What we do/have done for Brides, besides photography - Share your methods/experiences

At my last wedding the venue messed up and there was no sound. Nothing...no music. I hopped on the phone and tried to ring my husband who works in A/V and sound to see if he could bring in some extra speakers to save the day. Unfortunately I couldn't get ahold of him, and they ended up fixing the issue (thank GOODNESS...because it was such a fun crowd I would have hated to see their night ruined). But, I always want to see the bride and groom not have to worry about stuff like that.

Wow Mary. This is a lot. You bring up very valid points that we should all consider using as our strengths when we educate/meet with our potential clients.

Does "Uncle Harry" do this?

Thanks for addressing all the things we do to help make a wedding a fun & successful day.
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Some further stuff to consider:
Do we also act as director, stage hand, designer, lighting and props experts? Sometimes even we have input with the costumes that will be worn on the wedding day. How about dealing with the intricacies with family relationships. Being a motivator/pep talk advisor so as we get lots of smiles with the photos we make?
I offer a 1 hr. class on body movement/posing/clothing/hair/makeup for couples who are interested in looking their best in the least amount of time. An educated client that is "sold" on what I offer is my competitors enemy. Educate your potential as well as current clients!

This is something that is now 30% of my 'speech' to my clients! My mom is a caterer and baker and numerous times I've given tips on cutting cake because the 'appointed ones' are clueless!
And toting the flowers in my car with the AC on in 90 degree weather whilst the flower pinner deemed it unimportant to show up so I pinned and pinned before photo'ed and photo'ed! I think that happened.... 7 times this summer. I only booked 8 weddings as two a month are enough for me! But funny that such little things are so overlooked!

Great story Amanda. It will be interesting to see how many other photographers also go the extra nine yards.

Bill -
1 hr. class on body movement/posing/clothing/hair/makeup for couple is a super idea!

Amanda - rarely have I had an actual florist there to pin the flowers on. Oh, and then there is the fixing of the bowties. We have to be so detail oriented. Little details can be missed but in a photo they are so evident!

Yeah, I've tied ties for the groom, redone makeup and hair, pinned on the flowers, re arranged a few bouquets, passed instructions from the couple to various other vendors...
Oh yeah, and there was that time that I guarded the cake from intoxicated food fight instigators... Unfortunatly, that's also the same wedding where I had to clean up the brides face and dress from those same evil doers.

I tell them to not worry about the timeline. I'll be the timekeeper for the day. I'll tell her exactly where to be and when. I'll reassure her that I will keep checking my watch against our timetable that we worked out prior to the wedding, and will keep things on track.
Basically just presenting an air of confidence, collectiveness, and authoritivness does a lot to calm nervous brides.
As far as emergency supplies, Shout Wipes (love the little individual packs), a small plastic clip to hold the dress up from the ground when walking or to add a tiny bit of weight to the back of the veil in windy conditions, small Kleenex pack, some wipes for sweaty faces, Aveda Mat ... finisher? that helps control shine and sweat.
In car- Golf umbrella and a knife and server set. About once or twice a year the couple forgets the serving set to cut the cake. That set in my trunk has gotten me many tips!

I think I have done most of the things you've said Mary, except "..and then reach under and fix the many layers of tulle" and "hold the brides dress just right so she can go to the bathroom". Being male, although easygoing, it's not on.;) I did however dressed a groom, best man etc.
On my last wedding, I had to help locate a groom's father, who I found in a bar across the parking lot, drinking, put him in my car and drove him to the church.
I do have a few more...;)

Boy are we a dedicated group ;-)

Newcomers to photography should read this thread so they know it is way much more than just equipment....

Each wedding would teach me yet another thing that I had to try and be prepared for. My equipment bag got bigger and bigger each year.

Oh - I forgot - Greg Jansen reminded me. Yes - we sometimes have to be the wedding planner!

We're drivers, groomers (pardon the pun), makeup artisits, florist assistants, Wedding planners, seamstresses or tailors, bathroom assistants, stain removers, and as Bill said - director, stage hand, designer, lighting and props experts. We're photographers, butlers, gophers, protectors of the cake, furniture movers, liasons with service personal.. What else?