Meals should be served early enough that the band and crew have time to eat before performing. If dinner is buffet-style, it usually works well to send us through after the head tables or early in the dinner service. If dinner is plated, earlier is better. We do not need to be seated at a guest table – a green room, vendor area, or other appropriate space is fine. This timing matters because we are often involved with speeches, toasts, MC moments, or reception transitions during dinner. If meals come at the very end of service, there may not be enough time to eat and still be ready for the next event moment or performance start.