Photographer question

adurant8

My FI and I are getting married out of town, about 2 hours away from where we and a majority of our guests live. The venue is located in a hotel where many of the guests will be staying. As part of our contract with our photographer, we are required to pay for hotel accomodations for her and her assistant the night of the wedding. Since it will be about a 2.5-3 hour drive for her, this is completely understandable. Problem is, the hotel requires a 2-night minimum stay and would cost us an additional $300.00 for the photographers room. At this point, I can't justify paying for 2 nights when she will only be there for one. We asked the events coordinator at the hotel if it would be possible to pay for just one night but that would be a last minute decision made by the hotel, based on availablity. There are other hotels in the area, maybe not as nice but clean and way more affordable. Is it rude to get her a room at one of the less expensive hotels? She's shot weddings at this venue before so I'm sure she's aware of the on-site accomodations. I just don't want to insult her by getting her a room elsewhere. TIA!

[Deleted User]

Can you request a room at one of the other hotels that has a good cancelation policy and then if your hotel will allow one night you can take that but if not you have a back up. And no I don't think it is rude to book her somewhere else. But that is just me

ericaandtom2012

Does the contract have any stipulations for the lodgings (such as distance from reception) that you have to provide the photographer?  If not, I think it is perfectly reasonable to book the photographer at another, more reasonable hotel that does not have the two night minimum.  I would see if you can find a hotel with a good cancellation policy as steph suggested.   

futuremrsjdmartin

As a photographer I find it perfectly acceptable to stay elsewhere as long as it is nearby and not a complete dump. However I would also bring it up with your photographer and let her know about the issue you've run into and that you are willing to put her up for the night but are unable to in your hotel. 

mlperkins12

I would call the photographer and ask where she'd like to stay with the aside that "the hotel where the reception is being held has a two night minimum, since you will only be staying one, do you have a hotel in the area you prefer?"

achiduck

I think as long as the other hotels are close it wouldn't be a big deal. It's perfectly understandable that you don't want to pay for additional nights if you don't need to.