scooterapd
Veteran Member
Father of bride and bride's brother duked it out at the reception - at a very fancy country club, mind you.
But hey, we all got to go home early!
But hey, we all got to go home early!
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Weddings Gone BAD!
- Thread starter James A.
- Start date
Worst ever: this is from one wedding mind you; an expensive package in a high end setting and people in from around the world. Bride was very nice, and remained polite to me throughout a day from he11, which impressed the heck out of me.
Groom's 2 sisters were bride's maids, but decided without telling anyone that they didn't want to bother showing up at her house for the pictures the bride wanted of herself and women getting ready. She wouldn't let me shoot until they arrived, and was unbelievably freaked out when she finally got ahold of them by phone and was told they weren't coming - didn't feel like it. We had little to show photographically, of course, and were horribly late getting to the church from all the waiting. But not later than the groom, who showed up just in time to go down the aisle.
After ceremony and shots at church, we headed off to the shore for location portraits. Groom was drunk getting out of the limo and refused to take part in some shots they'd planned in advance, as did some of the groom's men. Just didn't want to walk down to shore, etc. Groom finally suggested an alternative (lousy location but what the heck? I wanted to try anything), so we set it up, and just as I shot, he ripped down the bride's strapless top, exposing her breasts to all of us. This greatly delighted his guys. That was pretty much the end of that so we headed for the reception. They were no longer speaking as they got in the limo.
He was even worse (if you can imagine) upon arrival at one of the best reception halls in that city. Didn't want to cooperate with anything when it was asked or planned. Not the grand entrance, not the dinner or dancing or the cake cutting, which was already two hours late. I tried to gently get him over to the cake, and he told me to buzz off, he'd let me know when he was ready. His brand new father in law went to talk him into cutting the cake and was told to "eff off" (I'm of course editing for DPR censors - the groom did not). The hall manager later told me she found the groom p-ing on the master electrical service for the whole hall, near one of the entrances and in front of other guests. She wished she could have opened the waterproof cover so he could electrocute himself. The bride's mother asked me toward the end of my stay if I'd photograph the divorce party they were planning already. They never did throw a bouquet, although planned. The groom's family pretty much seemed oblivious to his behavior.
Four weeks later, the bride did pick up the proofs - go figure. I haven't heard since, but have few illusions.
Just as sad in another way was the couple who rented a different very nice establishment for their reception, and only about 60% of the RSVPs showed up. They had nearly $6,000 in empty guaranteed seats. Shooting around all the empty seats so their wedding reception photos weren't a bummer was harder than almost any other wedding.
jrbehm
http://www.jeffbehm.com
Groom's 2 sisters were bride's maids, but decided without telling anyone that they didn't want to bother showing up at her house for the pictures the bride wanted of herself and women getting ready. She wouldn't let me shoot until they arrived, and was unbelievably freaked out when she finally got ahold of them by phone and was told they weren't coming - didn't feel like it. We had little to show photographically, of course, and were horribly late getting to the church from all the waiting. But not later than the groom, who showed up just in time to go down the aisle.
After ceremony and shots at church, we headed off to the shore for location portraits. Groom was drunk getting out of the limo and refused to take part in some shots they'd planned in advance, as did some of the groom's men. Just didn't want to walk down to shore, etc. Groom finally suggested an alternative (lousy location but what the heck? I wanted to try anything), so we set it up, and just as I shot, he ripped down the bride's strapless top, exposing her breasts to all of us. This greatly delighted his guys. That was pretty much the end of that so we headed for the reception. They were no longer speaking as they got in the limo.
He was even worse (if you can imagine) upon arrival at one of the best reception halls in that city. Didn't want to cooperate with anything when it was asked or planned. Not the grand entrance, not the dinner or dancing or the cake cutting, which was already two hours late. I tried to gently get him over to the cake, and he told me to buzz off, he'd let me know when he was ready. His brand new father in law went to talk him into cutting the cake and was told to "eff off" (I'm of course editing for DPR censors - the groom did not). The hall manager later told me she found the groom p-ing on the master electrical service for the whole hall, near one of the entrances and in front of other guests. She wished she could have opened the waterproof cover so he could electrocute himself. The bride's mother asked me toward the end of my stay if I'd photograph the divorce party they were planning already. They never did throw a bouquet, although planned. The groom's family pretty much seemed oblivious to his behavior.
