Post # 1

Member
201 posts
Helper bee
Today was the first I read about the photographer getting a meal, too. I guess it’s something that haddent crossed my mind or have been brought to my attention! Our DJ had told us when we booked them that they request one, but the thought never crossed my mind for other venders. Oops!
Post # 3

Member
13 posts
Newbee
My photographer actually includes in the contract that we need to feed him.
Post # 4

Member
7899 posts
Bumble Beekeeper
- Wedding: March 2012 - Pelican Grand Beach Resort
Yes. People need to eat. Most photographers and DJs will include the meal in the contract. We gave our vendor meals at like $25 (vs. $150-170 for our guests). I don’t know what it was. They ate it quickly in the back somewhere.
Post # 5

Member
3941 posts
Honey bee
You most definitely need to feed all of your vendors.
Post # 7

Member
10283 posts
Sugar Beekeeper
It’s common courtesy to feed all vendors who will be with you throughout the day. Just like you’ll be hungry, they’ll be hungry too. A well fed/happy vendor is a vendor that will produce their best work for you.
To answer your question, we fed our DJ, photog and DOC. Even gave them the same menu options that we gave our guests.
Post # 8

Member
15287 posts
Honey Beekeeper
Yes, most venues offer vendor meals at a lower price than the guest meals that are just a main course and no apps/dessert.
Post # 9

Member
201 posts
Helper bee
Thanks for your feeback ladies! I looked over our contract and there wasn’t anything in there, but Im sure glad I saw another feed that had this topic. I would have felt really bad if I hadn’t thought about it and didnt have anything for them.
Post # 10

Member
5427 posts
Bee Keeper
I want to know what people think a vendor who is with you for 8-12 hours will do during that time? Starve? Yes, they should be able to eat! They are people… and they need to pee and also rest, I wouldn’t expect my photographer to spend 12 hours on his/her feet without eating or going to a bathroom…. Come on, they are not robots!
I guess I am harsh… but think about it…
Post # 11

Member
201 posts
Helper bee
I didn’t expect them to not be able to use the restroom or take a break, Its just one of those details that I had never seen in any books, planners, sites or have had brought to my attention. Its not one of those common topics you speak about when discussing wedding details, at least not in any of my experiences. In the hustle and bustle of wedding planning we all tend to forget detials both small and large, esp with pregnancy brain (or post in my case). 
Post # 12

Member
9050 posts
Buzzing Beekeeper
@happyface: I bring my lunch everyday, and occasionally go out on my own dime. Inthink perhaps that’s why it doesn’t cross people’s mind right off the bat that they need to be fed. My BFF is a wedding photographer that typically packs her own lunch in a cooler because as she says, she’d be five feet wide if she ate wedding food three times a week all summer.
But yes, our dj and photographer were welcome to help themselves to the buffet. I think unless you’re going to set aside an hour for them to leave your event for lunch it’s a sensible thing to do.
Post # 13

Member
549 posts
Busy bee
I am feeding all of my vendors including the officiant and each comes with an assistant/spouse. The meals are discounted.
Post # 14

Member
13951 posts
Honey Beekeeper
I’m feeding every vendor who is working the full event. I don’t need to feed the florists who will spend an hour setting up centerpieces, but the DJ, Day of Coordinator, and Photographer absolutely will be fed. Could you imagine working for 8-10 hours with no food? Eek!
Post # 15

Member
2965 posts
Sugar bee
I am feeding my vendors (DJ, Photographers, Wedding planner, Photo Booth attendant, JOP).
Post # 16

Member
57 posts
Worker bee
@DryLightning: It is in my photographer’s contract as well that we feed them. We are feeding all our vendors however I’m looking into if we can get the alcohol allowance taken off each meal since they aren’t going to be drinking.