Where do they sit?

[Ciarrai]

Apparently vendors are included in the headcount for the venue. The DJ said that he usually eats at his station, but what about the photographer? Obviously I want to feed the guy after he's spent several hours trailing around after me, but I can't really fit him at a table.

Mayfair has offered to set him up outside at the guest book table, but does that seem like he's being shut away in the corner? What other vendors do I need to feed?

Where did you seat your vendors, or where do you plan to seat them?

[Julz518]

I had my vendors (4 musicians and the photographer - the DJ refused to eat) seated with the guests. I even had place cards for them - though I'm pretty sure that isn't required. I just picked guests who I knew were laid back and friendly and I thought would get along well with them.

As it turned out, a bunch of people at an adjacent table didn't show up, so my guests moved over there, and the vendors got a table to themselves.

My back-up plan was to seat them in the barn (the equivalent of another room), but since it was raining, I'm really glad they didn't have to do that - they would've goten soaked! I think if you only have the photographer, it would be nice for you to try to sqeeze him in somewhere so he's not eating by himself in the hallway. But if there are a bunch of other vendors who would be eating together, then setting up a table in the hallway or something would be ok.

I think vendors would include musicians, photographer, videographer, DJ, wedding planner/coordinator, the officiant, and anyone else who helped with the ceremony, and their "helpers."

[finallyabride75]

At our reception place and when I talked to our vendors, they said that they will be eating in "back" (the kitchen) or their stations. Something they've done before. In all honesty this is your day, and if they are seated at the table with guests they might not get served right away, have their food taken away and may miss some of the "action".

[wynelle]

At four weddings, we never had a problem with a table either in the kitchen or at the back of the hall. The photographer wanted to be able to get up and shoot candids between courses. The musicians didn't want to eat (brass, clarinets, etc) and play, so they just had beverages, and meals to go. Videographer had a place, but was up and about. On-site coordinator didn't stay seated, either.