Should I feed my wedding suppliers?

Your wedding day is one of the most important days of your life, and you want everything to be perfect. You've spent months (maybe even years) planning every detail, from the flowers to the music to the catering. But have you thought about feeding your wedding suppliers?

It may not be at the top of your list, but it's an important consideration that can make a big difference on your special day so let’s just explore why feeding your suppliers is so crucial and can be overlooked.

Who are your wedding suppliers that need feeding?

Your wedding suppliers are the people who help make your special day a reality. They are the professionals you hire to provide services like catering, bar suppliers, photography/videography, music/DJ, floral arrangements, and event planners but the suppliers that work tirelessly throughout your day (that are not part of the catering team), will be suppliers that are with you all day, like photographers, videographers, planners and event staff that are not part of the catering team, like bar staff and maybe even musicians if they are with you long enough.

Then of course you will have some suppliers contracts that have riders in them stating that they will need a hot meal before they perform, usually musicians in this case.

Why should you feed them?

Your wedding suppliers are an integral part of your big day and play a crucial role in making sure everything runs smoothly. While it may not guarantee better quality of service, feeding your suppliers is essential to their performance and productivity. Wedding days can be long and exhausting for everyone involved, so taking care of your suppliers' basic needs will ensure that they feel valued and motivated throughout the day. Furthermore, by keeping them well-fed and hydrated, you're also ensuring that they perform at their best. Hunger pangs or low blood sugar levels can lead to fatigue and lack of concentration - two things you don't want from anyone working on your special day! Feeding your wedding suppliers creates a positive atmosphere on the day itself. When people are happy with what they’re eating (and let’s face it – who doesn’t love good food?), there’s a noticeable change in mood around them. This positivity will undoubtedly translate into better performances from everyone involved. In short, while feeding your wedding suppliers may seem like an unnecessary expense initially; it's an investment towards having a successful event overall!

How much should you spend on feeding your suppliers?

When it comes to feeding your wedding suppliers, the cost can add up quickly. However, it's important to remember that you do not need to serve them the full three course offering. We need to eat for fuel so a hot meal would be suffice. You may find that your caterers will either offer them your main course OR they may have a supplier’s menu to choose from, according to your venue.

Also remember that a supplier that will not be with you all day (like a DJ) will require less food than a photographer who is with you all day. What are the best foods to feed your suppliers?

When it comes to feeding your wedding suppliers, you want to make sure they are well-fed and happy, but also that the food you provide will keep them energised and alert throughout the day.

One hot meal is all that is needed to ensure they are fuelled, a popular choice such as pasta or chicken with sides like salad or vegetables. This provides a heartier option for those working long hours at your wedding. Be sure to communicate with your suppliers beforehand about any specific dietary needs or allergies so you can plan accordingly and ensure everyone has something delicious to eat! I have seen many a supplier having to go without because they weren’t asked if they had any dietaries.

It is also important to mention that ideally you do not want your suppliers leaving your wedding venue to go off for food. There are so many things that could happen that would prevent them returning on time, or even returning at all. Like food service at their chosen restaurant is not quick enough, they get stuck in a traffic accident, or they are in the accident. All of these things you want to avoid for your day.

Ultimately, showing kindness and appreciation towards those who are working tirelessly to make your wedding day perfect will leave a lasting impression on both you and your team of vendors.

So do consider adding "feeding the crew" to your list of priorities when planning for the big day!

Cultural Weddings

Now I would like to tackle Cultural weddings because that’s where I specialise in and very often suppliers are left waiting around for food and often overlooked. You don’t generally have to pay for suppliers’ meals at all, but because of that I do find that they have to nag for food or struggle to get a bottle of water etc. So, if you have around 6-10 suppliers that need feeding, if space is available at your venue, why not opt for a suppliers table.

The few times this has happened and how motivated suppliers are when they are given this level of consideration, they will absolutely love you for doing this. Photographers and Videographers have to work much harder at these types of celebrations than any other (in my opinion) because there is always so much going on so this will go a long way.