Policies And Procedures For Wedding Photographers And Videographers

The ceremony of Christian marriage is a sacred occasion when two persons enter into solemn covenant with God and with each other in the presence of family, friends, and members of the community of faith. The purpose of the ceremony, like that of every worship service, is to praise and glorify God.

Many couples wish to remember this holy occasion through still and/or video pictures. Royal Lane welcomes both professional and amateur photography provided it does not distract attention from worship. To provide couples and their families with photo and video opportunities in keeping with the sanctity and integrity of the worship service, we have established the following policies.

Before the worship service: Photos of the bride and groom and the wedding party may be taken inside the sanctuary before the service and/or at other locations in or around the church building. Any furniture moved during a photo session must be returned to its original position immediately following photo session. Photography sessions held inside the sanctuary before the service must end at least one (1) hour before the worship service is scheduled to begin, allowing musicians adequate time for rehearsal, a sound check and a break.

NOTE:  The wedding ceremony begins with the Prelude Music.  NO MOVEMENT, other than the wedding party, is permitted in the Sanctuary after this moment.

During the worship service: No flash photography or artificial lighting is permitted inside the sanctuary. Bright lights distract clergy and musicians as well as worshippers. Signage in the foyer notifies guests of this policy, but Ushers are responsible for informing guests as well. While the service is in progress, photographers and videographers may be admitted only to the sanctuary balcony, the location nearest the northeast corner of the choir loft, and may only be used for a stationary video camera (NO MOVEMENT).

Cameras with flash attachments will not be allowed in the worship space any later than thirty minutes preceding the ceremony or any earlier than the dismissal of the congregation by the minister, photographers are not allowed. Photographs may be made in the vestibule or narthex preceding the ceremony, as long as no flashes are aimed toward the interior of the worship area. The wedding party may return to the altar for photographs after the ceremony should they so desire, following the conclusion of the recessional music.

A single flash photograph may be made from the aisle toward the rear of the sanctuary during the Bride’s entrance as long as the photographer goes no further into the Sanctuary than the third row from the rear.  Under no circumstance is the taking of photographs to impede the progress of the processional.  Flash photographs directed at the front of the Sanctuary are not allowed since they can blind the organist or minister in the process.  Time exposures may be made during the progress of the ceremony if made only from the rear balcony of the worship space, out of the view of the congregation, provided they create no noise or other distraction.

A video of the wedding may be made using cameras from either or both of two vantage points: the rear of the sanctuary from the balcony and or just behind and in the stairwell at the column near the east side of the choir loft, (right side if facing the choir loft from the sanctuary). Video taping may use only available light. No additional lighting is permitted.  No movement by the videographer is allowed during the ceremony.

NOTE TO VIDEOGRAPHERS: Should you wish to use your own wireless microphones, the wireless microphone frequency for the microphone used by the minister in use at Royal Lane is: 171.905 Mhz.

Royal Lane Baptist Church reserves the right to deny the privilege of access, present and/or future, to anyone who does not comply with the above guidelines. The bride and groom are responsible for ensuring that family, friends, and professional photographers observe these policies in detail. Additional copies are available on request. Ignorance of these rules will not be considered a valid excuse for failing to abide by them.

We deeply appreciate your cooperation on this sacred and memorable occasion. If you have further questions, please contact the church Wedding Assistant at the phone number or address below: