Photographer "one liners" to break the ice

"I want everyone to think about how pretty I am." (I am not pretty.)

I picked this one up from the professional that I second-shot for before I started out on my own, and it may be a little cheesy, but it always get a smile and a laugh. "I want everyone to look happy like you just got married or something". I use it during the formals on the altar after the ceremony.

"Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy!" and "Give me some love!"........but, your smile and your demeanor is what carries the message.

Sometimes: "Workin' the cam-er-ah!" done im my best Rob Schneider SNL "making copies" voice :-)

"Okay everybody! Pretend that you like each other" always brings a smile when photographing a group of people.

"So, is this REALLY going to be a white wedding?"

Just kidding Mark. I really don't have any one liners. Matter of fact, besides introducing ourselves initially, we hardly interact at all.

"now you all know this is my first wedding, don't you?"

Similar to your's, Jo, but as I'm fluffing a dress I'll look up and say, 'Gimmie a break, I've never done this before!"

Another one I do on occasion (not for everybody), is, once I set up the B & G in a pose I'll step back, put my hands on my hips and with the best french acccent I can muster I'll say, "Another creation by Mr. Michael!" Gets laughs, but who knows what they say later behind my back..:)

I've always been something of a ham and a voice impersonator (it all started watching the comedians and impressionists on Ed Sullivan in my childhood), so I have a host of funny voices and lines I use. The most natural is the Austin Powers photographer schtick ("Oh, your GOOORGEOUS baby, yeahhh!" "Yes, work with me baby, you're a TIGER, you're TONY the Tiger, you're GRRREAT baby, yeah!") I get them laughing so hard they're in tears and I have to dial it back some. "Do I make you rrrandy baby, do I?" "Smashing, and I'm SPENT"! (pretend to toss camera)

I have a couple of comebacks that usually are good for a laugh. Many events always have the "don't forget to take off the lens cap" to which I reply "makes no difference, there's no film in the camera". Or "I want 5-8x10's" so I ask him for his credit card and tell them how great these new cameras are and I can scan it right now. Amazingly, some people think I'm serious and say they where only kidding.

Mel

Shooting groups of guys, I'll sometimes say, "Hey, you look like a bunch of pallbearers at a funeral. It's a wedding, for Heaven's sake!" Usually works, but not always.