Wedding

[Jediboy]

I was told by the vicar that I could no photograph the actual document. He said that was because its a legal document with personal details on. So I didn't photograph the actual document.

[donoreo]

Originally Posted by Jediboy

I was told by the vicar that I could no photograph the actual document. He said that was because its a legal document with personal details on. So I didn't photograph the actual document.

That makes sense. I have never seen anyone actually try to do that.

[greenwing]

Here's a Mail article from 4 years ago or so. I took some pictures at my partner's brother's wedding about that time; we were allowed to shoot them with pens over a blank page, but not the actual signing, which IIRC was in full public view. Go figure.

Chris

[LaPistola]

Well im not sure how true it is on the legal side but they did set up a dummy signing after.

I can imagine a shot a bit like JonnyM's Shallow DOF entry but as a marage cert would make a very nice and thought after photo.

[OldBoy]

Originally Posted by Ashleyj

I presume she was talking about the camera and lenses and not some 'other equipment'.

[jet_kit]

Casting my mind back 40 years or so (since I last did a wedding), I always considered it common courtesy to ask the vicar/registrar what I could and couldn't photograph. As a general rule in Church I could take one flash picture (normally of the rings going on), but as many as I liked without flash, as long as I didn't get in the way. In a Registry Office, they were more laid back and allowed flash for the veil lifting, the rings, the kiss and a general shot of couple + registrar during proceedings. None would allow photographs of the actual signing, but happy to facilitate a 'mock' signing afterwards. This pause while the signing was happening was usually a welcome break to allow me to reload film etc.
If you just pitch up and mill around they won't know who you are and might get a bit protective. In short, make yourself known to whoever is officiating, they will understand that you have a job to do and will normally accommodate any reasonable requests.
PS. This goes for any function.

[Jediboy]

Originally Posted by jet_kit

Casting my mind back 40 years or so (since I last did a wedding), I always considered it common courtesy to ask the vicar/registrar what I could and couldn't photograph. As a general rule in Church I could take one flash picture (normally of the rings going on), but as many as I liked without flash, as long as I didn't get in the way. In a Registry Office, they were more laid back and allowed flash for the veil lifting, the rings, the kiss and a general shot of couple + registrar during proceedings. None would allow photographs of the actual signing, but happy to facilitate a 'mock' signing afterwards. This pause while the signing was happening was usually a welcome break to allow me to reload film etc.
If you just pitch up and mill around they won't know who you are and might get a bit protective. In short, make yourself known to whoever is officiating, they will understand that you have a job to do and will normally accommodate any reasonable requests.
PS. This goes for any function.

I went to see the vicar in person twice before the wedding so all issues were covered in advance. He was very relaxed, the only thing that was a concern to him was photographing the actual register.

[Martin Havens]

Originally Posted by Jediboy

Pressure to get it all done with good results. I've had a quick look through and am fairly happy with the results, but I won't be rushing to do any weddings again. It's certainly not relaxing.
Hats off to pro wedding photographers!

It gets easier, trust me! I've done around 10 or so weddings now for friends and family (with another booked in for next week...) and each one gets a little easier.

Obviously the pressure to get it right is always there, but you get a better idea of how the day works, what people expect, what works and what doesn't and so on...

As far as photographing the signing goes, so far only one registrar has let me shoot the actual signing rather than the staged one, and even then that was if I angled the shot low enough so the wording wasn't visible. I believe it's to do with data protection...?

[Jediboy]

To be honest it's not something I plan on making a habit of. Just a favour for a friend, and not sure I need the extra stress in my life. But the married couple seemed happy with the photos so that was reward in itself.

[VGTortoise]

Originally Posted by anne gardener
Because apparantly it's illegal to photograph them signing the Register. you can photograph them 'pretending' to sign the register!!!

Total rubbish....wouldn't stand up in court, because how do you know if they are pretending or signing it for real?????

Most places don't mind anymore, but you will always get a 'Jobsworth'

Hi all, when I got married 8 years ago it was still illegal to have your photograph taken when you were signing the official register. All the photos taken at that time are of a fake register which they take out for the pictures after the official aigning. However, as Jediboy, I was the 'official' photographer at a friends wedding a few weeks ago and was told by the registrar that this rule had now changed and you can now photograph people with the official register.