Vendor Tips and Dinner (who gets what?)

NicoleEOle13

Alright, this will most likely be my last thread because I've exhausted all questions, ha ha.

Tomorrow I have to speak with Don from the Rusty Pelican about my final count, including vendors and which will need to eat. What I'm hoping to do is list all my vendors, and I'd love if you could help me figure out who I need to feed, and also who I need to tip, as almost all my vendors own their companies. So, I think the most effiicient thing would be just copy and paste my list of vendors and tell me if I tip them, how much of a tip, and then if I should give them a meal.

Also, do I bring up to them that I've paid for their meal? I've never really read anywhere how this seems to be know

Jason Angelini Phtographer (owns company)
Frank Lebano DJ (owns company)
Chad Whelan Videographer (owns company)
John Melchinger Officiant (technically owns A Perfect Witness I think)
Irene Baxter For Better For Less Florist (owns company)
Monique Shutterbooth (I think she owns Shutterbooth)

and lastly, do I tip Don? I don't think I have to considering he must get a portion of what we're paying for the RP. Thanks ladies!

JulieNFlo

Ok I feel that you are correct only tipping if they do not own the company, that is what I was instructed to do as well for my wedding.  But I personally felt a little different about that. As far as the Rev goes I made a donation to his organization. And I also gave a tip to 1 vendor that I felt went over and beyond during our event. I also gave a tip to the meal service manager for our venue because he was running around like crazy making sure that we ate, that my kids ate and that we were happy!  

As far as meals go.  You should provide meals for any vendors that are there during the reception.  For instance the DJ, photogrpher, videographer, DOC and any assistants that any of those vendors may have helping them out.  They are there for LONG hours so you want their bellies FULL so that they do their BEST for you

With all of this said I have known many of the girls say that since they are providing meals they are not tipping which I feel is fine because the meals can be costly.  Also our venue gave us discounts on vendor meals as well so make sure you ask that also.

*Mrs.CPH*

Anyone that owns their own company doesn't NEED a tip, generally speaking you don't tip the proprietor. That said if they go above and beyond feel free to tip them or send them a small gift.

As for meals, anyone that is working during the reception should get a meal, so you DJ photog, videographer. Also any assistants that are with them the entire time will need to eat too!

Your florist, and officiate usually aren't around for the reception so no need to feed them

Check your vendor contracts to make sure that your officiant doesn't require attendance to the reception, some do? if that's that case, then yes you have to feed them.

The vendors who stay during the reception typically expect a meal (and it's usually in the contract too) so no need to tell them you paid for them, they're expecting you too.

Oh another note, make sure to ask Don what type of meals the vendors with be getting... you want to make sure your vendors are fed well and happy

As for Don, they usually get a portion of the gratuity you are already paying so no need to double tip him unless he goes above and beyond.

NicoleEOle13

So what about Monique from Shutterbooth? Does she get a meal since she'll technically be out in the hall with the shutterbooth most of the night at the reception?

JulieNFlo

I would say yes...if she is working during the reception time for you

*Mrs.CPH*

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_florida-west-coast_vendor-tips-dinner-gets?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:62Discussion:be27b979-a697-4a6d-8a94-31b7b77bfde4Post:d13f9074-6be6-4133-acbb-83a22155c7c4">Re: Vendor Tips and Dinner (who gets what?)</a>:
[QUOTE]I would say yes...if she is working during the reception time for you
Posted by JulieNFlo[/QUOTE]


Ditto if she is there during the reception then yes.

Kristin789

Jason Angelini Phtographer (owns company)  VENDOR MEAL, NO TIP
Frank Lebano DJ (owns company)  VENDOR MEAL, NO TIP
Chad Whelan Videographer (owns company) VENDOR MEAL, NO TIP
Monique Shutterbooth (I think she owns Shutterbooth) VENDOR MEAL, NO TIP

Irene Baxter For Better For Less Florist (owns company)  MOST FLORISTS DELIVER THE FLOWERS AND LEAVE - IF SHE DOES THIS OR IF SHE SENDS STAFFERS TO DO THIS, THEY WILL NOT BE THERE FOR A VENDOR MEAL.  NO TIP.

