George Boyle
Feeding your wedding vendors is considered good etiquette. Vendors who are onsite for the majority of the day, such as photographers, videographers, DJs, bands, and planners, typically require a meal as per their contract. It is also a good idea to feed other vendors such as live painters or photo booth attendants. While it is not necessary to provide a meal for catering staff, it is important to ensure that all vendors are well-fed and hydrated so they can stay focused and energized throughout the event. Some couples choose to provide a separate space for vendors to eat and relax, while others prefer to have them dine in the reception space. Ultimately, the decision to feed staff at a wedding reception is up to the couple, but it is important to consider the vendors' needs and the potential impact on the flow of the event.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Should you feed wedding vendors? | Yes, it is considered good etiquette to feed wedding vendors. |
| Who should be fed? | Any vendor who is working for 6 hours or more, including photographers, videographers, DJs, live band members, planners, venue managers, photo booth attendants, and live wedding painters. |
| Where should they eat? | Vendors can eat in a separate room or area near the reception space, or at tables where cocktail hour was held. |
| When should they eat? | Vendors should eat when guests are eating to avoid missing any key moments. |
| What should they be served? | Vendors should be served good, substantial food, but it does not need to be the same meal as the guests. |
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What You'll Learn
Feeding wedding vendors is good etiquette
It is common for vendors to request a meal in their contract, and some may even indicate that they will leave the venue to get a meal if one is not provided. Vendors who are likely to be on-site for the majority of the day, such as photographers, videographers, DJs, bands, planners, venue managers, photo booth attendants, and live painters, should be fed. Some vendors, such as florists, bakers, hair stylists, and makeup artists, are usually not at the venue by the time dinner is served, so you are not expected to provide them with a meal.
When deciding what to feed your vendors, you do not need to provide them with the same meal as your guests. A hot meal is always appreciated, but it is not required. Some caterers may offer meals for vendors at a discounted rate, but it is not their responsibility to provide meals for their staff. You can ask your vendors directly if they will need a meal, and some may prefer to bring their own.
When it comes to where vendors should eat, many are comfortable eating in a separate room or area, as long as it is not too far away. This gives them a chance to relax and regroup away from the commotion of the event. It is also a good idea to have a wedding coordinator or a member of the wedding party keep an eye on the reception and notify the vendors if something important is about to happen, so they don't miss any key moments.
Feeding your wedding vendors is a thoughtful gesture that will ensure they can perform at their best throughout your special day. It is always a good idea to check with your vendors directly to confirm their meal preferences and ensure they have what they need to stay energized and focused.
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Vendors should be fed a hot meal
Feeding your wedding vendors is an absolute must. It is best to have your vendors well-fed, nearby, and ready for anything when you need them. It is also more convenient for them to take a short break in the room next door or at a table in your reception space than it is for them to leave your wedding to get dinner.
A hot meal is preferable, and some vendors will even indicate this in their contract. While it is not necessary to serve them the same meal as your guests, it is important that they are given something substantial that will keep them fuelled and focused. This could include a simple box of snacks or fresh fruit for them to nibble on, along with bottled water to keep them hydrated while they work.
It is also important to consider the timing of when your vendors will eat. If they are served first, they can get back to work as soon as they are done eating. Serving them at the same time as your guests can also work well, especially if you have a wedding planner or coordinator who can keep an eye on the reception and notify the vendors if something is about to happen, such as cake cutting.
Additionally, some vendors may prefer to eat in a separate space to relax and unwind, while others may feel disconnected from the couple and party if there is too much distance. It is a good idea to chat with your venue and planner about the best scenario for your wedding.
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Vendors may eat in a separate space
Feeding your wedding vendors is a must. However, some pros feel a bit awkward eating where guests can see them. They may feel like they are "taking a break" when they are technically there to "work".
A good solution is to provide a separate space for vendors to eat. This could be a room nearby, or at a table in the reception space, such as where cocktail hour was held. This allows vendors to truly unwind and regroup, without feeling disconnected from the couple and party.
If you have a wedding planner or coordinator, they should keep an eye on the reception and report to the vendors if something is about to happen, such as cake cutting, so no pictures are missed. If you don't have a wedding coordinator, make sure your maid of honour or best man knows where the vendors are eating and can notify them if needed.
It is also a good idea to serve vendors at the same time as guests. This way, they can remain on schedule and won't miss a minute of the action.
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Vendors may miss key moments if they leave to eat
Wedding vendor meals are an important part of any wedding's catering order and should be included in your wedding budget breakdown. It is a well-established industry standard to feed your vendors. While it may seem odd to feed the people working for you, there are some very good reasons for this.
Firstly, vendors who are well-fed are less likely to feel woozy and more likely to remain focused on the task at hand, which is making your day run smoothly. Secondly, if your vendors leave the premises to eat, they may miss key moments that they need to photograph, film, or set up music for. It is far more convenient for them to take a short break in a room nearby or at a table in the reception space. This way, they can easily remain on schedule and won't miss a minute of the action.
If you have a wedding planner, they can keep an eye on the reception and notify the vendors if something important is about to happen. If you don't have a wedding planner, then the best man or maid of honour can take on this responsibility.
It is worth noting that some vendors will require a meal as per their contract, so it is important to read the fine print. A hot meal is preferable, but if that is not possible, then a simple box of snacks or fresh fruit, along with bottled water, is a thoughtful gesture.
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Vendors working 6+ hours should be fed —e.g. photographer, videographer, DJ
Wedding vendor meals are an important part of any wedding catering order and should be included in your wedding budget. It is standard practice to feed your wedding vendors, and it is a kind gesture to offer a meal to those working during mealtimes. Vendors who work six hours or more should be fed—for example, photographers, videographers, DJs, live band members, and planners.
Some vendors will bring their own meals, but most do not due to the lack of food storage at venues. It is always worth checking with each vendor who will be present at your reception. Some vendors require a meal as per their contract, so be sure to read the fine print. It is also worth noting that some vendors will bring assistants, who should also be fed.
When deciding what to feed your vendors, it is not necessary to provide the same meal as your guests. A simple hot meal, or a box of snacks and fresh fruit, will be appreciated. It is also a good idea to provide bottled water to keep your vendors hydrated.
When deciding where to feed your vendors, some professionals feel awkward eating where guests can see them. Providing a separate space for vendors to relax and eat can allow them to truly unwind. However, some may feel disconnected from the wedding party if they are too far away. Vendors can eat together, and a wedding planner or coordinator can keep an eye on the reception and notify vendors if something important is about to happen.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, feeding your wedding vendors is an absolute must. It is best to have your vendors nearby and ready for anything when you need them. It is also good etiquette to provide your vendors with meals.
Wedding vendors should be fed good food. While they don't need to be served the same meal as your guests, it should be something substantial that will keep them fuelled and focused. This usually means a hot meal.
Vendors are not expected to eat amongst guests so you don't need to put them on your seating chart. Instead, plan to have a separate space where they can rest, store their equipment and enjoy their food.
