Meeting with vendors etiquette

We had a few meetings with vendors in coffee shops.

If it was the first meeting, we didn't offer to pay since we may not have booked with them. Our photographer actually offered to pay for my DH and I's coffee during our first meeting.

If it was a follow-up meeting with a vendor we booked, we'd offer to pay.

We paid our own coffee and they paid their own. we met with a ton of vendors we did not end up liking so i wouldnt feel right getting free coffee from all of them especially since my FH came to every apt with me

We met our photographer at Tim Hortons one evening as scheduled and he bought us coffee. It was nice to know he did listen and want to have some ideas on social media sites I used as suggested.

Most vendors may offer their clients if the clients offer first.

Our experience was that they treated us to coffee! And then the one time FH and I just genuinely did not want anything so we did not get something but all the vendors met offered. While I would not say that its required for them to pay, you definitely do not need to for them!

View quoted message Thank you. I wasn't sure what is expected or not usually so it's always helpful to hear other people's thoughts and experiences

I would say that they should either pay for themselves or pay for both you and them. Never would I expect you to pay for the vendor except for at the wedding itself.

FH and I just met our officiant last night at a coffee shop and he paid for his own. If we had had him come to our home then I would've served coffee/tea/cookies etc, but I think when you're meeting in a neutral place like a coffee shop then everyone should pay for whatever they want to get. Having said that, that doesn't mean you can't offer to pay for them if you feel you should, but I don't believe it's expected of you.