Feeding vendors at weddings

[EasilyAmused]

Scrolling FB whilst having my hair done and watched a video about people providing food for the photographer, planner, musician, DJ, etc. at weddings.

Curious about the general concensus on this?

YABNU - Why would you? They're their to work, not as guests.

YABU - Of course you should, it's the courteous thing to do.

I used to work for a wedding caterer as a student. Weddings every single weekend for a few years. We were fed every time. But it wasn't glamorous. Sometimes there were leftovers if guests didn't turn up but otherwise whatever we got was unmemorable because I can't remember it! We'd be at remote (exclusive) venues from about 10-11am to after midnight. Giving us a bit of a hot meal during that time was really not above and beyond. We worked minimum wage with no tips.

I also worked for a very high end 5** star hotel. We got food there too if we worked more than 8 hours (contracted, not if a shift ran over). Some of it was leftovers (best leftovers ever!) and other were "staff meals" which was more like canteen food. Depended on what was going on with the kitchen.

As for the videographer/photographer at a wedding, I'd do whatever I could to make them do their job the best they can. If giving them a plate of meat and veg with a slice of cake later is it, it's really quite easy and not expensive in the overall scheme of things.

Well, sometimes yes. But you omitted to comment on the points that a) they can be in the middle of nowhere and b) have limited access to food storage facilities.

For vendors there for half the day we paid for the venue to put sandwiches on for them. For the full day ones we paid for them for have the full 3 course lunch.

We got food and drink for our photographer and videographer - they were there all day. I think our caterers even had a separate cost of us getting food for people working on the day, although it wasn’t the same as the ‘wedding meal’.
There wasn’t anywhere to pop to to get a meal or food locally. I guess ultimately you need to check their contracts for the official position, but in my view it was a nice thing to do anyway.

I fed my photographer and his assistant, same food as everyone else. They declined wine

Exactly this!

Well, quite a few people get access to subsidised food - My DH used to get a three course meal for £3 in his last job! And I've only worked in one place that didn't have a staff fridge.

Our photographer came to our hotel at 9am for pre wedding 'getting ready' shots, he then went to the groom and his best man, he and the videographer got shots of guests arriving (barn type wedding so we had pre-wedding drinks for people), then the bridesmaids arriving, then me. Then the ceremony and the after ceremony hugs etc., By then it was 2.30pm and they both took photos/videos of the people getting seated for the meal. I would imagine it was 3 - 3.30pm before they ate. Then up again for speeches, first dance and evening guests arriving and the party afterwards. Apart from a brief sit down for the meal itself, those two didn't stop from 9am to 7.30pm (plus the time before and in between setting up cameras etc).

We asked both if they would like a meal, they preferred sandwiches as hot food would have got cold with the setting up in between so we made sure they had plenty.

As for the 'let them bring their own' remark. Most venues don't like other people putting food in their fridges. Firstly because of room (100 desserts take up a lot of room!) but also the health and safety aspect of some random person putting unknown food into a fridge when they're trying to cater for allergies. Imagine a spillage of some sloppy food stuff or a leaking bottle of juice on the beautiful food you've paid for?

Any why should they have to have sandwiches and drinks that have been out of a fridge for 6 plus hours in some cases just because they're 'trade'? If you want beautiful photographs/video/your make up touched up every 30 minutes or whatever, then it's part of the deal. If you don't want to pay, don't have them. It's not obligatory.

That's what I thought. Our photographer ordered a meal from the hotel bar which was charged to us. We only had a dj in the evening but we told him and the people manning the photo booth to help themselves to the buffet if they wanted anything (don't know if they did though)

Ours had left before the meal - he did fake cutting the cake ones before he went. He wasn't staying for the reception or evening

It was in my photographers contract that they got a hot meal. Totally reasonable. They worked like a 10 hour day! Our venue did a photographers menu for £15pp which was fab. But even if I had to pay the full price for them it wouldn't have bothered me. The venue did have a separate restaurant and that's where the photographers ate, which suited them as it gave them a proper break away from the wedding.
I told the band and the photo booth guy to help themselves to the evening buffet, and the crisp wall and the other bits and bobs, and they did, they mingled with the guests and they were a great laugh. Where's the fun in having a wedding if everyone doesn't get stuck in and enjoy themselves? Imagine someone policing the buffet telling certain people not to have anything 😅

YABU, they are there for an entire day so yes you need to feed them! It's common etiquette to provide a meal possibly at the bar or a different area usually for photographer and videographer who are with you for the entire day. They have this while everyone else is eating and usually is a different meal the venue will provide. Speak to your venue about it they will know what to do and it's usually a cheaper meal than what you'd pay for your guests.

