vendor meals

skiwic8 · July 2009

Hi Ladies, I am looking for opinions on vendor meals. Is everyone offering their vendors (photogs, musicans, etc.) meals? I spoke to my venue and I can't offer a diffent meal to my vendors. I feel like I am already paying the vendors a lot of money plus a tip on top of that and then I may be expected to give them a $45 meal as well??? What are you all doing?

[Deleted User] · July 2009

My venue offers a $10 vendor meal, instead of the $130 guest price.

Gabs71109 · July 2009

Are you serious? Some of your vendors may put in a 10 hour day and you want to "skip" their meal?You have to provide a vendor meal. Some venues offer a different price for a vendor meal. Check with your venue.

ricksang · July 2009

Yes, you have to provide them with meals. If you can't get them a vendor's meal, you may just have to suck it up and pay the $45.

october010bride · July 2009

Agree w/all previous posts. You have to feed the vendors and can't expect them NOT to eat during the wedding.Our location priced vendors meals at $20 in comparison to our $110 guest meal price.

arbolita · July 2009

Aside from the fact that it's just rude to not offer vendors a meal, most have it written into their contracts that you are required to have one for them. My venue does the vendor meals at a discount, yours probably does as well.

betrothed123 · July 2009

Our vendor meals were only less expensive because we didn't have to pay for them to drink alcohol. It was still full price for the meal. Oh well, that's what I get for picking the venue I picked. You have to feed the vendors, even if that means paying full price.

jeanna85 · July 2009

Our vendor meals are half price. It's still $125 for vendor meals but much better than $250. I looked at a TON of venues and every one offered half price vendor meals and required that you feed your vendors. Call your venue and ask if they have any deals or negotiate one.

lyndausvi · July 2009

I gave our vendors the same meal as the guests. I think we paid the same price, not sure though. I was going to fed them regardless. Check you contract about meals. Some vendors requires a meal, others do not. But do you really not want to feed a photographer who is working all those hours food? Everyone is entitled to a food break. If you do not offer the food then you risk them leaving to find the food themselves, thus possibly missing an important moment. If the food is offered they are more likely to eat on the go and be around for all the moments.

scoetto · July 2009

Fortunately the only non-friend vendors coming is the caterer. So we are paying full price for them since they would have been invited regardless.

buttaflai · July 2009

Boo to all of you who had a vendor meal price! I'm jealous.We reduced their meal costs because they didn't drink and they had half of the courses, but it was definitely not $20.

BriLJL · July 2009

We fed our photogs and the DJs. It's the right thing to do when they're spending all those hours at your wedding.

skiwic8 · July 2009

I hear what you are all saying. Gues I have to do the meals. It is what it is. But, I go to work everyday and am paid to do the work and my employer doesn't provide me with a $50 meal. And, our vendors will not be with us long...5 or 6 hours at the most.

scoetto · July 2009

But, I go to work everyday and am paid to do the work and my employer doesn't provide me with a $50 meal.No but they give you an hour off to eat and do whatever. Do you want your vendors to take an hour off in the middle of your wedding?

gottahavashorti · July 2009

I only have my photographer for 6 hours, but she's also traveling an hour to and from the venue and will be there during a meal time. Her contract requires a regular meal.The DJ is only going to be there for 4 hours, but he's also traveling about an hour plus setup and cleanup time. I asked whether he preferred a regular meal, vendor meal or if he did not eat during receptions.My guest list is already a bit tight, but I just factored them into the guest list as 'under 21' to make sure their meals are accounted for in the catering budget but not the alcohol budget.

ebarno · July 2009

Ask them. Some may decline. But I think that if they are working over a mealtime, you owe them the meal (unless you are willing to let them make a Taco Bell run). IMO, it is also kind of tacky to give them a different, "second class citizen" meal than your guests. Just my 2 cents.

brookelynpaisley · July 2009

My vendor meals are included in my price. I have to give them the count, but they're not included in my guest count. Even if this wasn't the case, you have to feed them. They're working all day and you're going to not give them food? That's ridiculous. Would you work all day and not eat, ever?

brookelynpaisley · July 2009

5 or 6 hours may not seem like much but think about how often you eat or at least snack. Probably every 4 hours, maybe? Breakfast at 8, lunch at noon, maybe a snack at 3 to hold you over until dinner? You need to feed them. Sorry you didn't plan for it but every planning guide I've seen has mentioned vendor meals. My DJ's contract requires that he is fed. You might want to double check yours, chances are you're required to provide something by at least one of them.

SoonToBeB · July 2009

My two cents...I saw what a vendor meal looked at a few places, and it's kinda sad looking. It's often a cold meal, a sandwich of some sort. I like my vendors and I'd feel bad feeding them cheap food when they are spending the day working so hard for me.

lyndausvi · July 2009

But, I go to work everyday and am paid to do the work and my employer doesn't provide me with a $50 meal.No but they give you an hour off to eat and do whatever. Do you want your vendors to take an hour off in the middle of your wedding? ^this. At some point during your workday you must eat something. Now you can either give them time off to get something to eat (which is not easy in a lot of cases) or give them something so they do not have to leave.

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