Buy dinner for vendors?

BlissfulLove12 · August 2012

Do you need to provide a dinner for all vendors? is that required?

ShelbyGT21 · August 2012

Some may require it in contracts I've heard from friends, so I'd check, but I know it completley varies.

MaggieandJake · August 2012

usually you have to feed anyone who would "work through" your reception. Generally speaking this would be your DJ and your photographer. We just gave them the cheapest meal option that was available.

Cackle6 · August 2012

Ditto PP - we fed anyone who was working through the wedding. For our photogs and videographer we gave them a regular meal, as they had been with us all day. For the band (which was 10 people!), photobooth attendants and DJs, we ordered a variety of pizzas from the venue for them, as they were there for the reception and I wanted to feed them, but felt pizza was adaquate.

wittyschaffy · August 2012

We fed "real" meals to our photog and crew (including a custom vegan meal for one of them which they thanked me for over and over and over again!) Our videographer left before dinner started so he didn't get one. DJ wasn't there until 6:00 and didn't get one (he said that was ok with him). Our officiant was formally invited to attend the reception so he got a real meal too. Our photobooth attendant wasn't there until after dinner as well so she didn't get one either.

lynnava · August 2012

Vendors are people and need to eat just like everyone else- think about your photogrpaher who spends 10 hours with you that day. I think it's rude not to provide a full meal.

SSaltzman87 · August 2012

Yup, sometimes meals are required via contract. For us that'll only include the DJ and Photographer. If you choose to invite your officiant to the reception, then yes include a meal for them too.

mabrown5 · August 2012

I would check your contracts to see if they require a meal to be provided. Our caterer actually provides our vendor meals for free so we don't have to worry about paying for meals for them. However, if this was not the case I would provide one for anyone working through the wedding (I.E. over dinner).

bethjohnson246 · August 2012

Generally speaking, I think it is polite to provide the vendors with the same as everyone else, IF they are there during the meal time. A lot of photog and video people are there with you for an average of 8 hours. If your DJ is doing dinner music, most of them show up 1-2 hours before the event and are there for up to an hour after the event. (approx 9-10 hours).
That said your vendors are working hard for you, and should be accorded as such, regardless of what the contract says.

flower_lover · August 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_minnesota-minneapolis-st-paul_buy-dinner-for-vendors?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:81Discussion:1bf4809f-d815-42be-a11c-4c5b3c730056Post:42d1e578-2cd6-4c18-b8d4-858be0ced586">Re: Buy dinner for vendors?</a>:
[QUOTE]Generally speaking, I think it is polite to provide the vendors with the same as everyone else, IF they are there during the meal time. A lot of photog and video people are there with you for an average of 8 hours. If your DJ is doing dinner music, most of them show up 1-2 hours before the event and are there for up to an hour after the event. (approx 9-10 hours). That said your vendors are working hard for you, and should be accorded as such, regardless of what the contract says.
Posted by bethjohnson246[/QUOTE]

I agree with this. We gave our vendors the same meal choices as our guests, and they were appreciative. I am certain that making your vendors feel good by offering a nice meal results in better service. In my view, it's like tipping.

Buy dinner for vendors?

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