Back to Marriage page Taking Photos at Marriages It is important for you to have a good photographic record of your marriage ceremony, but we also want everyone to be really present during the actual celebration, rather than experience it as a media event. On the one hand, therefore, we want to keep any restrictions to a minimum. On the other hand, we have a duty to ensure that photographers (professional and amateur) do not intrude on the solemnity of the occasion in ways that spoil the experience. It is always a good idea for the professional photographers to contact the presiding priest in advance, either at the rehearsal, or on the day of the wedding. The priest is responsible for every aspect of the celebration, including everyone taking part - readers, musicians, photographers, etc. Visiting priests function in Christ Church Claremont as guests of the Rector, who has final responsibility for every act of worship in the church including marriages. As a general rule, therefore, regardless of who the presiding priest may be, photographers should respect the standards of the parish as set out here. Still photography is allowed at any time during the ceremony Video photography is allowed at any time during the ceremony Video cameras must be mounted on a tripod and operated from a single vantage point Flashlights are only permitted during the entrance and exit procession of the bridal party and after the signing of the marriage register Floodlighting is not permitted at any time Photographers are asked NOT to pass the altar steps except to take photographs after the couple have signed the legal documents and marriage register (see church floor plan) When the ceremony resumes after the signing, photographers return to a position in the main body of the church (see church floor plan) As a general rule, photographers should endeavour to be at all times as unobtrusive as possible. You hire a professional photographer to perform an important task for you on your wedding day, and because we want everything to go according to plan we ask you to make sure the photographer knows about the conditions in which she/he will be working. Currently, there is some suggestion that video recordings of weddings may contravene copyright laws, so you need to decide whether to take this risk or not. If the recording is in breach of copyright, the penalties can be substantial. Please hand this sheet to the photographer in advance, and suggest that she/he introduce her/himself to the presiding priest before the marriage. With every prayer and good wish for a very happy marriage.