Feeding vendors

You don't HAVE to...unless it's in their contract.

But I really wouldn't want a bunch of hungry folks running the show at my wedding.

it depends if they say they need the food...

i was straight-forward with my vendors and asked them outright if i need to feed them. thank goodness the band said they don't need it and i had them put it in the contract. i asked the photog/video and they said we don't have to but it would be a nice gesture (so we are going to feed them).

in any case, according to my BM, any vendors we use will just get charged 50% off the pp rate.

I have to pay for all of my vendors also but they are only $40 per person. A happy vendor is a productive vendor :)

If you dont want to pay for all of them tell them to all eat at the cocktail hour. My make up artist is but she is not staying for the entire dinner

My hall is against vendors eating for some reason, and he's set on charging us the exact same pp price if we do.

His advice was to have the vendors eat during cocktail hour.

I'm not really sure what to do

A fed vendor is a happy vendor...and if you're looking to save money, not feeding your vendors is definitely NOT the route to go.

Your photographers/videographers/doc's, etc. are with you for 6++ hours and they're human beings and deserve a HOT meal.

Venues should be giving you discounts for their meals or at least offering you alternatives.

Think of it this way - if you opt to not feed your vendor, they'll just have to leave in the middle of the reception to go out to get their dinner, so they'll be off site for at least an hour...now do you really want that?

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Posted by IrinaBNY

My hall is against vendors eating for some reason, and he's set on charging us the exact same pp price if we do.

His advice was to have the vendors eat during cocktail hour.

I'm not really sure what to do

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Vendors SHOULD NOT be eating during cocktail hour - that's for the guests ONLY, and should be a time where the vendors are working.

I would talk to the manager and ask for vendor meals at the same time the guests are eating and NOT pay full price b/c they're not getting all the courses or BAR that the guests would be getting.

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Posted by ChrissynRicky

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Posted by IrinaBNY

My hall is against vendors eating for some reason, and he's set on charging us the exact same pp price if we do.

His advice was to have the vendors eat during cocktail hour.

I'm not really sure what to do

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Vendors SHOULD NOT be eating during cocktail hour - that's for the guests ONLY, and should be a time where the vendors are working.

I would talk to the manager and ask for vendor meals at the same time the guests are eating and NOT pay full price b/c they're not getting all the courses or BAR that the guests would be getting.

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Most vendors sneak food during cocktail hour back into the main room b/c they know that might be their only opportunity to eat for 7 hours. The only way to avoid this is to let your vendors know ahead of time that you will be providing them with meals.

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Posted by princesskittie08

I dont mind having to feed the vendors what annoys me is that you pay the same amout per person for them and they usually only get the main course...no salad, pasta course, etc...My FH is a DJ and he leaves starving from any event he does so he learned to full up before.

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This isn't always the case. Depending on the hall they provide the same amount of courses your guests get.

yes, you have to feed them all. its required per their contract.
most RH give you vendors for ½ price

ITA!

Even if it's in a contract, often halls don't feed vendors the way you think they do. Sometimes it's sandwiches, most times it's just a matter of 'here's what we have left, decide amongst yourselves what you're eating.' While I think most vendors are appreciative to be fed at all, it stinks that the bride and groom shell out money for them to eat and then some places serve cold cuts.

That's part of the expense of hiring a big band. You have to feed them. Plus they are one of the few vendors that will be present for most of your wedding, at least for your entire reception.

It doesn't have to be the fancy meal you serve your guests. The reception hall usually has a separate and less expensive meals for vendors.

Mine counted towards my minimum but those that were above my minimum were 1/2 price (they were not house vendors)

Here is a question. I will def be feeding my photog/assis photog and videographer. I am having a string trio playing during the CH and formal sit down dinner (there will be no dj at all til after the dinner...and the dj will be in a different room). So - do I have to feed the string trio? the dj? Keep in mind...the dj doesnt start til 9:30 pm....after our formal sitdown dinner...

help!

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Posted by alli3131

yes you feed them and yes they all get their own meal.

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yup