Vendor Meals

I plan on adding the vendors to my head count for catering, so they'll be eating the same thing as my guests.

We are adding the vendors to the meal count. They can eat the same time everyone else is. We are not setting up an extra table for them though. There is a separate space where they can eat.

This really helps! I have been stressing out over this for a couple of days now. I didnt even know i had to feed the vendors till my wedding planner ask me what i was doing for them.

Our vendors will be eating the same thing as our guests.

We're having a cake and punch reception, but if our wedding was at a meal time i'd definitely feed the vendors whatever the guests are having! I think that's a very sweet gesture and way to thank your vendors

We counted the vendors that would be staying in our guest count!

I was going to do a different cheaper meal for them but I ended up just letting them sit at guest tables since I needed to fill some spots anyway

Thats a really good idea too. Thank you

Our catering had a special price for the vendors even though it was the same food guests were having. I'd talk to your caterer!

It should depend on your caterer - sometimes they have a cheaper price for vendors, sometimes not. We're doing a buffet style dinner, so our vendors just get added to the head count and will eat the same meal as everyone else.

We just gave the caterer a list of the vendors we were feeding and they took it from there. I presume they have them pre-plated meals of the same things that were on our guests’ buffet but I don’t actually know of the details.

We’re included our vendors into our head count as well!! They’re going to have a choice just like our wedding guest as what they want to eat.

Our venue catered our wedding. We had buffet style for our guests, but our vendors were supposed to have a plated meal. However, they messed up at the wedding and had the vendors go to the buffet. We asked them about it and they said it was fine since they made the mistake. I would check with whoever is catering your wedding. They might have preselected meals for your venue like ours was supposed to be. Vendor meals might also be cheaper. Ours were only $28 compared to $76 we paid per person.

Thanks everyone. I will speak with my caterer. We are having a buffet style also but i do not want the vendors going through the line.

We included our vendors in the meal count as well. Our venue as a separate bar area if they choose to utilize that space if they choose.

All above, but ask your vendors before you decide. A couple of ours ( music and photography) would be busy at normal meal time, they said, so they asked for a cold boxed lunch, made to order sandwiches, either soup in a thermostat or a side salad, and a non- messy or crumbly desert like a brownie or cookies. They do not eat at meal time, and working g many parties and weddings, get sick to death of eating food kept warm too long , or taking 3 bites, getting interrupted, and going back to cold food. One turned out to be diabetic and keep kosher, and said he always brought his own. The vendor meals would have cost $50 if same area regular $100 per person meal, with no alcohol. The vendor said $16 for box lunches, or they could order them from the deli which had regular and kisher foods, up the street, $20 with delivery and tip, and vendor would provide coffee, tea, soda and juice for no extra. Only 1 vendor, who took a break at guest meal time, said he always brings his own, because he had a weight issue after eating so many rich meals. We added a $20 meal allowance to his deposit, paid up front. I have done arrangements for many special events, and also worked catering. And frequently vendors ask for something cold to eat at odd break times , or simply not banquet choices. Since NOT having the same meal is usually cheaper, many hosts opt for a box lunch, or get something from a local sub shop or chicken place, any hand held, not messy, food. Ask your vendors.

HI Chelsie,

My venue allowed me to use any unused entrees for my vendors meals instead of paying or vendor meals upfront. My no-shows perfectly fed my DJ, photographer and videographers. This was actually their idea which I was thrilled for because it meant less costs for me!

Our "vendor meal" was cheaper but was the same meal, it just didn't include a plated salad or table bread or appetizers.