‘Wow, was it a cluster!’: Professional photographer gets booked last minute for an unorganized and chaotic wedding, ends up making $500 extra

Author image for Elna McHilderson
Elna McHilderson • Managing Editor
Oct 31, 2024 9:00 AM EDT

Professional photographers go through all kinds of crazy rides. That kind of career can take you all over the world! Funny thing, however, is that some of the craziest stories you'll hear from photographers will come from weddings. That's right, professional wedding photographers experience some of the craziest things at weddings. And they are the ones who are hired to document it all, so they see everything. 

Take, for instance, this professional wedding photographer. She got hired very last minute since the previously hired photographer was ghosting the wedding planner the day before. She said yes to the gig and was on her way. When she got there, she quickly realized why the previous photographer had not shown up. The entire event was a disaster! Completely chaotic, and hardly anything was thoroughly planned. The couple getting married was plastered and uncontrollable and the family kept putting her in awkward positions. The wedding planner didn't even know what to do! She handled it with grace and profession, however, and ended up making an extra $500 on top of her normal rate. So I guess it worked out for everybody? Read the entire situation below! 

Advertisement
  • 01
    "In the end, the wedding planner gave me an extra $500 on top of my fee."
    via Unsplash+ (and Mariah Krafft)
  • 02
    Their photographer ghosted, I got called the day before the event. Wow, was it a cluster. I got a frantic call from a wedding planner asking if I could shoot a wedding the next day because their photographer had ghosted them. She had no idea if the person would even show up. I agreed, saying if he did show up I'd bow out gracefully. He never showed, so it was up to me. I had
    via lostinspacescream
  • 03
    never met the couple, didn't know the venue, and had only had one call with the wedding planner. The bride and groom were drunk when they showed up, it was the wedding planner's first gig, the best man showed up in a tank top and shorts, a woman kept trying to get me to try her famous salad she had made for the event, and some dude came up to me and asked if I wanted to see "his mangina." Um...
    via lostinspacescream
  • 04
    The bride danced with her cigarette pack in her hand the entire time and had to be supported by the groom. The wedding planner told me that it was ok to leave partway through the reception until I informed her that they hadn't cut the cake yet or thrown the bouquet.
    via lostinspacescream
  • 05
    No one had matches to light the candles on the tables, so I pulled a lighter from my emergency pack. The bride burst a button in a strategic place, so I sewed it back on. In the end, the wedding planner gave me an extra $500 on top of my fee. Glad that one is in the books. Whew.
    via lostinspacescream
  • 06
    DerelictBombersnatch Well, at least you have the certainty that however sketchy the photos turn out, they don't reflect your qualities as a photographer. What a psycho cluster uck, I'd have myself four times that day. Though that may have been the way to blend in with the crowd? lostinspacescream OP Honestly, I think I was the only one not drunk that day, haha.
    via DerelictBombersnatch
  • 07
    User0123-456-789 Did people have fun? Were you treated badly? The rest I'd say is personal preference... lostinspacescream OP Great point! I'm sure the photos will help them all remember how much fun they had and I'm glad I was able to step in at the last minute.
    via User0123-456-789
  • 08
    LisaandNeil It actually sounds like lots of fun with no real pressure - bet the photos are awesome! lostinspacescream OP Honestly, you're right. With everything happening, I didn't have time to get nervous about anything!
    via LisaandNeil
  • 09
    coccopuffs606 Two things: One: I see why the original photographer "ghosted" if in fact that was even what happened. I'd bet dollars to donuts that he saw what a shitshow this was going to be, sent the deposit back weeks ago, and the wedding planner just forgot to get a replacement. Two: This is an amazing dinner party story, and will entertain your friends and fellow photographers for years to come.
    via cocopuffs606
  • 10
    natureismyjam So, these weddings I think make us a stronger photographer. Gives us experience for "when things go wrong" sort of situation. Even if you're experienced I think every once in a while you'll get a dumpster fire. lostinspacescream OP So I'm good for a while, then?
    via natureismyjam
  • 11
    want2retire Sounds like the previous photographer made the right decision. Announcement90 I mean, the ghosting part is unprofessional no matter how smart they were to bow out. wimwagner Yep. I bet he/she knew what was about to go own.
    via want2retire
  • 12
    Moist-Web3293 Sounds like an episode of Trailer Park Boys. lostinspacescream OP It really should be!
    via Moist-Web3293
  • 13
    _jay_bee_ Hope you captured the vibe, that's the main thing. lostinspacescream OP There are some seriously epic moments captured. I'm actually glad I was also able to get some really beautiful shots of the bride where she didn't look falling down drunk. I didn't include the shots where the minister looked visibly upset. I've never seen a minister exit as quickly as he did after the ceremony.
    via _jay__bee_
  • 14
    JayEll1969 Could have been far worse - could have been a bridezilla and a mother of the bridezilla. Sounds more like a day for people to enjoy themselves rather than a "Perfect Princess" wedding. How did the bride light her lighter? if she didn't have a
    via JayEll1969
  • 15
    roxgib_ The bride burst a button in a strategic place, so I sewed it back on. Photographer of the year right there Suzibrooke I could not count the times my emergency sewing kit saved the day! Never shot a wedding without it. Also carried stain removal towelettes, red eye drops, and a whole bunch more emergency items that came in useful.
    via roxgib_
  • 16
    Smooth_Call_764 Sounds like a very trashy wedding. I hope these aren't the typical clients because they sound awful! lostinspacescream OP This was after a very high end client, so the contrast was pretty astounding.
    via Smooth_Call_764
  • 17
    garfield529 One of my first weddings, the drunk groom slammed cake into the bride's face and she promptly left the reception and never returned. It was extremely awkward the rest of the night. lostinspacescream OP I've heard of that happening. When I got married, my fiancé knew I did not want any cake smooshing.
    via garfield529

Want More? Follow Us and Add Us as a Preferred Source on Google.

Tags

trashy wedding bride marriage photography groom funny wedding photos wedding day funny wedding getting married wedding day fails wedding disasters bridezilla Reddit professional wedding photography married photographer
Scroll Down For The Next Article