I would like to take this opportunity to thank...the pumpkin carvers...

[rightaway]

How many times have I sat through the speeches at the receptions and listen to the bride and groom go through their list of thank you.
It starts with their parents and go right down to the janitor sometimes.
This weekend the bride even thanked the pumpkin carver who carved the mini pumpkins that were on the tables at the reception hall.

Here I am sitting there, having worked for hours for them to give them the best possible memories of their day and they simply ignore me :confused:.
That's true 99% of the times.

I am wondering if I should not start leaving business cards on the tables for the guests....

any thoughts or better experience in other parts of the world?

[Big Mike]

Sometimes I get acknowledgement...sometimes not. It's nice to get it...but my feelings are only hurt for a few seconds, then I don't care.

I personally can't stand most wedding speeches...especially when they come before dinner is served. The absolute worst one I have ever experienced was as a guest. The hall was too small for the number of guests, so were were crammed together like sardines. The MC was a former school teacher and family friend of the groom...and he detailed the groom's entire life story for well over an hour...before the guests were given a chance to eat anything.

[picturecrazy]

We rarely get acknowledged at weddings... though I find it happens more often with higher paying couples. I guess they value photography more or something. We got thanked at 7 weddings so far this season. I don't care personally, because I'm paid. Most of the people being thanked are people who VOLUNTEERED their time.

[Toogy]

Most of the people being thanked are people who VOLUNTEERED their time.

bingo!

[notapro]

The only paid person I usually hear mentioned is the caterer.

[jessiper]

Am I the only one that almost never has couples give thank you speeches? And, on the rare occasion that they do, I've never heard them thank any vendors, only their parents and best friends.

[spphoto]

Sometimes it happens sometimes it doesn't. I don't get upset about it because, like Lloyd said, we get paid to be there. If I made them a special deal and/or it was a friend or family memeber, things would be different I suppose.

I usually ask before hand if the couple wants me to leave cards with the URL of their gallery by the guestbook or somewhere, usually they say yes. It takes me five minutes and costs a couple dollars to get a hundred or so business cards printed up and they usually all et picked up (because th B&Gs gallery is on there, as well as my info).

[Solaria]

Am I the only one that almost never has couples give thank you speeches? And, on the rare occasion that they do, I've never heard them thank any vendors, only their parents and best friends.

Although I've only done a few weddings, I've never heard the "Thank you" speech myself...

[JJacula]

You know who all brides and grooms should thank? The best man's wife/girlfriend ... because SHE is the one doing all the work!!

Speaking as the wife of a two-time best man ...

[rightaway]

bingo!

A lot of the paid vendors get their name on the thank you list in addition of volunteers.
I just find it interesting as in most cases we have just spent the last few hours going to different locations with them and working closely with the couple and by the times speeches come around we are already not in their mind anymore..interesting

[rightaway]

Although I've only done a few weddings, I've never heard the "Thank you" speech myself...

you've been lucky so far..it could get quite lengthy sometimes....:confused:

[Nicole Faith]

I VOLUNTEERED my time to shoot my cousin's wedding this summer and was not thanked in the speech either. And this is family, someone I have been close to all my life. You never can tell who will give a **** and who won't. Very sad.

[Big Mike]

Has anyone had their name/company put into the actual wedding program that is handed out to guests before the ceremony? I've had that a couple times, which is nice.

[picturecrazy]

yup, probably about 4 times this season. it is nice, but really, it doesn't bother me at all if nobody mentions me.

[restech]

I guess sometimes, in order to get a good candid or pose shot, we always say to them "Just pretend that I am not here !"
Well, they really take it literally and seriously.

Also, when they thanks all other vendors is because they have seen the product of their service right there right away. If they thank us at that time, and it turns out they don't like the pics. Wouldn't it be an empty thanks ? ;)

I got thank you twice in the speech, even an applause (which is really awkward).
The wedding was about 100s attendants. We talked with the B&G in whispering that we need to leave and suddenly, everyone is quite. It seems that they want to listen to our conversation. And then as we leave, the parents start to applause followed by the whole room. We were like ... "thank you thank you (just like an Oscar winner)"
Really awkward moment there.
They are such a great couple, and most importantly they love the pic.

Anyway, just like people mentioned above, I guess we got paid a lot. Also, I more appreciate if they thank me after seeing the pic, not before.

Don't worry, rightaway. Have them thank you after receiving the pics, in writing if possible. So you could post it on your website :D
That would be more beneficial for our business, rather than just a thank you in the speech.

[LeesaB]

nope, we don't generally get acknowledged but this last wedding I got a HUGE back of cookies to take home....real nice ones too!

[rightaway]

Don't worry, rightaway. Have them thank you after receiving the pics, in writing if possible. So you could post it on your website :D
That would be more beneficial for our business, rather than just a thank you in the speech.


oh, I am not worried. I just find it interesting.

[MrsOpie]

wow maybe I have a different point of view but when I deliver the finished product I usually include a thank you note. I never expect a thank you in return.

[Wazza]

If you're not thanked, you're doing a great photojournalist job ;)
Blending in

[stathunter]

The $ and referals are thank you enough.

[tim]

I've 40 or 50 weddings i've been thanked once or twice in the speech, I don't think it's necessary but it's nice given you're the defacto wedding planner.

[mizuno]

I've been publicly thanked in the bridal speeches more often than not.

It always makes me feel awkward, actually. I'm PAID to be there.

I was even given an official gift (along with all the guests) on the weekend. :D