I'm clueless on this!

cbratthauer

Please help me! I have never been married before and clueless on what to do as far as meals for the photographer and DJ. Do I send them invitations? Do I just ask them which meal they would like? I'm assuming I am responsible for feeding them, right? It just seems like the proper and polite thing to do. Also, we are having a videographer, do I include him in on the meal as well? Thank you!!!!!

slwager

good instincts! 

they need to be fed but don't need an invite.  ask your venue what their policy is on vendor meals.  if they don't have them ask your vendors what they woudl like and pay for it.

good luck!

The Mel and Todd Show

Ask your venue if they provide a vendor meal, or if your vendors will be given the same meal as your guests.  Yes, you should feed any vendors who will be at the reception, but it may not be necessary to feed them the $75+ meal which your guests are eating.  Invites sent to the vendors are not necessary, since they'll already be there working. 

JuneMaggie

Usually the caterer or  venue will have "vendor meals" available fro them- so just ask your venue contact.  

ahhhitsshannyn

No invites. You should ask them what they want since they may have food allergies or constraints. You should also include the videographer since he will be there for several hours and will be hungry.

You should check your contracts though, sometimes they prefer the same meal as you, or sometimes the catering company can make vendor meals that are like a sandwich or something quick for them so they can get back to work.

cbratthauer

Awesome thanks everybody! I guess here in Iowa meals must be cheap, ours are $15 and $17 a plate, so wouldn't be a big deal to give them a choice between the two meals we are serving.

emilyinchile

Check your vendor contracts as well - some specify exactly what kind of meal they need to be served that might conflict with the standard vendor meal (ie. if your venue's vendor meal is a sandwich and a bag of chips, and your vendor has specified a hot meal, you couldn't order the vendor meal).

DNAtime

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_im-clueless-this?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:13dde71e-27f1-428d-a0d0-1be252d6079bPost:cb347cdc-a8fa-4a28-8ff1-b7090a5deb7c">Re: I'm clueless on this!</a>:
[QUOTE]Check your vendor contracts as well - some specify exactly what kind of meal they need to be served that might conflict with the standard vendor meal (ie. if your venue's vendor meal is a sandwich and a bag of chips, and your vendor has specified a hot meal, you couldn't order the vendor meal).
Posted by emilyinchile[/QUOTE]

I ditto this. My photographer specifcally requests a meal and a seat in his contract.

jrkjpf

Our DJ is a bit of a smart a**, which we love, but within the contract, it states they want room temperature water, and M&M's, only blue M&M's....

But yes, it is nice to offer a hot meal, as well as most vendors put that information in the contract to make sure they will be covered.

bbrown185

I say yes you should definitely ask them which meal they would prefer. An invite is not necessary BUT could make the keeping track of that info easier...

Side note:  I need to move to IOWA. Oh mylanta. 

cbratthauer

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_im-clueless-this?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:13dde71e-27f1-428d-a0d0-1be252d6079bPost:7e6cab08-c1bb-47fc-881c-ed9ef3a28c0b">Re: I'm clueless on this!</a>:
[QUOTE]I say yes you should definitely ask them which meal they would prefer. An invite is not necessary BUT could make the keeping track of that info easier... Side note:  I need to move to IOWA. Oh mylanta. 
Posted by bbrown185[/QUOTE]

Lol yea and I'm actually in a bigger town. Where I used to live plates were $10. When I told my dad meals were $15 each he had a heart attack!

bbrown185

Hahahaha wow.  We would have been soooooo happy if they said our per person  cost was $15

cac7777

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_im-clueless-this?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:13dde71e-27f1-428d-a0d0-1be252d6079bPost:3d709835-8984-4353-a5dd-346d7c5370cb">Re: I'm clueless on this!</a>:
[QUOTE]Hahahaha wow.  We would have been soooooo happy if they said our per person  cost was $15
Posted by bbrown185[/QUOTE]

<div>I'm right there with you bbbrown... I was wondering the same thing as OP, and am now really hoping there's a vendor meal available! </div>