[lkphoto]

I agree with Bill. I've only been doing weddings for a few years now, but let me be the first to tell you explaining the potential of this kind of situation to the B&G at the consultation is KEY! I actually had the sister of a groom push me out of HER way while I was doing formals a few months back! It was also at that same wedding that the Father of the Groom over exposed several key photos during the ceremony with his flash. I explained to the B&G that there were to be no one else but me shooting during the post ceremony formals. I told them that doing so could over expose my photos as well as having the wedding party looking in all different directions. I explained that if I could not gain control of the situation (because sometimes no matter how polite or aggressive you are, people do what they want to do with no regard to official photos) I would then give them the option of stepping in or they would agree to accept the quality of that set of photos, blown out and all. If I cannot preform my job that I am hired for because some rude guest is not listening, I will not be held responsible for the outcome of that specific set of photos. When I asked 3 times for the shooters to please be seated or leave and was ignored, I put on my mean face and told those specific people that not only were they disrespecting me as a hired professional, but because of their selfishness, they were ruining the offical photos of the Bride & Groom, to whom the photos are most important. The Brides mother (who was a gem and sooo embarrassed by the Grooms family) threw her hands up and walked out. She later appologized to me to let me know how disgusted she was with the Grooms family and said that she understood that I did everything in power to control the situation.
I guess the point is this, its going to happen to every photog somewhere along the line, and for me the best way to handle it is to tell the B&G what the outcome could be if they did not allow me the freedom to "excuse" guests from the formals as a last resort.
Good luck & sorry I'm long winded!