do we

[ME&HIM]

Ok so do we have to provide the celebrant and photographer with meals?

[tortoisegirl]

I think that is the nice thing to do. You could ask them ahead of time if they would like to be included in the head count for food though...they may say they will be too busy, the celebrant may have other plans or not want to impose, etc. I think it's the right thing to do. We're also inviting the wife of our officiant.

[RosieAngel]

Yes! This is especially for the photographer. Hungry photographers get grumpy and take bad pics. However, if you don't want to spend x amount per head for them, you can ask your caterer to provide vendor meals - usually something cheap, like chicken - for your vendors who have to spend a lot of time at the wedding (usually the celebrant, photographer, and DJ).

[WebLady]

Do you "have" to? No, not unless it is in your contract (which some vendors will have something about at least a break in there), but it is something you should consider. You don't have to feed your vendors the same meal as your guests, but you should at least offer them something.

Many times your venue/caterer will have cheaper options for vendors and children.

From an etiquette standpoint; yes, you should consider them. Especially those that will be working the wedding and the reception. So if you have invited the celebrant to the reception (I don't know many officiates that attend) then you should feed him. I would definatly feed the photographer and the planner and the DJ.

I think of it this way; these people are working for me for usually 6 hours or more. If I was any other sort of "boss" I'd at least give them attiquette time for them to take a break and get something to eat.

Many times photographers and/or wedding planners will help you work out a timeline that should include time for you and your vendors to take a break and eat.

[Micah's bride]

We are providing a meal for both and their wives, but that is because the officiant is a close family friend and the photographer is a co-worker. I would have invited both even if they were part of the wedding. Otherwise, I think it is nice to provide them with a meal.

[sandy03]

I would say definitely count on feeding the officiant and his/her spouse (If you've invited the spouse, they should RSVP anyway - if they don't, I would ask and find out if they plan to attend just like any other guests). They aren't technically "working" the reception (and the spouse DEFINITELY should not be considered a "vendor" EVER) so they will probably be socializing with guests and it would be really awkward when it comes time to eat to tell them "oh by the way, your is in the kitchen".

For the photographer, DJ, anyone else "working" I would say definitely explore the vendor meal route.