Tuesday, August 26

A Redneck Wedding


Thank God I had nothing to do with this one!! I don't know if it's real or theater, but I'm sort of glad I don't know any of them.

I've really been lucky with the weddings I've been involved in over the years. Oh, there've been a few that made me wish I wasn't involved; like the one where the groom's mother said her former husband's new wife would get a corsage over her dead body - and she meant every word.

Or the consultation where the bride and her mother didn't see eye to eye and the mother got up, went downstairs and walked out to her car, without even saying goodbye to me - or thanking me for the meeting. Oftentimes, I'd side with the mother, especially when the daughter is being a bridezilla, but that time, I thought the mother was a creep. I didn't say that, of course, and I've learned that when the bride and her mom don't agree on anything it is because the parents don't like the intended groom, don't want the wedding to happen or because the bride is a spoiled brat who wants much more for her titanic wedding production than the parent's budget can stand.

Then there are the mothers who mention their minuscule budgets immediately after driving up in their $50k + cars, wearing diamonds dripping off both hands, designer clothing and Italian handmade leather shoes and purses. I can understand the need for a budget - I have always had one - but let's be realistic, people. I prefer honesty. If you'd rather spend the bulk of your money on food at the reception......say so. If your idea of favors for your guests requires so much money that there's nothing left for flowers, tell me. I can handle honesty. Otherwise, don't mention your budget at all until after I've told you what I can do for your wedding!

21 comments:

Michael K. Althouse said...

Now THAT'S a wedding I would absolutely love to attend!!

When I shoot weddings, I charge a flat hourly rate and take half in advance... if I go over the predetermined time, I'll get it signed off and keep shooting. No money, no pictures. All I lose is some time.

Michele sent me... looks like we'll be visiting all week!

Anna said...

OK, so if you did do that wedding, you could arrange sticks in a vase and it would be perfect....or paint the carnations to match the awful bridesmaids dresses!!!!

Eddie said...

Judy,
Hey! Watch it! Those are my kin!

Diane Mandy said...

I hadn't thought about it, but in your line of work, I bet you have seen it all!

sage said...

I hope the bride is the lady on the far left, what a hoot! I don't envy your job, weddings seems to make a lot of folks irrational.

Granny Annie said...

That would be funny if it didn't look so much like my first wedding. Someone had to go get the best man out of the bar and then he could barely stand up through the ceremony. My new husband and I left the church in his dad's borrowed Ranchero that had been wrecked, so the passenger side door wouldn't open and I had to climb in through the driver side door. It was a quickly planned wedding and no, I wasn't pregnant. We were just a couple of stupid teenagers thinking it was worth my leaving college to marry the hometown boy.

Daphne Wayne-Bough said...

I think that must be in the north of England .... somewhere like Rochdale, or Barnsley.

Pat said...

Cripes I didn't realise you had to deal directly with people. How I know how annoying the general public can be. Hats off to you!

Bear Naked said...

Oh My!!
I hope that it was a theatrical production because if I ever attended a wedding where people were dressed like that I would never be able to keep a straight face.
You must have the patience of a saint and have many diplomatic skills when dealing with the brides-to-be and their Mothers.

Bear((( )))

Anonymous said...

Judy,

Are you sure that isn't the cast of "ANYTHING GOES"?

Anonymous said...

Judy,

Sorry about Anonymous..It's only me hitting the wrong keys.

And I have the nerve to criticize the gang in the picture.

oklhdan said...

My daughter worked as a wedding photographer during college and she had a bride who asked her just before having her picture taken, "Do my nipple rings show through my dress?" as she pulled down the satin top to show them to my daughter. My daughter took one look at almost fainted.

OldLady Of The Hills said...

It is so interesting the "personalities" one runs into in the "WEDDINNG" Buiness.....!
The strangest thing I ever encountered as the Officient was a Mother-In-Law---(The Grooms Mother, who was paying for the Wedding which was at her home) Had approval of the Ceremony and changed things in it SHE didn't like! HELLO??
Actually, it explained a great deal about the heavy dynamics in that family. The BOSS, in every way in that relationsgip was the Groom's mother!

That photograph is really Hilarious, Judy....! I LOVE the wonan over on the extreme left...LOL!

Gary ("Old Dude") said...

so your a wedding planner?---I didn't know that.-----very interesting.

Evil Twin's Wife said...

I've often thought I'd like to be a wedding consultant, but then again... maybe it's not worth it LOL

tiff said...

The insight about the bride and her Mom not getting along is great. I can totally see that!

LZ Blogger said...

The weddings we've been to lately all seem to have the same theme... that would be... "Can You Top This?" I can understand wanting everyone to have a good time, but really... I think you can have just as good a time in the back yard with a "Justice of the Peace" and a bunch of really close GOOD FRIENDS! ~ jb///

Paul Nichols said...

Honesty is a pretty interesting concept.

I've often said that lots of brides don't want to get married, they just want to have a wedding. Not long thereafter they're having another wedding. And pretty well toned down, too.

rosemary said...

So....who is the bride in the picture? They all look pretty scary!

YellowRose said...

That is hilarious! I remember my days working with bride-to-be's...UGH!

My son is getting married in March...to say the least it won't look like that! lol Though, it would be hilarious for the rehearsal to show up like that! No....better not.

Shephard said...

You know, we have been saying exactly these sorts of things... we want our budget to go to food and flowers and entertainment... not clothes and things that impress.
The flowers tho... I want tons. :)
We'll see what we can afford in LA. lol
~S :)