Urgent- How many of you are planning to ..............

olechka1911 Posted: Feb 27, 2007 09:23 AM

Urgent- How many of you are planning to ..............

feed your band, photographer, videographer, etc????

We went to our catering hall yesterday, and our baquet manager mentioned that we have to feed our band, photographer & videographer, etc. Not only that we have to do that, but we will also pay for them a full price that we are paying for any guest. Honestly, this is something I was not planning on doing, as band alone is 11 people+ others. That would come out to be an additional $2,000 expense before tax & service charge.

Girls, I need opinions!!!!!!!!!!! How many of you are planning on doing it?

Thanks

Mssissy Posted: Feb 27, 2007 09:26 AM

Re: Urgent- How many of you are planning to ..............

We paid for ours but our hall offered it as 1/2 price.
Since they don't drink and it's only the food you need to supply, it ***** they are making you pay full price.

Think about it....if you don't do it, the vendors can make your day miserable.

PeterNina Mom Posted: Feb 27, 2007 09:26 AM

Re: Urgent- How many of you are planning to ..............

It is customery to feed your band, photog, etc. Your catering hall usually gives a discount for those people and with some if you book vendors that they recommend (House vendors) the discount for their dinner is even more. So check with your BM.

DrWho Posted: Feb 27, 2007 09:28 AM

Re: Urgent- How many of you are planning to ..............

You do have to feed the vendors, but they shouldn't be charging you full price.

nmagel Posted: Feb 27, 2007 09:28 AM

Re: Urgent- How many of you are planning to ..............

You really need to feed them. Maybe your hall can give you a discount on vendor meals.

ChrissynRicky Posted: Feb 27, 2007 09:28 AM

Re: Urgent- How many of you are planning to ..............

Check w/your band first - they usually do not eat b/c they are there for 4/5 hours.

However, your photographer, videographer, and coordinator usually eat since they are with you at least 8+ hours.

Your reception site SHOULD offer a discount (half price) for your vendor meals.

Katie&Chris2006 Posted: Feb 27, 2007 09:30 AM

Re: Urgent- How many of you are planning to ..............

We fed everyone...I believe it's customary, however our RH offered a discounted price for them once we reached our guaranteed minimum.

VadersBride2006 Posted: Feb 27, 2007 09:39 AM

Re: Urgent- How many of you are planning to ..............

I think it goes without saying that you must feed your vendors. It's not like they can bring their own food with them, right?

Check with your RH, sometimes they offer 'downsized' meals at a lesser price for vendors.

MalteseMommy Posted: Feb 27, 2007 09:41 AM

Re: Urgent- How many of you are planning to ..............

We are feeding all of our vendors too but our hall only charges half price for their meals. Also, if you happen to not meet your minimum...can you roll the vendors into that number? Our hall offered that as an option as well. Good luck!

nifheim Posted: Feb 27, 2007 09:51 AM

Re: Urgent- How many of you are planning to ..............

Yea you really have to feed them, otherwise you may have a revolt on your hands. It may even be in your contract with them to do so in the fine print.

We choose mostly house vendors because of this. They eat for Free and the one house vendor we didn't use is half price.

One of the many reasons we had chosen our catering hall.

Kara and Todd Posted: Feb 27, 2007 09:59 AM

Re: Urgent- How many of you are planning to ..............

You absolutely need to feed them.

However, you should NOT be paying full price, as they are NOT to be served any alcohol. Bring that up with your hall and insist on paying a lower price for your vendors... They don't get as many courses as your guests, don't get the buffet at the CH, and don't get alcohol. You shouldn't be charged full price for them!

charisma Posted: Feb 27, 2007 10:05 AM

Re: Urgent- How many of you are planning to ..............

my RH is charging us 1/2 price for vendors

nifheim Posted: Feb 27, 2007 10:15 AM

Re: Urgent- How many of you are planning to ..............

Posted by Kara and Todd

You absolutely need to feed them.

However, you should NOT be paying full price, as they are NOT to be served any alcohol. Bring that up with your hall and insist on paying a lower price for your vendors... They don't get as many courses as your guests, don't get the buffet at the CH, and don't get alcohol. You shouldn't be charged full price for them!

Completely agree!!!

july06bride Posted: Feb 27, 2007 10:19 AM

Re: Urgent- How many of you are planning to ..............

As most have said, yes it is customary to feed your vendors-ask your hall about discounted dinners-

kelleyangelina Posted: Feb 27, 2007 10:22 AM

Re: Urgent- How many of you are planning to ..............

You should definitely ask the band if they want to eat.
I remember someone that was part of a band once saying that they would rather not eat the RH dinner that was provided to them, because they eat it ALL the time.
It's worth a shot.

rkl1130 Posted: Feb 27, 2007 10:49 AM

Re: Urgent- How many of you are planning to ..............

We are feeding our vendors, but ordinarily the RH offers you a discount on them because they don't really eat a full meal. Mine is charging us half, so you should ask your RH about their policy. You can also try to talk down your RH on the price of vendor meals by telling them that they don't even need a full course.

Fall Bride 2008 Posted: Feb 27, 2007 10:55 AM

Re: Urgent- How many of you are planning to ..............

That is the first time I herd any catering hall charging full price for vendors. Its just a rule to feed your vendors.

eelharas4700 Posted: Feb 27, 2007 10:56 AM

Re: Urgent- How many of you are planning to ..............

we are paying for our vendors-since we aren't using any house vendors they aren't free. but since fsil got married a tthe same rh a few years ago we were counting on paying for them.

pupidda122505 Posted: Feb 27, 2007 11:00 AM

Re: Urgent- How many of you are planning to ..............

I'm asking my vendors before I tell my reception hall whether they want to eat or not. My assumption is the band will most likely not eat, but in the event that they do, I'll be paying half price for all of them. It's still a lot of $$$ considering I'm having about 15 vendors with me that night, but if they tell me they want to eat I can't refuse them