Need fun ideas to loosen up wedding party...

I'm looking for some fresh, fun things to say to loosen-up the wedding party for their group shots.

Anyone got any good suggestions?

Here's a few corny ones:
To the groomsmen: You are all superman. You just jumped out of a phone booth wearing your new cape and tights! Show me your pose!

To the bridesmaids: That dollar lottery ticket you bought yesterday just won a Million Dollars! Show me your crazy reaction!

Help! I need better lines! Anyone?

Your own good mood and smile during the shoot carries over to the party. What to say really depends on the people involved. You need to be quick on your feet to come up with stuff.

Be yourself and be genuine

Thanks, and I do well at the geniune part. I just want to kick it up a notch and have some fun with my group. I'm sometimes at a loss for what to say and I need a few gimicky lines.

I'm sure you guys have something silly or creative you say to fall back on, yes... no...?

Sibil has a point--you do have to kind of collect a series of ideas, suggestions that leaves you able to adapt to the crew + environment that you're dealing with. Some of the ideas I have work really really well with certain groups and fall flat with others--it's often a matter of being able to get a good read on the people you're dealing with.

As an example, I noticed early in one of my weddings that one of the groomsmen was bursting out in song, spontaneously. I then had an idea that I tucked away until the bridal party session. In short, I had the guys choose a song and 'perform' for the ladies (who fawned / made fun of / thumbs up'd etc.)--the song didn't really matter, but their performance was awesome and it showed in the images. I did not have to pose them at all--I just offered up the idea and they responded really well whilst I grabbed candids of the proceedings.

In short, I prompted them to engage in some activity that not only introduced drama and expression to the photos, but also allowed them to have fun, and, in this case, reveal their goofy playful personalities. My recommendation is to think of other kinds of activities that you can suggest.

Other than that, though, you really have to go into this kind of session with a bunch of pose ideas--more than you need. I usually go into a bridal party shoot with about 15 distinct ideas in mind; most of the time I only have time for 8-10.

Chris, fantastic! I love that idea.

That's what I'm looking for, ideas (or, you could call them gimicks) anything to say to get people to do something fun, even goofy, to loosen them up.

Got any more?

Anyone else?

I don't do much with the wedding party really. I take group photos with them then concentrate on the B&G.

What I find key is getting to know the B&G before the wedding day, then getting to know the wedding party a bit when you're doing prep photos - it's a key reason I do prep photos. Once they know you a bit from that they loosen up. Just be yourself, be friendly, be open, and get to know people. Remember everyone's names, or at least make a really good honest effort - it is important. By the time I get to a wedding I know the couple a bit, I've met them at least a few times, scouted, done an engagement session, I know a bit about them and what they want. It works, if you have the time and energy to do it.

Lines and gimmicks should be avoided IMHO. I do tell the odd joke to lighten the mood occasionally but that's it.

I'm regularly laughing and joking. No lines just enjoying hanging out. Bridal party shoots are just like hanging out with a bunch of friends.

The kinds of clients and bridal parties I have want to be active, to do stuff, to run around and be goofy and have fun. They need to be directed or they'll mostly just stand in a loose line twiddling their thumbs. Laughing and joking brings out good expressions, it's true, but generally doesn't magically transform the bridal party into a crew who drops into cool poses and who know what to do. I think Tim and Peter have been doing this for so long that they 1) do more than they think they do and 2) are great improvisers because of their experience. If you don't have that experience (as the OP seems not to have--note sure, though), planning, having 'lines', having activities and poses in mind is advisable, in my opinion.

I'm no Jim Carey but the humour usually, if any comes spontaneously.

Most bridal parties bring their own sense of fun especially after the ceremony when that pent-up tension is looking for a place to go and with a beer or champagne quite often there's a need to tone it down.

But having said that I have had a few groups who look like their attending a funeral rather than a wedding.

highway0691 wrote in post #16410350
But having said that I have had a few groups who look like their attending a funeral rather than a wedding.

Yupe; one of the toughest to shoot when the families of the B&G are not in favor of the marriage. Managing the tension on the bride's face is the most difficult scenario I have experienced. A true minefield for the photog.

Sometimes you do need jokes though. Like if bridal party did bachelor party the night before and is unresponsive.

https://photography-on-the.net …/showthread.php​?t=1328285

recently i came across some videos of a workshop run by Joe Buissink and seems like his style can be something you looking for. search youtube with "Wedding Photography with Joe Buissink".