Did anyone ask guests not to take pictures during the ceremony?

peaches178 · June 2011

I recently read an article by a wedding photographer who explained why, as a professional photographer, it's so frustrating when guests take pictures at a wedding (they cause weird lighting issues from all of the flashes, a lot of pictures have guests in the background with cameras in front of their faces, guests who are trying to get a shot of the bride and groom get in the way of the professional photographer, etc).

I also recall my own photographer mentioning something about how it's annoying to her. And then this afternoon I saw this blog post: http://offbeatbride.com/2011/06/unplugged-wedding

What do you all think about asking guests not to take pictures during the ceremony? Did you or will you ask your officiant to kindly request that guests put their cameras away?

It makes sense, but I also know that sometimes some of the best and/or funniest pictures come from guests who just happen to get a really great candid shot. Then again, though, the hired professional would likely get some of those shots anyway, no? Would guests be offended if they're asked to put their cameras away for the duration of the ceremony?

I'd love to hear your thoughts about this!

CEOwife · June 2011

I loved getting the pictures that some of our family members and friends took. I think as far as guests being offended, it really depends. Friends of ours I don't think would be offended. My godfather on the other hand would be appalled that he could not take pictures of my wedding. Also, we had guests traveling from out of state who financially could not bring their 5 children. She videoed and took pictures of everything to share with her family (husband's cousins) when she got back home. I think and hope that a pro photographer could work in any conditions and still get the shots they want.

cindyn9178 · June 2011

I think it really depends on your guests..our friends around our age probably wouldn't mind, but I think our older family members would probably be upset about that. I'm sure if they are making it a point to be at the ceremony, they would really want to take photos of it, and would be upset/disappointed if they couldn't do that (and probably wouldn't want to purchase the photos from our photographer afterwards)..

-on a side note, couldn't you just say "no flash photography"? so at least there aren't random flashes going off?

peaches178 · June 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-jersey_did-anyone-ask-guests-not-pictures-during-ceremony?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:90Discussion:4d3ab97d-aea5-4e10-a673-e596defecbe9Post:ad3366ce-7aec-418d-8cdb-65161237c8f3">Re: Did anyone ask guests not to take pictures during the ceremony?</a>:
[QUOTE]-on a side note, couldn't you just say "no flash photography"? so at least there aren't random flashes going off?
Posted by cindyn9178[/QUOTE]
That could work, but one of the points that was made in the first article I read (can't remember where I saw it) was that when the photographer goes to get shots of the guests watching the bride walk down the aisle or watching the couple say their vows, instead of capturing guests who are in awe or overcome with emotion he gets nothing but faces covered up by cameras or the tops of people's heads as they look down at their cameras.

kristen8040 · June 2011

The priest for my sister's wedding threw a huge fit about people taking pictures at her wedding. In fact, when someone tried to he literally put his hand up to stop them. She also used a photographer that didn't give full rights to her photos, so she doesn't have too many good ones from the church. I loved the pictures our family and friends took like this one when DH repeated things from the priest that he wasn't supposed to.

IMO, any good photographer should be used to working in conditions where other people are taking pictures and using flash. I've also heard of the officiant asking all guests to remain seated as the bride walks down the aisle, so everyone can see, including the photographer, could this work?

cindyn9178 · June 2011

eh... I guess I really don't care too much about our photographer getting photos of my guests during the ceremony, I'd rather have good pics of the two of us, lol

JoBell123 · June 2011

I like the idea of putting "no flash photography" in the program.

In my brother's wedding album there's a lovely two-page spread of my SIL walking down the aisle with guests looking on in awe....and my ex making a weird face while trying to take a picture of me, while I'm already up at the front of the room (like everyone is looking at the back and he's turned towards the front). AWKWARD!

annandted86 · June 2011

First of all, I think it's my photographers responsibility to work through those issues, not mine. Secondly, the same shots that she complains about on her blog I think are kinda cool and fun; if that's what my guests were doing, that's what I want a picture of.

When shopping photographers, I asked if they had any restrictions on guests taking pictures as I've heard some crazy stories. He said no, and the only time he tries to have a little control is during the large group shots. Otherwise, people's eyes are looking at their own cheap camera instead of the one I'm paying all this money for and those wandering eyes kind of ruin the shot. Beyond that, neither he nor I care.

