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I wouldn't ask him what he wants but just inform him that for the hours that he will be required to be there only appetisers will be available. I think it's a bit strange to stipulate that in a contract but all my vendors are friendors as well so I'm feeding them and treating them as guests.
It's normal for your vendors to be fed.
This situation is a little weird because he isn't going to be present for the dinner portion of your wedding, so I'm not sure why he would stay to eat unless he is traveling far to be there. If he's worth is, just have food packaged up for him to take with him.
You shouldn't stress too much about it though.
We had a string trio play for the ceremony and cocktail hour... they were there from 5pm-7:30pm and I did not have to feed them. They didn't take any breaks, and they didn't eat any of the passed appetizers either. I agree with @littlemissmoo... just tell them they will have apps to eat, but not a full-on meal!
As a musician, I understand the time it takes to prepare for an event such as a wedding. You put in hours of rehearsal time just so you can get everything right to make the bride's day that extra special. Honestly, if you explain to him that it is only cocktail food avaliable at the time he is playing but are willing to box him a sandwich, chips and pop I am sure he will greatly appreciate it.
It's normal to feed your vendors if they're going to be there for 4 hours or more. Unfortunately, so many people have hired vendors such as musicians, DJs or photographers for while depriving them of the food that it's becoming common for them to put it into their contracts.
As far as I know, most venues feed the vendors a different, cheaper meal, and seat them either out of sight or out of the way. So, they're not usually treated as full guests.
It is very normal to feed any vendor who will be at the reception (including cocktail hour). We're even feeding our florists who will be coming in early to decorate the reception hall.
Just get him a meal and don't stress about it! 
Also, find out if he has a basic contract for everyone; or if this one was drawn up specficially for you. It could be he hands out general contracts for weddings which he commonly plays throughout the dinner/reception hours and this portion was not removed for your wedding.
We have hired a acoustic guitar player for our ceremony and cocktail hour. We are not planning to feed him because he is leaving before dinner and will be there for only about 3 hours.
I am planning on providing meals to my other vendors who will be with us for most of the day.
I think that you should have a boxed meal ready for him to take with him when he leaves...4.5 hours is a long time to go without eating anything, and then if he has to wait til he gets home to eat...to me, it's just like a regular vendor meal.
I think it's NICE to offer vendors food but I don't think it should be included in a contract.
At every other job you're required to provide your own food I don't see why this should be any different - especially since he's only going to be there for 4.5 hours (it would be different if it were 8 hours). You're paying them to provide a service - you'd never have someone who was painting your house for example, expect you to feed them.
My mom was a wedding photographer for years. She would just eat before she left or take something with her, most of the time brides would say "grab something to eat" but she would never go expecting to be fed. I think vendors should have a backup plan but shouldn't require food.
My guess is that this is just a standard portion of the contract. If it is a big hassle, let them know that and remind them that their portion will be done prior to dinner.
I feel your pain. I think this is written for longer events where it will be difficult for every one in the band to grab their sack lunch or whatever, eat and get back to playing in a timely fashion. For a short event, it wouldn't be necessary.
@camrie: The difference is, someone who is painting your house takes breaks when they want to, and can leave to go get food. My photographer told me we were not obligated to feed him, but he reserved the right to go get food at some point in the day.
Just an FYI (FI is a musician) in some places it's not only part of their contract but you (and the musicians) may in fact have union rules to contend with depending on where your location is. Often hotels are part of unions and it's usually part of the "rules" that you must feed them over a certain amount of time. If it's in their contract it might have something to do with unino issues, also just because it says you have to feed them does NOT mean they have to eat the same food that you're serving your guests, sandwich, bag of chips and a drink will work just fine.
Talk to your vendor about it explain how you're not hiring them for the whole wedding and if that clause still needs to be included or have them change it so that it's understood that only appatizers would be served. Just make sure these are changes BEFORE you sign the contract. My place have vendor meals for our DJ and photographer so it's not the same expensive meal as everyone else and they dont' sit with all the other guests.
I think he meets the threshold of requirements for vendors to be given a free meal at a wedding. B/C he can't just play a little, get up and eat, then play some more - he has to play continuously for those time periods. Which means he can't actually leave, even if he gets a break, with enough time to grab some food. And 4.5 hours is too long to go without an actual meal. I would ask your caterer to give him a boxed lunch or meal, whatever is the norm for a wedding vendor.
Based on all of our contracts we are feeding all of our vendors. We are having a brunch reception (buffet). The guitarist and violinist who will be playing our ceremony and "mimosa hour" (1.5 hours) length will be give a plated brunch meal. The "band" that is playing our reception will be given a plated brunch meal. Our DOC her assistant and our photographers will be given a plated brunch meal. Our florist and cake delivery person will be given coffee, pastries, and fresh fruit. Our officiant is invited to the wedding as a guest as well.
Most of the vendors requested in their contracts that they be fed. I am happy to oblige.
