Band have requested refreshments?

I'd contact the band and ask what they mean by "refreshments". i.e. do they mean drinks or food, and if it's food does it have to be a meal or some snacks? Do your venue do suppliers meals at a cheaper cost? The band may be happy with some M&S specials.

As someone who sings in a band I don't blame them for wanting refreshments. It's a long, hot job, all that singing malarkey. Definitely a range of drinks (including plenty of non alcoholic choices) and some substantial snacks too.

I just told them to help themselves to the buffet and to get soft drinks from the bar when they liked. I also took them some drinks as did others.

We have offered our band a hog roast and a bar tab. They have much cheaper than other bands we found so we have planned it that extra cost, but there is only 4 of them and I can't imagine they will go over board.

I have a DJ for 4.5 hours, I will let him have some of the buffet / evening food and soft drinks, I will then get him a few beers as the night goes on but he is a good friend of ours who DJ's for all our parties so I couldn't stand and watching him sipping on water going hungry x

These are commonly known in the supplier industry as *Bandwiches* ? and are the refreshments given to the suppliers such as bands and photographers. The venue will often supply these at a separate location and the suppliers will help themselves to whatever is made available. I assume this (type of food food to be available) is agreed in advance between the venue and the couple.

But, as mentioned, the band may need non-alcoholic drinks to also be supplied(I suspect water is just fine) on a regular basis to keep hydrated.

I often go to the bar if I have a spare moment for a glass of cold water as I am on the move all day.

Andrea de Gabriel

I think you need to ensure they have a bit of food, not just if there is any leftover.

I told our DJ (and his assistant) to help themselves to the buffet and to take drinks from the bar tab.

I'll just be adding them to the number of people who need food for the evening. They've also asked for soft drinks so they can have a tab behind the bar for those.

Our band have asked for this too which I think is fair enough. I'm still decided whether to order them something seperate or let them in on the evening buffet food. We're having a cheese tower and cakes for the evening and I wasn't sure if that was substantial enough for them.

The bit that's throwing me at the moment is the contract requirement to provide a lockable room with a chair for each band member. Erm....where???! Has anyone else got around this somehow?

First wedding years ago, we had a formal do, and made sure all suppliers had sandwiches and soft drinks readily available. This time, we said the band could just join in with the hog roast, help themselves, and we gave them a pint each from the bar, and unlimited soft drinks. We didn't need to factor them into the catering numbers since hog roast and BBQ style buffets always overcater and there are plenty of sides and salads too.

Hi,

Yes we gave our band a separate plate of sandwiches and some chips. Plus a tab at the bar. Just check that they're not staying over first!!!!?

I suppose it's the same as making a cup of tea for your electrician, plus a few biscuits!!!

x

Although they live local and are arriving at 6.30 and staying till midnight, they might have had to load the van beforehand and collect band members (and likewise at the end of the night). So you might see their working day as 5 and a half hours whereas it's probably closer to 7 or eight.

I've got an all day wedding tomorrow which is over an hour from home. It's going to be a 14 hour day in total with no refreshments and nowhere close to buy anything! I don't ask for refreshments (wish I did!) and often people don't actually consider how long you are going without food or drink. Before anyone suggests that we should bring a pack up.... yes we do but we have to sneak it behind the rig and be careful not to get caught by the venue!

Hi I play in a wind band and we often get given refreshments when we play for dinner events etc. I have to say ( as other have said) softs drinks are a must, but also that I find the lighter food is often better if you have to then continue playing. Something like sandwiches, some crisps and perhaps some sausage rolls/quiche or a bit of cake is usually fine.

We'll be adding numbers to our buffet for our photographers, videographer and entertainment. I don't want them trying to do their job well on an empty tummy. My photographer also included this in his terms and conditions.

A selection of pre made sanwiches/crisps and soft drinks should do the job nicely - no alcoholic drinks as booze and electricity does not go together well.

What the ????????!!!!!!

WSS! That's odd.

I wonder whether there is a band or supplier on here who also asks for something like this?

I have a regular gig where I'm expected to be at my post from 8 in the morning and can sometimes be there for 8,9 or even 10 hours. I do get breaks but no one has ever offered me a sandwich at this place. They do give me money, though. I call it work.

Seriously, I can fully understand wanting to offer food to suppliers (we did at our wedding). But I don't understand demanding it as a supplier. I always carry food with me and eat when I can, if I'm offered something else that's fantastic - I might even get time to eat it.

The band might have to get changed into their performance clothes after setting up - they might require somewhere to change, store their clothes, their wallets, phones, spare and back up equipment, etc etc, somewhere to eat their food, somewhere to put on some antipersperent, and a chair each for them to use. The band could store all this stuff, on the stage, change in front of your guests as they nibble on their sausage rolls - however it might be better to provide a secure area somewhere else where they can do this. Would you like to change into your wedding dress in the park park or a toilet cubicle? Maybe a room at your venue is available?

Haha totally read that as one lockable room each. thought it sounded dodge!

Yes, we have this too! The band requires in their Terms & Conditions a hot meal providing and soft drinks as well as a changing room. We are not having a hot buffet in the evening as we are eating late anyway. I was just going to ask the venue to do several additional main courses and put a bit of money behind the bar for the band's drinks. To be honest, I think it is fair enough because it will be a long day for them and the location of the venue means that they can't really pop out to the local supermarket for snacks because there isn't one. For the changing room, we were just going to offer one of the guest bedrooms (probably my sister's as she won't mind) if we get absolutely stuck.

Some good advice on here on stuff I never really thought about- I will bear this in mind when we eventually book our band/DJ!

Hi

I run a wedding band and we've put a refreshment clause in our contract. The main reason is we're quite often there early and leave very late and often the venue is in a remote location. The last thing you want is the band leaving the location to search for the nearest McDonalds and their van breaking down!

All we ask for is a limited bar tab for a couple of drinks and to help ourselves to the buffet.

regards