Photographer a dinner guest?

mamameech · February 2012

Is your photographer an invitee at your dinner? What is the normal etiquette for this?When we booked, I remember the photographer eluding to an invite to the dinner and at the time I didn't question it, but now I'm starting to wonder about this... how is he supposed to be working if he's having dinner? And I'm paying him to work, so why would I pay for his dinner? Or is that what people usually do? Help!

jessa1228 · February 2012

Vendor meals are included in our venue contract, so I plan on having a table set up for them (photographers, DJ, etc). I don't think they need an invite per se since they'll be working the reception, but I would definitely provide a meal for them.

mcmeghan311 · February 2012

Most venues that have their own catering offer a vendor meal, but from a friend who is a DJ's experience, it's usually a crappy sandwich. Your photographer will be working with you ALL DAY, so you have to expect him to eat sometime, right? My DJ and Photographer are friends of ours, but I also invited my officient, bartenders and the property manager/event coordinator to have meals as well. While Photog and DJ will have seats at a table for a meal, I just asked that the coordinator and bartenders (friends of his) not let it interfere with anything that guests might need. My Officient declined the dinner.

Hope this helps?

Clarustin2011 · February 2012

I have no issues with paying for a meal for my vendors, esp my photographer. She will be with me from about 2pm till 9pm. I can't expect her not to eat or have a glass of tea/soda. Most caterers offer a cheaper vendor dinner.

meagandal · February 2012

I hadn't thoguht about Photographer? We are inviting our florist though.

mamameech · February 2012

Oh ok... makes sense I guess. I just find it odd that he's to be taking photos but he'll be sitting to eat a meal....maybe that's just me. Same for my wedding coordinator (DOC); when will she sit to eat? Our pastor and wife are invited but they are actually close to the family so that makes sense, and they aren't "working" at the dinner.
Maybe I'll check with the caterers...

lbarr088 · February 2012

Our photog requires a meal which I was planning on doing anyways. Our venue will do vendor meals which I will do for my photog and the DJ. Also as a side note make sure your photog doesn't have food allergies! Mine does so she will require a special meal.

volleygurl0306 · February 2012

Our venue offers a vendor meal but it is just a cold cut sandwich and some chips. Our DOC's are actually doing our wedding for free and our photographers gave us a great deal. We are on a budget so no DJ. But, instead of just a cold cut sandwich we are thinking of seeing if our venue will do something a little nicer since these vendors went above and beyond. There is a separate rate for those under 21 so I'm going to ask if we can pay that rate since the vendors will be working and not drinking alcohol. If they won't do that, I may just see if we can pay for something off their regular menu (the hotel has a restaurant that has burgers and paninis and such) because even their regular menu is nicer than a cold cut! We have two photographers and two DOCs (both a packaged deal didn't cost extra) so I may see if each can eat one at a time if things need to be done. Or, since most people don't want pictures of them chewing, see if they can eat immediately after the toasts so that when people start finishing up they are ready to go.

In general, during dinner the only thing they could really miss is if you and FI have a tender moment at your sweetheart table and/or clinking glasses that get a kiss. Other people will probably grab these shots though but to be sure, just express your concern with your photographer. They've done other weddings and managed to eat before!

mamameech · February 2012

I checked with the caterer and they have "vendor meals" so that's awesome. I had never heard of that! It wasn't that I didn't want to feed them, I just didn't know how they would sit with us while they were "working". This way they can be fed and eat whenever they can.
I feel better now

spalihena · February 2012

We were planning on going with vendor meals too - but i am totally in love with my photographer, my baker, my florist AND my videographer... both my photographer and my videographer are engaged right now too, and my photographer is a fellow Knottie... Both the photographer and videographer are giving us whole day coverage, not tying us into a set number of hours.... SO now i am definitely inviting them to dinner and will also arrange lunch for them if it falls in the time that they are setting up...

lbarr088 · February 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-club-boards_september-2012-weddings_photographer-a-dinner-guest?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20Club%20BoardsForum:a464c18c-2e4d-469b-8eae-3865079cb9cfDiscussion:257ead0a-a678-401a-a304-a003c387edefPost:923d45e8-2b37-482b-960f-df585546f92c">Re: Photographer a dinner guest?</a>:
[QUOTE]I checked with the caterer and they have "vendor meals" so that's awesome. I had never heard of that! It wasn't that I didn't want to feed them, I just didn't know how they would sit with us while they were "working". This way they can be fed and eat whenever they can. I feel better now :)
Posted by mamameech[/QUOTE]

