I don't own any $300+ burando (most expensive dress I have is my $80 bodyline
) so I can't really empathize with anyone who's terribly worried about food getting on their expensive clothes, but if it's really that much of a concern, there are a lot of options:
1 ~ eat something that's not messy.
2 ~ eat gracefully and elegantly, as a lolita ought.
3 ~ change clothes while waiting for food.
4 ~ a well-applied bib and napkin combination should protect just about any outfit from just about any food.
5 ~ stay for the photoshoot, don't go to the restaurant.
Looking at the facebook poll, the notion of going to a restaurant seems to be the overwhelmingly popular choice (either just restaurant or restaurant + photoshoot - they're pretty close in votes), so I'd venture to say that the restaurant should definitely be planned on. Those who want to do a photoshoot before can do a photoshoot before, and those who want to do a photoshoot after. Personally, after a large meal I like to sit down and relax for a while, so I wouldn't partake in a photoshoot after eating. If there's an interest for a post-dinner photoshoot though, I'm sure those interested could put it together without too much issue.