Wedding question

Who sent the bill? Was it the bride or the hall? If you didn't have food in your contract ( and it's in mine regardless of how long the shoot is ) I would send her a note explaining the food was offered and you would have never have accepted it. Chances are they had a minimum and didn't meet it or they got billed and didn't realize they would be charged for her. Either way change your contract. If she won't back down pay her and make it up on them plus some first chance you can.

cdifoto wrote in post #11097760
I eat. I'm human. I need nourishment. Not eating is silly if not stupid. Passing out is more unprofessional than chowing down with everyone else.

I wouldn't toss the bill in the trash, but I'd file it away and ignore it.

I agree, but will go to say that not eating for 10 hours is downright stupid, not only physically, but metabolically. We are burning calories while shooting weddings and our bodies need fed. If you are just sitting there like a bump on a log, you might be able to get away with burning that few calories in 10 hours. However, you're not. Your body needs fed and if it isn't, then it will let you know.......hypoclycemia. Just because one isn't diabetic, you can become hypoglycemic.

OP: I wouldn't ignore or pitch the bill. I would send a well-written letter stating that the food was not solicited, but offered by the bride without disclosure of the $75 bill. I would be respectful, though. If you don't have a clause written in your contract re: eating during the reception, here is a prime example as to why it needs to be in there.

Funny enough my parents paid their wedding photographers in booze and food...

I'm not kidding by the way

Having just got married in April (3rd time, hopefully the charm) My wife & I insisted to the banquet manager at our venue that all of 'our vendors' (photographer, 2nd shooter, videographer, MC, DJ, florist, minister, and I don't even remember who else LOL) were to be fed. They had a 1/2 price rate for vendors which we paid. We did have to provide the number of vendors in advance. Maybe the 1/2 price rate was where the $75 plate rate came in but to send a bill is classless & tacky! Oh I never ceased to be amazed!

I wouldn't pay it. Food was offered, and accepted, there was no mention of a bill. We need more information about where the bill came from.

My contract says I either get fed or I have an hour's break.

i eat at almost every wedding. if i got a bill, i would laugh pretty hard. but i make it clear that i (and my assistant(s)) will be eating when everyone else is.

Crazy for sure. Should you be liable for the bill "NO.". Should you pay it? Yes... If she is that wacky that she would send you a bill, I think she would nit pick on everything you did.

Small things like this can ruin a relationship between a photographer and a client. People see it as a small thing but it is not. All of these small things should be addressed in your contract so that there is not confusion after the fact. 75.00 for one meal is pretty steep, was this the same kind of service that the guests received. It could be simply them trying to recoup some of the wedding costs but it is a little chintzy if you ask me. I wouldn't simply throw it away or ignore it, that is bad business practice. It could be that you are waiting for them to order prints through you and anything that is done now could create friction which could impact your sales and what the couple may say about you to others that may be looking for a wedding photographer.

I would pick up the phone and call them. State that it was offered and no mention of a cost or even the fact that you have to pay for your food. If this couple was paying 75.00 a plate for their meal service I could see how they might want to reclaim some of the costs but it still looks bad on them,imo.

I'll take the badmouthing. What sales? If the client is billing me for a plate of food, they aren't a source of further sales whether I paid it or not.

I would send her a bill for the amount of time it took for you to eat it

Seriously though, that is crazy. I certainly wouldnt pay to eat at a wedding where I am hired help. It is expected that we get some type of food during the wedding. It doesnt have to be the same thing that the guests get, but it has to be something. If I got a bill, I would just hold onto it and not pay it. Eventually it will go away.. If not, charge her for your incidentals (gas, travel time, etc.).

Is $75.00 worth the amount of bad press that you are going to get? You know you will be the bad guy in their eyes and they probably told you that you would have to pay $75.00 and still you did not pay what you
agreed to. "According to them"


They will certainly put a negative spin on this.