This ever happen to you?

Phil, sounds like your just toooo nice. Something which, thankfully, I'm not afflicted with. When you've been shoood away by me, you stay shoood.
If the Bobs start to circle again, give 'em a job that requires at least one hand, (holding a lens/flash/stiff drink) or thank them for their "help" and "point them away as you're "busy" doing what the bridezilla paid you thousands of bucks to do.
An extra one
The "Whose damn flash???"
Set FEC to +3 and show the resulting mess to the b+g and asssorted Bobs. Then explain that you're going to have to re-shoot EVERYTHING again. Guilt the bastids out of the picture.

bildeb0rg wrote in post #6123424
Phil, sounds like your just toooo nice. Something which, thankfully, I'm not afflicted with. When you've been shoood away by me, you stay shoood.
If the Bobs start to circle again, give 'em a job that requires at least one hand, (holding a lens/flash/stiff drink) or thank them for their "help" and "point them away as you're "busy" doing what the bridezilla paid you thousands of bucks to do.
An extra one
The "Whose damn flash???"
Set FEC to +3 and show the resulting mess to the b+g and asssorted Bobs. Then explain that you're going to have to re-shoot EVERYTHING again. Guilt the bastids out of the picture.

I love this one!

You're probably right about the too nice part, or maybe too tolerant might be more accurate. My biggest fear is getting people (loved ones of the b&g) pissed, which can spread like a virus, casting a depressing mood on the whole event, making it even more difficult to get the people to give me a genuine smile. I know it's my own shortcoming but it's very hard for me to go from being stern with uncle bob to immediately being happy-go-lucky with bridezilla.

bildeb0rg wrote in post #6123424
Phil, sounds like your just toooo nice. Something which, thankfully, I'm not afflicted with. When you've been shoood away by me, you stay shoood.
If the Bobs start to circle again, give 'em a job that requires at least one hand, (holding a lens/flash/stiff drink) or thank them for their "help" and "point them away as you're "busy" doing what the bridezilla paid you thousands of bucks to do.
An extra one
The "Whose damn flash???"
Set FEC to +3 and show the resulting mess to the b+g and asssorted Bobs. Then explain that you're going to have to re-shoot EVERYTHING again. Guilt the bastids out of the picture.

Why not just bring a small flash triggered slave on a remote on/off switch? While you don't shoot, the slave blasts everyone else's photos, when you shoot, you turn it off or just have it set as a hair light.

basroil wrote in post #6123570
Why not just bring a small flash triggered slave on a remote on/off switch? While you don't shoot, the slave blasts everyone else's photos, when you shoot, you turn it off or just have it set as a hair light.

Far too subtle for me, i prefer the direct confrontation route. Prolly 'cos i'm an aries tho'.
Besides you would probably have the Bobs up in arms for "ruining their art"...

Well I was at one of my best mates weddings the other day, and the pro was being very understanding of the dozen or so peeps standing behind him snapping away on point n shoots. He was arranging the wedding party into well made up poses and there these people were, taking their own. I stood to the side and let him work out of a kind of respect for him I guess. I prefer candids anyway.... But I wouldn't have liked it if I were him. I suppose they've already agreed a price before the wedding, but still...

dolfinack wrote in post #6174798
Well I was at one of my best mates weddings the other day, and the pro was being very understanding of the dozen or so peeps standing behind him snapping away on point n shoots. He was arranging the wedding party into well made up poses and there these people were, taking their own. I stood to the side and let him work out of a kind of respect for him I guess. I prefer candids anyway.... But I wouldn't have liked it if I were him. I suppose they've already agreed a price before the wedding, but still...

I'm exactly like you. I would never stand behind a photographer and take the shots he set up. And you're right, it's a matter of respect. But I suppose if he's already been paid in full, maybe he doesn't really care. That's probably the key.

Actually, if the bridezilla has paid up front, then not having the hassle of extra prints is prolly a bonus. And finally...
The "Freak Out"
Ask the Bobs, in your best 98db stage whisper, "hey buddy, can you mail me those pics when you get home? I l ran out of film like a half hour ago..."
You MUST be within earshot of the 'zilla or mom 'zilla for full effect on this.