Because they are there all day, often from 9am to 9pm - that’s a long time for two lots of sandwiches to sit in the car for on a hot day.

we fed our photographer and videographer, the venue did a bar meal for them.

When I worked for a corporate in the City, of course I was responsible for my own lunch - but there were staff fridges, canteens, local restaurants/cafes, supermarkets etc. It's also completely normal for me to be able to take a proper lunch break, at a set time etc.

Sometimes, for whatever reason, we would go somewhere eg for a team offsite or similar. On those occasions, food would be provided by the company.

Most of the time, photographers etc are not in the conveniet situation of being able to take an hour for a meal, nor are they in an environment where they can conveniently and safely bring food. They don't have access to a fridge or microwave and in most cases, it's not exactly convenient to find a local pret.

That's why it's not the same as being expected to provide your own food in a normal 9-5 job.

Having said all that, It think it's perfectly reasonable that you pay the venue to provide a less elaborate meal for staff. Frankly, they'll probably prefer it to as they don't want fiddly little bits, that have to be cooked and eaten within 10 minutes, but proper food that will fill them up and that is a bit more forgiving depending on when they get a break.

Photographer, yes - they are there all day and usually work with virtually no break, can't nip out to buy food and won't have anywhere to safely store food. Others can plan their meals around the schedule. DJ usually sets up around 6pm so can eat before and take a snack to have during buffet time. The planner should be used to this, and its their place of work - they should have somewhere to store food, get food and drinks from etc as they are usually employed by the venue. The musicians are rarely there for more than a few hours each.

We fed our two photographers, and videoographer, so the 3 people who had been there all day (not DJ etc, as he only started at 7pm, when the evening reception started, but we did tell him he could go and have something from the evening buffet if he wanted).

Our meals were £60 per head (for any more than the original 50 in the wedding package), and we didn't offer this to our suppliers. Instead we put £25 each down by the main bar (a burger and chips was something like £14), the idea being this would cover any main (of their choosing) from the bar menu, and a drink as we ate.

On the day, we ended up having a few last minute drop-outs (and we'd already paid for the guests' food), so we ended up asking the venue to give those meals to the suppliers instead, and we got our £75 back :) (We did say to each of the suppliers that they were still welcome to get some bar food instead, if they wanted more options, but they were all happy to take the 3 courses that we had already paid for.)

I think it would be churlish not to provide refreshments for photorapher/band etc .
Small change in comparison to the cost of wedding!
Happy Workers do a better job ..its not rocket science

Most vendors will specify this in their contract and most caterers will provide a separate type of meal or a reduced rate for them. I don't see the issue in providing for your vendors.

YABU. We offered food and drinks for anyone who was there with us - photographer, DJ, etc. It’s just courtesy IMO. They didn’t want to sit with us but the venue staff provided them somewhere to sit, rest and eat and we offered them a choice from our wedding menu and paid for it. They were welcome to help themselves to dessert, soft drinks and the evening buffet too. Don’t be a dick, just be nice: it’s that simple.

I’d feed them but I still think it’s odd they can’t take a packed lunch like most people do to work. And quite rude to expect it.

I organise a lot of corporate events and yep, without exception all entertainers/musicians request a hot meal and soft drinks minimum. Even if they only perform for 45 minutes they request it too. I feel that takes the piss! But you will mostly find it’s in their contacts.

If the photographer wants a meal provided or certain facilities for their lunch then they need to make this clear in their T&C's

Otherwise they should bring a packed lunch. No reason why they can't pop it in a coolbag in their car or ask the venue if they can store it in a staff fridge.

Many photographers work with the same venues regularly and should know what facilities are available and if not can make enquiries in advance if it is important to them.

I wouldn't object to providing a meal but wouldn't expect to do so if not specified.

Though many wedding caterers have a number of "spare" meals just in case something gets dropped or ruined or something and these will get used up one way or another often by staff so if the photographer has a decent relationship with the caterers they may get fed anyway.

Of course you feed them. I cannot imagine sending them off in a corner with a lunch box.

My partner is a wedding photographer. He’s usually on his feet over 10 hours exhausted, thirsty and starving. Please do feed yours.

My brother is a wedding photographer. He really appreciates being fed, as on an average wedding shoot he will be working 12 hours without much of a break.

Yes absolutely. It’s the nice thing to do. At my wedding we just added an extra place (village hall) and sis (nice venue) did half price meals for vendors - same food.