Hotels and food

We too have the same terms and for many clients, it's often overlooked. 

On the day, venues couldn't care less as they have the wedding meal to supervise.

For the last few years we have politely reminded clients a few weeks prior to the wedding and they always arrange something. If the client insists . . . the venue obliges :D

It's common in the music + corporate events markets to offer the clients a "buy out" option on food. This is often stated as "client to provide a  hot meal, or £20 buy out for each crew member" Giving the client the option of giving you £20 instead of feeding you makes them think about the need for food. They will either arrange something or give you enough money to sort it out yourself. 

 

My personal bug bear is doing shows where the guests get a 3 course banquet and you get a school dinner grade shepherds pie. This is normally combined with the bonus of watching the caterers throwing a load of the banquet food in the bin! In many ways the buy out option is preferable as you can then get yourself something which is edible, and have it at whatever time suites your schedule, rather than whenever the kitchen can be bothered to bring it.  

Did one where the hotel gave our meals to some late guests! The Mother of the bride asked us if everything was going OK, I then said "yes except for the meal" she then gave the hotel both barrells but it was still late evening before we were fed!

Always take my own then I don't have to rely on hotels - they seem to think that offering food once everyone has been served is ok - as I keep pointing out to them, I don't want indigestion from wolfing down food in time to cover the speeches. One recent venue offered to keep it warm - until when?!!  I'm working until I go home!! 

Sort yourself out, you get what you want when you want it.

 

robo 

It's also in our contract, and on our pre-wedding form there is a reminder and a box to tick that it's been organised. The food is variable though to say the least. From a plate of sarnies to fillet steak. I also emphasise that we should get it in good time, because of speeches etc. Doesn't always happen. Last year, we were sitting with the photographer waiting for the guests to be fed, when the Father of the Bride came over and told us to go and help ourselves (Hot Buffet). When we did, the manager actually tried to stop us! I said if the Father of the Bride tells me to do something - what's it got to do with you!! 

One thing I can never understand, is this 'wait until the guests have finished' thing. When my own daughter got married, I made sure that the video crew, the photographers, and the Toastmaster all ate exactly what we did, at exactly the same time. Surely that's easier??

On a Morrisey show a couple of years ago, there was hell to play because one of the crew had brought in his own sandwiches - with meat in, on a totally vegan gig! He was told that he HAD to use the vegan catering provided, part of the contract!

I always reckon that if we were meant to be vegitarian we would have developed 7 stomouchs like cows who eat grass

if you ate your veg you might be able to count better :P :)