Post # 1

Member
621 posts
Busy bee
Hi Bees,
Just trying to Guage who paid for food for the vendors and who didn’t.
So I can’t bring outside food in and the only thing my venue will do is split the cost of food in half for thier plates making their meals $35-40
I love my photographer so will get her and her assistant food. (maybe no tip but gift since its her own business)
our DJ gave us a friend and family discount saving us $800 so going to get him and his wife food (tip too?)
Videographer refered by photog. I’m meh on didn’t want one, but everyone told me I’d regret not having one. so maybe food but no tip?
What have you guys done? Can you do food and no tip?
Post # 3

Member
1603 posts
Bumble bee
My venue has “vendor” meals. I did make certain it was more than a subway sandwhich, but it is less than a full meal. The food is nice, but no appetizer or desert (which they do not have time for anyway). I tipped any vendor whose tip was not included in contract (wait staff) or who owned their own business
Post # 4

Member
621 posts
Busy bee
juanita.kelly.9 ya the vendor meals are our meals but 1/2 price
Post # 5

Member
7199 posts
Busy Beekeeper
@asianbarbie: I think you pretty much have to feed anyone who is going to be there for the majority of the day/majority of the reception. Otherwise they’d have to leave your wedding to go get food, right? And just like paying for your bridesmaids to get their hair done for you wedding isn’t a “thank you gift”, feeding your vendors while they work your wedding isn’t a replacement for a tip. So tip whoever you were going to tip without factoring feeding them into the equasion.
Post # 6

Member
850 posts
Busy bee
@asianbarbie: We tipped those who weren’t in business for themselves. So, as an example, no tip for photographer, but one for the DJ since he was employed by a company and food for all vendors who where there for the meal. A meal was written into the contract for the photographer, DJ and wedding coordinator and her staff so we were obligated (but happy) to provide it.
Post # 7

Member
5949 posts
Bee Keeper
@asianbarbie: One has nothing to do with the other, you feed them because they need to eat and then you tip them because you’re pleased with the work they’ve done. Regardless of price, deal or personal relationship, cutting either out is something that will put you in a bad light with your vendors.
Post # 8

Member
3569 posts
Sugar bee
You need to feed all of them, and tip those who do not own their own business. The photographer’s assistant should receive a tip.
Post # 9

Member
10355 posts
Sugar Beekeeper
You only tip people who don’t own the business. So, it sounds like no tip for anyone, really.
You should feed all of them, though.
Post # 10

Member
621 posts
Busy bee
Ok so everyone owns thier own business, except ya the photog’s assistance.
So based on that I should:
Feed everyone, tip only the assitant. I’ll still do something nice for the photog and still give the DJ something, he’s fam. of one of the attendees. I won’t tip the videographer.
🙂
Post # 11

Member
7626 posts
Bumble Beekeeper
@Nona99: +1
We fed all of our vendors. We also tipped all of them.
Post # 12

Member
621 posts
Busy bee
Ok so just need a small clarrification in terms of tips. I’ve read both and seeing both comments.
Tip only those who don’t own their own business, or tip everyone.
Not loving the videographer, he was very demanding of cash payment, gave him a check, he’s a little too abrasive for my taste.
Post # 13

Member
9541 posts
Buzzing Beekeeper
I marked feed and tip everyone – but I only tipped those that don’t own their own business. I will write nice reviews for those that own their own business. But definitely feed everyone.
Post # 14

Member
9795 posts
Buzzing Beekeeper
You only tip those who do not own the business. If they own it, they are already making a profit. I’m only tipping my DJ because he doesn’t own the business.
And you should feed anyone who will be there throughout the length of your reception or all day with you. Usually just photographers and DJ/band. My photog has it written into the contract they must be provided food at the reception or they will take a 30 min lunch (away from your event).
Post # 15

Member
9561 posts
Buzzing Beekeeper
@asianbarbie: my vendors like photog, videog, and dj require food in their contracts. not a problem. i had a choice of vendor meals and went with a cheaper option.
other vendors, like my florist, MUA, and hair i do not have to feed.
also, you do not have to tip vendors who own their own business. it of course is a nice gesture if you do or sent them a thank you or small gift. my florist, mua, hair person, photog, and videog all own their own company and are their only employee.
i will be tipping the dj, photobooth attendent, not sure if i missed anyone there…
tips for the bartenders and servers are included in my catering contract.
i hope this helps.
Post # 16

Member
1646 posts
Bumble bee
@asianbarbie: You feed everyone a full meal. You tip whoever you think did a good job. I don’t see the need for you to tip your videographer since you’ve been meh about that vendor all along. I’m giving a gift to my photographer because she’s gone above and beyond during the time I hired her, and same goes for my DOC, though they both own their companies. I also plan on tipping my catering staff and DJ (who is doing it for free).