Vendor meal seating question

nicole098 · March 2011

Hi, ladies-

What's the standard protocol for vendor seating? Do they sit with the guests or typically have their own seating area?

I'm in panic mode; I acknowledged them in the count as additional meals, but never considered their seating. Oy vey. Talk about stressed...

Appreciate any insights :-)

sarilynnep · March 2011

Yeah I was curious about this too... I think I have seen it where they just bring the DJ his/her plate of food while they are working, but I have no idea when the photographer sits down to eat. I think it would be a little strange to assign them a seat.

CLW102409 · March 2011

I had my vendors sit with our guests, we had an extra table in the back of the room for them and they ate at their convenience. I know a lot of people will disagree with how I did it but because they work so hard (yes I know I paid them to work hard), I do think that they derserved a good meal too. But that's just how we did it!! To each their own. I know a lot of people that had their vendors eat in a separate room or hallway, etc.

EDIT: You can also ask your reception facility or caterer what they have done in the past.

gmc22 · March 2011

We wanted to have them sit with the guests but our venue said not to do this (not sure why) -- they sat with the guests and my brothers wedding and it went well so like I said, I'm not sure why, but ours will not be sitting with the guests.

lindsayzeleznik · March 2011

I was thinking about having a "vendors table" near the periphery of the guest tables. But I was thinking about doing vendor meals for them. Just not sure I want to spend all that money on additional meals, if they aren't really guests. The photographers we have said if they aren't in the ballroom they can't be responsible for pictures at that time. Hope my plan doesn't offend anyone.

KimWard · March 2011

Ours sat right with the guests, and ate the same thing (we had a buffet though).

JamieK1882 · March 2011

Ours sat with the guests, just near the back. We fed them regular meals and I called each one for their meal choice. (2 photograhers, 2 videographers, 2 DJ's)

jlbaxter33 · March 2011

My photographer has written into her contract that she gets a "hot meal" and asks to sit near the bride and groom for pictures. She acknowledged that a lot of people put the vendors in the back, but she said this is problematic b/c she won't be able to jump up and get a quick picture. Sounded good to me.

I assumed the DJ ate while he played? no?

carcrashheart · March 2011

we did not feed our vendors regular meals-they got vendor meals. when i spoke to the dj he noted that it was easier for him to eat a quick vendor meal and get back to work than a regular meal. i have no idea where any of the vendors ate, but it obviously wasn't a problem. our dj works with his girlfriend, so they just took turns eating. i assume the same happened with the photog & her assistant, but i don't know for sure. all i know is everyone ate and nobody bothered me with any problems re: their eating arrangements, and that's all i cared about.

pantherRN · March 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_pennsylvania-pittsburgh_vendor-meal-seating-question?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:116Discussion:564647bd-d85d-4307-9904-aac9d546dfe8Post:f2fff5d2-816c-4287-9eb9-61b03ed844c8">Re: Vendor meal seating question</a>:
[QUOTE]Ours sat right with the guests, and ate the same thing (we had a buffet though).
Posted by KimWard[/QUOTE]

I think we'll do something similar.

nicole098 · March 2011

Thanks for all the feedback. I feel a little better now. I'm waiting to hear back from our recpetion banquet manager about the issue too.

thanks much!

Vendor meal seating question

Re: Vendor meal seating question

Choose Another Board

Search Boards