Four weeks later, the bride did pick up the proofs - go figure. I haven't heard since, but have few illusions.
Just as sad in another way was the couple who rented a different very nice establishment for their reception, and only about 60% of the RSVPs showed up. They had nearly $6,000 in empty guaranteed seats. Shooting around all the empty seats so their wedding reception photos weren't a bummer was harder than almost any other wedding.
jrbehm
http://www.jeffbehm.com
The bride's aunt (mom's sister) was supposed to sew the wedding dress. Unbeknownst to bride, mom and sister got into a big fight and sister unilaterally decided to stop sewing the dress.
Comes the day of the wedding and the aunt had not informed the bride that her dress was not ready. Bride finds out and freaks, as you would expect. She starts sewing her dress.....
I, along with perhaps a 150 guests, are in church at the wedding start time. I didn't get one single shot of the bride prior to the ceremony b/c she wasn't there. She was sewing.....
It's thirty minutes after the start time and the pastor finally goes to the front of the church and makes an announcement that the wedding will start when the bride arrives. He doesn't say why she's late.
Guests start getting antsy, but all stay. Meanwhile, the bride's still sewing.....
An hour later the guests are really wondering what's up, but nobody's left. Then the pastor makes another announcement that the wedding's still on, but neither he nor the groom knows when the bride will show up.
No guests leave......they're too vested in the proceedings to split. And the bride sews on.
The groom is great. He didn't do what a lot would have done and storm off in a huff. He's on the phone with his fiance several times to get an update but he keeps his cool.
FINALLY, three hours after the ceremony start time, the bride shows up in her dress that's pinned up.....literally. She got it sewed enough to finish it by using straight pins.
I have the poignant memory, and pictures, of her and her dad walking down the aisle, she with tears streaming down her face, but wearing a brave smile. And they got a standing ovation from the guests whose patience (and curiosity) were rewarded by staying.
Comes the day of the wedding and the aunt had not informed the bride that her dress was not ready. Bride finds out and freaks, as you would expect. She starts sewing her dress.....
I, along with perhaps a 150 guests, are in church at the wedding start time. I didn't get one single shot of the bride prior to the ceremony b/c she wasn't there. She was sewing.....
It's thirty minutes after the start time and the pastor finally goes to the front of the church and makes an announcement that the wedding will start when the bride arrives. He doesn't say why she's late.
Guests start getting antsy, but all stay. Meanwhile, the bride's still sewing.....
An hour later the guests are really wondering what's up, but nobody's left. Then the pastor makes another announcement that the wedding's still on, but neither he nor the groom knows when the bride will show up.
No guests leave......they're too vested in the proceedings to split. And the bride sews on.
The groom is great. He didn't do what a lot would have done and storm off in a huff. He's on the phone with his fiance several times to get an update but he keeps his cool.
FINALLY, three hours after the ceremony start time, the bride shows up in her dress that's pinned up.....literally. She got it sewed enough to finish it by using straight pins.
I have the poignant memory, and pictures, of her and her dad walking down the aisle, she with tears streaming down her face, but wearing a brave smile. And they got a standing ovation from the guests whose patience (and curiosity) were rewarded by staying.
When you are down to that second camera you start to hear all sorts of strange noises coming from it.
James A.
Veteran Member
Billash, that's an amazing story. Gosh, that is quite something to have happen on your wedding day. I'm happy and suprised that everyone stayed as long as they did!
My Gallery: http://www.pbase.com/jeimuzu
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My Gallery: http://www.pbase.com/jeimuzu
Robert Anderson
Veteran Member
Being young and dumb, I agreed to shoot a wedding for a friend and quoted her a low-ball price. Later she tells me that she is not the one getting married but just organizing the wedding for a friend so I have quoted much too low a price for someone I do not know.
