Photographing the Signing of the Marriage Schedule
During the traditional signing of the register, the focus is purely on the job at hand. The register has been replaced by an A4 sheet called the marriage schedule.
From 4th May 2021, everything changed regarding the registration part of the marriage ceremony. The traditional register has now been moved online, and a tradition dating back to 1837 is no more.
What this means for couples is that there will still be a signing, but the signing of an A4 piece of paper called the ‘Marriage Schedule‘, with all information to be entered online later. No marriage certificate is issued on the day; couples either receive it by post or pick it up in person. A couple of venues I work with still process it whilst the couple are on the premises, and present it during their photo shoot in the gardens.
As a wedding photographer, I have mixed feelings about this change…
My very first wedding with a marriage schedule: Previously, the Cardiff registrars didn’t allow photography of the signing. Now, there are no data protection issues.
Gone are any Photographic Restrictions! – Mostly…
The schedule is usually signed shortly after the vows. However, depending on the order of service in a church wedding, this may differ slightly.
I love natural photography – it’s what I do and why people book me! Apart from any required posed shots, I take natural photographs all day.
Mateusz does a very good job pretending to sign the register for his same-sex marriage to Matthew at Bromley Civic Centre. The charade of pretending to sign the ‘dummy’ register is happily behind us.
I used to be restricted by rules around the signing of the register. Happily, this is now essentially a thing of the past. Most register offices outside Central London used to cite data protection as a reason not to allow photography of the signing, instead opting for a ‘dummy’ register. But now, with the introduction of the Marriage Schedule, I can photograph throughout this part of the ceremony.
Please bear in mind that this is still at the registrar’s discretion, and some still prefer not to have the schedule photographed to avoid distraction.
An overview of the signing: Old Marylebone Town Hall has never had an issue with photography during this time, but many register offices didn’t allow it.
Consider the Venue>> Danson House for your Wedding.
Tray and Dan’s wedding was small, with just the two of them and the witnesses. Being given the freedom to move freely is much more preferable. I went wide to photograph everyone in the room, including the videographer.
For the sake of balance, here’s a posed shot taken at De Courceys Manor near Cardiff that I quite like: Rory and Liz felt slightly awkward with the posed signing shots. My favourite one was when they looked away from the camera at each other to share a reassuring smile.
Are the Posed Schedule Shots Still an Option?
It used to be that, at many register offices and civil marriage venues, the registrar politely asked me to stop shooting until the signing was complete. I had to respect the rules of the house, so I kept my camera on the guests until the signing was completed. The registrar then provided a blank ‘dummy’ register and let me pose the couple as they pretended to sign it.
Now, I can still take posed photos with the pen-and-paper schedule, but because I will have already taken pictures of the signing, the need to have the couple pretend to sign is diminished. Many couples still opt for posed shots, though, and I’m very happy to take them.
I was a bit sneaky during this signing at Stoke Newington Town Hall. Had the registrar spotted me, she might have said nothing. I was too far back to either be a distraction or capture any data.
And Church Wedding Signings?
The signing has changed for religious ceremonies too… They are the same as for civil partnership ceremonies, but, again, it’s up to the individual member of the clergy to set out their preferred rules. Historically, vicars and priests have been more relaxed around the signing, and I see no reason why this should change.
A lovely church signing shot: It shows everyone watching and gives a good impression of the venue.
Consider the Venue>> Lambeth Town Hall for your Civil Marriage.
The same place as for the groom above. But changing my shooting angle and going wider reveals the unique architecture that wasn’t previously apparent.
Getting the registrar in the shot adds a new element not usually present in a posed register photo. This was a wedding at Camden Town Hall.
Goodbye Certificate Presentation
The major downside for me is that the couple doesn’t receive their marriage certificate on the day, so there is no presentation or photo opportunity (usually). I’ve always found that to be the definitive shot showing that the couple is officially married. Some registrars made a big presentation of it, and it is a shame that this part of the day is gone. Still, I suppose it prevents them from losing it on the way home!
Presenting the marriage certificate: A part of the day that is sadly no more.
Sometimes, the place where the signing takes place is so attractive that it’s worth taking some small family group shots there, too. I took this in the Great Hall at a gay wedding in Caerphilly Castle.
Where to Have the Schedule Signing for Photographic Aesthetics
As with all photography, it’s all about the light. Most wedding venues have a dedicated signing area, but if you get a choice of where to sign, choose somewhere with good directional light, such as facing or adjacent to a window. Having the window behind you is not ideal, though, as it could cause glare and hazy images. A good photographer should be able to deal with this, though.
Finally, I include my all-time favourite ‘dummy’ register signing photo. Sam and Mark were so enjoying the occasion that this didn’t faze them. The photo is also enhanced by the fact that Sam isn’t posing—she’s made eye contact with some friends instead, which gives it a more natural appeal. I rather think that Mark saw the funny side, too.
Chapter 6: Presenting Mr & Mrs – Confetti & Congratulations – Next>>>>
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