TIP/MEALS for Vendors

Hi Girls,

I wanted to know whether you guys have either comped meals for vendors such as bands and photographers on top of tipping them? or is it one or the other?

Also, do vendors such as bands and photographers add the tip like the RH? I think the answer is no but I was just curious.

Thanks :o)

Re: TIP/MEALS for Vendors

Our RH charged $30 for vendor meals for our wedding, and certain weddings (bigger weddings, esp with bands that can be up to 12 members) the RH comps vendor meals. I don't know how your RH works vendor meals. The only vendors we had to feed were our photographer and her 2 assistants, our videographer, and our MC and 2 DJ's. The vendors you should feed are the ones that will be there for the reception. I don't think you should take that into consideration when tipping them. We definitely didn't. Every reception/wedding is different, but we didn't think twice about feeding our vendors. Anyway we tipped our DJ $350 I think. Video $150, photographer $150 I think. I don't know if certain vendors add a gratuity. I don't think they can (photo/video) but I could be wrong.

Re: TIP/MEALS for Vendors

Yeah I know that my RH charges half off the regular plate price for all non recommended vendors. Mine are all not reccomended. Thanks for the info!

Re: TIP/MEALS for Vendors

meals for our vendors are half off. im not taking that into consideration when im doing tips though...we are just doing tips like we would

Re: TIP/MEALS for Vendors

i was told by our band company that many vendors prefer not to eat especially when it will be deducted from their tip. i plan to feed and tip anyone who wants to eat, but i would tip more if they don't eat (my venue charges 50% which is costly for us - especially with a 9 person band).

without having asked yet, i think i will feed the photog bc he'll be around ALL day. i predict the band won't want to be fed based on what the band company said, but also because they're preforming and may not want food sitting in their bellies.

ok to sum up my stream of consciousness post, i would ask each vendor if they want to eat. if they do, i would still tip them but probably have less in my budget to tip them.

Re: TIP/MEALS for Vendors

Our vendors' contracts required that we feed them. The RH charged us 1/2 price for vendors. They are not included on your seating chart, though, so don't worry about trying to find tables for them. They are fed discretely and not in front of the rest of the guests usually.

Tips have nothing to do with meals. They're working for 6-8 hours usually for you that day, you couldn't not feed them.

Re: TIP/MEALS for Vendors

I just recently found out that my RH pays for meals for vendors.

Re: TIP/MEALS for Vendors

read your contract b/c some of them include a line about feeding the vendors and tips. ours did, but i had already factored that in.

Re: TIP/MEALS for Vendors

it doesnt say anything as far as I see.

I also have to ask WCC about whether the vendors count for the minimum guarantee...because I have a feeling they dont so then I am going to be paying WCC tip and tax on meals that dont even count for my minumum, which doesnt make sense to me.

Re: TIP/MEALS for Vendors

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Posted by adelya21

it doesnt say anything as far as I see.

I also have to ask WCC about whether the vendors count for the minimum guarantee...because I have a feeling they dont so then I am going to be paying WCC tip and tax on meals that dont even count for my minumum, which doesnt make sense to me.

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At the Woodlands, Vendors count as 'half a person' towards the minimum. (i.e. 10 person band who opts to eat the meal = 5 people towards my minimum) Preferred vendors eat free, but outside vendors are half off!

Re: TIP/MEALS for Vendors

ye WCC pretty much does the same

Re: TIP/MEALS for Vendors

You really need to have meals for the vendors. They are working all day with you (Photogs 10 hrs day) and the DJs. The meal money should not be taken out of their tip.

And if you are under your min the RH will let you count the vendor meals towards you min.

Re: TIP/MEALS for Vendors

i don't think tipping has to do with feeding them...but obviously if you don't have it in the budget to tip quite as much, then there's nothing you can do about that! good luck!

Re: TIP/MEALS for Vendors

I'm feeding and tipping my vendors. Our RH charges half price for vendor meals.

Re: TIP/MEALS for Vendors

My hall charges half the plate price for vendor meals. I believe the only vendor I need to feed is my photographer.