Ceremony Moments: Wedding photography restrictions during the ceremony
When we first chat with a couple about their wedding plans, one of the first questions we ask them is if they have had the opportunity to speak to the Minister, Priest, Registrar or Celebrant about any potential restrictions on wedding photography during the ceremony. Very few couples realise that this can sometimes be an issue and we have yet to have a couple answer, “Yes, we have already done that”.
It is important that couples have a conversation with their chosen officiant at the start of the wedding planning process, so that there are no nasty surprises later on. They can then make an informed decision on if they need to change anything. Most couples as you would expect will want photographs from their wedding ceremony. It is much more likely that a blanket ban on photography of any type or other restrictions will be put in place at religious ceremonies in a church or chapel, but that isn’t always the case.
As wedding photographers, we have unfortunately been in a position where we have turned up at the ceremony venue to be told that no photography was allowed at all. At some of those weddings the couples were not aware that this could potentially happen.
Most officiants will say that they do not impose any restrictions and that your photographer can do whatever they need to do, to ensure you get the best wedding photographs possible. Off course, these officiants are our favourites. There are so many emotional moments that can happen during a wedding ceremony that we really feel for those couples who find themselves in a situation were the officiant has said that no wedding photography is allowed and those memories have not been captured.
While it is much less common for such a severe restriction as no photography being allowed at all, there are also other restrictions that are quite common and every officiant seems to have their own preferences. Some examples of this include:
Photographs can only be taken at certain times. This can often exclude key moments, like the bride coming down the aisle, the vows, or even the exchanging of the wedding rings..
Photographers are not allowed to move from their position once the ceremony has started.
The photographers must stay at the front at all times.
Photographers must not be in the aisle at any time.
The photographers must stay at one particular side at all times.
No flash photography allowed. (We completely agree with this one ourselves, using flash during the ceremony is very distracting so we don’t do it.)
The photographers must not stand directly behind the officiant.
Plus, many more.
Depending on the type of restriction this can impact on the photographs that we are able to provide our couples with. This is why its important for the couple to have a conversation with the person performing the ceremony so that they can make a decision if the officiants rules on photography fit in with what they want in terms of their wedding photography. These issues are more common with religious ceremonies but occasionally can also be an issue with certain registrars and celebrants.
Why do some officiants insist on these restrictions?
This is a question we have asked a lot of officiants and we have found that there is often no clear reason for some rules and every officiant seems to have a different reason on why restrictions are put in place and that it often just comes down to it being a particular preference of that particular officiant.
We have had officiants for religious ceremonies tell us that that they don’t allow photography at all because they feel it takes away from the religious aspect of the ceremony. On one occasion we suggested basing ourselves in a different room well away from the main ceremony room and using a long lens, which would have meant we would have been invisible to anyone there. The officiant still felt that this would take away from the religious aspect of the ceremony and would still not allow any photography.
We have also had an officiant for a religious ceremony tell us that he does not allow photographs to be taken while he is speaking because he is the most important person in the room and he wants all eyes and attention on him and that us taking photographs could distract people from looking at him.
A registrar once told us that she does not allow photographs to be taken during the vows as she felt that the noise from the camera shutter being used was distracting for the couple. This one was a big surprise for us as we have visited that same registry office at least 50 times and no other registrar has ever requested this. We explained that we could use the electronic silent shutter option on our cameras and that there would be no noise at all and demonstrated this to her. She still wouldn’t allow us to take photographs during the vows as in her words, “Those are my rules and even if our cameras make no noise, I can’t change them for you”.
Others have simply said that they don’t like having their photograph taken and so they impose restrictions to ensure that this can’t happen.
Some have also said that they have had bad experiences with other photographers previously and to be fair we have heard some horror stories ourselves, about how some photographers have caused a disturbance during the ceremony by climbing over the pews or by firing a flash every few seconds. This can happen sometimes, as some couples will not have the budget to hire a professional wedding photographer or not see wedding photography as a priority and will ask an amateur or inexperienced photographer to cover the wedding for them. This means that they sometimes don’t have the necessary experience level they can make mistakes and cause issues on the day. They may also not have proper professional level equipment, which means that they can’t deal with low light situations and are forced into using flash for every photograph during the ceremony.
We always explain to the officiant, that we always aim to be as unobtrusive as possible during the ceremony. We also explain that we always ensure to give the more religious parts of the ceremony the dignity it deserves. For example, by not taking photographs when people are praying, but because they have been burnt in the past it can be difficult for us to get them to relax the rules for us.
What can we do as your wedding photographer?
We have to follow any instructions given by your officiant as once the ceremony starts your officiant can stop the ceremony if they are unhappy with anything. We will also try when it is possible to arrive at the ceremony with enough time to have a quick chat with your officiant and check for any restrictions. We will always try to put any fears they have aside by assuring them of our professionalism and working with them. Realistically though, if they have decided on restrictions being imposed its unlikely that we will be able to convince them at that point to change their minds.
What can you do?
Speak to your officiant as early on in your planning process as possible to find out if they have any restrictions on photography during the ceremony. Once you have confirmed if any restrictions will be in place, you will then need to make a decision on if you think those restrictions work for you.
From our experience and what our couples have told us this information usually isn’t something that your officiant will automatically provide you with when you speak to them about your wedding, it needs to be a question that you ask them.
If you feel that any restrictions put in place by your officiant won’t work for you, try to come to some sort of compromise with them. While many officiants will have their own rules that they like photographers to work too, they will often bend those rules if the couple asks them. It’s also worth noting that many of the restrictions that can be put in place for photographers will often also apply to videographers as well so this is also something that you should discuss with them if you are also having a videographer on the day.
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