John Melchinger Officiant (technically owns A Perfect Witness I think)
THE OFFICIANT WILL BE SEATED WITH YOUR PARENTS AND FI'S PARENTS AT TABLE ONE, EATING A REGULAR MEAL, NOT A VENDOR MEAL.  NO TIP.

Also, do I bring up to them that I've paid for their meal? I've never really read anywhere how this seems to be know

Providing the vendor meals should be included in every contract, and it's probably stipulated there WHEN the vendor meals need to be provided.  For example, most vendors arrive early because they have so much stuff to set up, then they eat the vendor meal in a different room before the reception begins, so that when the reception starts, the vendor is ready to work.  Sometimes the vendor meal is served during a break - like I have a friend in a band and sometimes the band plays a convention banquet where they play soft music during dinner, then there is a break for some kind of program or keynote speaker - this is when the band eats the vendor meals - and then there is a dance afterward.

corstink

I didn't tip anyone who owned the company. And I didn't tip Janida so I probably wouldn't tip Don.

I don't know if he handles the reception the same way Janida did but pretty much after we had our "private moment" she left everything in the hands of the catering captain.

NicoleEOle13

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_florida-west-coast_vendor-tips-dinner-gets?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:62Discussion:be27b979-a697-4a6d-8a94-31b7b77bfde4Post:60a6b48d-cce0-4c4f-a0d1-9822b7f1321e">Re: Vendor Tips and Dinner (who gets what?)</a>:
[QUOTE]Jason Angelini Phtographer (owns company)  VENDOR MEAL, NO TIP Frank Lebano DJ (owns company)  VENDOR MEAL, NO TIP Chad Whelan Videographer (owns company) VENDOR MEAL, NO TIP Monique Shutterbooth (I think she owns Shutterbooth) VENDOR MEAL, NO TIP Irene Baxter For Better For Less Florist (owns company)  MOST FLORISTS DELIVER THE FLOWERS AND LEAVE - IF SHE DOES THIS OR IF SHE SENDS STAFFERS TO DO THIS, THEY WILL NOT BE THERE FOR A VENDOR MEAL.  NO TIP. John Melchinger Officiant (technically owns A Perfect Witness I think) THE OFFICIANT WILL BE SEATED WITH YOUR PARENTS AND FI'S PARENTS AT TABLE ONE, EATING A REGULAR MEAL, NOT A VENDOR MEAL.  NO TIP. Also, do I bring up to them that I've paid for their meal? I've never really read anywhere how this seems to be know Providing the vendor meals should be included in every contract, and it's probably stipulated there WHEN the vendor meals need to be provided.  For example, most vendors arrive early because they have so much stuff to set up, then they eat the vendor meal in a different room before the reception begins, so that when the reception starts, the vendor is ready to work.  Sometimes the vendor meal is served during a break - like I have a friend in a band and sometimes the band plays a convention banquet where they play soft music during dinner, then there is a break for some kind of program or keynote speaker - this is when the band eats the vendor meals - and then there is a dance afterward.
Posted by Kristin789[/QUOTE]Thank you for answering everything!!!

aallenba

We had our officient at a separate table (not with our parents but with other guests) and made sure we told him at the rehearsal that he and his wife was definitely invited to the reception even though I didn't mail him an invite.

The other vendors (DJ, photographer, videographer, etc) had a separate area to eat with a bag lunch that Tampa Palms provided (for $14/person rather than way more), our coordinator pulled them aside to make sure they knew where to go for their food. Don hopefully should do the same thing.

babybchbum

PS. Most vendors will put in their contract if they are required to have a meal or a break. I know Jason either gets 45 min break during your reception or you provide a meal. (in contract) :-)

varkgirl

My husband and I are wedding photographers and I just wanted to post to say, vendor meals are NOT real meals! We have been shoved in basements, kitchens, back rooms, hallways, etc to eat cafeteria food while the reception goes on without us in the background. It is much better to include your vendors in the seating chart so they can remain part of the action and not miss important parts of your day!