Yesterday, I received a room service menu from Garreth and Sze Min for my pre-dinner orders. It’s really very sweet of them to do that. *Deeply appreciated*
When I first entered the wedding industry, it seems a norm that couples will allocate a seat for the photographer/videographer during the dinner banquet. In fact, most of the times, I’d have a seat reserved. But the few times I didn’t (and feeling hungry), I got really upset, yes I do, I am a human too. Read: A hungry man is an angry man. In 2006, a week before Kwang Hoe and Joy’s wedding, I received a call from Kwang Hoe. There came the most bizarre question over the phone, “do you have any diet preferences?”. I found out later that he was arranging my dinner before the banquet begins. Sweet!
While having my dinner in the room that night, one of Joy’s friend asked if it’s a common practice for us (photographers) to eat during the banquet. I said most of the times, the wedding couple will arrange a seat for us, but chances are, we’ll only be able to eat the first 2 dishes (a cold dish and a soup) which is hardly filling. It’s not their fault that dinner wasn’t allocated. First, we didn’t ask, second, there’s so many things going through their minds on that day, they could’ve easily missed out our dinner. And us being asians (ok, at least for me), are usually shy about asking for such things. Then she related her experience when her sister got married in Australia, meal requirements were stated in the contract. I went home feeling (filling) very happy that night.
A photographer’s work day for a typical wedding dinner starts about 5 – 6pm with the bride’s make up. That means that if he/she were to take dinner before that, it will be about 4-5pm? Who eats dinner this early, especially if lunch is usually about 1-2pm? And this will last through 5-6 hours before the banquet ends at about 11pm. In the past, I used to drink lots of coke at the bar counter and the peanuts at the reception to keep me going. But I thought, hey, what is wrong, do I really have to do that?
The next wedding, I tried asking and the couple was a little surprised, but after listening to the reason behind it, they were more than happy to get me something off the room service menu. While the bride’s busy with the make up, I took some time off in between shots to grab some sandwiches. End of the day, they didn’t have to worry about allocating a seat for me or if I’m going to faint halfway through the dinner.
I made this arrangement for my entire 2007’s wedding and I’m glad I made the change. Now, I get home tired, but happy, while my clients are happy knowing that all their guests including their vendors are well take care of.
Sad to say that most of the other guys out there aren’t having this. I have asked some of my friends and they said, they usually have to endure till the end of the night to catch some late night supper. I guess it’s a two-way thing, if you don’t ask, you are asking for a surprise… which can turn out either way. I prefer to get it done first and get one thing off my mind.
[tags]Photography, Wedding[/tags]
