Where do the vendors sit and eat? Vendors please feel free to chime in...

We had only the photographer and DJ to feed. They found a seat where the person didn't show up.

I want to know this too. I mean no offense to my photographer/DJ but it wouldn't seem very professional to me if they just sat with the guests, but i don't want to usher them into a hidden corner or anything. My officiant is probably going to be a family friend so they will sit with everyone else though....

My vendors sat at their own table. I am glad you included them in your count for catering. Too many brides don't feed their vendors, or don't feed them good food.

Just because they are "working" doesn't mean they aren't a respected guest. Restaurant staff sits at guest tables for their lunches, nothing unprofessional about that.

I just mean i don't think it would be professional to have them sitting at the same table as guests. A waiter wouldn't just come join your meal on his lunch break, they would sit at an empty table.

i like the idea of having a vendor table though i'm not sure I'll have enough venders to make it worth the space in our little hall.

anyways, enough thread jacking, i just wanted to clarify what i said about not having them sit with guests.....

Our DJ requested no food be ordered for him and said he won't be taking an extended break. So that leaves our 2 phoographers (husband and wife team) and the pastor and his wife. We will seat the pastor and his wife at my parents table. The photogs will be sitting with my friends. We are doing seating by age. Each table will be friends and family mixed of the same approx. age so no one feels like they are the crappy table.

Thank you for including your vendors in the catering count! Personally, I don't like to sit with the guests & prefer the back hall or kitchen! Most DJs I know don't have time to eat much. Officiants are often guests & friends of the family & should probably be seated as such.

I put our photogs at the front near the head table. They sat with my Bro and his family, they ate the same time as us so they didn't miss photo ops. The DJ is a family friend, so we also sat him with my brother and his family.

Also for the photog make sure there is a big enough table or safe space to put their equipment while they eat..most venues might have a fancy sandwich or something so you aren't charged a whole plate which they probably won't take a break to eat all of that anyways.

I just had my wedding on Sunday. I included the vendors in the meal count (and you just say that they are photographers/DJ/etc...) and they put a table for them outside of the cocktail area. They had a separate seating area, but were able to sit down and eat while everyone else was eating. FYI, they will usually ask for the same meal you are eating or a "hot meal," instead of just a sandwich or something.

Thanks guys. Your answers make sense but I still don't know if its the right fit in my case. The officiant is someone the venue recommended as it is out-of-town and the DJ is also someone the coordinator recommended so they are not known to us personally. We have developed relationships with the coordinator and photographer throughout this planning process but in a very superficial sense.

Is it okay to ask them what they prefer ...whether to sit at a table or find somewhere inconspicuous. My concern, especially with the photographer and coordinator, is that sitting at a table may feel somewhat like sitting at your desk for lunch. You don't really get a break cause the phone is still ringing, emails are coming in, people walk by and ask you questions. There will always be moments to catch and something else to prepare.

As it is a relatively small intimate wedding (63 guests of immediate family & close friends) with a buffet, we were not having special seating arrangements either.

It depends...

sometimes the bride and groom provide a "vendor meal" which is often a little box lunch with a sandwich, fruit and chips. In that case, we find a spot away from everything, and we much away from your guests.

Sometimes the bride and groom have a "vendor table" where the photographer, DJ and other vendors (coordinator, officant, musician, etc), sit. Usually the furthest table away from all the action.

And finally... sometimes we are placed at a table that didn't have enough people to be seated. Usually with third cousins and parents' friends, it seems!

LOL. The vendors are eating the same as us, dessert and all if they want. It's just easier that way I think, and as a foody, I don't function well if I'm hungry, so since I prefer something warm, I'm also providing something warm for them.

In my case, no third cousins will be there so they should be safe from them.

I think I am liking the vendor table idea that is a little off from all the action although my reception is so small that the action may be hard to avoid.

I'm glad you posted this thread I was thinking about that last week.

I've heard that sometimes if you're using venue recommended vendors that they deal with regularly, that the venue has been known to make arrangements for their seating and or food. It might not be a bad idea to call the venue and ask.

As for the vendors. Call and ask what they'd like. It can't hurt and most I've found appreciate the consideration.

For me all our vendors are family friends so i don't have that problem. in some cases there whole family is invited.

My vendors will eat with the guests. They are all friends or friends of friends so they've already been told that they are welcome to have a good time, dance , eat and be merry!!! I couldn't image sticking them in a corner with a box lunch, that doesn't seem right to me.

As a vendor, and being a videographer (but equally important for at least the DJ and Photographer) I prefer to eat with the guests because if something starts to happen, I am right there and can get up from eating to capture it. If I'm in another room eating, there is a better chance something could get missed.

Another suggestion is feed us what you feed your guests, as sometimes the vendor meals aren't that great.

Good luck!

My photographer is a professor at our college and that is actually where we will be getting married. He is the head of the television and film department so he's used to taking pictures for weddings and such & he's my old boss. I'm sitting him with TV Film majors that he's worked with. My videographer is also a good friend of mine who worked in that department so he's sitting there as well. My DJ didn't say anything about the food but I'm having a Buffet so I'm pretty sure she can just take it back to her booth with her that way she doesn't have to worry about leaving her place. We don't have an officiant yet but I doubt they'll be coming to the reception.

None of my vendors will be eating. I offered and they declined due to the fact they wont be working over 6 hours.

My vendors (photog and 2 DJs) will be sitting with our guests, eating the same food and hopefully enjoying the conversations at their tables. Our photog will be at a table close to Jeff and I, so as not to miss anything that might happen, and the DJ will sit at a table near his setup.