Feeding the MC, Musicians etc

Well we only have our TOG to feed and was going to suggest he has a bar meal whilst we eating our wedding breakfast. Have you asked your suppliers what they expect?

I know, I will happily feed my Tog who is working a vey long day, but he has said he'll provide my own. I was really shocked when a pianist I wanted to booked from 2 til 6 (outside of meal times really) wanted a meal as part of her T&Cs. I got into quite a heated discussion with them about it and needless to say didn't book her.

No one pays for my lunch when I am at work all day!

Yeah, the musician's said sandwiches but the MC said he will join us in the wedding breakfast and just to set up a little table for him.

I understand they have a long day, but we are paying them for that time!?

I am just giving the TOG some sandwiches if he wants them - he told me not to bother, but if he wants them then thats ok.

also in the evening presuming DJ and Duo booked will help themselves to the buffet - there is always too much anyway

Most Togs etc bring their own usually I hear

Our photographer says he always brings his own lunch.

The band have not asked for anything.

Our video people are work colleagues and will be joining us for the WB anyway (and being a barbecue rather than a formal sit-down it doesn't matter).

We've told the band and photographer that they are welcome to help themselves to the evening buffet as, like others have said, there's always plenty left over.

We're providing dinner for the tog. My Mum is paying for him and wanted to provide a meal which is fine with us. Especially as our package is for 100 people and we only have 90 coming. It's not an extra cost really.

The musician we're looking to book to sing at the drinks reception asks for soft drinks to be provided which I think is reasonable.

In the terms and conditions of our band hire, we have to provide them will a hot or cold meal and unlimited soft drinks. I don't mind though, we are arranging all of the food and drink ourselves as we are in a village hall.

I do think it a little odd though, especially given the fee we're paying.

Lol, I feel like I am being stingey but it's just an extra cost I'd not factored into the budget. Looks like it's gonna cost us about £80!!!

I totally understand where you are coming from!!! although we have been quite lucky in that we said we will only supply the drinks and they have agreed. We have a harpist that is playing for 4 hours and she put on her booking form 'please provide main meal and unlimited drinks'. No question as to if its being provided, just demanded. I responded with no food is available due to my stict budget and she seemed to be ok, i just thought it was a cheek!!! All the others have asked but said they will supply their own. We are supplying unlimited soft drinks for them but the amount you are payaing for them already is enough I think!! our meals are around the same cost too and its not fair on the bride and groom who are paying for so much anyway to then add that on top!

Im glad someone else feels the same, i thought it was just me and H2B.

xxx

Its worth noting that all suppliers have a different take on this. I never expect anything, so its always a nice surprise when i am catered for. Mind you, a few years ago I did 13 hours for a wedding (started with the ceremony throught to the evening disco) and left my sandwiches and drinks in the fridge at home.....hence i was in a mess by midnight and the function manager came to my rescue and knocked up some food in the kitchen (and slapped me on the wrist for not asking before i passed out!!!). I never walk out the door without my pack up now!

We thought it was a normal thing to pay...so have got a meal for our tog and one for the vog too....cost of £60 for both. Considering how much we them its a cheek!

I think someone mentioned in a similar post that they put $20 behind the bar for the tog to order a snack and a drink at meal time. I think this is what I will do as I am not paying $75 for a 3 course meal when I could have invited someone else who is a good friend but restricted by budgets.

I do agree that as we are paying them a fortune to be there, then they should bring themselves a packed lunch.

However, some wedding venues arent the cheapest and are far away from anywhere like a Tesco to grab a sandwich so its not fair to expect them to pay the venue's prices for food.

I havent thought about what I'll do, but as its an outside catering company it wont cost me £100 a head to feed them!

*puts it on my to do list to sort out!*

As a DJ, I never expect to be fed, and would never "help myself" to the Buffet without being asked.

But, to put things into perspective, I have a local wedding tonight, so some basic timings:

We need to be there for a 5pm setup, so we'll leave base at 4:30 (venue is 5mins away). We are booked until 11pm, but the bar will remain open until 1am, so there is a chance that we'll be required to be working until 1am.

Once we arrive, we'll need 1hr to set-up, and will then start background music before the 1st dance. Its then non-stop work until the party end.

Either case, we'll not be getting home (and then unloading) until midnight or later, when we'll finally try to have food after at least an 8hr working "day" with no chance for a break (we can't sit down for 20 mins half way through the evening and relax).

Now, this is the part of the job that I'm aware of - late nights, irregular eating. Most venues prohibit us from bringing food from outside (ie packed lunch) into their venue, and it would be unprofessional to knowingly break their rules as this could risk our relationship with them.

We have been provided with a meal at some venues, but for a vendor to actually require this is not something I'd agree with.

I would say that if you have other vendors doing similar hours, try to treat them all the same, so if you are providing provisions for a band, then the DJ would certainly appreciate the same and will probably have less time to break away and arrange their own.

That said, this will never be part of my terms, and a reason why my van does contain a selection of munchies! ?

I just can't think of any other job where this would be expected!? I can imagine the response I would get from my boss if I went round demanding drinks and a main meal! I know they have to travel etc, but with a 1pm start and a 4 hour shift, I am pretty sure they could sort themselves out with a sandwich! It's a bit different with the photographer I guess because it is a much longer day for them.

I DJ at about 20 Weddings a year and find that about 20% of my clients kindly offer food.

This is something that i gladly accept if I can eat away from the guests. It looks terrible in my opinion if the DJ stands there munching away behind the decks. As I do not drink alchohol, a glass of water is fine for liquid refreshment.

As Sandy said above, it will vary from vendor to vendor. Its not in our T&Cs, but we're always very grateful if our clients offer and will gladly accept, especially if time is an issue and we can't get off-site for a bite to eat which is often the case. We are offered to partake in evening buffets quite a bit, which may be slightly more cost-effective?

Water should be provided really, but most venues will sort us out in this respect if it has slipped by the wayside.

Tony

RS

Yeah, i think I would probably have offered if it wasn't a term of contract anyway, I just thought it was cheeky to write it in there!