by Dotti Templeton
One of the most enduring ways to remember your wedding ceremony is with photographs. Long after the food is eaten and the gown is hermetically sealed in a box, you'll have pictures to enjoy with your friends and family for years to come.
When I officiate, the photographer can stand on my shoulders and shoot with a blinding flash and I wouldn't notice. I only see you...I only care about you and your guests.
I have no rules about what shots they can take and from where. I make sure to talk to the photographer before the wedding to tell her/him how the ceremony will run so s/he can prepare for the shots. I also ask if there's anything I can do to help make the photographs better, and let them know that I'm more than happy to restage a shot if necessary.
That's all well and good for me, but you have to decide just how aggressive you're willing to allow your photographer and videographer to be. The ceremony is very special and emotional. You are changing your lives forever...committing yourselves before friends and family to another human being for the rest of your lives.
You'll want to talk to your photographer about what's acceptable during the ceremony and what isn't. Is flash ok? How close can they come to you? Will you be wearing a mic (for the videographer)? How many photographers can be near the ceremony at once? Are you willing to allow them to actually stand between you and the officiant (yes, this has happened)?
It's only fair that you be clear with your photographer about your expectations. If there's a certain photograph you want and you think it might mean that the photographer needs to get a bit intrusive, check with him. Then decide if the photograph is worth it. Ask if your photographer uses a long lens so she can get those intimate shots from a distance.
My experience with photographers is always positive. They are part of the wedding to do a very important job and they want you to be happy.
Remember, you're likely to have hundreds of pictures of your wedding and hundreds of opportunities to view them, but only one opportunity to look into the eyes of your beloved and make your vows of eternal love. Be careful not to allow those precious moments be overshadowed by the distraction of getting one particular picture.
Your photographer can only respect your wishes if he knows what they are in advance, so help him out and be forthcoming with your direction.
Dotti Templeton, Wedding Officiant
www.Poetic-Ceremonies.com
Westchester County, NY
