WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY RULES
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MARRIAGE is a most sacred vocation in the Catholic Church. THE WEDDING CEREMONY therefore is a most sacred moment in the lives of the couple and their families and friends and the whole Church. The wedding is first and foremost a TIME OF PRAYER and everything done at a wedding must be conducive and respectful of that prayer, or it must be excluded from the ceremony and its environment.

Many couples and their families desire to remember the wedding day with photographs. The following rules are meant to allow this to be done while celebrating the wedding in a dignified and religious manner. These rules are non-negotiable. If the photographer intends to ignore them, he or she should not be engaged to work at the ceremony. If the photographer violates these rules during the ceremony, the ceremony will be halted and the photographer will be required to leave. These rules are for professionals and amateurs alike. The bridal couple will insure that these rules will be communicated to the official photographer(s) and to family members and other guests who might desire to use their cameras at the wedding.

Cooperation with these rules will indicate the photographer's desire that the wedding be a joyful and memorable celebration for all the right reasons.

1. The photographer must meet the officiant (priest or deacon) of the wedding before the ceremony starts. The photographer and his or her assistant(s) must obey the directions of the priest or deacon officiating at the ceremony at all times.
    

2. The photographer must dress professionally for the wedding (and the rehearsal, if he or she is in attendance) and must behave always in a manner befitting a church setting (jeans, T-shirts, beach wear, slippers, shorts, tank-tops, etc., are not professional dress).
    

3. The photographer should be as unobtrusive as possible. At no time should the photographer stand in anyone's view and prevent anyone from participating fully in the wedding (including bridal party members, family members, ministers, musicians, guests and anyone else present). The photographer should not walk around the church during moments of liturgical silence, solo singing, scripture proclamations, sermon and the like.
    

4. During the wedding NO flash photography is allowed in the church. Posed photographs arranged for after the wedding Mass or Service are allowed provided there is sufficient time before the next service.
    

5. The photographer must not enter the sanctuary of the church at any time during the wedding. During the posed photographic session, admission will be allowed.
    

6. If video camera use is desired, such must be stationary, not roving, and used without artificial lighting of any kind. The stations allowed for video cameras will be designated by the officiant. No electrical cables may be strung along the floor or walls for reasons of safety. Therefore, a battery pack must be used. No accommodation can be made whereby the audio recording can be tied into the church sound system or the officiating priest or deacon.
    

7. Church furnishings will not be moved for the sake of photographs. Seasonal decorations in the church for the liturgical seasons must be left in place as is for the wedding.
    

8. Photographic equipment is not to be placed on the altar, ambo (aka pulpit) or any other sanctuary furniture.
    

9. During the pre-arranged posed photo session (after the wedding) a proper and dignified atmosphere must always be maintained in the church. Lights will gladly be left "on" and candles lighted if desired. No "gag shots" will be allowed.
    

10. Remove all film wrappers and other rubbish from the church immediately after the wedding. The church will not be responsible for items lost or stolen.

THANK YOU FOR COOPERATING in the prayerful celebration of the wedding!

 Effective January 9th, 2007