Reception ettiquette for DJ & Photographer

[olisa6]

I have a question regarding supplying a plate of food for the DJ and photographer. I did not take this into account, but should I have a dinner for both of them at the reception? I realize the DJ will be busy playing music but the photographer will not be taking pics of people eating. Let me know what you did in regards to this...

[Jenn]

I'm sure the photogs on the board will chime in, but I've always heard that if your photographer is there for a full day, you should make sure they have food. I'm not sure about the DJ. How many hours do you have the DJ for?

[amyh]

http://bestdestinationwedding.com/fo...dinner+vendors

http://bestdestinationwedding.com/fo...dinner+vendors

 

above are two previous threads regarding your questions.. HIH!

[leigh miller]

yes please feed your photographer! most couples book me for 8 hours or more on the wedding day and most of the time i have little to no downtime until dinner comes. ive never had a couple NOT feed me. and only once have i had the "vendor meal", while everyone else had steak & shrimp i had a cold ham sandwich with mayo (yuck!) and fries.

 

im pretty close to most of my couples by the time the wedding comes around and i promise you, no one will be working harder than me on the wedding day. often im seated at a table with guest but that really doesnt matter to me if i sit with the guest or not. i even had a couple email me this week. they are getting married at the ritz and invited me to bring my husband or one of my sons to the reception for dinner. (thats unusual though, but wow how thoughtful!)

 

also when planning events you might keep in mind where your photographer will be. if you are having toasts at the same time your photographer is being served their dinner on the patio that doesnt work very well. and if youre having a sit down dinner and its possible you might want to have your photographer served at the same time you are. that way they can eat while you eat and then be back up snapping away. i say if its possible because i had a couple request that and the caterer refused. eventhough the bride and groom wanted me to eat when they did so i could have a nice meal then follow them while they said hi to everyone the caterer refused to plate my meal until everyone else had been fed! i later found out is because they make a certain % less than ordered, expecting some guests to not show up, and they want to make sure they have enough food for all the guests.

 

so yes i wrote a book but please feed your photographer. i think i wrote so much cause i started the nutrisystem this weekend and im a little hungry

[olisa6]

Thanks Amy and Leigh. I will send Yesica an e-mail and ask how they usually handle this and if I have to pay $85 for them since they are not guests at the hotel?

 

The DJ will be there for about 3 1/2 to 4hrs and the photographer will be there 41/2 hrs. Both will be present during dinner so I guess it would be correct to provide dinner for them.

 

thanks everyone who has responded so far but please still respond if you have a suggestion or have had gone through this at Dreams. Id like to know how they handle it.

[JUANCARLOST]

You will not have to pay $85 USD for them to be there and like leigh said if the photographer is there for 6 or more hours please feed him, I cannot go on without food for more than 5-6 hours. photographers usually work more than any other vendor.

 

If you have your photographer for 4 hours I dont think you should feed him because of the amount of time, I do not mind not eating for 4 hours and I dont think the photographer could say anything about it unless he was sick, I never ask for dinner or anything for that amount of time, just tonic water, that's what I like.

 

Same goes for the DJ.

 

Juan

[Alisarosenbaum]

Another question! Do you do the full 3 course meal, or just the main? I have heard both ways. My photographer will be there for five hours and the DJ for 4. The DJ doesnt start till 7, and it seems unnevessary to provide a meal. The photographer will be there from 4-9. What do you think?

[jillhiggins]

Your photographer would probably appreciate a meal if he/she is working for five hours. I know I always get to my wedding location early - usually an hour in advance "just in case" something delays me. Then you have to consider the travel time too. So even though they may be only working for you for five hours - it could have been a long time since their last meal. Another thing to consider is that it may be too late for them to reasonably get a meal afterwards by the time they pack up and get somewhere.

[foxytv]

We are also including our photographer at our Rehearsal Dinner. Not to take pictures, but rather as another oportunity for everyone to get to know each other. It's her option if she wants to attend ... but we are extending the offer.

[amyh]

We plan to feed our photographer and her assistant. They will be there for 13 hours! I also think its in the contract.

 

Our band requested a table and non-alcholic drinks for their breaks (also in their contract).