Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Feeding your Vendors

To feed or not to feed, that is the question.  I often get asked whether or not it is necessary to provide meals for your vendors at your wedding.  First, check the contract for each vendor.  Some vendors require that a meal be provided.  If it's not in the contract, I would say that the rule of thumb is to feed the vendors that have been there throughout the wedding day.  Typically, the photographer, DJ/Band, videographer, and wedding planner would make the cut.  Think of it this way:  the happier your vendors are, the better job they will do!  But in all seriousness, some vendors will be at the venue for 8 to 12 hours straight, working hard to make your day perfect.  It is simply a nice gesture and good etiquette to provide a meal for them. 

You certainly do not need to give your vendors the fancy meal that you are serving to your guests.  Your caterer or venue should be able to offer something cheap, simple and quick for your vendors.  Even sandwiches are appropriate as a vendor meal.  Once you've discussed with your caterer or venue what type of meal to provide to the vendors, it doesn't hurt to call each vendor.  Tell the vendors that you were planning to provide a meal for them and ask if they plan to eat on the wedding day.  Some vendors prefer not to eat on the job and will decline the offer. But they will certainly appreciate that you thought of them!

Once you figure out what food you'll be providing and which vendors will be eating, think about where you want the vendors to eat.  Some venues may have a small separate room available where the vendors can eat.  The vendors usually eat while the guests are eating, so there isn't much action going on that would need their attention.  However, you may prefer to have a small table set up in the reception room for your vendors so that they are still on hand should anything exciting happen. 

I love answering the questions of my bridal clients! Do you have wedding-related questions or dilemmas? Post them in the comments section of this blog, and I'll do my best to answer them in future blog posts!  Happy Planning!

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