Do you add vendors in for guest count?

Yep! Just specify that they are vendors though. My venue doesn't count vendors in the total count but they are a separate entity. Meals are cheaper for them.

Yes. DJ or band, photographer(s), DOC and officiant if they are staying through dinner.

I offered to my vendors. Photographer and DJ wanted them and my officiant and pianist were guests (officiant was our pastor growing up and a family friend, pianist was my neighbor who has her masters in piano). Florist just brought flowers and left so she declined as did baker.

Eta: a vendor meal for $10 was a sandwich and chips but my vendors were so great I wanted to give them the same meal as the rest so we just did that.

No- mine were separate. Our caterer/venue asked how many vendor meals we needed, separately from guests.

Count them but before adding them to your total I would talk to your caterer first, ours fed the vendor automatically - we didn't have to pay for them.

What if your venue is also your vendor? My venue is covering the catering and the florals, but did not mention vendor meals in the contract.

I included the vendors in my count and I have to let my venue know how many because their meals are half price. They're also getting the same meal as everyone else!

I have to pay full price for them, so they are counted in my numbers.

#happilyevermrizek - the venue staff is not included in the couple's head count.