The Importance of Serving Your Photo/Video Team Dinner First
Feeding the Creativity:
Planning a wedding involves countless details, and it's easy to overlook some of the less-obvious elements that can contribute to a smooth and enjoyable day.
One consideration that often goes underappreciated is the timing and arrangement of vendor meals, particularly for your hardworking photo/video team. In this blog post, we'll explore why it's crucial to prioritize serving your photo/video team dinner first and how it can positively impact the overall success of your wedding day.
Energized and Focused Professionals: Your photo/video team works tirelessly to capture every precious moment of your special day. Aside from your wedding planner, they are the vendors who are likely there the longest on your wedding day. By providing them with a nourishing meal ahead of other guests, you ensure they stay energized and focused throughout the entire event. This ensures that no key moment is missed due to fatigue or distraction.
Maintaining the Flow of the Day: Serving the photo/video team first allows them to eat during a designated break, ensuring that they are ready to capture important moments as soon as the reception begins. This helps maintain the flow of the day, preventing any unnecessary delays or disruptions. Many photo + video teams use dinner break not only to eat, but also to reset equipment, place batteries on charges, and do any “housekeeping” on SD cards and lens swaps.
Consistent Coverage During Reception: Timing is crucial when it comes to capturing candid moments during the reception. By allowing your photo/video team to eat first, you ensure they are back in action when key events unfold, such as toasts, dances, and other heartfelt moments that make your wedding unique. Let’s face it, your guests don’t want to be photographed or filmed while they’re shoveling food in their mouths. Then, by the time they’re finished eating, so is your photo + video team.
Preventing Missed Opportunities: A well-fed photo/video team is less likely to miss unexpected and spontaneous moments that often occur during wedding receptions. From tearful exchanges to laughter-filled conversations, having your team nourished and ready ensures they are always prepared to seize those precious opportunities because they are where you are. As mentioned above, if you serve your photo + video team first, they’ll be ready to hop back in and capture the couple greeting or visiting with tables.
Enhancing Team Morale: Providing a dedicated mealtime for the photo/video team demonstrates your appreciation for their hard work and dedication. This simple gesture can go a long way in boosting team morale, fostering a positive atmosphere, and encouraging a seamless collaboration between the vendors. While vendors are essentially hired help, we always love feeling seen and valued by the couple.
In the grand tapestry of your wedding day, every detail matters.
Ensuring that your photo/video team is served dinner first is a small yet impactful decision that can contribute to the overall success of capturing your special moments and not letting any memory go undocumented! By keeping your team nourished and ready, you set the stage for a day filled with beautiful memories and stunning visual storytelling. It allows your photo + video team to reset, regroup, and refuel.
Not sure how to make it happen? No worries! Simply ask your wedding planner and caterer to prioritize plates for your photo + video team first. Allow them to hop in line right after the wedding party. Great news is that this is industry standard and your planner and caterer should easily be on board.
I promise your day will run smoother because of this seemingly small decision!
With love,
The Montgomerys
Dallas Wedding Photographer + Videographer
