Just booked a last minute JH wedding and believe it or not, i have never had the opportunity to photograph one. Are there any prohibitions during the ceremony, what does the ceremony consist of and is their wedding day basically just like any other wedding ? I tried posting this on the wedding forum but got nothing but stupid responses from some of the idiots who post there.
It's generally similar to a conservative Angelican wedding, without as many of the traditional seremonial rituals, but still quite religious with prayers. Be respectful and not too "in your face" and you should be fine.
I talked to a friend and he said be prepared for a very, very plain Kingdom Hall. The ceremony should only last about 15-30 minutes at the absolute most, and he said that he didn't think that flash was an issue at all during the ceremony. Be prepared for florescent lighting though. You might want to gel that flash!
I am a fellow Jehovah's Witness, and that's who I only cater for weddings. Talks are 45min long, give a take a few min. Really the only time that one should not be taking photographs are during the prayer that will be around 3/4 of the way in the ceremony talk (the elder [a.k.a. minister] will announce when). Our Kingdom Halls are nice buildings with nothing fancy about them, they are for worship. Florescent lighting is usually the standard, but some Kingdom halls do have windows. I suggest to talking with the elder before the ceremony to make sure if he has any requests and if you can use flash or not. Usually, I find that I don't need to use flash since the lighting is sufficient. Try not to get on the platform, I usually stay to the sides (which is really close anyways) so as to not disturb the ceremony.
Most of the time it starts by the bridal party walking down the hall, next the parents and last her with the person giving her away. Reverse the other when exiting but her with the groom.
For the reception, we do not participate in the garter or throwing of the bouquet. The other stuff like parents dancing with there respective daughter/son, wedding cake, speeches, etc... are the same. Any more questions you got just send me a PM.
And it seems like your not too far away from me, I'm in the Montclair area, I lived for a long time in Moreno Valley (saw your Mission Inn wedding pic, very nice hassy501).
karl_yyz wrote:
...and like any good photographer, you consult with and seek the advice of your peers so as to draw upon their collective experience. ;-)
I am a fellow Jehovah's Witness, and that's who I only cater for weddings. Talks are 45min long, give a take a few min. Really the only time that one should not be taking photographs are during the prayer that will be around 3/4 of the way in the ceremony talk (the elder [a.k.a. minister] will announce when). Our Kingdom Halls are nice buildings with nothing fancy about them, they are for worship. Florescent lighting is usually the standard, but some Kingdom halls do have windows. I suggest to talking with the elder before the ceremony to make sure if he has any requests and if you can use flash or not. Usually, I find that I don't need to use flash since the lighting is sufficient. Try not to get on the platform, I usually stay to the sides (which is really close anyways) so as to not disturb the ceremony.
Most of the time it starts by the bridal party walking down the hall, next the parents and last her with the person giving her away. Reverse the other when exiting but her with the groom.
For the reception, we do not participate in the garter or throwing of the bouquet. The other stuff like parents dancing with there respective daughter/son, wedding cake, speeches, etc... are the same. Any more questions you got just send me a PM.
And it seems like your not too far away from me, I'm in the Montclair area, I lived for a long time in Moreno Valley (saw your Mission Inn wedding pic, very nice hassy501)....Show more →
