George Boyle
Feeding your wedding vendors is an important part of any wedding catering order and should be included in your wedding budget. It is a well-established industry standard to feed your vendors, and it is often written into their contracts. Vendors who are onsite for the duration of the event should be fed, while those who are only there for a couple of hours do not need to be provided with a meal. It is worth checking with each vendor who will be present at your reception, as some require a meal as per their contract. Vendors who are usually fed include photographers, videographers, DJs, live band members, planners, venue staff, security, bartenders, and photo booth attendants.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Should you feed your wedding staff? | Yes, it is an industry standard and it is stipulated in their contracts. |
| Who should be fed? | Coordinators, venue staff, security, DJ, photographer, videographer, band members, planner, live painters, photo booth attendants, and catering staff. |
| Where should they be fed? | In a separate space like a room next door or a table in the reception space or kitchen. |
| When should they be fed? | Before guests, during dinner, or after dinner. |
| What should they be fed? | A hot, nutritious meal, or a cheaper alternative like pizza or sandwiches. |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- Who to feed: photographers, videographers, DJs, bands, coordinators, etc?
- Vendor contracts: vendor meal required clauses and self-provided meals
- Where to feed: reception space or separate room?
- When to feed: before guests, with guests, or after guests?
- What to feed: hot meals, boxed lunches, or vendor meals?
Who to feed: photographers, videographers, DJs, bands, coordinators, etc
It is standard practice to feed your wedding vendors. This includes your photographer, videographer, DJ, band, and coordinator. Vendors who are present for the majority of the day or during mealtimes should be fed. This ensures they can remain on-site and continue working without interruption.
Photographers, videographers, and coordinators often fall into this category, as do DJs and bands, particularly if they are expected to work during mealtimes. It is always worth checking the contract of each vendor to see if they require a meal. Some vendors may specify that they need a hot, nutritious meal, while others may be happy with a simple box of snacks or fresh fruit.
It is worth noting that some vendors may feel awkward eating in the same space as your guests. Providing a separate space for them to relax and eat can allow them to truly unwind and regroup. However, some may feel disconnected from the party if they are too far away. Discuss your options with your venue and planner to determine the best course of action.
It is also important to consider the timing of the meals. Vendors should ideally be served first so that they can get back to work as soon as they finish eating. This ensures that they do not miss any key moments during the wedding.
Catering to Your Wedding: Plates and More
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Vendor contracts: vendor meal required clauses and self-provided meals
Feeding your wedding vendors is a must. Wedding vendor meals are an important part of any wedding's catering order and should be included in your wedding budget.
Most vendors will have a wedding contract clause saying "vendor meal required", which takes out the guesswork of who to feed. Some vendor contracts may even say they'll leave to get a meal elsewhere if they're not provided one by the couple. It is always worth double-checking with each vendor who will be present at your reception. Some of them require a meal as per their contract, so read that fine print!
Some vendors will have an assistant(s) with them, whom you should also feed. Florists, lighting providers, makeup artists, hair stylists, and the like may not be present for the entire day, nor will some of them be around for dinner, but they're still working just as hard to make sure your day is executed flawlessly. Providing a simple box of snacks or fresh fruit for them to nibble on and bottled water to keep them hydrated while they work is an easy but thoughtful gesture that will go a long way.
Wedding bands generally have very clear stipulations about when their meal needs to be ready, and it's often before their set during cocktail hour. The photographer and planners rotate between before dinner and after dinner. It is best to serve the vendors at the very beginning of dinner. Venues often have a protocol to do this the wrong way, which means that as your guests eat, your photographers are standing around starving. It is also important to note that vendors should be served a nice meal as it's probably the first time they've eaten since breakfast, and they're working really long hours to make the client's day special.
Whether you choose to feed them in the reception space or another room, all of your vendors can eat together. Determining the best time to feed your vendors can be a little tricky. Should they be served first so that they can get back to work as soon as they are done eating? When your vendors eat in the reception space, they can easily remain on schedule and won't miss a minute of the action. On the other hand, some pros feel a bit awkward eating where guests can see them. Being given a separate space to relax and eat dinner can allow vendors to truly unwind and regroup. But some feel disconnected from the couple and party when there is too much distance between them.
Most venues offer a "vendor meal" which is slightly different and way cheaper than the guest meal. It is always a good idea to check with your caterer to see if they give a discount for vendor meals.
Wedding Song Ideas: 100 Most Popular Tunes for Your Big Day
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Where to feed: reception space or separate room
Feeding your wedding vendors is an absolute must. It is best to check with each vendor who will be present at your reception and read the fine print in their contracts. Most vendors will have a clause in their contract that requires a vendor meal. Some vendors even specify that they need a hot, nutritious meal.