MOB was a pain thoughout. Uncle Joe got in my way and shot in front of me and over my shoulder during the posed pix. He constantly triggered my optical slaved strobes, sometimes just before I shot so that they did not have time to recycle.
I shot MF and processed my own film at home because of problems with the local labs. When I took the first two rolls out the devleoping tank after washing, I found black grit embedded all over the film emulsion. My charcoal filter had come apart and coated all of the film. Luckily I caught this before squeegeeing it. I spent hours carefully picking charcoal granuals out of the film and eventually saved it all.
Thanks to Uncle Joe I did not get one good shot of the bride by herself. MOB was very upset. I offered to do a reshoot of just the bride but they never took me up on it. I swore I would never shoot another wedding unless it was with a 12 gauge.
Since going digital I have shot weddings again but I'll never forget that near disaster.
MOB was a pain thoughout. Uncle Joe got in my way and shot in front of me and over my shoulder during the posed pix. He constantly triggered my optical slaved strobes, sometimes just before I shot so that they did not have time to recycle.
I shot MF and processed my own film at home because of problems with the local labs. When I took the first two rolls out the devleoping tank after washing, I found black grit embedded all over the film emulsion. My charcoal filter had come apart and coated all of the film. Luckily I caught this before squeegeeing it. I spent hours carefully picking charcoal granuals out of the film and eventually saved it all.
Thanks to Uncle Joe I did not get one good shot of the bride by herself. MOB was very upset. I offered to do a reshoot of just the bride but they never took me up on it. I swore I would never shoot another wedding unless it was with a 12 gauge.
Since going digital I have shot weddings again but I'll never forget that near disaster.
FocusClick
Member
I started shooting weddings by accident while attending a friends wedding back in the days of film. I had been a keen photographer since my early teens and worked for some local new publications but had never shot a wedding so I was curious to see the "Pro" wedding photographer at work.
Prior to the wedding as guest were arriving I thought something was odd when I noticed that the "Pro" was taking a lot of people shots and cranking madly at the film advanced leaver but was never seemed to change film! I asked him what was up, thinking that maybe he had a source for extra long film rolls. The photographer confesses to me that his only camera is busted and doesn't always advance the film a full frame but not to tell the bride and groom as they would just get stressed out and they could discuss it when they look at the proofs.
With no time to talk to anyone in the wedding party I raced home and grabbed my gear thinking I could loan it to the photographer. I got back just as the ceremony began and the photographer was at the front of the church pretending to take pictures. Not knowing anything about wedding etiquette I just roamed around the church during the ceremony and shot what I wanted, ignoring the strange looks coming from the guests, priest and wedding party as well as the scowls from the "Pro" photographer clicking away with his broken camera.
Having mostly worked as a news photographer I may have been a little aggressive in getting the angles that I wanted as directly after the ceremony the brides mother, a longtime friend, approached me to let me know that they had hired a professional wedding photographer and that I could put my cameras away and enjoy the wedding as a guest. I informed her as to what was going on with the "Pro" photographer and was quickly invited out to the family farm where formal wedding and family portraits were to be shot.
When confronted by the brides mother the "Pro" photographer finally admitted to the charade, packed up his broken camera and left. I was asked to step in and "Do the best I could". I sent someone to town for more film and shot all of the formals and family portraits.
In the end they really liked my photos and since then I have shot more than 20 weddings for family and guests who attended that one wedding. I also got a call from the "Pro" photographer a couple of weeks later to let me know that my behavior was not very professional and that he might sue me for lost income as the bride and groom were refusing to pay him and wanted their deposit returned. I never heard from him again and he has not been seen at a wedding since.
I won't comment on the 7 day marriages and ballroom brawls that I have seen since that first wedding shoot.
Prior to the wedding as guest were arriving I thought something was odd when I noticed that the "Pro" was taking a lot of people shots and cranking madly at the film advanced leaver but was never seemed to change film! I asked him what was up, thinking that maybe he had a source for extra long film rolls. The photographer confesses to me that his only camera is busted and doesn't always advance the film a full frame but not to tell the bride and groom as they would just get stressed out and they could discuss it when they look at the proofs.
