Dear Jasmine
I searched through your blog and can't seem to find anything on “Having Dinner at Weddings.” I was wondering if you have included in your wedding contract dinner for you and your assistant(s) at the reception? Also, is it proper to request a reserved seat at the ceremony – at least within the first three rows – for the photographer?
Thank you,
Hungry After Seven Hours of Work
Dear Hungry After Seven Hours of Work,
The short answer is, yes, I request a hot meal in my contract. A wedding photographer works an average of 8-10 hours, so it's important to itemize expectations and considerations in light of non-stop work. Outside a meal provision on the wedding day, however, my requests stop there. I do not request to be seated in the reception, a specific seat, or a jar full of green M&Ms. The day is only about the bride, so I never want her to think otherwise.
A thing to consider is the general timeframe in which the wedding vendors are fed on a typical wedding day. Even though it's not optimal, vendors are fed last. Our plates are made available after the final guest has been served, which means there's about eight minutes to eat before the team is needed back in the reception for the First Dance, cake cutting, etc. Due to these considerations, I want to maximize my time and services during this downtime. Last week I posted a video on How to Create a Same Day Slideshow, and it's during the dinner service that I make it come to life.
Of course there are variations of reception timelines, but the idea remains the same: photographers have a flicker of time to eat dinner, and it's usually outside of the reception. The key is to make proper considerations to ensure the bride and groom are aware of your location.
Here are a few tips:
1. Stagger the meal time with your second shooter so a photographer is in the reception should anything arise.
2. Suggest the vendor meal time is itemized in the wedding day itinerary so the bride is aware of the photographer's absence.
3. Always check in with the coordinator to ensure she verifies your break and location.
4. If the vendor room isn't next door, be sure to let the Maid of Honor/MOB/coordinator where you'll be located.
5. Always pack a protein bar or snacks because while dinner may be available for you, the timeframe you have to eat it might not be. In light of this, snack throughout the day to avoid a mid-reception hunger crash.
Oh, Hungry After Seven Hours of Work, I hope this helps and even though you might not sit within the first three rows of ceremony or the location, knowing how to be prepared for these situations is priceless. I wish you only the best.
Stay Fabulous,
j*
