Wedding Photography Guidelines

[twg1942]

Our daughter is getting married later this year, and I have a question regarding church wedding photography guidelines.  The church in which the wedding will take place has a policy that absolutely no photography is allowed until after the wedding service is completed.  I don't remember ever going to a church wedding where photographs were not taken during the service.  A question to both wedding photographers is our club and to other members - what has been your experience with regard to church wedding photography guidelines, and what are your thoughts about a policy that prohibits photography during the wedding service?   I appreciate any opinions that you may offer.

[Ric]

I take many Wedding Photos every year and I've been doing this for a long time....

I made it a habit a very long time ago to ask the Pastor, Rev., or who ever is giving the service if I may take photos during the service... The answer is every time.... NO.... But.... I then say how about if I use NO Flash? They almost all say that would be fine. They also point out to stay in the back, make no noise and do not disrupt the service... The only Church I have ever had trouble with is the Catholic Weddings because they do not even want to hear the shutter go off... But.... At most Catholic Churches there are Balconies and that is where I end up... No one sees me, no one hears me....

Of course taking pictures during the ceremony means very low light conditions, with no flash... High ISO's, bump up your exposures and take more than you would than with a flash...

The number 1 thing to do is ASK before you take..... You will notice others taking pictures during the service but that is their problem getting caught because you have permission...

I have not done a wedding yet without taking pictures during the Ceremony and I've been doing this since 1982...

Ric

PS. In my opinion this is the Bride and Grooms BIG moment and if they want the memories of the service they should have it...

[tjdelikat]

In my opinion this is the Bride and Grooms BIG moment and if they want the memories of the service they should have it...

I agree Ric.

When my son & soon to be daughter-in-law were planning their wedding it was planned for the bride's church. When the Rev. insisted no photography of any kind only video and it had to be at the back of the church or from the balcony, my daughter-in-law said "Then we'll get married elsewhere". And they did!

[Yammer77]

I wasn't allowed to do it at a bat mitzvah.
It really depends on the Diocese of the area....I believe (at least in churches I have been to) you can take video of the entire event, but photography was limited to the ceremony and not the mass especially when the tabernacle was open.
Oh and definitely a no no during lent, which weddings usually are not allowed in the Catholic Church but in recent years they have opened this up (of course for a hefty price)

[RacingHistorian]

Our reverend or our wedding wouldn't allow any photos after the service started either - but we were OK with that.   I have to admit, although our photos were fine - our photographer was borderline getting body slammed by myself because he was really getting on my nerves and he finally got the point by about two thirds into our wedding.   LOL

The wedding I attended yesterday had a photographer and videographer that shot during the whole ceremony and reception, but it took place at a hotel conference room and then banquet hall - not in a church. 

[peachhead]

When I did weddings in the past I had a few instances where the clergy was adamant about absolutely NO photography during the service and I had to replicate the shots after the actual ceremony.  The one time that it was a large wedding party, I even came to the rehearsal and explained what I needed the wedding party to do after the ceremony and rice throwing and so forth so that we could do it as quickly as possible and move on to the reception.
The key here is to always ASK what is allowed and to work with the entire wedding party and the clergyperson.