WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY
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A few facts that you may not be aware of:
Most registrar's do not allow photography until after the ceremony is over.
A large percentage of the clergy will only allow non-flash photography from the rear of the church during the marriage ceremony.
A large percentage of the clergy insist on the register being signed in the vestry. This is usually small, cluttered and not suitable for group photographs. Some, more enlightened clergy, conduct the signing of the register in full view of the guests so that they may all witness the event, in public. It is always worth asking the officiating clergy if this is possible.
We always attend your wedding practice a) to meet your best man and bridesmaids b) to see what the officiating clergyman/woman will allow with regards to photography.
We always attempt to get a position that will allow us a view of the Bride & Groom's faces during the ceremony. We do not use flash photography until the posed shots after the signing of the register.
At Civil functions we always try to get some shots during the ceremony (No Flash) but this is sometimes curtailed by the officiating Registrar.
In our experience, in this area :
Female registrars are more intolerant than male:
Best registrar's worked with, so far, are St. Helens.
Best clergyman worked with so far, the Priest at St Joseph's RC Church in Leigh.
Worst registrar's worked with, so far, Warrington with Leigh coming a close second.
On average, RC clergy are far more tolerant and easy going than C of E clergy
Female clergy in the Anglican Church are generally more easy going than their male counterparts.
In our opinion:
Providing the photographer is discrete and does not try to take liberties during the ceremony, then we see no reason why we cannot be allowed to capture those "one off" moments, glances, smiles, touches that occur during a very special moment for a couple. After all, the Bride has probably looked at magazines and brochures with specially posed photographs that often cannot be reproduced due to officious Clergy or Registrars. You need to consider that, you are paying for a service from them, the same as you are paying, the photographer, the caterer and the carriage company. It's your day and providing everyone is polite, friendly and considerate then everyone should be working to make it Your Special Day.
Don't be afraid to ask for what you would like, rather than accept the easy option that someone else might want you to conform to.