Vendors during dinner

I had created a vendor table, and put our DJ, photographers, videographers, and day of coordinator all at that table. It was in the same room as the rest of our guests and among the rest of the tables.

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Would it be weird to put them at a table with guests? I'll only have four and our tables hold 8-10

View Quoted Comment I would check with your vendors on their preferences - some may be OK sitting at a table with guests, and others might prefer to be separated from guests. If they prefer to sit separate from guests, I would just have one table of 4 (the extra space might be nice for the photographers to set their equipment at), or ask the venue if they have a smaller table just for the vendors.

Do you have a coordinator? Mine handled where the vendors sat to eat. You could also ask your venue if they have a spot where vendors will usually sit to eat

My vendors sat and ate in the cocktail hour room! Gave them a true break. I've heard from vendors that they much prefer to be away from guests so they can really take a break and breathe before continuing the night.

I didn’t even think about this! I bought them meals, didn’t think of seating. Thank you!

Your options will depend on the venue and vendor preferences. Some venues have a separate space for vendors to eat while others might force you to have a table for them. And even if there is a space, some vendors might prefer to just have a table.

In my experience, vendors eat in a separate room (at least, at the weddings I've attended). Mine ate in the room where cocktail hour was held. It allowed them to get an actual break where they didn't have to be "on" in front of the guests

We've not had our event. But the first thing is just knowing there is somewhere they can sit down and relax some. I would suspect some vendors (like lone photographers) want to be in the same room to keep abreast of what is happening,. Others may just find an outside spot to take a meal break. It is just best to make sure there is a seat for them somewhere.

Of the vendors we talked to, they said there is a table set up specifically for them in the same room as guests, but they are seated separately. They don’t miss anything that the couple expects them to get/do during dinner because they are elsewhere, either in a kitchen/hallway or offsite at a drive thru. The caterers and venues in our area don’t allow anyone to eat in the kitchen, as is often recommended by wedding magazines and forums, due to health code violations.

Well our vendors were right there at the reception right along with us and I allowed them to have a meals.