Feeding the vendors-please respond, I need advice.

groovypeg Posted: Mar 07, 2004 07:04 PM

Feeding the vendors-please respond, I need advice.

As all of you know, it is expected to feed vendors on your wedding day. For us that means it is 1/2 price,so with the band and photo/video we are looking at 13 people, or an additional $1300. Would it be in bad taste if we were to just get catered in a hero and salads for the vendors? That way it would be easier for the budget. Please tell me your honest opinions. I would really appreciate it.

kathleenmarie Posted: Mar 07, 2004 07:07 PM

Re: Feeding the vendors-please respond, I need advice.

honestly, and this is just my opinion, I dont like the idea at all. It feels cheesy to me.

Joelle Posted: Mar 07, 2004 07:07 PM

Re: Feeding the vendors-please respond, I need advice.

I don't know, that seems like it would be a good idea and eno9ugh, but I honestly think it would seem a little tacky to do that. I don't know.

september2004 Posted: Mar 07, 2004 07:10 PM

Re: Feeding the vendors-please respond, I need advice.

yes, bad taste IMO...

unless you discuss this with them beforehand, real professionals could potentially get offended. you don't want this to affect their performance. i am proud to have my vendors at my wedding and i want to show my appreciation for their service. again, depending on the vendor they may be perfectly open to this, but what ever you do DON'T surprise them, be open and honest...

suven Posted: Mar 07, 2004 07:10 PM

Re: Feeding the vendors-please respond, I need advice.

I am feeding the vendors- I assume Leondard's will offer them whatever dinner they want off my menu.

I want them to work to their highest potential. So, I am doing everything in my power to keep them all highly motivated!

nferrandi Posted: Mar 07, 2004 07:10 PM

Re: Feeding the vendors-please respond, I need advice.

Have you asked yoru catering hall about this? They may not let you bring outside food in. You should also find out what the catering hall plans on serving them, because it may even be sandwiches. I'm pretty sure they don't feed your vendors the same thing theyr'e feeding your guests.

groovypeg Posted: Mar 07, 2004 07:15 PM

Re: Feeding the vendors-please respond, I need advice.

Thanks for all of your input. I don't want to offend the band, especially b/c I think they will make or break the reception. I appreciate your honesty.

cocoa Posted: Mar 07, 2004 07:41 PM

Re: Feeding the vendors-please respond, I need advice.

some halls even feed their house people for free, so you may want to look into that.

samsbride Posted: Mar 07, 2004 07:41 PM

Re: Feeding the vendors-please respond, I need advice.

Half price is ridiculous.
The vendors are not drinking alcohol, having cocktail food or dessert.
In my opinion, vendors should be charged for a meal off the menu (how much could that be? $35? sodas cost maybe another $8??)

Negotiate the meals with your catering manager

I think I'm beign charged $45. If that includes their drinks - I'm Ok with it.

janwinterbridejoy Posted: Mar 07, 2004 07:42 PM

Re: Feeding the vendors-please respond, I need advice.

imo i wouldnt do it either. I had a lot of people i had to feed also but you just have to figure it into your expenses and be thankful that you dont have to pay full price for them like my cousin did and she had a band and a d.j as well as the other vendors.

jannshari Posted: Mar 07, 2004 07:45 PM

Re: Feeding the vendors-please respond, I need advice.

Posted by samsbride

Half price is ridiculous.
The vendors are not drinking alcohol, having cocktail food or dessert.
In my opinion, vendors should be charged for a meal off the menu (how much could that be? $35? sodas cost maybe another $8??)

Negotiate the meals with your catering manager

I think I'm beign charged $45. If that includes their drinks - I'm Ok with it.

Not every catering hall has a restaurant, so you can't tell what you would be charged 'off the menu.' Most catering halls tell you about these charges before you sign the contract, so it's not really a surprise.

I don't think it's a bad idea, but why not ask the vendors what they would prefer? Post on the vendor board or ask your vendors directly. They may actually prefer some good deli over the usual catered fare. I think a change of pace might be liked, as long as it doesn't look like a homemade sandwich you'd pack in your kid's lunch bag.

WinterBride2005 Posted: Mar 07, 2004 07:55 PM

Re: Feeding the vendors-please respond, I need advice.

I am feeding my vendors. They deserve a nice meal. I know that we are paying them $$$, but that is just for their services. I would skip the hero idea and try to cut corners else where.

jill13bean Posted: Mar 07, 2004 07:59 PM

Re: Feeding the vendors-please respond, I need advice.

In my honest opinion... i dont think that is a good idea... it stinks to pay for it but we all have to... some bands don't have to eat

i think i have to pay 1/2 price per vendor and that is aout $80 a person.... i dont eat out every night for that much..WOW

dita531 Posted: Mar 07, 2004 08:17 PM

Re: Feeding the vendors-please respond, I need advice.

One of the perks of being in a Wedding Band, a DJ or a Photographer ect is getting to eat at all these cool places. Don't skimp on the help. It's like taking away one of their job perks.

LadyPrincess Posted: Dec 15, 2004 11:54 AM

Re: Feeding the vendors-please respond, I need advice.

bump for others

David'sbride Posted: Dec 15, 2004 12:25 PM

Re: Feeding the vendors-please respond, I need advice.

Posted by kathleenmarie

honestly, and this is just my opinion, I dont like the idea at all. It feels cheesy to me.

Yes, again my friend pointed this out to me. It's one of the hidden costs. This is why I am not having a large bridal party or a band. Not only it the expense of the band but I always knew, yes, you have to feed them. It's expected.

bluesashbride Posted: Dec 15, 2004 12:42 PM

Re: Feeding the vendors-please respond, I need advice.

definitely ask the hall about a set plate for them that would cost less than $100 a person (that's a ton!)...but i would definitely have the hall prepare a nice meal for them, nothing brought in like a hero. Lots of times vendors state in their contract a hot meal is required (my photographer's did) and if you give them something lesser it could end up costing you more (she'll charge me more if her meal is a hero is something.) plus i kinda want to treat the band and vendor there extra nice so they go out of their way for me.

nferrandi Posted: Dec 15, 2004 01:14 PM

Re: Feeding the vendors-please respond, I need advice.

I wound up feeding the vedors through th hall, because it was a relatively reasonable cost- $65 I think (my regular plates were over $200.) My band was given the same options as my guests, but I made sure to confirm that ahead of time. The manager for my band said that the meals vary a lot from hall to hall. She said many times they get a pasta dish ( = cheap), sometimes they get an option, and other times they get a hero and chips- that's it. Just make sure to check with your hall so they don't take advantage of you. i think if your hall was to provide your vendors with a sandwich and chips then you may as well supply it yourself at a fraction of the cost.

isuser Posted: Dec 15, 2004 01:32 PM

Re: Feeding the vendors-please respond, I need advice.

my friend's band actually said meals are not needed as they were only playing for the 4 hour reception.

but if they do need/expect to eat, i would just pay for it!

nylibride Posted: Dec 15, 2004 02:11 PM

Re: Feeding the vendors-please respond, I need advice.

I think go ahead and include vendors in the meal 'head count.'
I agree it should be discounted. I was actually mcuh less than pleased with Lombardi's (who is now doing catering at Port Jeff) policy on this. It's 1/2 price if your vendor is a 'recommended vendor' but 2/3 the full price if you go outside their recommendations. Whatever. Definitely didn't weigh at all in our decisions of vendors, but still kind of obnoxious.