NIghttime ceremony lighting emergency!!!

MooreDawson

I'm getting married outside in September. Since that's one of the hottest months in San Diego we will be saying our "I Do's" right as the sun goes down (or shortly there afterwards since I'm late for everything). My dad was kind enough to let us have the wedding at his house and we are unsure how to light the ceremony area. We have candle lanterns for the centerpieces we will be hanging on plant holders (not sure what they're called) down the aisle, and are using strands of basic white christmas lights around the whole property (fence/house/some trees or plants), but don't know how to light the 'altar' area for best photo's. Please help!!!

sexymander

You'll want to be careful with lighting if its a spot you'll have a lot of photos taken.  I'm not sure exactly what to use. I do suggest going outside around the time of day you'll be having the wedding and trying out some different lighting with pictures (make sure what your setting your flash is on).  Take a few and see what types of light might be too harsh or too dull for photos.  If you have a photographer or planner I would contact them and ask.  A photographer will definately be able to tell you what lighting would make your pictures turn out better.  I think diffusing the light through something would take away a lot of glare you may get with an uncovered light, but I'm not exactly an expert on lighting lol.  Also if you try taking photos change the location of the lights, behind you, in front of you, on the ground, etc.

sexymander

http://www.kodak.com/eknec/PageQuerier.jhtml?pq-path=39&pq-locale=en_US&_requestid=29372

My photography class used these for everything.  They have sections on lighting and on event photography.  I hope it will help.  I also hope the link works.

Sue-n-Kevin

Not sure how you feel about seeing the groom beforehand, or having the family see you beforehand, but you could always the take the posed pics during the day, retreat to the house, stay cool, then have the ceremony when you were planning on it with some minimal lighting as suggested above for the pics during the ceremony.