>Here in the UK most religious marriage ceremonies follow the same >etiquette - photos at any time APART from during the service!! This point >was emphasised!!
It really varies from priest to minister to vicar... Most won't like you ducking and weaving around the couple while the main part of the ceremony is happening. But at that point, a few longer distance shots, from the back of the nave, from the choir pews or high up somewhere may be no problem (obviously depends on the church) - this is why you'll often see video of this part of the service - the friend with the camera has a tripod set up somewhere, makes no noise and just zooms in.
Scout out the church and see where you might be able to move around and not get in the way, then ask the minister about it.
>Also, when the newly weds sign the register - NO photos can be taken. >But it is okay to "mock" a signing by using a blank page in the register >and have the bride/groom holding a pen! If in doubt - ask the person >presiding over the ceremony!
Again, it just depends on the person officiating. The main reason you get posed signings is that a) It often happens in a second or two - bride sits down, glad it's all over, signs, and that's it.
bride and or groom are hunched intently over the register, head down, and the bride is trying desperately to remember what name she should sign.... Not very photgenic - so you then get them to pose.
It really comes down to how open the minister is to photographers - may have had plenty of bad eperiences in the past and wants you in one spot and that's it, but on the other hand they could be totally laid back. A good few are photographers themselves and may totally understand you have a job to do, while at the same time ensuring the photography doesn't get in the way (remeber that although you have a job to do, the ceremony isn't about the photography). The more professional you are and appear to be, the better.
