Occasionally we come across registrars and vicars who forbid any photography during a wedding ceremony. This issue seems to be coming up more and more frequently with individual celebrants deciding that photography is not to be allowed during the ceremony. The most difficult thing for us: these celebrants have often not discussed their strict rules with the couple and they have no idea that they will not be allowed to have the moments of the ceremony captured.

Despite these no-photography rules, there is nothing illegal about photographing a wedding or civil partnership ceremony. Sometimes the registrar/vicar may feel that photography is distracting or they have had a bad experience with a previous photographer. However, the majority of photographers are respectful and will not move around unnecessarily, make noises or use obtrusive flash. Recently we attended a wedding where we were given very strict rules from a registrar only for the same registrar to allow guests to take photographs with multiple flashes going off throughout the ceremony! You can understand how we get frustrated! Of course, we do get plenty of registrars and vicars who are warm, friendly and accommodating and we always make sure that we thank them for their cooperation.

A fellow photographer has decided to try and get some fairness for couples by raising a petition with 10 Downing Street to get ceremony photography guidelines issued nationally. We think it is important that couples are allowed to have this special part of their day captured. If you do too, then please add your name to the petition. You don’t need to register an account or anything like that. It takes about a minute to fill in and then you just need to confirm that you want to sign the petition by clicking a link in an e-mail.

Just go to: http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/ceremonyphotos/

Yesterday was spent doing a family session in Cheshire, mainly taking photographs of three very important young men, Stan, Monty and Finn! The session was in celebration of their grandparent’s ruby wedding!

There was fun to be had hiding in the garden.

Here are twins Monty and Finn…

…Chunky the dog had to have a photograph of course.

Finn and his Mummy.

Monty, a bit peckish!

Stan and his favourite toy.

What beautiful eyes Finn has.

Stan and his Mummy.

Monty still feeling peckish!

Here is Stan sniffing the mint that he was collecting for lunch.

And here is everyone! Dogs and Children all still and facing the right way!

The rest of the photographs will be ready soon!

Yesterday was our first visit to Doddington Hall for Stacey and Chris’s big day. Doddington Hall only have 6 weddings a year as they want the venue to remain special. It certainly is a wonderful place, we were spoilt for photographic opportunities, and that was before the bridal party even arrived. Once Stacey arrived… well you can see for yourself!

This photograph was taken the moment Stacey saw Chris arriving, walking up the long gravel path at Doddington Hall. It’s safe to say that she was very excited to be getting married!

The weather was hot and sunny, Chris was prepared with his suave shades.

Stacey’s excitement continued once she was inside. She was secreted away into a little hidden room for the final preparations; it was a perfect spot to spy on the arriving guests.

Then it was time to get to the ceremony room…

Chris watched as Stacey entered the room. I can’t quote his actual words to his best-man, but he was commenting how beautiful she looked.

The long gallery where the ceremony is held is really quite a special room, just the artwork is breathtaking.

Stacey’s sister is a musical actress currently starring as Christine in the west-end production of Phantom of the Opera. She sang during the ceremony and her voice was truly beautiful, it brought a tear to the eye of many of the guests; a wonderful moment to remember for Stacey and Chris.

Another moment to remember…

After the ceremony it was time for drinks and canapes in the gardens and then onto dinner. The desserts were served as a big pudding to each table. Stacey was very pleased to see the pudding for the top table!

After dinner, Stacey and Chris snuck off for a quiet moment together. We managed to find them (no this isn’t posed!), but we did leave them alone again, honest.

I love first dances, they can be such romantic moments, and Chris and Stacey were no exception. With a 10-piece jazz band it was really special.

And just one more to finish on, a picture of the hall glowing in the evening sunshine.

Congratulations to Stacey and Chris!

Yesterday was a bright and warm day at Whirlowbrook Hall and Gardens on the outskirts of Sheffield, South Yorkshire. Sarah and Charlie chose the venue because of the beautiful gardens and the weather was perfect for enjoying Pimms on the lawn.

Sarah had made these two family trees, each tree had little sepia photographs of family members, many of them were wedding photographs! They were positioned in the entrance hall and really looked great. They certainly gave a lot of interest to Sarah and Charlie’s family.

Here is the handsome groom, Charlie, having a thoughtful moment alongside his best man just before the ceremony started.

And here is the beautiful bride, Sarah, during the ring exchange which was ably assisted by their usher, James.

This is Sarah’s mum, looking on during the vows.

The first kiss!

And another as soon as they got outside.

Sarah and Charlie wanted a proper confetti throw, so we organised all the guests to surround them.

Sometimes it all gets a bit tiring for the bridesmaids through.

A few minutes of casual portraits before dinner.

And then the speeches!

Congratulations to Sarah and Charlie!

Update: Sarah and Charlie’s wedding photographs are now available from our client area.  To gain access to the gallery input either of their surnames when prompted.

We took our dog a walk at Whirlowbrook in Sheffield today.  The gardens at Whirlowbrook are open to the public and there are some woodlands with lovely streams and paths that surround the house.  I always carry my little point and shoot camera with me so I got this quick shot of Stephen and our dog sitting on the lawn in front of Whirlowbrook Hall.  We’ve got quite a few upcoming weddings at Whirlowbrook, including Sarah and Charlie’s wedding on Friday! The house and gardens are looking great guys; looking forward to Friday!