With no time to talk to anyone in the wedding party I raced home and grabbed my gear thinking I could loan it to the photographer. I got back just as the ceremony began and the photographer was at the front of the church pretending to take pictures. Not knowing anything about wedding etiquette I just roamed around the church during the ceremony and shot what I wanted, ignoring the strange looks coming from the guests, priest and wedding party as well as the scowls from the "Pro" photographer clicking away with his broken camera.
Having mostly worked as a news photographer I may have been a little aggressive in getting the angles that I wanted as directly after the ceremony the brides mother, a longtime friend, approached me to let me know that they had hired a professional wedding photographer and that I could put my cameras away and enjoy the wedding as a guest. I informed her as to what was going on with the "Pro" photographer and was quickly invited out to the family farm where formal wedding and family portraits were to be shot.
When confronted by the brides mother the "Pro" photographer finally admitted to the charade, packed up his broken camera and left. I was asked to step in and "Do the best I could". I sent someone to town for more film and shot all of the formals and family portraits.
In the end they really liked my photos and since then I have shot more than 20 weddings for family and guests who attended that one wedding. I also got a call from the "Pro" photographer a couple of weeks later to let me know that my behavior was not very professional and that he might sue me for lost income as the bride and groom were refusing to pay him and wanted their deposit returned. I never heard from him again and he has not been seen at a wedding since.
I won't comment on the 7 day marriages and ballroom brawls that I have seen since that first wedding shoot.
Daniel Payne
Veteran Member
of course my Canon camera was mounted on it as it crashed into the cement sidewalk.
Thank God, I picked it up, dusted it off, and kept shooting!
I still can't get the lens filter off, or reach the entire 24-70mm zoom range.
--
Daniel Payne
http://www.danieljpayne.com/
Thank God, I picked it up, dusted it off, and kept shooting!
I still can't get the lens filter off, or reach the entire 24-70mm zoom range.
--
Daniel Payne
http://www.danieljpayne.com/
photography
Forum Enthusiast
Several years ago a local photographer scheduled to photograph several formal studio bridal portraits.
After the studio photography was finished the photographer and the bride had their own little honeymoon.
The wedding was called off and the photographer lost his business.
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photoman
After the studio photography was finished the photographer and the bride had their own little honeymoon.
The wedding was called off and the photographer lost his business.
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photoman
These are just amazing stories! By comparison mine are insignificant like the bridesmaid's fighting, or boyfriends of bridesmaids getting way too drunk. What really is interesting is how alcohol has a detrimental effect on some people. When I drink (never at weddings) it's usually to relax and be merry, and be happy. But some people just get dumb and mean.
Joe Federer
Veteran Member
I bring 4 bodies for that very reason. ... you are totally right, once you are down to your 'last' of anything, suddenly things seem really really shakey. 
--
JOE FEDERER
Websites:
Minnesota Hiking and nature @ http://hiking.federerphotography.com
Minneapolis / St. Paul Wedding photography @ http://www.federerphotography.com
--
JOE FEDERER
Websites:
Minnesota Hiking and nature @ http://hiking.federerphotography.com
Minneapolis / St. Paul Wedding photography @ http://www.federerphotography.com
Amy Schwalb
Well-known member
the worst that happened to me was a drunken brawl at the end of a very nice wedding. the worst part of it was that the wedding took place on a golf course off a rural road so there was no street lighting. All I could hear was the screaming and cursing. The bride was in tears and the groom did the smart thing and comforted the bride. The saddest part was that the little flower girls were crying because they thought their dads would start fighting. The good thing was that the fight didn't start until after the wedding was over so the pictures and the wedding wasn't ruined.
Amy
Amy
Shaun Bell
Veteran Member
Had a couple file for divorce before the album was finished! Very nice couple though, too bad.
Shaun Bell
Shaun Bell
We rented a carriage pulled by a horse for the children to ride around the estate whilst the adults where having the drinks outside.
