vendors cared and we had the room, we gave the vendors one whole table. Many state in their contracts that they would like to be seated away from guests. I would check with your vendors.

I only have 2 vendors that requested a meal with their contract. My DJ who said he would eat quick during cocktail hour because that's what he typically does at this venue and he said he would eat in the back area. He has been to this venue multiple times. My 2 photographers requested to be seated, but I sat them at a table because they know a few of our guests and are friends with them so I didn't mind doing that.

I personally will give them a table where all of my other guests are at, but we are having a smaller wedding so we have room. I would check with your venue to see what they typically do. As a wedding vendor myself, and one who has to be ready to go at a moment's notice, I rather be in the same room. I've had a few instances where the DJ did not communicate and started toasts before we were set up and ready to go.

I would check with your venue. We had two options: give them their own table or use a separate room that they can go to to eat. We had a separate table for them as that seemed like the best option.

i wouldn't put them on your seating chart. usually your venue will have a spot for them to eat. i would talk to them about it

Our venue actually reserves the farthest table from the head table for the vendors, so they have a place to eat with us, while none of the guests have to feel like they got put far away!

I personally know my food vendor, and I am not setting up anything for them besides some chairs to have where they are setting up.

View Quoted Comment Ok, thank you! I am like, do I count them in my guest number and seating number... I know to count them in the food count.

View Quoted Comment No, I would not include them in your guest number or seating.