Vendor Meals and Logistics

Re: Vendor Meals and Logistics

• metalotaku member

  

  November 2012

  this is why i'm happy that my vendors are my freinds. on top of that my dj, i have a freind who is going to help so he has time to dance with his daughter and wife and eat.
  
  and i don't want pictures of me stuffing my face. XD so it's ok if my photographer eats when i do.
  
  i don't think it should be to hard to have seating for a photograhper to eat and i bet the dj will eat at his station. if he has room.

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• Maggie0829 member

  

  November 2012

  In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_food-cakes_vendor-meals-and-logistics?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:23Discussion:c42f6e95-02b1-4017-9cfd-10b8212ab83aPost:c069364d-6c56-491e-ad25-6e6e173c24b0">Vendor Meals and Logistics</a>:
  [QUOTE]So I just got broadsided by the fact that not only is it commonplace to tip the vendors (which I knew and am totally cool with), but I also have to buy them dinner (which doesn't sit so well with me).  Fine.  Whatever, I'm already feeling nickled and dimed, but I'll do what I have to to get the services we need.  But how does that work logistically?  For example, we some pay vendors by the hour (like the DJ and the photographer).  Do they expect time off to eat?  Does that come out of the time I paid them for?  I mean, a quick 10 minute break here and there is fine and expected, but 30+ off to stand in the buffet line and eat their fill is completely different.  And where do they expect to be fed?  Do they expect to plop down in the middle of the grandparent's table or with the cute bridesmaids and chat it up?  Am I supposed to have a special vendor's table?  Is it rude of me to ask them to go to a prep room and eat?
  Posted by cld0478[/QUOTE]
  
  To me you seem to think rather poorly of your vendors and believe that they will take advantage of the fact that you have to feed them.
  
  Many vendors have it in their contract that a meal needs to be provided.  Remember that they will be just as hungry as your guests are when dinner or lunch time rolls around.  And it may surprise you but there is "down time" at your wedding for both your photographer and DJ.  While you and all your guests are sitting down and eating what do you think your photographer and DJ will be doing.  Yes your DJ will be playing music but he certainly isn't having to entertain the crowd while the eat.  Your photographer may take a few pics but generally must people do no like having their picture taken when shoveling in food.
  
  Vendors will typically grab a bit of food, sit off to the side and take a quick 15-30 minute break.  No this time does not come out of the total amount you paid them.  My DJ sat at his booth so he could switch the music around during dinner.  My photographer and her assistant, I honestly couldn't tell you where they sat because that was not the most important thing on my mind.  I am guessing they went off to the side and sat at one of our cocktail tables.
  
  As for tipping.  Tipping is ALWAYS voluntary.  If you do not think your vendor did a good enough job to deserve a tip then don't tip them.  Think about a restaurant.  You have a waitress and she does an excellent job serving you and is very nice, you generally tip her well but if she was rude, unhelpful, never refilled your drink, and only came back to give you your check, my guess is you would either not tip her or tip her rather poorly.  Same goes for your vendors.

  
  

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• cld0478 member

  

  November 2012

  In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_food-cakes_vendor-meals-and-logistics?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:23Discussion:c42f6e95-02b1-4017-9cfd-10b8212ab83aPost:5da0b779-0d48-4819-ac23-533932dac92a">Re: Vendor Meals and Logistics</a>:
  [QUOTE]In Response to Vendor Meals and Logistics : To me you seem to think rather poorly of your vendors and believe that they will take advantage of the fact that you have to feed them.
  Posted by Maggie0829[/QUOTE]
  
  I do not think poorly of my vendors-I'm in the planning stages and haven't even hired many of them yet.  I'm apologize if I came off as uncaring.  That's not the case.  I was venting since I had just learned about this custom from the photobooth guy who is bringing two assistants and expects the same meal I provide for guests.  That's going to cost me over $150 extra.  And that got me wondering how that works logistically with all the vendors.  We have limited reception space, I do not want the vendors eating at any of the reception tables.  My vendors are compensated professionals, not honored guests, and I want to make sure that distinction is respected by both my vendors and my fiance and I.  I'm also fine with just buying them dinner, but at $50 pp (for meals) and a tip, it just seems greedy, unless the value of the meal is counted toward the tip.  And the vendors do need to respect the fact that for every meal they get and tip the recieve, that's that many fewer guests the bride and groom get to invite if their budget is limited. I waited tables to put myself through college and I always tip 20% or more. But to ask me to tip like that and buy meals AND pay thousands of dollars in service fees makes me feel like maybe I should have rethink my career path and trade in my doctorate degee to provide wedding services.   

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• erinlin25 member

  

  November 2012

  talk to your venue; ours had a "vendor rate" that was way less per person than what our typical per guest rate was. (my venue was inclusive so the per guest was not just food) but even so, they cost for a vendor meal was very reasonable.  Think about it, when you work all day you like to get a lunch/meal break, whatever, so it makes perfect sense that would have to feed your vendors as well to give them a break too.

  
  
  
  

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• jessicabessica member

  

  November 2012

  Seconding the advice to talk to your venue.  They may offer a discounted meal for vendors.  

  
  

  If your vendors are experienced and professional, they should know when would be a good time to take a meal break.  Ask them where they prefer to eat--some might want a quiet table in another room to take a break, whereas I know some DJs that prefer to be served at their station so they do not have to leave.  

  
  

  I know it's stressful, but this is the kind of thing where as long as you know everyone's expectations and keep communication lines open, you will be fine.  

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• skantrowitz

  

  November 2012

  Our photographer, his assistant, the DJ, and the photo booth guy all had a meal. I don't know where they ate-- our venue took care of that. I know the photographers ate while we ate, which was a good plan. They had a "we'll work as long as you need for $X but when you eat, we eat" rule in their contract, which made sense to me.

  

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• TurtlesAllTheWayDown member

  

  November 2012

  My venue literally charged 1/5 of the price of a regular guest for a vendor meal. They prepared a plate of food made up of the same food we were eating, but the vendors didn't have multiple courses, hors d'oeuvres, or the open bar, and they didn't need to be served by staff. Hence, it was cheaper and they still go to eat awesome food. They ate in a break room off the kitchen, not with the guests. My photographer told me she would take a 10-15 minute break to eat when we were eating, which she did, and she wasn't even missed. It's really the least I could do after hiring her for 8 hours!

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