1/ BEING ORGANIZED / POLICIES
Most churches of England run a wedding ceremony for 45 minutes. Catholic churches usually run for 1 hour, and Protestant churches somewhere in between the two. There is no national or international rules regarding the wedding photographer. It is up to the vicar in charge.They all have their own policy. You should ask the couple to ask him about the policy. Keep in mind that most vicars will make it sound like very easy and open for the photographer. But in fact what they tell the couple is often different to what actually is permitted. So ask the couple to be informed themselves on that matter and have yourself a word with the vicar before the ceremony. Some of them want you to come to the rehearsal the day before the event. If you are local to the wedding why not, otherwise you have to gain experience and play it by ear very on the day. But that's what reportage once again is about, it's about being reading in all possible circumstances. After years of practice I do not feel like going to the rehearsal as I know exactly what is going to happen. Most churches are the same and I know the procedure. Ask the couple to give you an order of service or pick up one before the bride arrives.
It is very important to follow the rules of the place as some priests are very fussy. Trying to be sneaky in order to get better shots can be very damaging to the general atmosphere of the event. Some priests are very tight and can actually make a loud complaint while directing the ceremony. Most of them have had very unpleasant experiences with non respectful or amateur photographers and they will warn you from the start. You are usually not their friends and it is up to you to make them believe otherwise but being discreet and available.
2/ FIND YOUR MARKS
Depending on the contract that bounds you to the couple you might just turn up with or just before the bride, or you might be asked to go straight to the church where the groom, best man, ushers and guests are arriving. In both case I always try to visit the church quite in advance in order to understand the layout inside and outside. Some churches present a very peculiar design where entrance and exit are not the same. You also have to check the lights (natural and artificial). You have to check if there is a balcony where you can take a general shot from above, trying not to be in the way of the organist if he/she performs up there. Find the table where will be signed the registrar. Understand if there are side aisles to walk up and down easily. In a lot of churches you will be asked to stay at the back behind the last row for most of the service. You need therefore to have a long lens. If you work with film I would recommend strongly a tripod, if not, make sure your digital camera takes quality pictures a high ISO. The general policy with photography is NOT to use the flash during the service especially in UK. It can be used though as the bride walks in, at the signing and when the couple walks out. I personally like this policy which makes me unobtrusive. It is up to you to find the right way to cover all the angles and emotions despite the limited access to your subjects.
3/ GET INTO THE MOOD
The groom, best man and ushers are usually the first ones to turn up. That is their duty to check that all the flowers arrangements are displayed as planned. They have to put some signs to prevent the guests to sit on the front rows accredited to the close families. The ushers have to distribute the orders of service to the guests now arriving and leading them to the right side they should sit on, etc...The groom gets nervous and the best man has to calm him down. This part is quite interesting for me as there is a real sense of happiness and building tension combined. Try to get as many details of the flowers, orders of service, the church as a building to have a sense of environment and weather conditions, guests arriving, outfits, buttonholes, people chatting, ushers performing, groom tensing up (bride being late),...Make sure that you spoke to the vicar. Most importantly you have to be available anytime if the bride is to arrive as you have to capture her getting out of the car with her father, or sibling, and bridesmaids. The before of the ceremony is already a story on its own.
4 / THE CEREMONY STARTS
The brides arrives. If you work alongside a video person make sure you met introduce yourself to this person as you will have to work together without interfering. That bit is especially important as you will have to walk backwards as the bride walks in and if the priest permits you to do so. You have to be aware that you will be either in the field of the video, or will have to share the space while walking backwards. The photograph required then is very formal. Use the flash, make sure you have a couple of good shots of the bride with her father, try not to be too arty. This photograph is mostly important to the bride's parents and must remain quite traditional. Then the father gives away his daughter to the groom and the ceremony starts. No more flash ! Go back to your main base as quickly as possible and get ready. You suddenly realise than taking photographs in a church is not as easy or laid back as it seemed. They are a lot of tiny events happening and you have to find your way to tell a story with very limited access, with a solid crowd and a couple quite afar and tense or formal for most of it. Well I would advise you to read books on classical painter such as David.
