After many years of capturing weddings in churches, I would like to think I have seen every possible situation. With some churches allowing me to freely move around whilst others telling me not to take any photos at all!
Church weddings do come with specific photography restrictions, and I find that couples don’t always realise this until much closer to the wedding day. My aim with this blog is to explain what those restrictions usually are, why they exist, and how I work with them to make sure I can still capture your wedding ceremony.
Why do churches have wedding photography restrictions?
Church ceremonies are first and foremost religious services. The focus is on the commitment you’re making, not on the photography — and that’s something I completely respect.
Secondly, I do feel that Church Officials have had bad experiences in the past which has resulted in a lot of the restrictions/rules I have encountered over the years. Such restrictions include –
- No army crawling down the aisle (this is an annoying one…)
- No flash photography (no problem for me unless theres no lighting at all!)
- Photos only allowed at the back of the church
- You can be at the front but you must stand in a pew and not move
These experiences are more than likely due to either really old school photographers or relatively inexperienced photographers not fully understanding the rules that are set out in churches. Which is why they probably vary so much between them due to the severity of these experiences differing between each one. Now you can probably understand why some vicars/priests/officials are very strict when it comes to media coverage on your wedding day.
How to overcome photography restrictions in churches
So what can you and your photographer do to help prevent a worst case scenario from happening on your wedding day…
GET ON THE VICAR/PRIEST/OFFICIALS GOOD SIDE!
Communication with your vicar/priest/official is absolutely crucial when it comes to a church wedding. Firstly either have an in person or over the phone chat with them to discuss any restrictions that they have when it comes to photographers/videographers. I always ask my couples for the churches contact details so that I can also chat with them well ahead of your wedding day. Then follow this chat up with an email so that you have everything in writing just incase because although rare, I have experienced vicars/priests/officials saying one thing but then doing another.
This I find is always really appreciated by the church as usually photographers rock up 5 minutes before the ceremony, usually slightly stressed after struggling to find parking and then trying to decipher what they can and can’t do just before you arrive to get married. This in my opinion is a recipe for disaster and not something I would recommend doing.
Me spending 20 minutes on the phone with the vicar sets a professional tone and a gained respected relationship which puts me in good stead for the wedding day. Then I end up with vicars like the amazing gentleman below!
I hope you found this blog useful and now have a better understanding to what can and does happen at church weddings. But also know the ways to go about it ahead of your wedding day to have the best result.
Oliver Rees Photography
We are Oliver & Lauren. Two wedding photographers who photograph weddings throughout South Wales, including Cardiff, Swansea and beyond. We’re devoted to authentically capturing the stories of modern, down-to-earth couples who truly value editorial and documentary styled wedding photography.
Getting married in South Wales (or surrounding areas?) We’d love to photograph your wedding day. Get in touch to check our availability over on the contact page, or have a look through our portfolio, or learn more about us.
