Vendors Table? Do we feed vendors too?

Winnertag1 · May 2012

Is it etiquette/customary to feed the vendors/help (waitresses/waitors etc) and also have a table for the vendors?

The guest list has almost doubled since we started planning the wedding and we are 30 people away from being at the recommended maximum for the hall, we dont want it to be crowded. Today my WP brought it to my attention that we need to leave room for a vendors table so that they can eat (& and that we also have to put the vendors in the headcount for the caterers). I hadnt even thought of this in the beginning when I was counting heads/making the guest list. Is this neccessary? I havent heard of this before to be honest but I guess it does make sense.

I told my FI and he told me to 'check with my message board' haha so need your help please!

Snippylynn · May 2012

Every time I see this question, my honest reply is "Duh!" Of course you feed the vendors.

Winnertag1 · May 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_vendors-table-do-we-feed-vendors-too?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:723b0d7e-e493-4bb8-aa3d-7614782dc431Post:6f1c80e0-6b4c-41f5-aaa8-1ebb834ba408">Re: Vendors Table? Do we feed vendors too?</a>:
[QUOTE]Every time I see this question, my honest reply is "Duh!" Of course you feed the vendors.
Posted by Snippylynn[/QUOTE]
Thought so, thanks for your reply!<div>i'm quite thankful for my wedding planner, I would miss so much without her lol</div>

sarabellam · May 2012

Vendors, yes (photographer, DJ/band, videographer, DOC, etc). Wait staff doesn't fall into this category.

aragx6 · May 2012

Our photographer, DJ and Day-of-coordinator will have seats and will be fed. Other staff, like servers, don't require a vendor meal. Many vendors will have this written in their contract.

pokepoke27 · May 2012

Yes, you need to feed the vendors.

If you want to speak with your caterer, they can probably provide a vendor meal that is cheaper - but honestly I don't see the need to do that unless you have a crazy amount of vendors.

Winnertag1 · May 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_vendors-table-do-we-feed-vendors-too?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:723b0d7e-e493-4bb8-aa3d-7614782dc431Post:e4c21c8e-c6c8-4da9-9ac9-1b47facdc217">Re: Vendors Table? Do we feed vendors too?</a>:
[QUOTE]We had a table for the photo, videog, and WP in a separate part of the restaurant. All three had it in their contracts that a meal was to be provided. We didn't provide meals to the serving staff as the cost of their time/labor was included in the cost and it's what they'd be doing on a Saturday night anyway. We did tip the service staff (just as they would get tipped on a normal Saturday eve).
Posted by jcbsjr[/QUOTE]
Yeah I figured I probably would for my wedding planner, her assistant, the DJ, photographer & her assistant but I wasnt sure about the waitresses/waitors/bartenders. <div>
</div><div>We included a tip in our caterering bill from the start just because we didnt want to forget about it and its a hefty bit of money to forget we need to spend lol.</div>

Winnertag1 · May 2012

Thanks ladies! I appreciate your help

MyUserName1 · May 2012

You need to feed vendors such as photog, dj, band, etc. and provide a seat for them to eat at.

You do not need to feed wait staff or bartenders or vendors who will not be at the reception (Makeup artist, florist)

rlavach · May 2012

Also, talk to your venue regarding how they handle vendor meals. They are often at a discounted rate. Our vendors were seated in the lounge outside of the ballroom for their dinner, so we didn't need an extra table.

Winnertag1 · May 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_vendors-table-do-we-feed-vendors-too?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:723b0d7e-e493-4bb8-aa3d-7614782dc431Post:fd075625-15a7-443b-9498-f6572feab8f7">Re: Vendors Table? Do we feed vendors too?</a>:
[QUOTE]Also, talk to your venue regarding how they handle vendor meals. They are often at a discounted rate. Our vendors were seated in the lounge outside of the ballroom for their dinner, so we didn't need an extra table.
Posted by rlavach[/QUOTE]
Thanks for the advice. I was thinking of setting the vendors table in the room where the cocktail hour is right outside of the main room but I wasnt sure if that would come off as rude. I'm just trying to find a space concious way hah.

Loopyseven · May 2012

I fed our DJ's (there were 2), Photographer and her assistant. It was in all of their contracts that they needed to be fed. Vendor meals through my vendor were about 1/3 of the price, but they were just extras of what we fed our guests, not special vendor meals. The venue had a location for them to slip away and eat as their time allowed. You certainly aren't going to have your vendors all sitting at a table while you and your guests are eating. You want them taking pictures, making music, etc. Talk to the venue - they will know how they usually set things up. As PP's have said, wait staff, bartenders, etc are not considered "vendors" for purposes of meals.

Meegles4 · May 2012

This may be an obvious thing, but you should confirm with your vendors exactly how many people will be there. Our DJ brought another DJ and there was a third person up there most of the night as well (that I never met but who hung out at the DJ table all night). I'd accounted for 1 meal for the DJ b/c I thought that was all that would be there. Our photobooth person also had an assistant, when I thought it would just be him.

