Vendor Meals and Tips

Some vendors might have it in their contract to feed them. But I feel like it’s kind of a nice courtesy to just because you want them to be energized.

It is the norm and ought to be provided. They’re working hard and long and deserve a meal. Some of these vendors work nonstop without breaks or anything for you for a minimum of 8-10-12+ hours...think about it. And going to each location is it practical to bring a meal??? I’m not even sure if a catered event would even allow them to bring food in.

None of mine had it in their contract but I made sure to feed them all. They worked for me all day, so it was the least I could do.


My caterer provided vendor meals at a reduced price.

Caterers will handle their own meal since they’re bringing the food. I would count the dj and photographer since they’re working the full event but not musicians who are there for the ceremony only. I’m a musician and it’s certainly appreciated but not necessary.

Dude! I totally agree 100%! Let me start off by saying that I do plan on tipping 20% and I do plan on including my vendors a part of my headcount, but I also only have a cinematographer and DJ. Mostly because I want them to do a good job. Isn’t that sad that my DJ is already costing almost 4 grand and my cinematographer is costing another 4 grand yet I am fearful if I don’t also tip 20% and provide them steak dinner they will ruin my day or the editing after. All throughout school I bartended and waited tables. I was making two dollars an hour and I relied on my 20% tips. I often worked nine hour shifts, usually never had any sort of meal break, and I would be snacking on protein bars in between taking tables running my butt off to make my rent money. If I did order food, I was certainly paying for it but I usually didn’t because by the time I had a chance to sit down and eat it it would be ice cold. I feel like in the year 2020 everyone is trying to jump on the server/bartender bandwagon of demanding tips. I also don’t like the fact that these vendors act as if they’re supposed to be guests at my wedding. It’s like, I’m paying you tons of money to do a six hour job. Especially factoring in that there are some friends or family members that I couldn’t afford to invite Because I had to include my vendors in my headcount to feed them. I’ve also read on a photographer forum once where photographers were talking about how they purposefully would not do as good of a job if they were offered the “vendor meals “instead of a hot meal. This was actually one of the main reasons why I tried to have the least amount of vendors as possible at my wedding. As far as my wedding planner and my day of coordinator goes, they specifically touched upon this with me and said that I don’t need to add them into the headcount or anything like that which I thought was pretty nice, I definitely offered but they said that they were all set and to just worry about my other vendors. I just feel like when it comes to weddings, people forget that you’re actually paying them to do a job.

Typically, if they aren’t provided a meal, those vendors will go off site to get themselves a warm meal. As previously stated, it’s difficult to carry a meal around if you’re moving to different locations (I’m specifically thinking of photographers). Most people aren’t okay with them leaving the site to get food (and potentially missing important events), which is why many vendors who are there for most of the day in life a meal in their contract.

Would you rather them leave your wedding to go get McDonald’s?

Some vendors require you to feed them as stated in contracts. The photographer and assistant definitely do since they are with you much longer. The dj, servers, etc are only there for a limited time that doesn't always allow for breaks. Talk to them about what they prefer based on your timeline (most receptions are 4-5 hours max) . Your caterer usually has vendor meals that are a quick bite or you can feed them same as your guests.

Talk to your caterer and coordinator about setting up a vendor table (food safety laws prevent them from being forced to eat in the kitchen out of sight). The dj could easily have a plate at his station since he's not going to be talking during dinner.

Yes you should feed and tip your vendors. You have having them there for rather long hours during meal time so they should be feed.

Yes, it is the norm to both feed and tip your vendors. Definitely not one or the other!

View Quoted Comment I agree with you, and I’m definitely going to be adding my vendors to the headcount, but ever notice how there’s no other profession that demands their employers to feed them? I think about construction workers. Those people work like 10-12hrs. a day Lugging all of their construction equipment, sweating their butts off in the sun and they still are able to pack their own coolers.

A tip should never be required or expected for simply showing up to do a job or providing bad service. It is intended for vendors who go above and beyond the call of duty. You decide after the wedding is over, when you are able to objectively assess how the day went, who was stellar in their service and who wasn't. Don't tip anyone for bad service or just doing their job as asked, no matter who they are.

View Quoted Comment I was just a little taken aback by providing 12 vendor meals on top of 20% tips on top of the service fees on top of the operation costs on top of the base service fees for a 90 guest wedding. Of course I expect all workers to be able to take a break and eat. The only vendors working 5 hours+ is the photographer and bartender.

Who all you providing meals to? Your photographer and their assistant for sure and the dj. You don't need to feed catering staff and bartenders because they don't eat on their breaks, but talk to the contact person for peace of mind. Beyond that, your other vendors will not be there long enough to need a meal.


Your caterer will provide discounted vendor meals when you let them know how many you need..unless you want to pay full price and feed them the same as what your guests are having.

View Quoted Comment My contact person is the venue owner and she told me to include 6 of her servers and two of her bartenders for the meal. Then we have 2 musicians (who will only be there 2 hours but meal in contract), 1 photographer and 1 videographer (4 hour service). Our DJ is an actual guest, so I'm not counting him as vendor. Fortunately our officiant is also a relative/guest.

We provided our vendors with meals regardless. It was just 2 plates so it wasn't a big deal in the grand scheme of things. My husband actually had to tell our DJ to put the music on shuffle, sit down, and eat lol.

Ask your caterer what they provide. Some will include slightly different versions of your meals for free or at a discounted price.

View Quoted Comment That sounds really strange to be honest. Typically you do not feed the servers. They are employed by the venue, the venue needs to feed them but not on your dime.


Again why is a meal required for musicians who are only there for 2 hours?
If you have a coordinator who is not associated with the venue (get one asap), ask if they will be willing to negotiate on your behalf to cut through the nonsense. What you are being told to do here by unnecessary extra vendor meals is classic manipulation toward brides who they hope and pray never catch on to their bullying tactics.

View Quoted Comment Thank you, that was my thinking and I appreciate your insight and feedback.

View Quoted Comment Lol my thoughts exactly.