Post # 17
Member
201 posts
Helper bee
I just spoke with the friend who refered us to our photography co. and she said she had the same question and when she asked them, they said no meal needed to be provided and that they bring their own…..
***For the record I have submitted meals for our DJ and Phototgraphers (photographer was submitted as soon as the topic had been brought to my attention. In no way would I ever ask someone to starve themselves or hold thier bodily functions! I promise, Im not that mean. 
)***
Post # 20
Member
962 posts
Busy bee
I think people on here slightly overreact to questions about feeding vendors. I am feeding my vendors the guest meal, but I think questions about whether and what to feed vendors are legitimate. Where I work I am expected to bring my own food everyday. So, how is someone to know that the same is not expected of wedding vendors? Surely the OP does not want to starve her vendors. I think her question was legitimate and that some of these responses are slight overreactions- and that frequently threads like this result in some sort of overreaction due to what people perceive as “vendors rights.” If you really want to stand up for labor violations then protest the treatment of undocumented workers in this country or people in work camps in third world countries.
Post # 21
Member
10450 posts
Sugar Beekeeper
We will. They will be working like 12 hours so we will definitely feed them!
Post # 22
Member
1238 posts
Bumble bee
@Bride2Be929: we have to pay for a meal for our photographer and also 1 nights accomodation for him in the same star rating as our guests are staying….
Post # 23
Member
32 posts
Newbee
My sister works at a wedding venue and the only wedding she worked had very a inconsiderate couple but luckily the caterers know and love her so they brought her food.
So if your venue provides a person to be at your wedding the entire day (the’yre sometimes called on-site liasions) that person will need food too!
Post # 24
Member
32 posts
Newbee
My sister works at a wedding venue and the only wedding she worked had very a inconsiderate couple but luckily the caterers know and love her so they brought her food.
So if your venue provides a person to be at your wedding the entire day (the’yre sometimes called on-site liasions) that person will need food too!
Post # 25
Member
4598 posts
Honey bee
Yes. But vendors shouldn’t expect a proper plated meal. Outmess or lesser meal (cheap and cheerful) is all that’s expected. Vendors should have their own place to eat though, they wont want to eat with the guests.
Post # 26
Member
515 posts
Busy bee
We’re not having a full meal, just snacks and such buffet-style. I’ve told all the vendors that they are welcome to help themselves to any munchies they want throughout the day. However, our photographer will be with us for seven hours to do some photos before and after the wedding (all the others will only be with us for four hours) and since we will probably want to eat before guests arrive, too, we’ll probably treat him to lunch in a cafe before we all head back to the venue for the ceremony.
I do think it is a good idea to make sure to feed all your vendors and just generally be aware of their comfort. If they get uncomfortable in any way, they will start to get irritable and they won’t do their best work. You wouldn’t want a photographer shooting you who was angry at you because he didn’t get supper and had to watch everyone else eat and who just wanted to hurry and finish so he could leave.
Post # 27
Member
1629 posts
Bumble bee
The thing our photogs said to us was feed them or they will leave to go get their own meal. We wanted them there for the wedding so we fed them. Plain and simple, no fuss no muss!
Post # 28
Member
402 posts
Helper bee
Yes, definitely feed! Like others have said, some may bring food of their own, so if not in the contract, ask if they would like a meal provided.
Post # 29
Hostess
11163 posts
Sugar Beekeeper
We also fed all of our vendors and our venue charged us a lower fee per person which was very helpful.
Post # 30
Member
380 posts
Helper bee
Please don’t forget to feed your vendors. I was the organist at a wedding many years ago when I was about 15 and I was paid (albeit a discounted rate because they were friends of the family) and then I babysat about six children in a hotel room while my parents attended the reception. I didn’t get paid for babysitting and the worst part was, they didn’t feed me. They sent up room service for the children, but nothing for me. By the time the reception was over at around midnight and my parents collected me, I hadn’t eaten since breakfast and I was STARVING. My parents were horrified as they thought I’d been fed, and took me to McDonalds on the way home. It was awful!
I know my situation is a little different as I wasn’t a “professional”, but if you’re not providing food for your photographer etc, just make sure they know so they can bring their own food, or make sure it’s discussed when signing the contract so there’s no misunderstanding.
Post # 31
Member
11 posts
Newbee
Feed any vendor working 4+ hours. Feed photographers while everyone else is eating–not after. Caterers/coordinators think its courteous for photographers to be fed after the guests, but after the guests eat is when toasts and first dances happen! If you can’t afford to feed them, allow a 1 hour break for them to go offsite and eat. If feeding onsite provide an area away from the guests.
