Wedding photography tips for brides – choosing your inside venues
June 5, 2009There are several photography-specific things to consider when choosing the inside venues at which the different parts of your wedding will take place:
- When considering inside venues for a daytime wedding ceremony or wedding reception, keep in mind that for photography: the more natural light the better, so look for venues with large windows and/or skylights. This is also true for those beautiful photos of you getting ready and your bridal portraits.
- If there is going to be limited natural light available (e.g. a night-time reception), choose a venue that has a relatively low, light-coloured (preferably white or beige) ceiling. This allows the photographer to bounce the flash, creating a more natural-looking light. Light-coloured walls may also help with bounced flash, but for striking photographs, strong-coloured walls are best.
- When selecting inside locations for bridal portraits (or formal wedding party photos), keep in mind that certain venues (important public buildings for example) may have photography restrictions. If this is the case, please ensure that you arrange for permission to shoot in those venues well ahead of time.
- If you are going to get married in a church, ask the officiant specifically for any limitations that will be placed on the photographer. In particular, some things to be aware of:
- some venues/officiants do not allow flash photography
- some venues/officiants mandate that the photographer stand behind the congregation at all times
- some venues/officiants do not allow the photographer to move from the one position once the ceremony has begun
Ask questions about whether flash can be used, where the photographer is allowed to go, and how much the photographer can move around before settling on a venue/officiant. In certain cases it is actually the officiant who makes these rules rather than them being the regulations of the venue, so if you love the venue it may be possible to arrange a different officiant. Basically make sure you let the officiant know what your photography expectations are and see if they mesh with what the officiant will allow.
The photographer will most likely ask you questions about the venues you have chosen during your interview. So take note of the above considerations and you will be well prepared. If you are unsure whether your venues will help or hinder the photographer, ask them to come along and check out your selections before making your final decision.