There are pros and cons to both feeding your vendors in the reception space and providing them with a separate room. When your vendors eat in the reception space, they can easily remain on schedule and won't miss a minute of the action. However, some pros feel awkward eating where guests can see them. They may feel that they are "taking a break" when they are technically there to "work".
If you provide a separate space for your vendors to eat, they can truly unwind and relax. However, some may feel disconnected from the couple and party when there is too much distance between them. If you do provide a separate space, it is best to ensure that it is close by, such as a table in the reception space or a room next door. This ensures that your vendors can easily get back to work and won't miss any key moments.
Ultimately, the decision of where to feed your vendors depends on your specific wedding and vendor arrangements. It is a good idea to chat with your venue and planner about the best option for your wedding.
Firehouse's 'When I Look Into Your Eyes': The Perfect Wedding Song
You may want to see also
Explore related products
When to feed: before guests, with guests, or after guests
Feeding wedding staff is an absolute must. However, determining the best time to feed them can be tricky. Here are some things to consider when deciding when to feed your wedding staff:
Before Guests
Feeding staff before guests can ensure that they are energised and ready to work before the dinner is served to the guests. This can be especially important for staff who have been working all day and need to refuel before the main event. It can also be a good option if you want to serve guests' meals at a specific time, such as during a seated dinner.
With Guests
Feeding staff with the guests can be a good option to ensure they remain on schedule and don't miss any of the action. This can be particularly important for staff who need to be present and working throughout the event, such as photographers and DJs. Eating with the guests can also create a sense of camaraderie and ensure that staff feel included in the celebrations.
After Guests
Feeding staff after the guests have been served can be a respectful option, especially if staff feel awkward about eating in front of guests. It can also be a more relaxed option, allowing staff to take a proper break and unwind. However, this option may cause logistical issues, as staff may need to coordinate their meal times with speeches, dances, and other activities.
Ultimately, the decision of when to feed wedding staff is up to the couple and should be based on the specific needs and preferences of the staff and the overall flow of the event. Communicating with the staff and the venue coordinator beforehand is essential to ensure that everyone is on the same page and that the staff are well taken care of.
Additionally, it is worth noting that some staff may have specific meal requirements or preferences outlined in their contracts, so it is important to review these carefully.
Savvy Wedding Planning: Do Planners Offer Discounts?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
What to feed: hot meals, boxed lunches, or vendor meals
Feeding your wedding staff is an absolute must. Wedding vendor meals are an important part of any wedding catering order and should be included in your wedding budget.
The type of meal you provide for your wedding staff depends on a few factors. Firstly, the time of day your wedding takes place will determine whether you need to provide breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Secondly, the type of cuisine served to your guests may influence the food provided to your staff. While it is not necessary to serve your staff gourmet meals, it is important to provide them with something substantial that will keep them fueled and focused.
Hot meals are generally preferred by wedding staff, and some vendors may even indicate this in their contract. A hot meal option could be a hot buffet, such as chicken and green beans, or a plated meal similar to what your guests are served. If your wedding staff will be eating in a separate space, a hot buffet may be a good option to allow them to serve themselves and relax.
Boxed lunches or snacks can also be provided, especially for vendors who are not present for the entire day or may not be staying for dinner. A simple box of snacks, fresh fruit, and bottled water can be an easy and thoughtful way to keep your vendors energized throughout the day.
Vendor meals are typically provided by the caterer, who may offer a discounted rate for these meals. The caterer will determine the timing of the vendor meals, which are often served after the guests are served their entrees. However, some vendors may prefer to eat at a separate time, especially if they have a different schedule or need to be available during certain parts of the wedding.
It is important to communicate with your vendors, venue, and planner to determine the best approach for feeding your wedding staff. This will ensure that your vendors are well-fed, energized, and able to provide the best possible service throughout your wedding day.
Afternoon Weddings: Cheaper or Costly Affair?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Yes, it is standard practice to feed wedding staff. Wedding vendors typically have a clause in their contract that requires a vendor meal. It is best to provide a hot, nutritious meal to ensure your staff can perform at their best and be available when you need them.
You can provide a separate meal for your wedding staff, such as pizzas or sandwich platters, or you can give them the same meal as your guests, minus the alcohol. Some caterers offer discounted "vendor meals", which can be a more affordable option.
You can set up a table in a separate room or a tucked-away area in the kitchen for your wedding staff to eat. Some staff may prefer to eat in a space where they can relax and unwind, while others may want to stay close to the action and eat in the reception space.
