Normally happens right after the bouquet toss. As with the bouquet toss, the DJ or the band would call all the single men on the dance floor. The newly married couple would be around already.
The bride will be seated on the chair in the center of the dance floor. If there is nobody to offer a chair, take the initiative, borrow the chair from the closest table and place it the way you like. Consider lighting and the background.
In most cases the groom is supposed to kneel down, reach under bride’s dress and pull the garter from her leg with his teeth or hands. Use low angle technique. Shoot from you hands down using wide angle. Show the groom diving underneath the dress, pan up to the bride’s face (reaction shot), pan down back on groom, move over - show reaction of the guests and single men if you have enough time for that. Don’t just miss the moment when the groom shows from under the dress with the garter in his teeth.
The rest is similar to the bouquet toss shooting.
It is almost the end of your day. Often the DJ or the band would invite all the single girls on the dance floor. Check if you have any preferences in terms of better lighting of background. Consider possible obstacles up high, such as oversized lighting fixture or decorations hanging across and over the dance floor. If you think that placing the girls and the bride your way would be preferable, do not be shy, get involved and politely point at where you want them to stay.
Get a shot of the single girls getting together, pushing and giggling. Then position yourself in front of the bride, so you can clearly see her face, the bouquet and the girls on the back. Play by ear depending on possible scenario of the event. DJ may count to three, stopping at two and a half, two and three quarters, and then start all over again, the bride may fake the toss, etc. Just keep rolling and watch it. You can come a bit closer and farther to vary the shot while the excitement is growing, but keep the camera on the bride (and the bouquet).
When the flowers go flying, follow your camera the same way and start moving towards the best catcher. Get reaction from another girls, somebody has to be upset. Get back to the lucky one: most likely she will approach the bride or will be approached by the bride.
It is all about celebration and the people having a good time. Enjoy it and add some party mood in the video.