Denise91980 · June 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-jersey_did-anyone-ask-guests-not-pictures-during-ceremony?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:90Discussion:4d3ab97d-aea5-4e10-a673-e596defecbe9Post:4e44cf67-809a-4451-a57e-a6137f472506">Re: Did anyone ask guests not to take pictures during the ceremony?</a>:
[QUOTE] <strong>IMO, any good photographer should be used to working in conditions where other people are taking pictures and using flash. </strong> I've also heard of the officiant asking all guests to remain seated as the bride walks down the aisle, so everyone can see, including the photographer, could this work?
Posted by kristen8040[/QUOTE]
I totally agree with this. Because it was raining, we had to have our ceremony indoors. People took pics and it didn't seem to have any effect on the professional pics at all. Also, you may get some of your favorites from family and friends like pp have mentioned.

goaliegirl · June 2011

Bottom Line is that a good photographer will be able to deal with these problems. I would hate to ask my guests to not take pictures because some of my favorite pics from the ceremony are from my guests.

kasabby · June 2011

I agree, I believe that they should be able to work through it. I wouldn't ask my guests not to take pictures at the ceremony.

peaches178 · June 2011

Alright, thanks for the insight ladies! I was just curious about what you all thought because I really can understand both sides of the argument. Regarding "working around those issues" I think there's only so much a person can do... if guests jump in between a photographer and his shot, there's a good chance the photog would miss that shot. Or if the photog is getting a shot of the whole ceremony (guests, the couple, and the officiant all at once) and five guests have cameras in their faces, then there's really nothing the photog can do about that either and you'll just have to deal with having people in the background with things in front of their faces. I guess in the grand scheme of things it really isn't that big a deal, though.

I really was just curious. We likely won't say anything, but because I had heard so much about these issues in the past few months I had to put forth the questions.

Thanks!

PS - That wasn't my photographer's blog... it's just the Off Beat Bride blog and she used a bunch of random pictures from other photographers' websites.

Shaydungy · September 2011

I AM!! And I figured out the best, most crowd satisfying, polite way to do it....heres some advice:

First of all, with Facebook, people have lost thier cuth and respect of someones special day by snapping and posting photos on FB during ceremonies, flattering, unflattering, drinking, taking shots, etc. These days, employers look at these web pages, no matter how private YOUR page is, it cannot prevent someone from posting on thier own page, taggin you, and forgetting to mark it private. I dont live on facebook so Im unlikely to notice a picture posted of me, for several days. The last thing I want to come home to see after my honeymoon is people who saw my wedding photos before I did. Its tacky!!!

I am FORBIDDING my guests by blaming it on my contract with the venue I am getting married at. With such personal memories, I want to be the first to see them publicly-after I post them MYSELF. If everyone was just going to go home and print them out for thier own albums because they are dear friends, it would be so different. I cannot bare the thought of people who did not even attend my wedding seeing me in my dress weeks before I do! Not to mention seeing the whole party documented from start to finish. I know many of my bridesmaids are conerned about being documented online having a drink or dancing. As am I. Many of us are parents, teachers, have other careers that they would like to not have to explain on monday a picture that could be misunderstood. (Any candid shot with a wine glass can look incriminating.) At the thought of my bridal party thinking they may not have a glass of wine or a cocktail or two, and my worry of being the last to see photots. I am making every effort to protect my wedding photos. Here is how I feel we can make everyone happy, or at least the people I care most about who are attending:

I am having it posted on my wedding website and on my programs as well as my "coordinators" are reminding people in the kindest way possible..."Please refrain from taking pictures during the wedding ceremony or reception. Photos will be available to all guests via email from the professional photographers"

In order to make guests take it seriously and also be as polite as possible. I have an attendant at the sign in/entrance of the wedding who will have the guest list on her wedding clip board-(wedding bling on it) checking off names, handing them a piece of black card stock and a white marker, having them write us a note instead of an actual guest book, and as she hands them their program, let them know there will be a golf cart (wedding ceremony is on a golf course hole) to drive them to the pre/post ceremony cocktail hour, giving them the details of the open bar at the cocktail hour but cash bar at the reception, and then politely letting them know that they are asked to comply with the guidelines of the wedding contract, no photos of the course or ceremony are allowed.

In order to make sure they dont feel cheated, we have the guest check list with a blank next to the names of guests and my attendant say to them politely:

"The bride and groom want to ensure you get the best photos and have arranged to have all photos taken by professionals available to be emailed to you within one week of the wedding, would you like to give us your email address in order to receive them? Also, they have arranged a photobooth as well as an extra photographer on hand who will take any photo upon request as well take a surplus of candid photos. We assure you, any moments or photos of yourself with the bride and groom will be emailed to you as well as any other guests. These photographers are available to our guests and you may ask one of them at any point in the night to come and document your memory. You may also view all these photos on the wedding website & facebook as soon as the couple arrive back from their honey moon."

**A little cheating Ive done is on the clipboard of guests to check in, there will be a small non noticeable notation of most likely suspects to try to sneak photos, and those people will be told they could and will lose their iphones or cameras should they not comply.**

The warning will be very real, if anyone is caught taking photos their phone will become property of the venue.

It might be extreme, but it is in the contract, and I am taking my privacy back, at least for my wedding and my bridal party.

I know some people will be appualed Im on board with no pictures or posting of them online, but I also know lots more who wish they would have done the same, just not realizing it would be so overwhelming after the fact.

Any opinions or more recommendations are welcome. We are still working on the exact verbage of the roll out!

Did anyone ask guests not to take pictures during the ceremony?

Re: Did anyone ask guests not to take pictures during the ceremony?

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