Hi,

As photographers we don't mind if you have dinner for us or not but we always like to know so we can organize to bring something with us.

Most venues will offer you food even if you are not included in the numbers as they like to keep everyone happy.

Short answer talk to the photographer as see what they expect. Also remember if they are well fed they will be in less of a hurry to leave when you speeches run long.

Michael Wilson
www.kathrynwilsonphotography.com

Absolutely not.
As a photographer, I never ask for a meal, nor do I expect one. If it's offered however - thank you ever so much - I will stay a little longer into the evening as a 'thank you'. As has been said, I am not being paid to sit and eat!

Whatever you choose to do, I do not feel it is professional for me to ever sit with the guests - I am much happier eating away from the party and I always have a box of sarnies in the car!

As videographers we ask for a plate to be set aside for us. Having food taken care of means that there's one less thing to take us away from filming.

In some cases we put in a 12-hour day - when filming bridal prep through to the first dance. A well-fed and watered videographer (and dare I say photographer) is better able to capture the moments that are important to you.

That said, we still pack some 'V', bananas and Whittakers Dark Chocoloate Peanut Slabs to break into in case of emergency :).

As a wedding planner, I usually advise my clients to include meals for those service providers who are working long hours, such as photographers and videographers, when they are there until the first dance and beyond.

The meal doesn't need to be the same meal you have for your guests. Most caterers / venues can easily provide a low cost pasta or risotto type dish, which they often have for their own staff anyway.

When photographers etc do eat, they can usually do so when guests are eating, but somewhere out of site, like another room at the venue.

Some photographers work 10 - 12 hours and almost always miss lunch too!

Always happy to answer any wedding planning questions!

Laura Larsson