vendor meals/seating?!

vscotter

what is your opinion about vendor meals & seating?  My venue suggests that the photographers, videographer and day of planner should be seated at a table at the reception.  but we already did our tables, so we'd have to add a table just for those vendors?!  With the rented chairs, linens, chargers, centerpieces... it just seems like a LOT of money - in addition to what we're already paying!  is it disrespectful to have them eat in another room?  (we're definitely sending the 13-member band to another room)thanks!

ffmaid

Our vendors ate in the back room except dj who ate at the dj table I see no reason they need centerpeices and to be treated like guests when  they are really just the staff

[Deleted User]

Mine will eat in another room.

~mRm~

IMO not disrespectful to eat in another room. Some even prefer to eat at their stations like PP mentioned.We had space in our venue for a vendor table, towards one corner of the room. We did the linens to match the other guest tables, but did not do CP, favors, ect. We put a tent card on the table reading "reserved for vendors."

mbcdefg

Definitely feed them. But no, it's not rude for them to eat away from the guests. Ask your reception venue if there is a side room where they can eat, relax and maybe store their stuff securely.

jagore08

Mine ate outside the room and their table didn't have anything special on it (no centerpiece). It was also a place for them to stash all of their equipment and personal stuff away from the guests.

tenofcups4me

Our vendors ate in another room. We had a buffet set up for them there (guests had plated meals) and they could come and go at will. I don't see any reason why they need to be in the main room -- they're not guests; they're working. If it were me, I'd rather be able to get away for a few minutes anyway.

lyndausvi

My DJ ate at his station.  Photographer and assistant ate at a high-top table in the 'bar' area.  I think most vendors prefer eatting at their station or at another room.  I mean if they are eating at a table with other guests then it's not really a 'break' for them.

MOBinFL2008

The band at my daughter's wedding had in their contract that they eat in a different room that they could also use for breaks.  All of the vendors ate together.

Lasairiona

Yes it is disrespectful to quarantine them to another room to eat. It makes them look like you don't care about them at all and that they are nothing more than slaves. I've also heard of people forcing their vendors to eat in the kitchen, which any venue who cares about keeping their license from the health dept will not and cannot allow to be done. If you want dinner music, the dj/band has to be in the room. If you want pictures during the toasts, the photographer has to be in the room. That means they need to eat in the same room as well. You should have arranged for an additional table for the vendors. Otherwise they have no choice but to slip out for a quick break to McD's, which you won't want because it will affect the overall flow and vibe if your vendors aren't treated properly.

kyks17

My venue's policy is to have them eat in the player's lounge (it's a golf course), separate from the guests. I don't see anything disrespectful about having them go to another room.

duckie1905

Yes it is disrespectful to quarantine them to another room to eat. It makes them look like you don't care about them at all and that they are nothing more than slaves. Jigga whaaaat? They aren't slaves, you are paying them so they are your employees. Since they are your employees you don't have an obligation to treat them as valued guests. You are paying them for their time, not inviting them as guests. Ours preferred to sit in another room (we asked). It was nice for them to take 20 minutes to sit down and eat something, as most of them probably had not eaten since breakfast. They appreciated being away from the crowd. They went and ate after the toasts were over while we were eating (so they missed nothing) and they were back in plenty of time for some table shots and the first dances. If you can't give them another room you will need to get them a table and chairs to sit at and eat. Most of our contracts required that we feed our vendors something. If we didn't they had the option to leave our reception for one hour to get something to eat and it was on our dime. Aside from that, these people are more than likely working a long day for you and even though they are getting paid it is polite to give them a meal. You don't have to give their table centerpieces, etc, just a table and chairs.

faith194

Everyone, except for our photographers, were family. . so they sat at their respective tables. In the photog's contract, though, it said separate seating in a separate location. I actually think they ended up eating at the bar, although there were plenty of places to eat outside(which is where they prefer). Anyway, I don't think they ate much, because there was an amazing sunset(this was past their contracted hours), and they couldn't resist taking photos just as they got their meal. Check your contract, and just ask your vendors which they prefer.

charlsie26

My photographer brought up a good point....If something happens thats worth being photographed, your photographer misses it because you stashed them into another room.  I would at least consider keeping your photographer in the reception room. 

lyndausvi

Yes it is disrespectful to quarantine them to another room to eat. It makes them look like you don't care about them at all and that they are nothing more than slavesSeriously?  They are employees who want a break.   A break is when you can just plop down, eat in peace without silly small talk with people you you have never met before, nor will mostly likely every see again.We are always asked to eat with our guests on the boat and everyone of the crew feels uncomfortable.  We all choose to standup down below just so don't have to be 'on'.  We do not look down on anyone who doesn't offer us to eat with them.  We actually find it a relief.I'm sure you would be annoyed if you were forced to sit and eat your lunch at your desk everyday.  It's one thing if you choose to, it's another to be told to. 

nbw

Having a vendor table is important.  It makes the vendors feel valued.  You would definitely want a photographer in the room to be available to take shots of something that may come up unforeseeably.  Their table however, does not need to have centerpieces, or upgraded linen.  It can even be set all the way in the back of the room away from guests, but definitely in the same room.  If you plan in advance, you may be able to negotiate a lower price for the vendors with your banquet hall/caterer/hotel.  This way you save all the additional cost, you do not have to treat them as guests, and you also make them feel valued (they have been on their feet all day for YOU) so much that they put in an extra effort to cover your wedding!If most of your vendor contracts specifically ask to be seated separately, you can do so, but if this is not specified, it doesn't hurt to ask your vendors if they would mind sitting in the same room or they prefer to be seated elsewhere.

Lovie 129

I would seat them as if they are guest, even though they are working. In my opinion, it speaks to your character....how would you want to be treated if not asked? Decorate the vendor table (if you wish to call it that) the same as all other tables for continuity, especially for the pictures. The photographers we hired come with a staff of  3; would you want them to have to worry about not taking a particular shot because their table had no floral arrangement or no table cloth?If your not sure about something, it's always best to move to the side of proper social graces and kindness. Most hotels and caterers allow for overage of a few plates. Feeding your vendors should not bust your budget.