Jodi - That is a really good tip! Sorry about your shirt:(
Chris Enzaldo - My first wedding, there was a beautiful table with the guest book, framed *vintage* family photos and the same kind of candles. I took a picture of all the decor and accidentally KNOCKED over the great-grandparents photo from like a century ago. But didn't realize it until I looked back a couple minutes later to see someone uh lift the framed photo off the flame. Ah thanks. Photo was fine, but the frame was a little melty. So I'm glad I'm not the only one!
Kellie Kano - Girl, I would have paid money to see that ;) Gotta love flame resistant fabric!
stacey kane - Okay...I hope you know that the fact I was laughing throughout the entire post was because of how funny your rendition of the story is and the fact that you did emphasize that you were not injured!! Classic story/memory!
Amanda - OMG! That could have been awful! My worst wardrobe malfunction was getting red wine spilled on my khaki slacks during the preparation photos at the salon. Since it was far from home for me and we were on a super tight schedule I had to go the WHOLE WEDDING DAY with a giant moist pink stain down my left leg. I feel your pain :-) Also - I remember your post last year about working out to be able to shoot and carry the gear for the whole day. You're so right. I've been hitting the gym extra in preparation for the wedding season this year.
Jennifer Disney - Oh my gosh! I'm glad you're OK! What a great story though. :)
denise karis - wow - I thought you were going to say you fell in the cake! THAT would have been really bad - I've heard horror stories about guests knocking down strobes or tripping on light wires and falling into the cake - getting caught on fire is pretty bad though :P I'm glad you're not hurt!
Gail - Melissa,
Ooh.... you are brave to share the story with all of us :)
When I was a kid, we went to dinner at Olive Garden and when I tore open the cloth napkin on the breadsticks, it caught on fire by the votive candle beside it - whoops! So, I know how easy that can happen! ;)
Rachel Absher - Oh goodness! I so see something like this happening to me! Glad you were untouched. Poor shirt!
StacyZ - Oh My Goodness. First of all that is crazy and I am glad you are okay and second - I HAVE THAT SHIRT!!!! Okay must not wear it to a wedding now...or at least watch the candles!
jamie hammond - Oh. My. GOODNESS. I CANNOT BELIEVE I MOVED BEFORE THIS HAPPENED!!!!! DARN THE LUCK!!! ;)
Yada Guerrero - Hi Melissa! glad you're ok, thanks for sharing, good lesson learned for everyone :)
Brandi Schneider - Now that is a wedding story! Glad you are safe... and it's fun that you documented it! :-)
MattDJ - That's hilario-oh...ummm... uh... I'm sorry that happened to ya. Votives are evil. ;-)
Katina - You are too funny! Thanks for the good story!
Arielle Haze - I have actually had to warn guests about their nice clothing getting to close to candles. Myself, I kind of have a wedding uniform so to speak. I wear black pants and switch between three of my favorite 3/4 length sleeve shirts (all fairly fitted to the arm).
Glad you were unharmed! Sorry you lost your pretty shirt though! :(
wade holloway - Too funny! Glad you weren't burned.
Would you suggest flame retardant clothing for photogs doing detail shots? cotton vs. polyester? your thoughts? ;)
Tira J - Now that is funny and scary, all at the same time. At first, I thought it was going to be the ruffles from your favorite shirt, knocking over the beautiful blue P at the top. Glad you are okay, and now you can laugh about it.
Shannon - OMG too freaking hysterical!!! hahaha! Thanks for the advice hahaha... frilly shirts=no no! HAHAHAHAHA :)
Amanda Herzberger - That is too funny - how terrible! I'm glad you weren't hurt but that is definitely a keeper story :)
Erin - Good to know, good to know. So funny Melissa! I feel better knowing that crazy things happen to other people too. One time a horse tried to eat a little girl I was photographing. It was NOT funny. But now I can chuckle about it a little. No ruffled shirts for me!
Sarah Neal - haha... you'll have to add "extra shirt" to your list of items for photographers to take to a wedding. ALSO - don't wear really long skirts and heals. (roooooky mistake). While crouching to do some low-down shots I stood on the back hem of my skirt - you can only imagine what happened when I stood up.
Mary Marantz - LOL....that is SO something I would do!! I guess that's how you always get such HOT pictures! :)
johnwaire - i really got a chuckle out of this...at your expense. i'm glad you're ok.
for whatever reason, i was recalling all of the wedding-related antics on AFV.
glad there were no witnesses :)
Chris Harvey - Now that's a good wedding story!
Lisa - I'm glad you weren't injured, but I have to say that while reading this I was cringing, waiting to get to the "punchline". I was afraid you were going to say that the ruffles got into the icing! (I see that it's fondant, and not easy to mar, but you know what I mean!)
erin harvey - OMG that is so funny! But I am glad you weren't injured. =) What a sad way to have to retire your favorite shirt too.