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August 2012 Weddings
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do vendors count?

odustudent22odustudent22
100 Comments
in August 2012 Weddings
I brought up a question to my FI yesterday and he said "I Don't know, go ask your wedding board" so here it is....

When doing the final count for the dinner (i'm having buffet) do you let the vendors (dj, videographer, photographer) eat?  if so, do you have to count them in the guest list?  or, do you just let them go through when everyone else is eating?  and if they're eating, are they still working? I"m totally clue less about "vendor etiquette"
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Re: do vendors count?

  • Lobsters25Lobsters25 member
    1000 Comments 25 Love Its Second Anniversary Name Dropper
    Yes, they are eating.  We're doing a buffet, so I know I'm going to have a conversation with our venue as to whether we want them included in the buffet headcount, or if we want them to have a separate 'vendor meal,' that they can go take a break and eat.  Most places are used to dealing with this - so just ask your specific venue how they customarily handle it.
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  • [Deleted User][Deleted User]
    100 Comments
    I believe that generally, you allow them to eat, especially if they're working for more than 4 hours (for example, your photographer may be with you for 8 hours).  But I'm no expert...

    We aren't having a buffet, but the venue offers discounted prices when you include the vendors in the final head count.  I believe at our place, the vendors eat for the same price as children.  You should ask the venue or catering company how they handle the situation. 
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  • frantastic12frantastic12 member
    100 Comments 5 Love Its First Anniversary
    edited May 2012
    Yes, you count them, but your caterer may have something like a boxed lunch (sandwich, chips, etc) available for your vendors.  Some vendors have it in their contracts that they need to be provided a meal if they're working over X hours. 
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  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] member
    500 Comments
    Read your contracts, then ask what they prefer. Some vendors also specify that they need a hot meal, not a boxed lunch. We're giving our venue a headcount in the form of "XX adults, XX under 21s, XX vendors" because under 21s have a reduced price, as do vendors (because neither under 21s nor vendors have access to alcohol, per venue policies. Tho I'll sneak the DJ a drink if he wants one).

    So in short, yes, count your vendors. They'll eat when they have time. You'll need to have seats for them, too. Generally they don't appreciate being stuck in a corner at the crappy "vendors table", though that's not true for everyone. Your best bet is to ask them what they want.
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  • msowenamsowena
    100 Comments
    Your contract should state if its required or not. I don't mind paying for their food or them taking a break to eat... what annoys me is that I have to set aside seats for them... my venuw if small and even saving 3 or 4 seats for vendors makes it 3 or 4 less close friends that get to be there :/ We have outside picnic tables...I wish I could rely on the weather being nice so I could see if they would want to eat out there.
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  • saraschilling88saraschilling88
    500 Comments
    I'm clueless on this, so I'd say check your vendor contracts and your reception venue/catering contract.
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