Vendor Meals?

Yep. You need to feed anyone that is required to be on site all day. It doesn't have to be the same thing as your guests though, just something as hearty, but less expensive usually.

You need to feed your vendors. Check with your caterer, usually they'll offer discounted "vendor" meals. So they'll just get a plate of whatever you're serving your guests. You also need to consider your DJ & photographers.

Usually, the alternative to your providing vendor meals is that your vendors need to have a long enough break to go and get their own meals. So if you want them to be there all day, you need to feed them.

What is someone is only required to be there from 6-10 pm? My DJ and photobooth people will not be there longer than that. My ceremony and cocktail reception musician will be there 5:00-6:30. Photograher I can understand.

I didnt include any meals for my vendors that were on-site during reception (photographer & dj) They let us know that they will not need food provided for them. The photographer came up to us during downtime at the reception to let me know if it'd be a good time to go grab a quick bite. We were confused by this too but they specifically mentioned us to not. Talk to your vendors.

Sounds like your ceremony and cocktail reception musician won't need one....that is a short time and early enough where he/she will be fine getting dinner after. DJ and photobooth people will be getting there before 6 to set up, so it might be gracious to offer it.

@gigi1180, I don't know how your photographer phrased his request, but perhaps he meant that you didn't need to provide him food, that he would provide his own, and when he asked you on your wedding day if it was an okay time, he just wanted to make sure it was ok for him to go eat what he brought. Who knows...

Anyway...good idea to just check with your vendors....they'll tell you.

Have a great wedding!

Our hall included them in our final payment but the meals were half off for the vendors.

I wasn't sure about this either, but I checked with all my vendors and they would like to be fed, LOL. When we give our final guest count, we are also providing a vendor count (for meal purposes) and their plates will be half the price of the guest plates.

I say provide meals for the vendors that will be there the entire day. They have to eat too.

I will be provided meals for my vendors, and they will be having exactly what my guests are having. I figure you want to jeep them happy so feed them too

Provide to vendors at your reception YES! I find it a bit rude and selfish to have them watch others eat. Yes they are there for a job, but they are still human. I know any of us that would be at any event where there is food and wasn't offered a bite would be pretty upset and think the hosts are rude for not sharing.

Yes you have to provide meal for everyone that will be there during reception. A consultant was telling me a bride refused to pay vendor meals and during the reception he got hungry and couldn't take it anymore so he took a break to go get something and he got into a car accident, had to go to the emergency room and the rest of the event could not be covered in time. Not saying this will be the case at every event, but it's definitely better to pay for their meal for so many reasons.

I think you check with your vendors to see if they will be taking a break for a meal.

My FH is a photog(side job). He never eats at the events he covers, because he wants to finish and go.

Not entirely sure why your vendor is the one asking that question. I have it in my contract that we get fed, at the same time as the bride and groom so we don't miss any photo opportunities. You really don't want any vendor leaving your event to get food, you stand to lose too much.

I agree with the others for the photog, dj and other vendors that will be there all night. I don't however think you need to feed the someone that is only working at the event for 1.5 hrs. Yes, they will be there longer than that with setup and tear down, but still if you can't go 2.5 hrs without food then you might have a problem.

Yeah we're feeding all our vendors. Don't be afraid to ask the caterer about it...we're paying around $80/guest, but they told us the vendor meals will only be $40 each. Then we hired an 11 person band and called the caterer...and now they're giving us their meals for $20 each.

The vendor meals are typically cheaper because in all likelihood they won't be sitting down to a many course meal that you and your guests will be enjoying. I prefer to get a quality protein in, and some carbs, and lots of water. Salads are fluff, I will forego my veggies, I need something to keep me going for the rest of the night. Your vendors will want a quick meal to get focused on your event again.

Make it a point to tell your caterer that you want your photographer fed at the same time as the bridal party. I've worked some events, and they pushed us off to the back of the buffet line, to see what food was left. By this time the couple is up and mingling about, so it doesn't work well for capturing the night. I imagine that the same follows suit for a DJ, soft music will be played while people are eating, and he/she won't be getting many requests at that point. Once people finish up, they will be requesting songs.

I have it in my contract, as well, and it states that we eat the same meal being provided to the guests. However, I'm not a stickler on that. I've only had 2 vendor meals ever. Most of my brides just automatically feed us whatever they are having. The last wedding I did a week ago, the mom had called me prior to ask what I wanted in terms of meals for us. I told her, whatever fits your budget. I told her that if a vendor meal is best for you guys, then that is fine for us. We got the vendor meal (it was actually really good), and then she told my second shooter (since I told her he gets quite hungry since he is 6'4") that he could have some of what they were having if he was still hungry lol. We were all very full, however, so that wasn't necessary. Anyway, after that long story lol, my point is to be sure and look at the contract b/c often times it is stated in there. I think any vendor that is there all day should def. be fed.

Our venue told us they can eat if they want too, but we're not paying extra for it. It's buffet, so there will prob be more then enough for them. She said not to include them in our final head count.

My photographer had it in her contract that her meal be provided and it is only fair. She will be with us for 6 hours. We decided to feed the rest of the vendors as well but the venue is giving us a 20% discount rate for the vendors to eat. Dont be afraid to ask the venue on what specials they have for vendors to eat. Also, ask if you and the groom get to eat for a discount as well. It worked for me...lol...