Wedding Etiquette Forum

No pictures please

How do you go about wording your invitations to say that the only pictures taken at the ceremony and reception would be by the paid photographers?

Re: No pictures please

  • It's rude to ask this. Skip it so you don't look crazy.
  • We met with our pastor for the first time on Wednesday and he let us know of this.  His advice was to just let any photo-happy wedding goers know that this wasn't permitted.
  • If your ceremony is at a place of worship, they may have their own rules about this. My church doesn't even allow the professional photographer to take picures from inside the sanctuary during the ceremony. Our photog got a pic of our kiss through a window in the door from the narthex to the sanctuary. The couple who was meeting the wedding coordinator at the same time I was acually intended to re-create their "first kiss" (complete with people staying in their seats) to get a better picture. The church asked that we put a note in the program saying something to the effect of "as we celebrate the sacrament, we ask that people refrain from photography and be present within the sacrament." This was all in our contract. I suppose that if you had anyone doin announcements before you could include the no photography request, or use a small sign. Likely, the people that were going to do it are going to do it anyway, so I'd just make your peace with that.

    As for the reception, there's really not anyting you can do about that, and hopefully you'll be having such a good time that you won't notice. If it's matter of not wanting unflattering pics on Facebook, you can't stop people from sharing them from their accounts, but you can set your privacy settings so that you have to approve any photo you're tagged in before it can be on your timeline. I did that a while back, and I like it.
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  • I would leave it off the invitations. Maybe spread it by word of mouth? At the ceremony maybe they could put up a card or sign or make an announcement? Question... why is the reception a no picture zone? I get the ceremony, but can you really disallow people taking pictures of each other or something?
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  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_no-pictures-please?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:08eb247c-c578-42d6-aeef-aaad5c667e8cPost:14619247-adca-44bd-9177-87374e6bbcda">Re: No pictures please</a>:
    [QUOTE]In Response to Re: No pictures please : If the church has rules against taking photos during the ceremony, then the church need to enforce it.  You shouldn't put it in your invitation.
    Posted by CMGr[/QUOTE]
    I never said to put it in the invitation.  I just said the pastor mentioned to let any photo-happy people know ahead of time.  So it sounds like I would have to say to your husband, "I found out our church doesn't allow flash photography during the ceremony. What a bummer! I look forward to your pictures at the reception though!"
  • gailpetegailpete member
    Knottie Warrior 1000 Comments 25 Love Its Name Dropper
    edited January 2013
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_no-pictures-please?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:08eb247c-c578-42d6-aeef-aaad5c667e8cPost:6b1da59e-220e-4bac-a748-96cf40fd4794">Re: No pictures please</a>:
    [QUOTE]In Response to Re: No pictures please : I never said to put it in the invitation.  I just said the pastor mentioned to let any photo-happy people know ahead of time.  So it sounds like I would have to say to your husband, "I found out our church doesn't allow flash photography during the ceremony. What a bummer! I look forward to your pictures at the reception though!"
    Posted by mlg78[/QUOTE]

    You didn't mention the invitation, but OP did ask how to tell people in her invitations that non-pro pictures at the ceremony AND reception were allowed.  I understand the church prohibiting pictures during the ceremony, but I don't understand her limitation on pictures at the reception.  It should not be in the invitations.  A sign at the entrance in the church or a note in program should be sufficient.

    ETA for bad grammar.
  • Is there a reason people can't take them at the reception? I think that is a little silly unless it is in the church basement that doesn't allow photography.
    What did you think would happen if you walked up to a group of internet strangers and told them to get shoehorned by their lady doc?~StageManager14
    image
  • Lisa50Lisa50 member
    2500 Comments 5 Love Its Combo Breaker
    edited January 2013
    You don't put it on the invitations. 

    You have multiple options for letting guests know your preference ... post a sign (nicely printed, on a stand) at the ceremony venue entrance which asks guests, politely, not to take photographs.  Post the same sign at the entrance to the reception venue.  You can go as far as printing something on a nice 3 x 5 cards and placing it on each of the dinner tables (in small picture frames). 

    If you don't think people will read any of these things, your officiant can make an announcement prior to the start of the ceremony.  Whomever is greeting guests at the entrance to the reception venue can deliver the same message, starting with "Just a reminder ..."

    They will get the drift.
  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_no-pictures-please?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:08eb247c-c578-42d6-aeef-aaad5c667e8cPost:793d8022-5477-4c8b-b1ed-1a8b930d1fd0">Re: No pictures please</a>:
    [QUOTE]It's rude to ask this. Skip it so you don't look crazy.
    Posted by misssunshine17[/QUOTE]

    It is not rude to prohibit guests from taking photographs at a wedding (or other event).  As long as the request is delivered politely, there's not a problem.
  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_no-pictures-please?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:08eb247c-c578-42d6-aeef-aaad5c667e8cPost:ed0c024e-d784-4ef9-8ffc-6862e9fd416f">No pictures please</a>:
    [QUOTE]How do you go about wording your invitations to say that the only pictures taken at the ceremony and reception would be by the paid photographers?
    Posted by mrsgeneral[/QUOTE]<div>
    </div><div>I understand where it may not be allowed for the ceremony, but why can't people take photos at the reception?  Note, even if not allowed for the ceremony, you will still probably have people taking photos anyway.  You will probably never even notice and might actually appreciate some of the photos afterwards.

