Why you Need to Feed your Wedding Vendors
Wedding planning can be difficult because there are so many things to consider that you have probably never had to think about before. Outside of the wedding industry, it may seem pretty odd that you have to feed the people that are working for you. However, there is a super important reason as to why that is and why you really should talk to your caterer about providing vendor meals for your vendors.
Who to Feed
First, we should cover who specifically you should provide vendor meals. A good rule of thumb is that any vendor that is working 6 hours or more should have something to eat. This typically would be your photographer, videographer, DJ, live band members, and planner. This can also include other vendors as well such as live painters or photo booth attendants. If you’re unsure on if a vendor falls into this category, you can always ask them directly if they will need a meal. You can also ask any vendors that will be there less than 6 hours as well. This won’t include your catering staff so you don’t have to factor that in, but it could include a venue manager sometimes.
The Logical Reason: It’s in Their Contract
Typically, vendors that have been doing business for a while will have a clause in their contract that requires a vendor meal. Some vendors even go as far as to say that they need a hot, nutritious meal. This is because some venues/caterers may throw together an old turkey sandwich and wilted salad and call it a meal. They may have experienced this before, and they decided it’s best to guarantee that they will be able to eat something during your wedding day. After working their hardest to provide you with an amazing day, it can be draining on vendors mentally and physically. It will help the vendors continue to provide you amazing service if you can give them a sufficient meal.
The More Significant Reason: Your Day Runs Smoother
The reason that may be more important to you is that it really influences how the evening of your wedding goes. It’s best to have your vendors nearby and ready for anything when you need them. It’s much more convenient for vendors to take a 30ish minute break in the room next door or at a table in your reception space than it is for them to have to leave your wedding to go get themselves dinner. If you want to have any speeches or special things happen during dinner, then you probably won’t be able to do that easily/at all if none of your vendors are there to run your wedding. If you don’t feed your vendors, they may miss some key elements to film, photograph, or set up music for. Additionally, your coordinator and vendor team may be able to move things along faster if there are a lot of people with empty plates and nothing to do.
You may think it’s odd, but it definitely is a well-established industry standard to feed your vendors. It makes sure your vendors perform the best as possible and it also ensures that your vendors will be available to you when you need them to keep your day moving according to plan. Often, vendor meals will be a discounted rate from your catering so make sure to make a distinction for them. Vendors usually aren’t picky about the food either - you may want to ask them if they have dietary restrictions or allergies though so the proper food is provided to them. They may perform like superheroes, but they are human and definitely need food to keep them going through the day.
If you would like more help to plan your wedding, you can reach out to me at hello@firmlyrootedevents.com. I’ll send you monthly tips and my checklist so that you can stay on track while planning your wedding.
