For them to bring food?

[Ifyoubuildit]

I'm having a band for my wedding do, they're a seven piece dance band and are costing £1,400

They've just emailed asking me to supply food for them during the evening do. I'm paying £25 per head for food so this will add £175 to the cost.

AIBU (and tight) to suggest they bring sandwiches?

Yanbu.
I've no experience of hiring a band but I would certainly expect them to feed themselves if they are getting paid.

I had this when I got married. I thought it was odd too but turns out it's pretty standard. If you look in the T&C's from when you made the booking there will most likely be something in there about providing food and soft drinks.

They don't need to eat what your guests are having. Ask the venue about 'staff meals' It's quite normal and you should at least offer to feed your photographer too.

Not sit down tho??

Can't you just get them some sandwiches and soft drinks for them?

Yup normal I'm afraid. Most bands T & C will stipulate they require food. Likewise photographers. Our caterers provided staff meals for a fiver I think. Just a giant lasagne and some garlic bread.

I too think this is standard, the band I hired for my wedding also stipulated food and drinks needed to be provided, but they were happy to choose one of the bar meals, fish and chips, sausage and mash etc and didn't insist on the same 3 courses the guests were having.

Thanks all. Will ask about staff food.

Should have read the small print...

How long are they performing?

I used to organise weddings, this is pretty standard. But it wouldn't have to be a sit down meal like everyone else.

The hotel would be able to knock up some sandwiches and chips etc.

Is the £25 a head for an evening buffet though? That sounds like it's for a sit down meal.

It's quite normal and you should at least offer to feed your photographer too.

Yep this is pretty standard too

I arranged for my photographers/wedding planner/band (10 people) to eat with the catering staff. The catering company did it for free as I spent over a certain amount, so u should definitely negotiate.

We seated our vicar, wedding planner (that came with the venue but we didn't use), photographer and photogrpahers wife at our wedding for our meal, and also the band for the evening bbq.

I don't think its essential to do so, but its a nice thing to do if you can. The wedding planner did say it was the first time that she'd been included, which surprised me a bit but she was very touched.

The way I see it, they are part of your celebration, and its nice to include them. They are about 10 times the cost of our really cheap band though, so maybe throwing some hot dogs in the deal was more reasonable for us than it would be for you.

Our wedding band even stipulated that it had to be a 'hot meal' in the T&C's.

YABU but only because I know this is standard for a lot of bands/photographers etc and would assume most people wedding planning would know it. Lots of venues don't let you take food in and it's mean to expect them to pay when they've got no choice of venue.

I had to provide food for the band at my wedding, but also just did sandwiches. They don't need the wedding breakfast! Hope they're good - makes all the difference.

Our band, harpist, photographer plus assistant, videographer plus assistant and piper all had to be fed and watered. We opened a tab at the bar and they had the choice of a 2 course bar meal and endless soft drinks. The band and video guys were also included in the evening buffet. It does add a substantial amount to their original costs but completely the norm.