providing dinners

BeckyRosenstein

Is it required to provide dinners to the DJ and photographer?

megk8oz

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_chit-chat_providing-dinners?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:14Discussion:789a0e06-4fc0-4caf-ad83-f457b8edbb78Post:f71a2372-9cbf-4232-b506-ccac033beea4">providing dinners</a>:
[QUOTE]Is it required to provide dinners to the DJ and photographer?
Posted by BeckyRosenstein[/QUOTE]

It's the right thing to do.

Most of them will have it in their contracts that you have to feed them anyway.

jmkes

It's good manners. We're also providing for the police officers (who are required because we are serving alchohol.)  My venue person said it's customary to provide food for the staff at the venue.  I'm guessing this is true?? 

banana468

Yes you should be feeding your photographers and DJ.   If you have anyone else hired working throughout the reception, check to see that meals are provided for them and/or what their contracts involve.

aerinpegadrak

Yes, you should feed them unless you want them passing out midway through your reception.  It doesn't have to be the same thing that the guests are eating, many venues provide simpler and cheaper vendor meals upon request.

roma14

Agreed on the photographer, but for the DJ I'd say it depends on your timeline.  I didn't need my DJ until nearly 7:30 pm, so figured he had time to eat before the event. 

LauraT25

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_chit-chat_providing-dinners?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:14Discussion:789a0e06-4fc0-4caf-ad83-f457b8edbb78Post:c59374e9-0762-4af0-876a-f261e852ba98">Re: providing dinners</a>:
[QUOTE]Agreed on the photographer, but for the DJ I'd say it depends on your timeline.  I didn't need my DJ until nearly 7:30 pm, so figured he had time to eat before the event. 
Posted by roma14[/QUOTE]

Even if he doesn't start working until 7:30, he probably has to arrive earlier than that to set up.  You might want to ask him if he will need a meal.  Also, check your contract - my DJ is the only vendor that requires a meal in his contract.

HobokensFury

It's the polite thing to do.

mysticl

It's polite.  Some contracts will require it.  Some companies will prohibit it.  I've heard of some DJ companies that don't allow their DJs to eat if it's only a 4 or 5 hour contract. 

[Deleted User]

Ditto pp's. Make sure you tell your reception to add a few extra meals for your dj and any assistants and your photographer and any assistants when you give them the final head count.

loop0406

Yes, they are included on our guest list (but not sending them formal invitations) because they are going to eat, they should be provided a meal. It's considerate

marisah83

Our band required it in the contract.  I'm not feeding them the same as the guests though.  They are eating about an hour before the reception (after sound check), and I ordered sandwich platters for them.

jenn.daniel

Ask beforehand so you can let the caterer know about the head count.  Our DJ says he doesn't eat at weddings.  He doesn't think it's professional to eat on the job.