    </div>
  • Sometimes it is helpful to have your guests take pictures.  Our professional photographer missed a number of shots and had quite a few come out blurry.  My mother and another family friend were snapping away and caught many things that I am eternally grateful to have as our photographer's photo of the kiss is a distance shot and my mother got the prime picture.
  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_no-pictures-please?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:08eb247c-c578-42d6-aeef-aaad5c667e8cPost:ed0c024e-d784-4ef9-8ffc-6862e9fd416f">No pictures please</a>:
    [QUOTE]How do you go about wording your invitations to say that the only pictures taken at the ceremony and reception would be by the paid photographers?
    Posted by mrsgeneral[/QUOTE]

    <div>This sounds like a terrible idea.  Assuming your venue doesn't prohit all photos for both the ceremony and reception, why do you care?  </div><div>
    </div><div>If you insist on no photos during the ceremony, have your officiant make an announcement at the beginning or put it in your programs, if you have them (and don't say only paid photographers can take pictures, say something nice, like, "please refrain from taking photographs during the ceremony").  I've been to weddings where the officiant makes an announcement, and people disregard it (it was not in a house of worship, so that was not the issue).  I think it's extremely controlling to ask that for the reception, too, and people are not going to listen. </div>
  • Do not mention anything of this natrue in the invitiation.

    If your ceremony site prohibits photography by anyone other then the professional then it should be up to your officiant to make a statement prior to the beginning of the ceremony.

    As for the reception, you really cannot prohibit people from taking pictures unless you are having your reception in a venue that prohibits any type of photography.

    Honestly, I do not know why you would not want your guests to take pictures during both your ceremony and reception.  Granted I got about 1000 pictures from my photographer but some of my favorite pictures from my wedding day are those taken by friends and family.  It was also nice to see pictures of my friends and family having a good time together and that did not include me or my H.  It was like I was able to live the day through their experience, not just mine.

  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_no-pictures-please?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:08eb247c-c578-42d6-aeef-aaad5c667e8cPost:ed0c024e-d784-4ef9-8ffc-6862e9fd416f">No pictures please</a>:
    [QUOTE]How do you go about wording your invitations to say that the only pictures taken at the ceremony and reception would be by the paid photographers?
    Posted by mrsgeneral[/QUOTE]

    The flashes from guests' cameras can interfere with your professional pictures. (Your guest may not realize it, but it can happen.) I understand why you don't want guests to take pictures, but posting "do not take pictures" in writing may be rude. Here is how you can handle it:

    (1) Have the officiant/minister mentioned no photography during the ceremony. People will know there is a professional photographer by seeing someone move around with a large camera.

    (2) Hire a day of coordinator to help out with post-pictures. This person can help out with organizing the pictures and politely controlling "camera happy" guests.

    Our guests did take pictures during and throughout the reception, which was fine for us. The most important shots are the ceremony and our family pictures, so we didn't want other flashes to interfere. However, we hired one of the best photographers in the area, and our photographer's pictures were much better than our guests pictures.
  • PPs have given good advice.

    FWIW - I'd be pretty imitated if someone I knew banned photography at the reception.  Weddings, for the guests, are often about catching up with old friends and family in addition to celebrating the bride and groom.  And your pro photographer isn't going to be able to capture all of those memories - they'll be focused on YOU, as they should be.  Unless you're having your reception in a famous art museum that prohibits cameras on the premises I'd drop this.
  • I'm fine with no pictures at the ceremony.  Especially if it's at a place of worship.

    The receptions, that is ridiclous.  The Reception is not all about you, it's silly to tell people they can't take with their grandma or another friend.   On top of that if they want a picture, they have to purchase it from your photographer.


    I loved my guests pictures.  I got a few good ones with me and a guest that the photograhper didn't get, but  most of the pictures I liked from them did not include either DH or me. 

    Now if you are Kim K or Jennifer A, then I get not wanting photos taken and sold to the National Inquire or US magazine.  If you someone of their statue I'm sure yours guests know the deal and would not be offended at such a request.






    What differentiates an average host and a great host is anticipating unexpressed needs and wants of their guests.  Just because the want/need is not expressed, doesn't mean it wouldn't be appreciated. 
  • I think it's not out of line to put a sign at the entrance of the church with some better then this but basically "please refrain from any flash photography" if the ceremony is being videotaped you can even add that "The ceremony is being videotaped, please refrain from taking pictures during the ceremony to avoid flashes on the video"

    For the reception, I think you'll have a really hard time with that considering everyone who has a cell phone basically has a camera. I can understand during the special moments like the first dance, father/daughter dance, etc. you may not want individual photos done as not to take away from the paid photographer but how do you tell your friends who want to have a photo taken together that they can't do it unless it's done by the paid photographer?
  • I would find it annoying if the reason are the flashes but I've been to a couple of weddings that we were requested to not take any pic of the couple or other guests unless they were possing for our photo (and to not post them on the internet) since both weddings were of public figures.

    They put a note on the wedding programs about the no photos but the coordinators were telling people about the part of taking personal photos.
    Excuse my english!
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