Weddingbee boards

Okay, so I'm a wedding vendor, and I typically work 10-18 hours per day if I'm working a wedding. When I was planning my own wedding last year, I admittedly put very little thought into the vendor meals. I'm so ashamed to admit it, but it was so low on my priority list, and my wallet was stretched thin, that I just told our venue to provide a turkey club sandwich, chips/fries, fruit cup and beverages, even though a guest meal was also an option for more money (but still less than what we paid for our guests). I never thought to ask our vendors about eating preferences, and even though nothing was mentioned specifically in their contract besides, "A meal must be provided" I now feel so guilty!

I worked a wedding last weekend that was a long one: 18 hours. And my vendor meal? A pre-made sandwich wrapped in saran wrap that had soggy bread and was room temperature. And, I don't eat a lot of meats, so I had to pick it all out, and basically eat gross, soggy bread and veggies. And there were no sides. Just the sandwich. Toward the end of the night, I felt so light-headed that I had to run to my car for some emergency granola bars I keep in there just in case. 

So, because I know brides have so, so much to think about while planning a wedding, here's a friendly reminder that will get you even better service from your vendors:

1. Ask your vendors if they have any dietary restrictions. My husband, who works weddings with me as my assistant, is a vegetarian, and he often goes without any dinners at all, and relies on nutritional bars he's learned to bring with him for meals. Some of our brides ask ahead of time, but most don't.

2. If you can, provide a full meal (equal to that of your guests). I completely understand when it's not in the budget if your venue charges the full price for vendors. But some venues will offer the guest's meal at a discounted rate, and trust me, it's worth it!

3. Ask your venue or caterer what EXACTLY comes with the vendor meal, and if it's fresh.

4. It's okay to offer vendors a sandwich or something similar. Just make sure that it's more than a sandwich, and has enough side dishes to keep us vendors full and happy all night so that we can serve you better :)

Remember, most vendors also have to scarf down a quick lunch during the day, too, because they're usually working during lunch time. I usually bring some power bars, dried fruits and a banana to keep me going, but I certainly do not have time to run out to Subway. So take that into consideration as well!

*I'd just like to state that I hope I don't sound like a snotty vendor. I've just seen a lot of questions about vendor meals, and I wanted to shed some light on the subject.

Wow I had no idea people actually didn't feed the vendors the same as guests! I just assumed they ate what the guests ate...

From day 1, I've included my vendors in the meal count #'s without even thinking twice!

I can not imagine giving my vendors a soggy sandwich :-\

SO SORRY you had to go thru that last weekend!!

@PaperCrane: I've been seated with the reception tables, and in a separate room. I don't have a personal preference, but as people who are helping to run the show, it makes sense to seat them at a table all together so that in case anything happens, they're able to drop their fork quickly and happily assist! Same goes with photographers and capturing fun, unexpected moments :)

@moderndaisy: Yep, it was the caterer that fed us the sandwiches! It baffled all of us, and it was surprising because the guest meals looked amazing. I'm not sure how the sandwiches came about as their vendor meal. Oh well.

@troubled: Most of the vendors that get meals are the coordinators, photographers, and DJ/band members. These vendors are usually on-call the ENTIRE time during the wedding. As in, paid to service the bride and groom during their contracted hours. I would never, ever want to completely leave the venue to grab some food for fear that leaving would force me to miss something important and not be able to do my job. Whereas, at a normal desk job (which most people have), we're required to take at least a 30-minute break per every 8 hours worked, if not a full hour (depending on the company's policy). 

Also, the average coordinator will work at least a 12-hour day. The average photographer, 8-10. DJ/band, depending on if they provide services for the ceremony or not, around 6-10 hours. Most vendors work longer than the average 9-5 job.

@MrsPinkPeony: Vendors SCARF their meals :) I can usually eat mine in five minutes! We also always, always eat with the guests during dinner hour, and it's very rare that anything needs to be done during that time. The coordinator won't need to be doing anything except making sure nothing happens that wasn't planned (that's bad anyway!). The photographer can only get so many pictures of people eating. The DJ usually just puts on a few dinner-type songs, and has time to scarf his/her meal as well. Same goes for the videographer (no one wants to watch videos of people eating).

@troubled: Hmm, I'm not sure. I just know that this practice is very, very standard in the wedding industry. I know that I have to pack my own lunch, and certainly wouldn't expect a bride to provide that meal. BUT, it would be very difficult to pack enough food for two meals, especially a hearty one that will keep me going all night. Plus, what if I don't have access to a fridge right away because the venue is being catered outdoors? My meal could go bad. I had that situation during one of my very first jobs where I brought fruit for an end-of-the-night jolt, but completely forgot about the whole "keeping cool" thing, and it spoiled, even in a cooler lunch box (after 12-plus hours,  they never stay cool for me! hmmm....). Good thing it wasn't my dinner!

@troubled: Ah, well vendors who own their own business (like myself) don't get a tip! :)

I hope you don't think I'm trying to argue with you. Like I said before, just trying to help clarify things :) I think it's great you provided your vendors with meals!

@troubled: My dad shot weddings in the 90s and they were providing vendor meals then, it's nothing new :)

we had our vendor meals were like a one plate version of all our courses and we even got a gluten free meal for one of our photogs. He was so surprised we were feeding him and was so appreciative, but we had the huge all day package and otherwise he would have had to last from 10am till 11pm on granolla bars! So not ok.

great advice. thanks

My venue asked me how many vendor meals I needed, and I replied 5 -- 1 for photog, 4 for the band members.  I never thought to ask if anyone had any special dietary considerations, but my photographer luckily told me that she is a vegetarian.  I don't think it was rude at all for her to speak up and ask for a vegetarian meal, and I would have been mortified if, after the fact, I had found out that she wasn't able to eat her meal b/c it contained meat.  So I think you should totally speak up about the fact that your husband is a vegetarian.  I don't know what my venue will actually be feeding my vendors, but I hope it's something tasty and not some lame soggy sandwich!

i already figured about vendor's meals, however i am NOT giving them the same meal as guests unless i plan on deducting that cost from their bottom line (or if they want to consider that their tips). our meals are costing a pretty penny and since we are paying our vendors (photographer, cinematographer, and dj) upwards of thousands of dollars, i would assume if they dont like a boxed meal (similar to a subway type meal - sandwich, chips, cookie and unlimited water or soda) they can provide their own.