Registry office, outdoor ceremony, church: the difference for photos
For the pictures these are three different situations. The difference is not the solemnity but how much room there is, how much light — and who decides where a photographer may stand.
Registry office: tight and quick
Ceremony rooms are small, often without windows, and the ceremony rarely runs beyond twenty minutes. Many offices allow only one photographer and only from behind. Ask in advance — the rules differ from town to town and are rarely on the website.
An outdoor ceremony: the best starting point
Outside, with room all around and no restrictions: this is where the pictures people later show come from. The one thing you can influence is the orientation — guests should not be looking into the sun, and the couple should not stand with their backs to the brightest point.
Church: someone else’s rules, little light
- Where photography is allowed is decided by the parish, not the couple — ask first.
- Flash is forbidden almost everywhere, which given the light there is a real limitation.
- Movement around the room during the ceremony is usually unwelcome.
- Pictures at the altar afterwards are often possible if you ask beforehand.