My photographer wants me to provide food(?)

My photographer and DJ both have it in their contract that we must provide them with a meal. My venue offers a discounted plate for all vendors though!

This isn't weird at all, you're expected to feed all of the people who will be working your wedding (such as wedding photographers, DJ, etc.). Think of it this way - your vendors will be much more effective at their jobs if they're not hungry, so it's really investing in your big day. That being said, if you really don't know how you can afford an extra plate from the caterer, maybe ask if they would be okay with getting food delivered. I asked my photographers if they would prefer to eat from our buffet or if they would prefer I order something special for them, and they said that either works for them!

It’s totally normal for your photographer and DJ to require you provide them a meal. It was in both their contracts for our wedding. Talk to your caterer about vendor meals. Most time they offer them at a discounted cost. But still, totally normal for her to require you provide the meal.

My photographer and her assistant has that in her contract to provide food. I need to ask my DJ if he needs food since we extended his contract to include the ceremony and cocktail hour music

No this isn't weird at all. It is actually very common. Our photographer required us to feed her and her husband (he was our second photographer). We choose to feed our two DJs and 2 videographers as well. Our officiant was welcome to stay for the reception, but him and his wife choose not to or we would have feed them as well. Our venue provided the food and they had different pricing for vendor meals so I would check with your cater to see if the pricing is the same for vendors. Our vendors were supposed to receive either chicken or a vegetarian meal based upon what they told us they wanted. They all elected for chicken and we told our venue this, but the venue coordinator messed up and had them go to the buffet. Personally, I thought it made sense for them to have the same food as everyone else rather than making them a separate meal. I mentioned to the coordinator that they were supposed to receive a separate meal because that's what I was told, but the coordinator said it was fine that they had the buffet instead.

I’ve never seen a vendor like photographer or DJ not require a meal in their contract. We fed our photographer and her 2 assistants, DJ, and wedding planner and her 2 assistants. Our venue had vendor meals for $35 a person rather than $135 a person like the rest of our guests. It was the same food just served family style versus plated in multiple courses.

Yep. My DJ, coordinator & photographer will be given meals. keep in mind that not everyone you invite will be able to attend, so if 3-4 people don’t come that you’ve budgeted for, then it’s really no loss. It’s hospitable and kind to feed people who are working “for” you. You don’t want hangry helpers!! LOL

My venue offers vendor meals for 50% off the normal rate. I would inquire about that. Typically you should feed your vendors because it's a long day for them

This is completely normal. Even if it’s not in your contract, I would provide it anyway. You can ask your caterer about vendor meals, they sometimes charge less.

I guess I just didn't think about it because the timeline didn't make sense. The whole ordeal will take place in 5 hours, so I didn't expect to provide meals I guess. I totally don't mind, as long as I'm not paying the normal price. (I'm not trying to sound cheap, but yes - I'll be a little stingy when certain friends/family members aren't getting an invite because of the price.) I just emailed my wedding planner & event coordinator to see what protocol is in place. At the very least, I can provide a gift card and they can eat onsite since the wedding is at a hotel, which has nice Quick Service dining options. Hope that helps

View Quoted Comment

Hangry helpers, that's a genius term! Lol love it!

It’s totally normal to feed yourself vendors. My venue had a special price for vendors since we had open bar and cocktail hour, etc. Your vendors shouldn’t be drinking or mingling at cocktail hour so the price was lower. I would ask your venue.

They'll be working with you all day....they're entitled to a meal. Talk to your caterer. A lot of them have vendor meal pricing. Ours was $30 per vendor compared to $90 per guest

No one specifically asked me to make sure they had a meal, but I’m assuming that’s because it’s a given they would get a meal. I’ll have a meal for my two photographers, my videographer, dj and his assistant. Our venue offers a vendor meal and I’m also assuming most do as well. You don’t have to give them the same meal you’re serving your guests if you don’t want, but they should 100% get a meal. So no, not weird at all. It would be weird if you told them to pack a sack lunch haha

I believe it's proper etiquette that a vendor is provided food regardless of the contract. My photographer is going to be there from when we start getting ready (11) until we cut the cake (8/8:30). I can't imagine not feeding them.

This is extremely normal. Usually DJ, DOC and photographer require being fed so just add them to the headcount

You should always feed your vendors

Totally normal. My vendors didnt have it in our contract but I made sure everyone was fed... especially my photographer/her assistant. My photographer started with our get ready/pre-cerony shots at noon and stayed with us until almost 8pm. Good luck and happy planning. 🍀

Meet with my photographer today and it's in her contract that she does get a meal. She did mention that if she isn't eating when me and fiancé are eating, then she is potentially missing shots. So I would just consider that as well -- if you give a gift card to another location they would probably be missing photographs to grab food.

This is pretty common! Happy, well fed vendors are important, so I would pay the extra money for their plates