Do I have to seat the photographer with my guests?

No, it is actually preferred that I am not seated with guests. Eating in a separate room or at the bar allows me to manage my equipment and take a short break without being 'on display.' It also ensures I am ready to jump back into the room the moment the speeches start without disrupting a table of your friends or family.

What if my venue doesn't offer supplier meals?

Most professional venues throughout Scotland offer this service, but if they do not, I will need to know in advance. This allows me to bring my own food or make other arrangements. However, staying on-site is always the priority to ensure no part of your wedding day goes undocumented.

Do I need to provide a meal for second shooters?

If your package with Ross Nixon Photography includes a second photographer, the same courtesy should be extended to them. They will be working the same long hours and will also need a hot meal to maintain their energy levels for the evening session.

Should I provide food for an elopement?

For shorter elopement coverage under five hours, a full meal is generally not expected. However, for full-day elopements that involve travel between locations or hiking, a meal or substantial snack is appreciated. I will always discuss these specifics with you during the booking process based on our planned itinerary.

When should the photographer be served?

The photographer should ideally be served at the same time as the top table. This ensures the photographer is finished and back in the room before the speeches begin. In many cases, if the photographer is served last, they are still eating when the speeches start, which is a situation we want to avoid.

Do I need to feed my wedding photographer?

Ross Nixon Photography recommends providing a hot meal for photographers working over five hours. This ensures your professional stays on-site, recharged, and ready to document evening events without leaving the venue to find food.

The short answer is yes. While most professional contracts include a clause regarding a hot meal, the practical reason outstrips the legal one. A wedding photographer typically works a ten to twelve-hour shift without dedicated breaks. Providing a hot meal during the wedding breakfast ensures I remain on-site, energised, and ready to capture the speeches or evening reception. I do not expect to sit with your guests or eat the full three-course wedding menu; a main course served in a separate room or at the bar is standard. This timing aligns with when your guests are eating—a period where people generally do not want to be photographed. Providing sustenance keeps the workflow efficient and ensures no moments are missed during the transition to the evening.

From £1,950

What's included

When you provide a meal for Ross Nixon Photography, you are securing the continuity of your coverage. A standard wedding day starts with bridge preparations and runs until the first few dances, often spanning twelve hours of physical activity. I carry significant weight in equipment and remain on my feet for the duration. A hot meal provides the necessary recovery to maintain focus for the creative demands of the evening. It is not about luxury; it is about fuel. You are not required to provide alcohol or a full multi-course meal. A single hot main course and access to water or soft drinks are all that is needed. Most venues across Scotland are well-versed in 'supplier meals' and offer a simplified version of your main choice or a high-quality bar meal at a lower cost to the couple. By arranging this in advance, you prevent the photographer from having to leave the premises to find food, which would naturally result in a gap in your gallery where candid moments might be lost.

How it works

The best time for the photographer to eat is at the same time as the wedding party. This is the only period of the day where photography is non-essential, as guests do not appreciate being documented while eating. I typically request that the venue serves my meal at the start of the wedding breakfast. This ensures I have finished eating by the time the speeches begin. I prefer to eat in a separate area, such as the hotel bar or a dedicated staff room. This allows me to check my equipment, back up memory cards, and take a brief mental break away from the main event. You do not need to include me in your formal seating plan or table numbers. Simply inform your event coordinator or catering manager that there is one supplier meal required, and I will coordinate with them on the day to find the appropriate time and place to eat.

Local detail

At Edinburgh venues like The Signet Library, The Bonham, or Timberyard, space can be at a premium, and catering staff are usually very efficient at managing supplier meals in side rooms. If your wedding is at a more remote Scottish location, such as a private estate in the Highlands or a barn in Fife like Kinkell Byre, options for off-site food are non-existent. In these rural settings, providing a meal is even more critical as there are no local cafes or shops within driving distance. I always advise checking with your venue coordinator at places like Dundas Castle or Archerfield House early in the planning process. They often have a set price for supplier meals that is significantly cheaper than the guest per-head cost. If you are having a marquee wedding in a private garden, please ensure the caterers are aware of the extra headcount. I always communicate any specific dietary requirements well in advance to ensure there is no stress for your catering team on the day of the wedding.

Questions people ask

Do I have to seat the photographer with my guests?: No, it is actually preferred that I am not seated with guests. Eating in a separate room or at the bar allows me to manage my equipment and take a short break without being 'on display.' It also ensures I am ready to jump back into the room the moment the speeches start without disrupting a table of your friends or family.
What if my venue doesn't offer supplier meals?: Most professional venues throughout Scotland offer this service, but if they do not, I will need to know in advance. This allows me to bring my own food or make other arrangements. However, staying on-site is always the priority to ensure no part of your wedding day goes undocumented.
Do I need to provide a meal for second shooters?: If your package with Ross Nixon Photography includes a second photographer, the same courtesy should be extended to them. They will be working the same long hours and will also need a hot meal to maintain their energy levels for the evening session.
Should I provide food for an elopement?: For shorter elopement coverage under five hours, a full meal is generally not expected. However, for full-day elopements that involve travel between locations or hiking, a meal or substantial snack is appreciated. I will always discuss these specifics with you during the booking process based on our planned itinerary.
When should the photographer be served?: The photographer should ideally be served at the same time as the top table. This ensures the photographer is finished and back in the room before the speeches begin. In many cases, if the photographer is served last, they are still eating when the speeches start, which is a situation we want to avoid.

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