Melai on March 22, 2023 11 Comments
Is feeding wedding vendors still a topic of concern?
Wedding vendors feeding is a common topic of discussion, and I understand the challenge of providing food for a large number of people at a wedding. When it comes to deciding who to feed and when it’s essential to consider that vendors work for hours and their need for sustenance throughout the event. So, I asked our celebrity wedding photographer Jan Freire for his opinion, and here it is.
While some may argue that vendors should bring their own food, I believe it’s important to create a comfortable and welcoming atmosphere for everyone at the wedding, especially those who are working to ensure guests have a great time.
For vendors such as make-up artists and hairdressers who work in the morning, providing at least a cup of coffee or a small breakfast is recommended. However, even here, we can find an exception, like the beauty artists who stay with the bride for the entire day.
However, for vendors such as photographers and planners who work throughout the entire event, it’s important to provide a full meal, as they may have already worked for several hours by the time they receive their food. Many wedding venues offer “vendor meals,” which are often overpriced sandwiches and chips, but even this is better than nothing.
Ideally, vendors should have a separate room to eat in, but if this isn’t possible, a separate table or section of a long wedding table will suffice. Having a photographer or planner sitting between guests was customary, but I don’t see that as the best solution. The planner is always on the phone, and the photographer is in contact with her, and they also have to put their cameras somewhere too.
Yet, probably one of the most critical aspects to consider when feeding vendors is when to serve them their meals. Unfortunately, many venues serve vendor meals last, which can create a problematic situation. By this point, the guests usually have finished eating and expect entertainment or a photo shoot. As a result, vendors often don’t get a chance to eat. To avoid this, it’s essential to serve vendors their meals at the same time as the guests or even before. Serving them first allows them a few moments of rest, and they can be prepared for when the event resumes after dinner or lunch. Failing to serve them at the same time as guests can result in them missing out on food entirely, so it’s crucial to get the timing right.
Another important aspect that most brides may not fully grasp is the perpetual hunger experienced by musicians. I have worked for 9 hours straight on numerous occasions and struggled to find even a couple of minutes to grab some food. When I finally made my way to the separate room designated for vendors, I found empty buffet tables as they had been cleared out by a twenty-member band that just arrived half an hour prior. It’s essential to consider this scenario as well. I feel it’s crucial to include this last point because, as a bride, you may not be aware of it.
In my experience as a vendor at over three hundred weddings, I can attest that nothing pleases us more than receiving a tasty steak early on in the event in a quiet space. It’s important to remember that vendors are working for several hours and need nourishment to perform at their best, so providing a dry sandwich is not ideal. By taking these steps, you can create a welcoming and comfortable atmosphere for your wedding vendors, who are working hard to make your big day a success. And I’m writing this as someone who has no problem not eating for two days and even feels like I have more energy if I’m hungry.
Let us know in the comments below what you think about this topic, and we also are wondering if you were aware of issues Jan brought to the table. It’s unfortunate that feeding wedding vendors is still a topic of concern, despite its importance in ensuring that they can perform their duties effectively and comfortably.
Check other articles on our wedding blog for more advice and opinion written by real wedding experts and follow our Insta for more inspiration.
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Thanks for your view Jan. It´s really helpful for Brides who plan their wedding for the first time and on their own. Let me add my point of view as a planner.
I´d like to point out you are not obligated to feed the organisational team. However, stuff are human too, that´s why they need to eat and drink even when being at work. That´s why thinking of offering them a place, meal and drink is a sign of respect to them and their work. On the other hand, you should think of the fact, when you don´t provide them meals, they still need to provide it themselves, what means – they make a pause, go away in time it suits them, for at least half of 1 hour to fullfill their basic need. This time might not be suitable for you, but can happen. Whatever you decide, let everyone involved know your verdict in advance. Clear communication is the basis of success in this case as well and is also a guarantee of avoiding misunderstandings.
This is an interesting question, I’ve never thought about this before! But it’s definitely got me thinking! Thanks so much for sharing!
I wish I had read this 20 years ago before my wedding. It never crossed my mind. It ended up that they wanted us to cut the cake, and my photographers were still eating, and had to stop. It’s important to consider the different types of vendors and their working hours when deciding on the type of food and timing of their meals. It’s also crucial to provide a comfortable space for vendors to eat and to serve their meals at the same time as guests to avoid them missing out on food entirely. The article also highlights the issue of musicians often experiencing perpetual hunger and the importance of considering their needs as well. Overall, feeding wedding vendors is an important aspect of ensuring the success of a wedding, and this article provides useful advice on how to do so effectively.
I agree with you about feeding vendors. In general, you should create a warm atmosphere for the event and this will help.
My eldest son will get married next year and this post will help a lot in planning their wedding. Personally I think the wedding vendors should be given a meal too. They worked hard to give the bride and groom a memorable wedding. They can’t function well if they are working with a hungry tummy.
Great post and I agree, vendors should be invited to eat with everyone else especially if they are there/will be there for several hours working and on their feet.
I absolutely think you should feed them. They are working for you, most time for hours and hours. They should also be fed.
Ah yes, I will definitely be feeding my wedding vendors. How do I expect them to be at their best if they are functioning on empty stomachs?
A meal is a big part of most wedding receptions. In our customs, it is rude not to feed the people who attend your wedding, whether they are guests or vendors.
For me, the vendors that are on-site working the wedding all day long also need to be fed. They are humans too who get hungry. I know we are not obliged to feed them but wedding vendor meals are an important part of any wedding catering order.
I never actually thought about this. However, it makes total sense to feed the vendors in attendance as well, they helped make the day happen.