5 / FIRST MOVES
First I focus on setting the scene. I stay at the back and get different shots ( horizontal, vertical, different lenses) in order to get the general feeling. Then you can move on the side aisles if permitted to understand what the space is like when filled with guests. Do not forget to remain extra quiet. But you also have to make most of it as the time spent in the church is quite short in fact. So try to get as many materials as possible from as many angles as possible before they start exchanging their vows. As they stand together, the ceremony usually start with a song and therefore it is the best time to photograph without being noticed as the voices will cover your movements. Then, they will have a first reading. If possible get a few shots in large and close ups. Then the vicar might have a word from the Bible applied to the couple. Some vicars are very close to the couple or one side of the family. I have done many weddings where a sibling was directing the service or where the priest was very close to the family especially in rural communities. In many occasions the vicar will be present either at the drink reception or even will stay for the wedding breakfast.
6 / FIRST MIDDLE PART
He/she will then proceed to the vows and the exchange of rings. At this stage you need to be extra focused and must be riveted to your eyepiece as the changes of expression will be tiny. Hopefully you might have the couple facing each other, and you can therefore see their profiles. Sometimes they are not and they keep facing the priest. you have then to find a way to capture that bit without being intrusive. Here again, that is something you should know before being in trouble. Sometimes in such situations an extra corridor alongside the nave in the shade if available for you and the video person. They hold each other hands and pronounce their vows one after the other. Then comes the moment when they exchange rings. The best man or a pageboy brings the rings either on a cushion or simply taking them out from their jacket. That bit can only be focused on the people as the ring will be almost invisible in your shot. They kneel and get protection from God. They might straight after that kiss - be ready ! Or they might not, but be ready it will be quick.
7 / SECOND MIDDLE PART
Now there is less pressure and the couple is more relax. They might be asked to walk more into the church to a further altar. You then need a very long lens depending on the size of the church. They might get their protection from then. Or the vicar might orate the prayers. Some guests might be invited to orate the prayers to, followed by the congregation. Every church is different. The best is to obtain an order of service. At this stage make sure you are ready for the signing and have your flashgun set up. The priest will announce that bit and the close families and sometimes the bridal party is invited to join. If a second hymn is being sang before the signing, use that time to pack your tripod back into a bag while they sing. Here again your movements will be covered by the hymn.
8 / SIGNING
Make sure you know beforehand where you are going. Also think how you have to get there, meaning if the signing takes place in a separate tiny room you might have to be there right after the priest and couple and before the families. It's all about maximizing your space and timing. The first bit of signing is usually quite formal and many priests will ask you not to photograph them signing for legal reasons. Use that time to photograph the other people in the room or space and the general ambiance. Sometimes you are given the opportunity to take pictures as they sign the actual document- every church is different. Get images of the witnesses too. Then the couple will leave the table and get an embrace with their parents - try to get those pictures ! At the end of the signing the priest will have to sign too all the documents and will give either the groom or the bride the legal document. Many priests want you to capture this formal act. Find your own way to make it look interesting.
9 / READY FOR DEPARTURE
While we were busy signing some kind of entertainment has been performed for the congregation. You will be the first one to leave the signing bit to be ready for the exit of the newly weds. Make sure your equipment is packed beforehand and that your flash is adjusted. The ushers should have the duty to open the doors of the church( but they never do). The families rejoin their seats. The vicar announces the couple, and there they stand facing all of us. The organ starts its finale and they walk towards you. Here again you must walk backwards. Try to get 2/3 formal shots with the couple right in the middle, then use your personal flair. It is really important to have them smiling, interacting with guest or with each other. As they exit the church most couple will stand and kiss in a very formal way. Take a couple of snaps. It is very formal. They might not be the most exciting shots but they are vital.
10 / FINAL NOTE
To take photograph in a church, or temple, or other is about capturing correctly the standards.
If you feel that you are doing well you can then use few minutes to be a bit more artistic. But the creative mustn't take over the formal at this stage. In the end being a wedding photographer is about capturing the wedding ceremony, it is not about the getting ready or kids pictures. To take pictures in any kind of religious places is like joggling with fire. You never really know what's around the corner. So get as many of the standards as you can in a perfect way, and then have fun. Also try to see the church bit as a devised performance, it's like theater really.
Important last note: believe me or not but some thieves operate in churches during ceremonies and especially in London. Always keep an eye on your belongings. I had a camera and flash stolen few years ago in Sloane square area and fortunately there were no shots taken on that roll. I noticed a month later a couple of strange individuals ready to act again in Fleet Street. If materials or equipments are lost or stolen, this is your responsibility. To cover those misfortunes you HAVE to have an insurance.
Do not hesitate to contact me if you have questions.
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