Feeding vendors

Yes, typically most vendors, especially the ones who will be present at the reception will need a seat and a meal. For our wedding, the vendors who will be getting a meal and a seat are our photographers and our DJ will get a meal at his station, so that he can continue with the music. As the catering is done through the venue we were told it is not our responsibility so I am not concerned about it.

If you are unsure, I would definitely ask your venue or our caterers, or if you feel comfortable, ask your vendors what they have experienced before when they have done other weddings. Hope this helps

Yes like I said I know we are supposed to feed them and I fully plan too like I said. The question was where to sit them.

Great rule of thumb !

I agree with all that has been said as it is common courtesy to feed your vendors. One of my vendors declined as they don't attend the reception.

Yes you absolutely need to feed your vendors and give them a place to eat! They're on their feet for 8-12 hours depending on coverage and I'm sure they'd appreciate a meal and being able to rest their feet for a moment or two! You can ask your venue if they have a place where they generally put the vendor table and if not, you could add them in to a table with guests. I went to a wedding and we had vendors at our table and it was no big deal. They ate in like under 10 min so we barely saw them. Some venues may have a "break room" that they can use or will let them eat in the kitchen so they can get away from the crowd for a few minutes.

It's best to talk to your caterer to see how they do their vendor meals. Generally your caterer will be able to offer a vendor meal at a discounted rate than the full guest meal. (It's generally just the entree portion of the meal.) You can ask them if they have any dietary restrictions so you can make sure that your caterer accommodates that. The caterer should be able to give the vendors their meals during the appetizer course so that if you're doing speeches or something during the entree or dessert course, they're available. Or if you're doing buffet, they should go first. You should ask your DJ if he/she wants to sit at the vendor table or eat at their booth. For the most part, I think they prefer to eat at their booth but luckily there's not a ton going on during dinner so they shouldn't have a problem playing music and eating at the same time.

I think a good rule of thumb is that the better you treat your vendors, the better quality product you'll get from them! They're working hard so they deserve to be treated well too.

Yeah I think asking my caterer is the best way to go.

Typically the caterers will charge a service charge as their tip. I have never heard of a caterer being fed at the venues before.
Usually you feed the people that have been with you all day (Photographer, videographer, DJ, wedding planner if you have one)
Ask your caterer how it usually works for him and his team.

I hadn't thought of this so thanks for bringing it up. We don't really have many vendors that will be sticking around other than our caterer and his staff and our photographers. Or photographers are family friends so we already accounted for them but I hadn't thought of the catering staff. I will have to talk to my caterer.

Hi Katherine, depending on how many vendors you have- you could make a vendor table for them specifically. Most venues have a vendor plate especially for this. It is usually a more basic version of the food already on the menu.
I suggest sitting them close enough to the action so they can be close to their gear and take pics. Usually they are in a corner close to the dance floor.
As for the DJ, he/she can make a playlist for 10-15 minutes while the vendors are eating.