We are having a smallish wedding with 75 people?

Question

We have had to cut down on numbers due to finance. There will be a photographer and 2 videographers plus two people who are playing in the band. Apparently we are expected to give all those people a meal and drinks, the same as all the guests. That adds a lot to our bill and I don't think they should expect it. What do you think and what is the custom in other countries?

I must add that I live in South Africa and was curious as to what the UK and US do in that situation, it seems to be the custom here to feed the photographers/musicians but I don't agree with it

The videographer says he must bring his assistant so that you can get shots from both the front and the back during the ceremony - I don't know much about this

Answer 1

Most places should offer a special meal for the photographers etc where they basically get the main meal and a drink and not the canapes, entree and dessert. This will usually be much cheaper than for the other guests.

For the photographers and videographers, it's likely that they will be hanging around you for a while (eg before the ceremony) and realistically they don't have the time to go anywhere to get their own food.

If the people in the band are just playing at the reception, I wouldn't bother about feeding them as it's not unreasonable for the to sort themselves out before the reception starts.

Answer 2

You DO have to provide meals for them. Especially the photographer, who is having just as long of a day as you are and needs some food too. It doesn't have to be same meal, though, and a lot of reception sites will make extra food anyway.

Be warned, though. If you tell these vendors that they won't be getting the food they expect, then you will not get the quality of services that you expect.

If you want to cut the numbers down, do you really need two videographers for a wedding of only 75 people?

Answer 3

Hi Jaygirl

We are getting married too & we have come across this as well.
The way we have worked around it is

1) the photographer is someone i work with who would be coming to the wedding any way.
so that has saved us money on the photos & a extra meal there.

2) the videographer we didn't really want one but his dad said he would love to do the video of our wedding. so this will save a lot more money.

Jay why don't you cut down on your videographer & only have the one that way you will save the cost on hiring the extra videographer & the other extra chargers they are charging you as well.

Jay i take it the 2 band people are playing at your wedding & for your wedding breakfast, if this is the case than yes you will need to pay for 2 meals here, as i can't see how to void this one but with only having 1 videographer this should help out with the meal for the other 3 people hun.

hope this helps you in some way & hope you have a wonderful day & a happy life together.

Answer 4

why not invite the workers to the wedding only (not the reception). You can have special photo's taken prior to the reception and then put one use cameras on the tables for your guests use. I have been to many weddings that have done this and they say the natural photo's produced have ended up being some of there favourites. You do not need to videa you reception and if you do get one of your mates to take the camera along - it will be much more personal. That will reduce the cost. Why should you pay these people to do a job and then pay for a meal. I've NEVER been to a wedding where they have have to. I don't know where you are, but in the UK you do not have to feed people just cos they are doing a job for you.

Answer 5

I'm a photographer, and while I can't speak for the band members or the videographer, I know that unless I'm invited to eat, I wouldn't dream of it while I'm working at a wedding. Even If I am invited to, I never sit down with a full plate of food. Instead I'll get a couple celery sticks or something like that off of the snack tray. It keeps me from feeling hungry, but doesn't distract me from my work like a sit down meal would. As far as drinks it is very unprofessional for someone to have an alcoholic drink on the job. I always carry a bottle of water in my camera case.

My advice would be to set up a snack tray with simiallar finger foods (small cookies, cubed cheeses, cut cold veggies, etc) and cans of soda or bottles of water on ice near where the band or dj is set up. Set it up out of the view of guests if possible and let those working for you know that it will be there for them, should they be interested. It will save you money on food and also be considered a nice gesture (as would a full meal but this will not distract them from their work).

Answer 6

I know in the US, you can ask the photographer if they expect to be fed. I usually tell my clients that I will have to take a break to eat (their food or my own). If you don't feel comfortable about feeding the photographer/videographers then ask them if they are okay bringing their own food to the wedding since you are on a tight budget and are unable to include them. They should be understanding enough to accept that you are on a budget and should be more than capable enough to bring their own food.

As for the second videographer...I'm just a photographer and I don't have a second one with me to get all the angles. I do that myself. If they want you to pay for a second videographer, I would just tell them that you can't afford that and that you will just have a friend videotape your wedding if they can't comply with your requests.

Answer 7

Oh, think about this --- if you expect your photographer and videographers and band members to be in place for over four hours, then they are going to need sustenance. If you don't want them to take a break and drive to a restaurant and have a meal and return between 30 minutes and an hour later, then you need to provide a meal for them. This is pretty standard practice in employment - if the employer has his employees in place for four hours or more, they are entitled to a meal break. If there is no place to secure a meal then the employer usually has to provide - at the minimum - a way for them to get one.

Additionally, think about this - the nicer you are to these people (providing a meal, making sure the waiters keep them hydrated, etc.) the better service they will provide to you! Better music, nicer pictures, cleaner videos...... it's a win-win.

Answer 8

I have a friend who is a photographer for weddings and she said that it was not standard practice to expect this from you. She said it was nice when they offered as they are hungry because they have been working all day long, (they have to get everything together and ready so they work hours more than just at the wedding with you)
It is up to you and not them so don't let them make you feel obligated to do this for them. It is your wedding, you make the choices. I would let them know if you don't want them to eat there so they can bring a snack or something to eat during a downtime so they don't starve

Answer 9

I think its customary to offer the photographers and videographers at least something to eat and drink considering that they are going to be with you most of the day documenting your wedding. It does not have to be a large amount of food. Just show your appreciation for the job that they are doing.

Answer 10

Buy them a pizza and have soft drinks in the back of the reception hall for them. Have them to eat BEFORE the reception. Tell them that refreshments are available for them at X location throught the reception. This should not interfere with the reception plans.

Your employees shouls not be fed at the same time as your guests. nor be in the buffet line or in a sitdown table NO! they shoudl be working while the meals are being served, so that's why they are not expected to sit down with yoru guests.

You might offer them liquor after they had completed their job if you want to, but not before hand, you don;t want your band members drunk!

Good luck and congratulations.