Vendor Meals and Tips

I don’t think it’s a bullying tactic that certain vendors expect meals. To be honest, none of mine requested or had it in their contracts, BUT I’m giving them anyway. If they are going to be there from before 4pm to after 9:30pm, I would prefer that they eat. And I don’t want them leaving my wedding to do so. However, my caterer has special vendor meals that are cheaper than guest meals. It’s not as if I’m paying to have extra guests.

View Quoted Comment Musicians are there for longer than 2 hours. The reception lasts longer than that. They also have set up / tear down and sound check, etc. plus as someone else said they’re there at mealtime.

View Quoted Comment Our musicians are there from 10:45-12:45 (just for ceremony and cocktail hour) then DJ takes over.

View Quoted Comment In that case the musicians do not need to be fed.

IMPO, you should include your vendors in your head county. Our caterer set aside plates for our videographer and his assistants (2), photographer and his assists (2), DJ and his staff (3), DOC and her assistants (2), Photobooth owner and his staff (3) and the baker and their staff (5) at our request. I couldn’t imagine asking someone to be on their feet working at our wedding for several hours and NOT feed them.

Feeding the vendors is usually in their contracts at least it is in all of ours lol. Our venue does 1/2 off for vendor meals and they get their own table.

It is the norm to provide a meal for your vendor. Some have it in their contract actually. Think of it this way, they're working the entire day, they'll need to eat at some point. Wouldn't you rather them be eating when you're eating, with you and your guests, instead of having to take time away to go back to their vehicle and get their food or take time off to go get something somewhere? And then they don't have to carry a lunchbox or anything around with them. I think it makes it so their day is easier and they're more available to you, even while they're eating. A lot of venues or caterers offer vendor meals, which may be something different or the same as your guests, and they give you a discount for it. It's just a nice courtesy. As far as tips, that's something that's appreciated for sure, but that's at your discretion.

This is quite the controversial topic! I will have to ask my wedding planner what her thoughts are. Hmm. I was planning to feed my vendors but I feel like the tips are outrageous and unnecessary because weddings are EXPENSIVE already!