A piece of the carriage broke and seriously hurt the horse's leg, horse started to panic and the driver was able to bring the horse more or less under control. But with 10 kids in the carriage, the whole crowd just dashed to the carriage. This and the pain induced by the broken carriage completely freaked out the horse, carriage over turned with about 10 kids in the 5 to 12 year old zone, horse fell on 2/3 kids.
Two kids and one lady spent the wedding in ER, thankfully no serious injuries. The mom and kids came back during the supper with a couple of stitches.
what you're looking for?
True story; have one photo post incident in the wedding book as a reminder.
a++ Cedric
A piece of the carriage broke and seriously hurt the horse's leg, horse started to panic and the driver was able to bring the horse more or less under control. But with 10 kids in the carriage, the whole crowd just dashed to the carriage. This and the pain induced by the broken carriage completely freaked out the horse, carriage over turned with about 10 kids in the 5 to 12 year old zone, horse fell on 2/3 kids.
Two kids and one lady spent the wedding in ER, thankfully no serious injuries. The mom and kids came back during the supper with a couple of stitches.
what you're looking for?
True story; have one photo post incident in the wedding book as a reminder.
a++ Cedric
photography
Forum Enthusiast
Years ago a local photographer did a wedding for the richest people in town. The photographer left the flash sync on on M, not X for strobe.
Everything was flash, so no usable images on about 40 rolls of 120 film.
In the end the photographer sent the brides mother a 4x5 film box with 40 rolls of unprocessed 120 film inside without the paper backing. The box was marked "unexposed" in small print, When the brides mother opened the box, she exposed all the film. When the brides family called the photographer he made a big deal of how dumb they were to open a box of unexposed film.
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photoman
Everything was flash, so no usable images on about 40 rolls of 120 film.
In the end the photographer sent the brides mother a 4x5 film box with 40 rolls of unprocessed 120 film inside without the paper backing. The box was marked "unexposed" in small print, When the brides mother opened the box, she exposed all the film. When the brides family called the photographer he made a big deal of how dumb they were to open a box of unexposed film.
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photoman
Well, my sister in law is getting married and has absolutely no money for a photographer. Of course I am "volunteered" to shoot the wedding (for free). It is not my area of specialty but I have done a few in the past with very good results.
Wedding rehearsal goes well at the church and I am all set with my old but tried and true, all manual film gear. Next night we get to the church for the wedding and the place is now decorated with some small white Christmas lights in an arch at the altar and a few draped across the pews. Very nice.
I'm getting into position when without warning, ALL the house lights go out (per Bride's request and without my foreknowledge) so the entire church is lit by just the little Christmas lights - maybe about 50 watts total in cavernous 100 year old church (at night) and the processional music begins. I figure no problem since I am using a powerful flash - I might even get fancy and do some slow sync shots to pick up the xmas lights - until I realize that although the lighting is no problem for my flash, my aging eyes can no longer see ANYTHING. I can't see my F-stop, shutter speed, flash setting, or even to focus. My all manual equipment so dear to my heart is now a real liability. And the wedding party is making their way down the aisle.
By feel only I set the f-stop to F8 - hoping depth of field will make up for my inability to focus. The shutter speed is set by asking people nearby what number the dial is set to - a little embarrasing to say the least, and with the slightest bump or change of lenses I have to ask again for fear I have inadvertantly knocked it to a different speed (very easy to do on this camera). Flash set to manual (again by asking people nearby).
The ceremony was very stressful to say the least, constantly worrying that the shutter speed or f-stop got moved, that my focus was good enough, that the flash was really set to manual and not exposing on automatic for an F2.8 apeture etc. Thankfully, I was able to get the shots, and I only had about 4 shots out of focus and 2 or 3 that were out of sync.
My lessons learned:
1. Always carry a small pocket flashlight everywhere
2. Never shoot weddings
3. Maybe autofocus isn't the devil. (still not convinced on that one though)
Wedding rehearsal goes well at the church and I am all set with my old but tried and true, all manual film gear. Next night we get to the church for the wedding and the place is now decorated with some small white Christmas lights in an arch at the altar and a few draped across the pews. Very nice.
