Do i need to invite our photographer and officiant to our reception dinner?

I don’t think you need to offer it for the officiant, but you should absolutely be offering the meal to the photographer.

I would definitely provide a meal for the photographer, especially since they will be working during dinner time. I think it would be a nice gesture to also provide a meal for the officiant, but I don't think it's necessarily required. As far as where to seat them, I would check with them on where they prefer. The photographer might prefer a seat that has a good view during speeches, so they can capture pictures during the speeches without having to move too far.

For the photographer you absolutely should, unless you don't want photos from the reception! Most of them have it in their contract that you need to provide a meal.


As for your officiant, if they're just coming for 30 minutes to do the ceremony and then leaving, a meal isn't required. But if they're a friend or family member who would be part of the dinner anyway, then yes, you seat and feed them like a guest.

View Quoted Comment

Okay, thank you! I realize now that my photographer is part of the 'venue package' so I will ask our venue coordinator about that. Our officiant is only coming to do the ceremony, she said she usually does the paperwork (has the witnesses sign the legal document) during the cocktail hour so I'll offer her food/drinks during the cocktail hour.

I agree with the others, providing a meal for your photographer should be a priority since they are working hard for you for long hours. I would just reach out to them and ask where they would feel most comfortable being seated. as far as your officiant goes, if this is a person you are close to (friend, family member, church member, etc.) I would definitely invite them to the reception. If this is a stranger you have simply hired to officiate your ceremony, then whether you want to invite them or not is totally up to you. We will be extending an invitation to our Officiant and her SO. From what I’m told, most officiants decline to attend.

I would not invite the officiant to a microwedding if they're a hired vendor. If they're a friend or family, absolutely invite them with their SO.


The photographer should be fed, as well as the venue coordinator. Ask the coordinator where they should be seated.

The photographer often does not attend the rehearsal so doesn’t get an invitation to the rehearsal dinner. The officiant does get an invitation to the rehearsal dinner but often declines unless they are a family friend. At the reception, the officiant often declines though it is customary and polite to extend the invitation. The photographer needs to be fed a full meal because they are with you for hours starting when you get ready. Your dj and any assistants as well as your day of coordinator should be fed as well. They are with you for hours and they can’t get away to get McDonalds even if it’s delivery. Most if not all caterers offer vendor meals at a discount. Make sure it is not a basic cold sandwich and chips. Many vendors have it in their contract to be fed a hot meal similar to what guests are served minus any alcohol from the bar.

It's actually written in our contract with the photographer that we will provide dinner for them. As for the officiant, the way we connected already? I may just invite her because we've just gotten to be more friends than "hired help" already!! LOL

Also the photographer should be seated in the same room as guests. Many people say they need to be fed in the kitchen which is a health code violation, and they miss any action that you may want filmed if they can’t see it. If you have one table for all guests, seat them with guests.

I definitely made sure to feed my photographer. I made her sit with my girls. As for the officiant, it would still be a nice gesture, but it's completely up to you. My officiant was my husband's cousin so she was already going to be having dinner.

I offered a meal to both. Photographer is usually a must tho

Photographer absolutely. Most even have it in their contract that you are required to give them the same meal as everyone else OR they get a dinner break where they step away from your reception and eat for however long they have in the contract. You don’t need to feed your officiant although some also have it in contract. I’m feeding everyone. DJ, officiant, both my photographers, my videographer and my day of coordinator

I would personally but no, you don’t “have” to