Photos @ Catholic ceremony (specifically St. Hugh)

RisiLeigh Posted: Sep 29, 2007 08:05 PM

Photos @ Catholic ceremony (specifically St. Hugh)

St. Hugh of Lincoln has been my church for my entire life - I was baptized there, made my Holy Communion there, and had my Confirmation there, so natually I want to be married there. I heard from 1 photographer that they have major restrictions on what the photographer and videographer can and can't do, and he told me that he can't guarantee I'll get great pictures - this is not okay!! He told me to look for another church but many of my family and friends are telling me that most Catholic churches are strict about this now and will be the same way. I already read the paper that St. Hugh gave me listing their restrictions and they do seem pretty extensive. Any ideas??? I'm really upset about this!

donegal419 Posted: Sep 29, 2007 08:25 PM

Re: Photos @ Catholic ceremony (specifically St. Hugh)

i don't know much about St. Hugh's but i have never heard of brides having this problem. i had a photographer and videographer at a Mass, not just a ceremony. perhaps your photographer is being a little too crazy. there is one restriction that I know all Catholiuc churches will enforce...and perhaps depending on how St. Hugh's is set up, this may affect you. at NO point during the Mass or ceremony, should a photographer be on the altar particualrly during the Consecration of the Eucharist.

My church had restrictions too, but it was mainly that theydidn't want photopgraphers on the altar or obnoxiously bright lights, etc.

i think it's not as bad as you think. what does St. High say re: their restrictions?

JennysMOH Posted: Sep 30, 2007 12:22 AM

Re: Photos @ Catholic ceremony (specifically St. Hugh)

Posted by donegal419

i don't know much about St. Hugh's but i have never heard of brides having this problem. i had a photographer and videographer at a Mass, not just a ceremony. perhaps your photographer is being a little too crazy. there is one restriction that I know all Catholiuc churches will enforce...and perhaps depending on how St. Hugh's is set up, this may affect you. at NO point during the Mass or ceremony, should a photographer be on the altar particualrly during the Consecration of the Eucharist.

My church had restrictions too, but it was mainly that theydidn't want photopgraphers on the altar or obnoxiously bright lights, etc.

i think it's not as bad as you think. what does St. High say re: their restrictions?

The above bride is correct. The most I have ever heard regarding restrictions is that at no time should they be on the altar or even on the first step where the bride and groom are (which is technically part of the altar but for some reason people forget taht fact). The photographer and videography should be discreet so they do not disrupt the sanctity of the Mass or disturb those at the Mass.

davenjess Posted: Sep 30, 2007 01:06 AM

Re: Photos @ Catholic ceremony (specifically St. Hugh)

I have to say that I have heard of some pretty rigid restrictions before. At my FH's nephew's communion they even made a speech about how this is a spiritual moment and ceremony & that it was not a hollywood premiere...

colleen1117 Posted: Sep 30, 2007 01:19 AM

Re: Photos @ Catholic ceremony (specifically St. Hugh)

We actually just had a meeting today with our church and officially booked our date (yippee ) the only restrictions...after a quick read through....is that they ask photographers not to come closer than the 4th pew from the alter. Not bad, i guess this falls into the keep them off the alter. for that mater I don't think i'd want them any closer as it may feel like a distraction for us anyway.
also - no flashes once the ceremony starts.

thats pretty much it... What restrictions are they giving you specifically?

and don't worry - you'll figure this out! :)

PegaLega Posted: Sep 30, 2007 01:48 AM

Re: Photos @ Catholic ceremony (specifically St. Hugh)

Ive only heard of 2 big rules...the others vary by church.

-Can NOT be on the altar
-No flash photography

RisiLeigh Posted: Sep 30, 2007 07:56 AM

Re: Photos @ Catholic ceremony (specifically St. Hugh)

This is what the paper given to me by St. Hugh says:

-The main body of the church is bordered by a row of pillars. You must position yourself outside those pillars in the side aisle or in the rear transverse aisle at ALL times except for the 1 exception below:

-As the procession enters, you may be near the head of the center aisle, but you must hand-hold any camera. Tripods, carts, or any other sort of stand main not be within the main body of the church at any time.

-Other than to move in and out of the position mentioned above, you may not move about the church during the ceremony.

-Flash is allowed for still photography but no video lights are ever allowed, including for the processions.

Those are the main ones. And then, just above the part where my chosen photographer would have to sign, it says, 'I recognize that failure to comply may result in: personal embarrassment to myself and others in the church, bringing the ceremony to a halt until the inappropriate actions are corrected, personal and immediate ejection from the site, myself and the company which employs me being barred from recording future services at St. Hugh's.'

I posted something on the 'vendors helping brides' side, asking the photographers out there if they've worked at St. Hugh's and if they're able to get good shots there. We'll see what they say. ACK! On a brighter note, mom and I are going to put money down at the Swan Club this morning - our reception hall is officially booked, yay :)

Mici n KC Posted: Sep 30, 2007 10:45 AM

Re: Photos @ Catholic ceremony (specifically St. Hugh)

Have you known anyone that's been married to that this has happened to?

Kara and Todd Posted: Sep 30, 2007 03:53 PM

Re: Photos @ Catholic ceremony (specifically St. Hugh)

Posted by JennysMOH

Posted by donegal419

i don't know much about St. Hugh's but i have never heard of brides having this problem. i had a photographer and videographer at a Mass, not just a ceremony. perhaps your photographer is being a little too crazy. there is one restriction that I know all Catholiuc churches will enforce...and perhaps depending on how St. Hugh's is set up, this may affect you. at NO point during the Mass or ceremony, should a photographer be on the altar particualrly during the Consecration of the Eucharist.

My church had restrictions too, but it was mainly that theydidn't want photopgraphers on the altar or obnoxiously bright lights, etc.

i think it's not as bad as you think. what does St. High say re: their restrictions?

The above bride is correct. The most I have ever heard regarding restrictions is that at no time should they be on the altar or even on the first step where the bride and groom are (which is technically part of the altar but for some reason people forget taht fact). The photographer and videography should be discreet so they do not disrupt the sanctity of the Mass or disturb those at the Mass.

Yup - same as above.

I got married in a Catholic church and we had no problems with major restrictions on our photographers. As long as they don't go on the altar or disturb the ceremony, it should be fine.

Some churches (one I know of in NC, and it's not Catholic) do have stricter rules. I used to videotape weddings and at Duke chapel, the videographers must stay on these platforms and cannot move... Just ask the church what their rule are!

ssdbk Posted: Sep 30, 2007 06:25 PM

Re: Photos @ Catholic ceremony (specifically St. Hugh)

I have heard of some very strict restrictions. I do not think that restrictions on photo or video should prevent you from getting married at the church you grew up going to, especially if you are going to switch to another church that might have restrictions also. You are going to get some photos from the ceremony no matter what, and you will have so many photos from the day. Also, there are parts of the ceremony, such as the exchange of rings, that a photographer can re-create. I know it's not the same but it's an option.