Honestly, now I'm wondering if they all ate and what they ate.

unchatenfrance · May 2012

I booked our venue's house DJ, whose meal is taken care of and included in the price. The venue also provides a "day-of" wedding coordinator, whose meal is also included. This left only my photographer, whose meal (same options and portions as guests) was half-price since he was obviously not going to make full use of the open bar. I asked the venue about the best place to seat the photogorapher and they said they could put a small table for him next to the DJ - so the centre of the room - who also eats while the guests eat. So the photographer is there to not miss anything but he still gets the same food and at the same time as the other guests. So talk to your venue, but think carefully about the photographer's seating. You want him to be seated where he won't be in anybody's way, but more importantly where no-one else will be in his way too.

zitiqueen · May 2012

Find out from your vendors and your venue where the vendors normally eat. My brother used to be a wedding photographer and he hated eating in the same area as the guests because guests would come up to him and ask him to make sure to take their family's picture before the night was through or whatever. Same with song requests for the DJ. They may prefer to have a half-hour to eat in a room that's off somewhere with no interruptions.

rlavach · May 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_vendors-table-do-we-feed-vendors-too?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:723b0d7e-e493-4bb8-aa3d-7614782dc431Post:0685032d-d252-4786-af0f-6a0ba1195194">Re: Vendors Table? Do we feed vendors too?</a>:
[QUOTE]This may be an obvious thing, but you should <strong>confirm with your vendors exactly how many people will be there.</strong> Our DJ brought another DJ and there was a third person up there most of the night as well (that I never met but who hung out at the DJ table all night). I'd accounted for 1 meal for the DJ b/c I thought that was all that would be there. Our photobooth person also had an assistant, when I thought it would just be him. Honestly, now I'm wondering if they all ate and what they ate.
Posted by Meegles4[/QUOTE]
I forgot to mention that also. Both our videographer and photographer brought assistants that we weren't aware of. Even though I asked how many there will be so that I could order meals & if any had dietary restrictions (1 did). We had 8 no-shows, so we didn't get charged for those extra vendors anyway. They just all asked if they could be fed during dinner that way they were free to do their job while the dancing and other festivities were occurring.

Winnertag1 · May 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_vendors-table-do-we-feed-vendors-too?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:723b0d7e-e493-4bb8-aa3d-7614782dc431Post:52543f16-7838-4c82-9e34-1d84a0f1f0a2">Re: Vendors Table? Do we feed vendors too?</a>:
[QUOTE]Find out from your vendors and your venue where the vendors normally eat. My brother used to be a wedding photographer and he hated eating in the same area as the guests because guests would come up to him and ask him to make sure to take their family's picture before the night was through or whatever. Same with song requests for the DJ. They may prefer to have a half-hour to eat in a room that's off somewhere with no interruptions.
Posted by zitiqueen[/QUOTE]
i actually sent my WP an email suggesting that we set up a vendors table out side of the great hall where the reception will take place (but still in a very nice room) and she said that it was poor etiquette and that the vendors will be seated in the same room as the guests.<div>
</div><div>Closer to the date I will send my vendors an email and ask them where they would like to sit during their meal.</div>

Winnertag1 · May 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_vendors-table-do-we-feed-vendors-too?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:723b0d7e-e493-4bb8-aa3d-7614782dc431Post:74a51378-d25f-4cd0-8cb6-972ee94b7ca2">Re: Vendors Table? Do we feed vendors too?</a>:
[QUOTE]I booked our venue's house DJ, whose meal is taken care of and included in the price. The venue also provides a "day-of" wedding coordinator, whose meal is also included. This left only my photographer, whose meal (same options and portions as guests) was half-price since he was obviously not going to make full use of the open bar. I asked the venue about the best place to seat the photogorapher and they said they could put a small table for him next to the DJ - so the centre of the room - who also eats while the guests eat. So the photographer is there to not miss anything but he still gets the same food and at the same time as the other guests. So talk to your venue, but think carefully about the photographer's seating. You want him to be seated where he won't be in anybody's way, but more importantly where no-one else will be in his way too.
Posted by unchatenfrance[/QUOTE]
Thank you! I appreciate you help, it makes sense that the photographer doesnt miss anything/always knows whats going on.

Meegles4 · May 2012

Yeah, my vendors were seated in our ballroom with the rest of the guests. I never even thought about putting them in another room so I don't have any input on whether that's bad form or not. I figured some of them may sit down for a few minutes, have a few bites, and then jump up to work (i.e. change a song, take a photo, etc.) so they shouldn't be too far away from the action. Also, some may just eat at their station (i.e. the DJ). But, it's still nice to have a seat for him/her in case they'd prefer to eat away from their equipment.

MyUserName1 · May 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_vendors-table-do-we-feed-vendors-too?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:723b0d7e-e493-4bb8-aa3d-7614782dc431Post:64f1c0a4-98ae-4bad-a9ba-676bbf23b9f0">Re: Vendors Table? Do we feed vendors too?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Vendors Table? Do we feed vendors too? : i actually sent my WP an email suggesting that we set up a vendors table out side of the great hall where the reception will take place (but still in a very nice room) and <strong>she said that it was poor etiquette and that the vendors will be seated in the same room as the guests.</strong> Closer to the date I will send my vendors an email and ask them where they would like to sit during their meal.
Posted by DileniN[/QUOTE]

<div>...That's weird. They aren't guests. They're working for you.</div>

aragx6 · May 2012

^My contract with my DOC says she must be seated at a guest table -- I read that as saying she can't be off in some vendor corner elsewhere. Not sure where I'll put those vendors yet honestly.

gailpete · May 2012

You should also check with your vendors as to what they prefer. The DJ requested a sandwich he could eat at his station. So just send them an email closer to the day and give them their options.

We were going to seat ours in the main ballroom, but due to some space issues, the ended up in another room. None of them seemed to mind.

FutureMrsSS · May 2012

I would also ask your venu. They might already have something set up for vendors, and then you don't have to worry about it!

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