HELP!? Are you feeding your vendors?

a-c-d

We only have 4 vendors that we would need to feed but my FI is having a hard time "approving" that. He is frustrated that we are paying all of the vendors "a great deal of money to WORK at our wedding" and doesn't feel like we should have to pay for their meals too.

While I see his point, by the time the day is over, they will have all worked about 6 - 8 hours each. We should give them dinner, right? Even though we are doing a buffet and there is sure to be food left over, our venue makes us factor them into our meal headcount. So, we will be paying the same price for them as we would our guests and that is a little frustrating...

HELP!?!

p1001

yes, feeding the vendors is the appropriate thing to do (especially if they're working 6+ hours for you).  you don't have to guarantee them the same kind of a meal as your guests (i.e. if you were doing a full on plated dinner), but they should be provided a meal.  at our wedding, we included the photographer, videographer and band members in our head count.  we had a buffet as well.  i had place cards for the photog & videographer (the photog knew a few guests) and the band ate somewhere in the back, i think.  some caterers will offer a discounted meal for the vendors, it might be worth inquiring. 

reddie36

YES - always feed your vendors if they will be working 5 or more hours for you. Just because you are paying them doesn't exclude them from getting fed - silly boy! In the grand scheme of things it's a small added cost. It's like opting to not get power windows on your new car. (Do they even still offer that?) Some vendors will even have a clause in the contract that states they must be fed if working X # of hours - I know 3 of ours did. So be sure to check that - if not, ask the vendor if they want a meal & if so if they have any dietary restrictions.

Here is a good post from a wedding photographer about feeding your photog, but this can apply to anyone working at the wedding over 5 hours. And while you don't have to supply a hot meal, it's definatley appreciated by those working so hard to make your day come together. Maybe this will have some good points in it you can use to help your future DH understand why it's important.
http://www.melissajill.com/blog.cfm?catID=32

jedaniel

Yes, you should feed them! And honestly it can't be that big of an added cost since you are doing a buffet. My vendors didn't eat untill all my guest had been through the buffet line. And really you the bride are so busy that day you won't even think about it or notice them eating.

a-c-d

For the record... I think they SHOULD be fed and it won't bother me to see them eating. However, I also see my FI's point of view.

I guess the frusration for me is that our venue charges us the same for them as one of our wedding guests. We are trying to keep our guest count small so that our budget could be as well and adding the vendors adds about $150. Not a huge expense for some people but it means we may not be able to do some other things (like favors or a scrapbook, etc.).

I have asked the venue if they will let US provide (very nice) box lunches from Central Market. I haven't heard back. I hope they say yes- that could save us about $100.

Thanks for the input. I know we will end up adding them, I just needed some "ammo" for when I discuss this again with FI.

BabyBlueNTexas

Maybe you should ask the vendors, if they don't specifically have it in the contract. I know a few of ours have it in the contract. Our photographer, and Day of coordinator are for sure having a meal. The florist and cake people come and go... so no meal there. And for sure the offciant should recieve a place setting and meal for that person and a spouse.

It is a good question to ask. Better to be safe than sorry. Just tell your future husband that weddings are all about traditions and ettiquette. It is proper to tip and to treat to a meal, even though it costs us a little more than we want to spend.

How much are your plates?? I guess if each plate is 50 dollars, I wouldn't want to as well, so Central Market boxes might be a good idea.

a-c-d

Just a little update...

Our venue responded to my request to bring in box lunches. They reminded me that they don't allow outside catering... BUT then they offered to provide our vendor meals at half off.

So, the story ends well. Thanks!

Future Ramsey

You're so incredibly lucky.  Our caterer charged us regular price for vendors.  In the end it wasn't a big deal even though the thought of paying $30 for each of them does make me cringe a little.  I figure they should charge less (especially for a buffet) because your vendors aren't likely to go back through the line several times like your guests.