Invite photographer to reception?

[that_someone_special]

Help!

I would like to ask my photographer if he would like to stay for dinner during the reception.. is this ok? Weird? Should I ask if he would like to bring a guest? A few friends think it's weird and I shouldn't ask.

Thoughts?

It's not a reception really, but will be in a restaurant. Not a big deal. I would just feel bad if he is taking pictures around all of us while we are eating and drinking.

 

[amc80]

Well, don't you want pictures of your reception? And aren't you paying him to take pictures?

I mean if you want to, by all means, go ahead. But I wouldn't feel obligated. You have a business contract.

 

[StonieGrl]

Ive worked weddings for over 20 years as a musician (union, not someone's relative or friend).

It is not necessary to invite the paid staff to be your guest for any part of your event.

That being said, it is kind and thoughtful to allow a meal for the musicians or photographer IF they are working that meal and IF they would be there for quite some time. They should eat their meal in a different location than the guests; this is a courtesy to them (fielding all kinds of requests from your guests, they can relax out of sight, etc). They should NOT be given alcohol or allowed to buy alcohol, obvious reasons here. You don't drink at work, neither should they.

You're not weird, you are a considerate person.

 

[choro72]

Don't worry about it. I guarantee you that they do not expect such treatment. They know that their job is to take watch out for precious moments and that they are being paid for it, period.
That being said, I suggest you ask about their policy. Some photographers (and DJs) request a small meal. Nothing from the reception, but fast food level. Some bring their own, but they need to tell you if they are going to take a break for it.

 

[rosetta]

I'm arranging vendor meals, or they will get the money for a meal instead if that's what they want.

These things need to be negotiated beforehand.

I have two photographers and two videographers, so they will take their breaks alternately (gotta have breaks during a 10 hour + event!)

 

[Haven]

We set a table for the eight piece band, the photographer, and the videographer so they had a real place in the reception area to sit and eat when they needed a break. We told them about it, of course, and they all took the time to have a meal and eat cake. We didn't send invites to them, though, we just included them in our head count and had a place for them.

 

[kelpie]

My friend is a wedding photog and always attends receptions. He's there to document and eats but usually not sit-down I think.

 

[mrscushion]

My venue set out tables and a small buffet spread for all our vendors in a separate room.

Are you not having pictures taken during the reception? In any case, I think it's very considerate of you to think of what the photographer will eat, but my guess would be that even if you do invite him to dinner just like a guest, he may not take you up on it because he'd rather leave when he is done working.

 

[elrohwen]

Will your photographer be taking pictures during the reception? If so, you are probably expected to provide a meal (most venues will give you a discounted price for vendors).

If he's not taking pictures, then I would invite him to be polite. I invited my judge and string quartet (they only played through cocktail hour) but they all declined. Still, they appreciated the invite.

 

[missjaxon]

We invited our photographers and videographers to stay for the dinner and had a table for them as well. We wanted them to eat the same meal as all of us instead of the icky vendor meals (boxed meals) that most venues have for them. They really enjoyed themselves and we were more than happy to include them.

 

[wannaBMrsH]

We sat our photographers at the same table as our groomsmen and sent them a formal invitation.

I didn't really ask anyone, I just thought it would be the right thing to do as they were going to work the whole day and we had scheduled the day after shoot as well.

 

[that_someone_special]

We ended up not asking but when we got to our dinner (resturant) we told him we had a spot for him and to please join us! And he did.

I was too nervous to eat so I had about 5 onion rings, a daiquiri, and half a piece of cake.

 

[missy]

We set a table for the eight piece band, the photographer, and the videographer so they had a real place in the reception area to sit and eat when they needed a break. We told them about it, of course, and they all took the time to have a meal and eat cake. We didn't send invites to them, though, we just included them in our head count and had a place for them.

We did the same for our band (also 8 piece). It was a long evening and I wanted them to be comfortable and satiated. After all they cannot work all night on an empty stomach- it wouldn't be right and though we were paying them we felt it was the right thing to do.

(ps Our photographer is a friend so he did get an invite and we did not have a videographer).