For some reason I always get stuck pinning the flowers on the groomsmen......
the florist drops the flowers off and leaves......the guys don't know how to pin
so that leaves me and my assistant.....ALWAYS.....I always pin the flowers
on the groomsmen....

Does this happen to anyone else?

Denise

If the florist leaves have the Mother of the Groom, an Aunt or a Grandmother pin it on thee guys, you'll get some great photos that way

Ditto.
Thats a photo op you don't want to miss.
Even if grandma or mom can't do it well I'd at least get some pictures of them attempting it and then you can always go around and fix them up after the fact.

My wife or another assistant does it. It has never been a big deal with us. We also have a WEDDING EMERGENCY KIT we keep in our cart in case the bride gets a stain on her dress, a small tear, or what have you. The more stress we can take of of her on the day the happier she is as well as the rest of the wedding party.

That's funny, because I get stuck with it too! I usually at least make them attempt it so I can get pictures of them doing it, but they give up eventually and look at me....usually the only female in the group!




Do you mind sharing what you keep in the emergency case? Specifically what you have for stains. Thanks!

ditto on that. sometimes we're way behind and I'll just do it real quick.

I play dumb, because it's an opportunity for another picture. Which usually means an aunt, grandma, or mom has to come in and help out. I had one groom whom it took 4 people all at once to help him figure it out! That was a really fun picture with lots of great expressions. ;-) That image wouldn't have happened if I had stepped in and done it myself. The only time I step in to help people out is when I am truly the only other person around to help, and I determine I'm losing great photo opportunities by not helping things along.

nope...I'm not the florist, coordinator, attendant, tailor, etc.. and I don't worry about their responsiblities. so like anne, I'll play dumb. But since I'm a guy I don't get asked for the flower thing very often. I have gotten a little upset at assistants who I've told to be at x place at x time and are late because they were helping some aunt unload their dress or some other non-photography task.

And it's the LEFT side the flowers go on, right (does it matter which side)? Does anyone know the reason WHY (I don't)?

Flowers go on the left side 'cause they are closest to his heart.....

Sappy, I know, but that's the custom.

Not only do they try to stick me with the job (forgive me ), but often if I don't ask, the guys totally forget their boutinneres completely. I do try to find someone else to put the Groom's on so I can get that shot, but I'll help after that.

*I recently had a groom that wouldn't put it on at all because it was pink. His parents tried to talk him into it, but he steadfastly refused. I didn't mention it to the bride because it would have caused a fight and once she walked up to him at the altar, she didn't even notice. *

Sure, we keep shout wipes, needles, thread, Black tux cloth, and a slew of other things.

I see it as just another service we offer and the Brides absolutley LOVE IT

No, I don't pin them for a couple of reasons. First, I will probably stab myself or them. Second, I want to be photographing that moment. When I meet with a couple before their wedding, I tell them to be sure they speak to their florist about it. If their florist won't be available, I tell them to designate someone outside of the wedding party and immediate family to do it (like an aunt).

I try not to do it, but sometimes I get stuck doing it. I usually start with bride and groom pictures first, so I tell them the wedding party doesn't have to be ready as early as the bride and groom. So, when the time comes, a lot of times there is no one around to do it, except me. Like I said if someone else is around, I try to have them do it.

In addition to this, do you get asked all the other questions? Here are a few I have gotten asked. These are what I can think of now, but there is usually a whole bunch of them... a few at every wedding!

1. What leg does the garter go on?
2. How high does it go?
3. How do you do the cuff links?
4. How do these button covers go? (on the guys tuxes.)
5. How do I tie a tie?
6. Do I have to wear my "something old" durring the reception?
7. How should I tie this bow?

ect.........

They think we know it all because we are around it more I guess!

I always do as well... and I always threaten to poke them with the pins if they misbehave.

I don't see a problem with doing it (although I never get asked- that whole guy thing). If you can build repore with the people that you will be shooting all day, why not. But I agree that it creates a great photo op, and it's better if you can shoot while someone else does it.

But if you can do the pinning while photographing it with the other hand- that would rock.

I've done it on occasion knowing that if I didn't take charge (in those instances where the flowers are dropped off and no moms, wives, girlfriends or other worthy photo op participants are readily available), I'd end up with guys at the altar and flowers still in the box (or worse...3 guys with them and 3 guys without them!). It's not a skill I advertise...but...geez...as a photographer sometimes you gotta do what it takes to get the shots that the bride wants. And she does NOT want pictures of the guys without their flowers!!

If you don't know how to pin flowers...learn how...else find yourself in a situation where you are asking the guys to do them themselves and they'll look hideous. (just my opinion...)

Thanks for the background

no, haven't been asked to pin flowers (yet), but i have been asked on several occasions to help on a couple of other interesting things:

1. help the bride into her dress
2. properly tie the ribbon at the back of the dress
3. apply blush or eyebrow powder
4. consult on makeup colors

That and lace up the back of the dress. Luckily, my wife is usually the one rescuing. I have to remind her to back away asap so we can capture the photo op. But, the fact that we're willing to help out adds to our value I think. We have a "rescue kit" as well.

Over the heart. I bring black and silver binder clips from the office supply store just in case. The pin goes through the fat bud part under the petals. If the florist would rap a piece of foam right next toe the bud, and cover it with that green tape, then the pin would go in easier. I have busted some buds trying to get the pin through t he actual bud. No one ever knows how to get these in right.

If I were his bride, I would have turned back down the aisle and gone home. Who wants to marry such an insecure, shallow man? Just wear the flowers; your lovely bride picked them out.

that is great!
for reference, this is how i do it...
1 - right
2 - above the knee
3 - french cuffs, the insides of the sleeves stay together
4 - slide and snap
5 - i just do it (half windsor)
6 - no
7 - i just do it - i'm a mean bow-tie-er

and i even sewed a bridesmaid into her dress when the zipper busted all the way down the back about 15 minutes before the wedding.

of course, i try to get pics of the 'right people' doing this stuff, but then they usually defer to us.

i love it when i can help.

Oh, and one more thing.... I am also a hairdresser so I end up fixing a lot of veils and pinning in those loose fly away curls. I can't stand it when I see something wrong. (Don't get me wrong, I would never say anything if I didn't like their hair, or if I didn't like the way the veil was pinned on. This is just if the veil is falling out, or all the hair is pinned up and one curl is coming out.)

Yes I've done the pinning of the flowers once... on the groomsmen.

Never. never again....

Kenneth + Elaine

I'm gonna try to let the guys pin each other....that will make some nice shots....
thanks for the idea

Haha... I totally laughed because I shot two weddings last weekend and at one wedding I pinned all 11 groomsmen since no one knew how!! That same day I was aked to help the ring bearer get ready AND to transport the flowers... Anyone need a massage while I am at it? lol

Then at the other wedding I had to pin everyone up because they kept stabbing eachother with the pins and getting upset!