<div>How long is your dinner "hour"? You probably don't NEED an hours worth of photos of people "eating." Maybe they expected to work for 10-15 minutes and then eat? My photog said that during dinner and then dancing you pretty much get the same photos. We decided that she didn't have to stay for the whole reception, because we didn't want 30000 pictures of people dancing etc, so the same probably holds true during dinner. Most of the photos you will want will be taken during the cocktail hour (if you are having one) and dances, cake cutting, etc. I don't think it's a big deal if they join you for part of the dinner.</div><div>
</div><div>Also, I hope this didn't sound mean, it wasn't my intention :)</div>

abcollins08 · February 2012

It was in our photographers contract that we provide a meal for them. And if they're eating while everyone else is eating I think that's ok. You don't really want pictures of people shoveling food into their mouths. Or maybe you do! haha!

beckyboo27 · February 2012

We are setting up a table and meals for our vendors as well. We don't want our photog taking pictures of people eating, so he and his wife will get the chance to sit down and take a break and get a hot meal while we're eating.

Starfish0116 · February 2012

Please feed your photographer. Would you want to work on your feet ALL day carrying heavy gear and not get a chance to eat or sit for a moment?

We'll have a table set up for our photographer(s), wedding planner/assistant, band. Our officiant is also a friend of mine, so he'll be seated with other friends rather at a table of vendors.

As a wedding photographer myself, I require a meal. I don't always have a set table available to me, so in cases like that I get my food and find a quiet place to eat. I don't sit forever, but I usually take that time to not only eat but also clean gear, change batteries out, and get reorganized.

I always tell all my brides that dinner is usually the time of the evening where I take a quick break to eat and regroup. Dinner photos are the least flattering (and most dumped during the editing process). People are VERY uncomfortable being photographed while they eat.

mamameech · February 2012

We have limited seating at dinner and it's already really hard to keep it at 150 with family and friends, so I don't really want to use a table to feed vendors. There will actually be 2 photographers; 1 will leave once the "evening" starts seeing as there isn't as much to photograph. If there were a clause in my contract that states a full meal is required, ok, but our meal per person is about $125; that's lot of extra money to put towards someone I'm already paying $3,000. And like I said, the most important thing is that I'd be cutting out a friend/family member to seat him. Maybe I'm not being very "nice" but I just don't feel right about that. I will definitely feed him; just not as an official dinner guest.

I do have to say that I worked in event planning for quite awhile and I would work 12-16 hour days where I ate when I had a chance and it was on my own dime; I would have loved for someone to pay for my meal!!! I can appreciate the hard work that goes into that type of work.

Starfish0116 · February 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-club-boards_september-2012-weddings_photographer-a-dinner-guest?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20Club%20BoardsForum:a464c18c-2e4d-469b-8eae-3865079cb9cfDiscussion:257ead0a-a678-401a-a304-a003c387edefPost:f84084e9-e0c6-4c2b-897f-32c779ed9fda">Re: Photographer a dinner guest?</a>:
[QUOTE]We have limited seating at dinner and it's already really hard to keep it at 150 with family and friends, so I don't really want to use a table to feed vendors. There will actually be 2 photographers; 1 will leave once the "evening" starts seeing as there isn't as much to photograph. If there were a clause in my contract that states a full meal is required, ok, but our meal per person is about $125; that's lot of extra money to put towards someone I'm already paying $3,000. And like I said, the most important thing is that I'd be cutting out a friend/family member to seat him. Maybe I'm not being very "nice" but I just don't feel right about that.
Posted by mamameech[/QUOTE]<div>
</div><div>I don't always have an assigned seat at weddings. In fact, rarely do I have an assigned seat. 95% of the time I grab my food and slip to a quiet area of the venue to eat alone. You certainly don't have to boot guests to have a table for your vendors - but definitely provide them food. Most catering companies will offer a reduced rate for vendors. This is generally because vendors won't be utilizing wait staff nor will they be drinking at the bar, and are not part of cocktail hour.</div><div>
</div><div>To me, it's important to provide a table for my vendors, but I'm very used to finding my own place when I work a wedding. I'm sure my own experiences play a lot into my decisions, but I'm also feeding them the same meal as everyone else.</div><div>

