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It is great that you will be joining us to photograph a wedding at our church.   Rather than rush to talk to you on the day – with so many demands and distractions for both of us as we support and encourage the bride and groom – we thought these notes would be helpful for you.
 

Before the Service

·         You are welcome to take whatever pictures you need.
We have a long drive which is useful for photographing guests as they come into church. 
·         St Werburgh’s Nursing Home has given wedding parties permission to use their private grounds for photographs.   Please do not abuse this privilege.

Most important – please give the bride time
to compose herself before she steps into church. 
She needs a chance to catch her breath before stepping through the door.  So please do not
delay her and the service by taking too many photographs and making the service begin late. 

During the Service

·         We ask all guests not to use cameras during the ceremony.
     As official photographer, you may take photographs but under no circumstances are you to use a flash. 
·         Please avoid prowling around the aisles as this can be very distracting for the Bride and Groom and the congregation.

              During the Lord’s Prayer, you have an opportunity – while the congregation have their heads down praying – to take a framed
    shot of the couple kneeling at the chancel steps.  Please ensure you are reseated before the end of the prayer. 

Signing of the Registers

·         We sign the registers in the chancel opposite the organ.  The couple will be seated at a table and the rest of the wedding party will be          grouped opposite to watch the signing take place. Music will be played during this time.
     Please wait until the registers are signed before taking any photographs.
·         When you have completed your photographs, members of the congregation will be invited to take their own pictures.
 

Exit

·          The bridal party are assembled for the final procession, the congregation stand and no pictures should be taken until the music begins.
           Traditionally, photographers take a framed doorway shot, looking out of the church, with the choir (if present) lined up in the aisle.

 

Video Cameras

·        We are happy for these to be used as long as they are kept on a fixed tripod in a position indicated by the presiding priest.  An extra fee is payable by the bride and groom, for copyright reasons, if a video is camera is used.

·        The presiding priest wears a radio mike which is usually sufficient to also pick up the voices of the bride and groom.

 

 

Outdoor Shots

·         There are lovely grounds outside the church for a variety of photographs to be compiled.

·         Some choose the lawn with the trees as background and permission has been given for photographs to be taken in the Nursing Home grounds.  Please do not throw confetti here.

·         Others choose to have photographs taken on the front drive.  Please check that there are no other weddings following yours if photographs are taken here as the new bride and guests may be arriving at church.
 

Throwing of Confetti

Please take this photograph at the end of the drive near the road, as it avoids confetti being blown back into church.  Most photographers take this photograph by the wedding car.

 

Check on the Day

·         If there is a wedding following yours – the front drive will need to be clear at least 30 minutes before the beginning of the next wedding.  Photographs may continue to be taken in the Nursing Home grounds.

·         That the presiding priest is happy with your plans for your pictures and the locations where you wish to take them.

 

And Finally

We hope this has been helpful.  If you have any further queries, please call the Vicar, Father Julian Hollywell on 01332 673573 or e-mail fatherjulian@btinternet.com