Where does the DJ eat dinner??

Thanks for the tips!

We usually eat before we go to an event, and right after, but if a meal is bought for us, we eat it at our DJ table, grabbing a bite hear and there in between "doing our thing".

For our daughter's wedding, the hotel has offered a separate room. We asked the band what they preferred and we were told they needed to be near the stage in case the music skips (CD during dinner). He also said they preferred to be fed first so they'd be finished before the guests so they could start playing again with no down time. Whatever they want.

As the officiant, I have been seated with guests (I can make small talk with anyone) and I have been seated at a vendors' table (great networking opportunity).

I will probably have one of my ushers get her a plate while we're doing pictures and the guests are doing cocktail hour.

Oops! To answer the actual question, she will eat it at her DJ-ing table. I don't think anyone will be offended.

When we mentioned that a meal will be provided ALL of our vendors asked if there was room in the kitchen for them to just take a quick break and eat there. Our venue has a fairly large kitchen with a big island and stools around 2 sides of the island so that solved that dilema.

It's always thoughtful and much appreciated when you provide a meal for your wedding professionals - at least if they are there for any length of time. In my experience, we are usually seated in a separate room, often where the employees eat. Your catering hall is most likely very familiar with this practice and will be able to advise you.

When talking to my event coordinator she mentioned the half price for my vendors. And I settled in my mind to definitely feed the photographer and the videographer since they will be there for 8 hours. The DJ, I'm not thinking to feed like the others because she will only be there for 4 hours.

Where they will eat? Idk, but I know I want them to eat while pictures or video doesn't necessarily have to go on, so I guess eating dinner with the rest of us is best.

Thanks

A word to Tamika, if someone is going to be there working hard for four hours, it might be considerate to at least ask them if they would like to eat. How will they feel if the others vendors are eating but they are not invited? This is a small courtesy that will pay off in a good relationship with your DJ.

It seems as though you are on the right track with the fact that you will be feeding the DJ which, IMO is all that really matters. The fact that you are being courteous as to WHERE they eat is great.

What I would do is ask the venue where they typically seat vendors for the meal. Then I would tell the DJ that he is welcome to join the other vendors or eat at his booth (a good DJ does this very discreetly).

In response to some other posts: I personally work my butt off regardless of what and where I am fed but keep in mind that vendors are more likely to go above and beyond for you when you are kind to them. I think it would be rude to only offer meals to some of your vendors and not others regardless of how long they have been at the wedding.

Sidenote: it is best to feed your vendors at the same time that the B&G are eating so that by the time you are walking around greeting guests they can accompany you.

I plan on having a vendors table, however if my DJ prefers to eat at thier booth, I understand- I would give them the choice.

First of all, thank you for feeding your vendors! As Wedding DJs we will slip into a back room or somewhere out of sight but still close enough to keep a carefully watch of the room and volume levels of music.

In my case our DJ, Photog, Photog Assist. and Officant are all good friends. They will get a seat with the other guests.

I am going to have a vendors table. It will not be decorated with any centerpiece. My DJ asked that the table be close to his booth which I am going to try to do.

I will have DJ, photographer and videographer at the same table. Don't know yet if I will do half price meal or same as the guests. My vendors told me its up to me as long as they eat something as they will be there for a while.

I use to dj, some weddings and i would just make a mix (prerecord) for when i ate. and i always had a drink by my stuff, a good dj will need something to drink a lot!

Thanks for the input everyone. We've decided to feed the vendors and have them sit with our guests, we only have 2 vendors that aren't friends. As for what music is played during the dinner, my FH and I struck a deal with the DJ and we are making 5 music CD's of music we love to play during the cocktail hour and during dinner. Thanks again for all the great ideas. :o)

As a DJ, I prefer to eat out of site. 99.9% of the weddings I have DJ'd have made sure that all vendors receive a meal. I always let the kitchen staff that I will eat in the kitchen. To me, it feels unprofessional to sit with the guests.

Typically, when I am doing a wedding I try to be as inconspicuous as possible when having a meal. Reason being, my clients are paying thousands for me to provide a service. I need to concentrate on the task at hand so, dinner is done in 5 mins and I'm back behind the console ready to go.

I have a pre-recorded selection of vintage jazz to play while everyone, including the DJ eats. That way, music is still playing while he is relaxing and mingling with guests. This boots his PR and sales opportunities!