I'm getting into position when without warning, ALL the house lights go out (per Bride's request and without my foreknowledge) so the entire church is lit by just the little Christmas lights - maybe about 50 watts total in cavernous 100 year old church (at night) and the processional music begins. I figure no problem since I am using a powerful flash - I might even get fancy and do some slow sync shots to pick up the xmas lights - until I realize that although the lighting is no problem for my flash, my aging eyes can no longer see ANYTHING. I can't see my F-stop, shutter speed, flash setting, or even to focus. My all manual equipment so dear to my heart is now a real liability. And the wedding party is making their way down the aisle.
By feel only I set the f-stop to F8 - hoping depth of field will make up for my inability to focus. The shutter speed is set by asking people nearby what number the dial is set to - a little embarrasing to say the least, and with the slightest bump or change of lenses I have to ask again for fear I have inadvertantly knocked it to a different speed (very easy to do on this camera). Flash set to manual (again by asking people nearby).
The ceremony was very stressful to say the least, constantly worrying that the shutter speed or f-stop got moved, that my focus was good enough, that the flash was really set to manual and not exposing on automatic for an F2.8 apeture etc. Thankfully, I was able to get the shots, and I only had about 4 shots out of focus and 2 or 3 that were out of sync.
My lessons learned:
1. Always carry a small pocket flashlight everywhere
2. Never shoot weddings
3. Maybe autofocus isn't the devil. (still not convinced on that one though)
Father of bride + bride's brother = father & son? Probably not the first time they battled it out.
Best regards,
Doug
http://pbase.com/dougj
http://thescambaiter.com
Fighting scammers WW for fun & justice
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Best regards,
Doug
http://pbase.com/dougj
http://thescambaiter.com
Fighting scammers WW for fun & justice
MusicDoctorDJ
Veteran Member
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Things that make you say:
This is the one that always give me a chuckle when remembering 'Weddings Gone BAD!':
Back in 1988 I was DJ'ing an outdoor wedding ceremony and receiption at the brides' parents spread out in middle of nowhere . . .
Right in middle of the ceremony, a car comes speeding down the dirt road, turns up the long and winding dirt driveway, blaring the horn, and then comes screeching to a halt, causing a huge dust cloud to envelope the ceremony.
A young woman who appears to be about eight months pregnant gets out of the car crying and screaming . . .
"HE'S MINE !!!!!!!!!!!!!" over and over as she runs up to the groom.
Actually, it was more like "HEEESSSSSSS MIIIINNNNNNNNEEEEEE !!!!!!!!!!!!".
Several people subdued her . . . took her around to the other side of the buildings and called the police.
The ceremony started again and finished and the rest of the gig went off without a hitch!
Turns out it was indeed the groom's ex girlfriend . . .
And, he was indeed the father of her unborn child!
--
J. D.
Colorful Colorado
Remember . . . always keep your receipt, the box, and everything that came in it!
This is the one that always give me a chuckle when remembering 'Weddings Gone BAD!':
Back in 1988 I was DJ'ing an outdoor wedding ceremony and receiption at the brides' parents spread out in middle of nowhere . . .
Right in middle of the ceremony, a car comes speeding down the dirt road, turns up the long and winding dirt driveway, blaring the horn, and then comes screeching to a halt, causing a huge dust cloud to envelope the ceremony.
A young woman who appears to be about eight months pregnant gets out of the car crying and screaming . . .
"HE'S MINE !!!!!!!!!!!!!" over and over as she runs up to the groom.
Actually, it was more like "HEEESSSSSSS MIIIINNNNNNNNEEEEEE !!!!!!!!!!!!".
Several people subdued her . . . took her around to the other side of the buildings and called the police.
The ceremony started again and finished and the rest of the gig went off without a hitch!
Turns out it was indeed the groom's ex girlfriend . . .
And, he was indeed the father of her unborn child!
--
J. D.
Colorful Colorado
Remember . . . always keep your receipt, the box, and everything that came in it!
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