Should You Allow Wedding Vendors to Take a Meal Break During Your Wedding Reception?

For your wedding event, you’ve likely hired several vendors, such as a caterer, photographer, DJ, videographer and perhaps others. Those paying for the wedding, i.e. the bride and groom and/or their parents, often wonder what is considered customary or proper etiquette when it comes to allowing the vendors to take a dinner break (or lunch break) during the time of the wedding reception. This twofold question arises time and time again: Vendor services are typically contracted for a period of about 4-6 hours of working time, so should they be permitted to take a break from that contracted time? And if so, should a meal be provided to the vendors consisting of the same food that is being provided to the wedding guests?
The answer to both questions is definitely, ‘Yes! It is considered proper etiquette as well as the norm, to allow the wedding vendors to take a short break along with a meal consistent with the food that is being served to the wedding guests. A good idea is to have the vendors eat before the guests are served so as not to interfere with the jobs they were hired to perform. Designate someone to take charge of setting up a little station in the kitchen quarters, (out of view of your guests) where vendors can relax for a few minutes and have a quick meal. In most cases, caterers have plenty of extra food as a back-up, but check with them prior to the event to make sure there will be enough to feed the vendors, just in case. In the event that you’ve opted for buffet style versus a sit-down, plated meal, have vendors take their meal from a tray that is separate from the buffet line. Your photographer, DJ, and videographer as well as catering staff will appreciate your generosity and the courtesy of sharing in the wedding meal.