</div>

lbarr088 · February 2012

Our photog doesn't require a seat at dinner, just the meal. Did your want an actual seat or just to be sure that they were put down for a meal? Also, vendor meals are usually cheaper, will they still charge the full 125 for a vendor plate?

caterpillar85 · February 2012

My photographer will be there before lunch time to take pics of the space without people there, then getting ready pics, and stay til 10pm or garter toss, which ever comes first. So I should definitely feed him!

junebug19 · February 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-club-boards_september-2012-weddings_photographer-a-dinner-guest?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20Club%20BoardsForum:a464c18c-2e4d-469b-8eae-3865079cb9cfDiscussion:257ead0a-a678-401a-a304-a003c387edefPost:06c2d660-5eff-4fae-8bea-ce7766fa9900">Re: Photographer a dinner guest?</a>:
[QUOTE]Our photog doesn't require a seat at dinner, just the meal. Did your want an actual seat or just to be sure that they were put down for a meal? <strong>Also, vendor meals are usually cheaper, will they still charge the full 125 for a vendor plate?</strong>
Posted by lbarr088[/QUOTE]

My photographer also has a meal in her contract, and all the caterers I spoke with said vendor meals are 50% the price or they had another set price (one was $25). You should ask your venue if they offer this.
I hadn't thought of a table for my vendors though.

mamameech · February 2012

Our caterer does vendor meals and much lower cost, so that's awesome. If it were a bigger venue, I could be more accommodating with seating, but at least I'm still able to provide him with food (and the other vendors as well).

volleygurl0306 · February 2012

Mamma you can definitely go with a cheaper meal. Our all in cost is $79.95pp but that includes the cocktail hour, 4 hr open full bar, champagne toast, chicken dinner, and our tax and gratuity. They have vendor meals for $25 but are a deli sandwhich. I'm going to see if my venue will do a middle ground of the nice chicken dinner but for cheaper since they won't have hors d'oeuvres or alcohol. As long as there is somewhere in the venue they can sit (not necessarily in the main reception room)....another room, bench, outside table, etc I think that is fine. They don't need a guest's spot. If our venue has a smaller table that seats just 4 or 6 that's where my vendors will sit in the ballroom. If they only have the large tables, I'll offer a conference room across the hall that comes with our ballroom rental to them. I can't afford an extra centerpiece for them and don't want a whole big table empty (and with only 4 seats).

mamameech · February 2012

I could open up our "prep room" to them for breaks or for eating. That would be a nice area to be away and have some chill time.

There really isn't extra space in the dining area but they could sit in the cocktail bar/lounge area if they wanted (we have 2 spaces rented). Keep in mind that it's not our venue providing tables/chairs/setup; it's an art gallery so we have rent all these things and bring them in.

volleygurl0306 · February 2012

I think the prep room or bar/loungue area is more than sufficient.

adktd2boots · February 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-club-boards_september-2012-weddings_photographer-a-dinner-guest?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding Club BoardsForum:a464c18c-2e4d-469b-8eae-3865079cb9cfDiscussion:257ead0a-a678-401a-a304-a003c387edefPost:bd9ee55e-0a52-4543-98f6-ed232f2d9ae3">Re: Photographer a dinner guest?</a>:
[QUOTE]I hadn't thoguht about Photographer? We are inviting our florist though.
Posted by meagandal[/QUOTE]

I never got anything when I was a florist :(
But then we were always in and out before any guests arrived.

bridalmomma · February 2012

Vendor meals are included in our venue contract, so I plan on having a table set up for them (photographers, DJ, etc). I don't think they need an invite per se since they'll be working the reception, but I would definitely provide a meal for them.

This, I think its expected to feed them but agree they don't need to linger over a meal like they are a guest!

heuteneuer01 · February 2012

I'm a wedding photographer myself and its just really appreciated when the meal is provided then I don't have to worry about bringing my own meal and keeping it cold or heating it up. Plus you won't want pictures of people eating so while you are eating I am eating. Just a photographers and brides point of view

Photographer a dinner guest?

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