I would give your musicians food.
@OttawaBride2011: That's my point - there is usually a break somewhere in the day. I don't think it's crazy for him to have to bring something with him.
I've worked 7-8 hour days on location and I ALWAYS take something with me in case I can't leave. I think it's more about being prepared for anything than putting it in a contract, I just don't like the required part, since most people would be fine with vendors eating.
They likely have it in the contract because most people don't think about providing them food & they end up starving.
They're not doing it to inconvenience you, nor to try to squeeze all they can out of the event, they ask for it because they'll need it so they can give their best at your wedding. They'll likely play for hours without breaks & use all their energy to help give you a beautiful wedding. A meal for when they're done will give them the energy to pack up their stuff & get home. They likely won't have time to eat from about 2 hours before your wedding, then they'll play for 4.5 hours, so that's about 6.5 hours without eating plus working hard during that time. Please provide them with some bottled water, especially if they're singing. I work at a concert venue & that will mean a lot to them & really help them out!
You can ask your cateror for vendor meals. Those are supposedly cheaper than guest meals so it won't cost you a ton of money to feed them.
You may want to ask the band if they have any food allergies. Cause it would be sad for you to provide them food & they expect to eat & then end up not eating anything & it goes to waste.
Most people don't think of providing vendors with food. His contract is probably a standard copy he gives to everyone (some people may book him for receptions) and that's why it's in there. 4.5 hours is a long time to provide a service, an appetizer and something to drink is usually appreciated. Just email saying you notice he requires a meal- explain while their service is being performed only appetizers and drinks will be passed (professionals know alcohol is not an option). He'll totally understand- just make sure some appetizers get to them or they get a break.
@camrie: You are the only person who thinks like me. My other post about this topic has hit overload.
I'm a wedding vendor, and if I was working 4.5 hours, and I had access to cocktail hour appetizers, that would be more than fine. In this case, I would never expect the bride and groom to pay for a meal for me, especially since I wouldn't be working during dinner. All I would possibly request is a glass of water.
I don't think you're being overly-sensitive at all. Is this guy really cheap? If so, it might be worth it to pay for a meal for him. If you can find a comparable musician elsewhere without such a demand, i would look into it.
@edisonsgirl: Haha - oh well, great minds. Glad at least I could be the one person to agree with you.
I think the difference for me is between what is impolite (not providing food to vendors - of, course you would let him have food) and what vendors require (specifially stating "a meal" in their contract).
Is 4.5 hours really that long to go without eating?? I eat at 8 am and usually don't stop for lunch till 1.30.
@OttawaBride2011: Yes. but the painters also don't just drop the brushes and go off and eat. They probably plan it out and stop and then start back up. Why does a photographer need to take picutes while people are eating? That is when he/she or they should be eating too.
When we had our banquet hall we would bring in outside food to feed our employees and would offer the other vendors food too. Most catering places make more the enough to cover extra last minute people. So I wouldn't worry with it.
As for the musicians having it in their contract it could be a standard event contract they use. My brother is a musician and they have had contracts that ask for a place to change clothes, bottled water on ice near the stage, etc. And this contract is what they use all the time be a private event or a bar scene.
@camrie: Exactly. I am all for breaks. Probably more than they will take. I am all for eating, drinking, smoking if they need to. (I don't smoke btw). I just don't like how this has become some kind of requirement that I feed and pay the vendors. And I agree. 4.5 hours is not that long without eating. As a matter of fact, I think most brides and grooms go far beyond 4.5 hours not eating.
I think anyone who works over 4 hours needs a break for food.
@edisonsgirl: Exactly. Any hourly job is only required to give you one 15 min break per 4 hours worked. To get a lunch break you're usually working 8.5 hours, but that's neither here nor there...you've solved it. I think access to food is the main issue here.
For those following this thread - check out my update.
The more and more I think about it - the more pissed off I'm getting. I would NEVER EVER treat a client like this....
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I received a contract from the guitarist that I'm having play for my ceremony and cocktail period. The ceremony will be about 45 minutes and the cocktail (same basic location) will be about 2 hours. They will do some prelude stuff and setup. The total time they will be there is about 4 1/2 hours.
I have NO PROBLEM feeding my other vendors (ie: photog, my DJ didn't want to be fed) - however, I felt really off-put by the way the contract was worded (something like - food is to be provided at no charge).
The issue is - other than the appetizers being served during the cocktail portion - there will be no other food readily available. I plan to write to him to ask him what he'd like in terms of food - but I'm SO ANNOYED by this. I'm paying him for a service - not to feed him!! And, it's not like he will be there for the dinner portion..... If he wants a full meal - I'm going to have to have our caterer create something just for the two of them. Ugh!
Has wedding planning got to me? Do I need to take a chill-pill? Is this all normal?
I think it is so unprofessional for him to be eating with the rest of my guests. Any ideas how to feed the two of them??