Tim Stapp Loc: Mid Mitten

Can I add: if possible, be there for the rehearsal. Hopefully, it will be near the time of the ceremony the next day (and pray that the weather forecast is the same for both days!).

Bring a hand held light meter and measure your exposures for each location that you intend to shoot from.

The reason that I say this is this: The very first wedding that I shot solo was at 4:00 in the afternoon on August 8th. The alter faced due west with a 20 ft x40 ft glass wall behind it. Had I relied upon camera exposure, I'd have been extremely underexposed on the subject. To complicate matters, only the bride was in white. The entire bridal party was dressed in black.

Initially: the officiant decreed that no flash during the ceremony and the photographer had to be out of sight during the ceremony. The pastor had a fabulous wedding assistant that had plant removed from the alter that would have impeded photographing from certain angles, left things unbalanced, etc.

He eventually let me shoot during the ceremony from the "wings" in order to allow me to get shots of the sand ceremony, placing of the rings and other intimate portions that only occur IF you're able to see the couple's faces.

He later told me that I was the only photographer that had gotten properly exposed photos from his alter. It was only because: A: I was there for the rehearsal, taking manual light meter readings and B: I left notes of my settings at each shooting location (I believe that I forgot to mention that earlier. I had 3 locations that I shot from, with notes on the floor of my manual settings).

Additionally, I had a camera on a tripod in the choir loft for my VERY inexperienced wife to shoot for the "First Kiss" The Bride loved that shot!

Here's the link to my original post: https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-330468-1.html

jaysnave Loc: Central Ohio

Thank you Tim! Good to hear from you.
Attending the rehearsal in my opinion is one of the most impactful and overlooked aspects to wedding photography preparation. When they tell me that "you don't have to come to the rehearsal" I explain that it is also my rehearsal, both in understanding lighting/settings but timing and positioning of the ceremony. Also, just as important getting to know everyone. Learning names and getting a feel for when the emotions and interactions will happen are also key.

I will have a light meter and it may be important as I like to mix natural light with just enough strobe to enhance skin tones and make colors pop. Often times that recipe can only be dialed up at the time of the wedding as circumstances change rapidly.

I had an experience very similar to yours a few years ago when I did a wedding at the Greek Orthodox Church. No flash allowed, I was to stay put at a podium stage left, and a very inexperienced daughter in this case up in the loft. It worked though because I did go to the rehearsal and note the settings. Also, I cheated a little bit as far as moving around. I was concerned about getting faces, but with anticipatience I got key shots of everything.

Take care. Are you still shooting with Bob?

Tim Stapp Loc: Mid Mitten

I forgot to add, the wedding sited had that stipulation of no flash during the ceremony.

Regarding shooting with Bob: unfortunately, Covid put all that down. Last that I spoke with Bob, he closed down his business. Covid also hit his daughter's wedding venue business hard. I've only done one wedding since November 2019, and that was a freebie for a family member. It was our wedding gift to them.

jaysnave Loc: Central Ohio

Got all those boxes checked.

jaysnave Loc: Central Ohio

Yes, Oct. 2021 was my last wedding although I stay busy with charity events and holiday pics. I am not in business mode anymore for photography, just request only from family and friends. COVID was tough on the wedding industry, but hopefully the Indiana wedding venue is doing well now. In Ohio every available venue is booked up this year.