First registry office
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Phil V
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The service will be the same as at any 'venue'. The only difference would be the quality of the surroundings, which are obviously very much dependant on the registry office in question. They vary from gorgeous to awful.
The variation of my local ones; Barnsley was lovely when it was in the town hall (haven't seen the replacement), Sheffield's is in the old town hall which is very nice and opens out onto the Peace Gardens. Doncaster's is an 80's 'modern' venue that's not great, but there's a large park next door. Rotherham's is the ugliest building in Rotherham, right at the side of the ring road - it has no redeeming features.
Where is the registry office? What are the local registrars like with photographers? Have you had a look around it? Are there parks nearby? How far to the reception? what are the grounds of the reception like?
You probably know more about your question than anyone else does, if you don't you'll need to find out.
The variation of my local ones; Barnsley was lovely when it was in the town hall (haven't seen the replacement), Sheffield's is in the old town hall which is very nice and opens out onto the Peace Gardens. Doncaster's is an 80's 'modern' venue that's not great, but there's a large park next door. Rotherham's is the ugliest building in Rotherham, right at the side of the ring road - it has no redeeming features.
Where is the registry office? What are the local registrars like with photographers? Have you had a look around it? Are there parks nearby? How far to the reception? what are the grounds of the reception like?
You probably know more about your question than anyone else does, if you don't you'll need to find out.
Bristolian
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fred,
Speak to the registrar well before the ceremony and find out what restrictions (if any) he has on where you can stand, move around and flash use. If you foresee any problems speak to the happy(?) couple before the event.
Have fun
Speak to the registrar well before the ceremony and find out what restrictions (if any) he has on where you can stand, move around and flash use. If you foresee any problems speak to the happy(?) couple before the event.
Have fun
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When we got married, no photography was permitted during the actual ceremony (not a service - no religious element was permitted, even if we had wanted it) and we staged the signing of the register for the cameras (no photography permitted of the register - Data Protection was cited as the reason).
As Phil pointed out, some Registry offices are pretty, others are completely soulless places. Have a scout about for suitable locations should the actual venue be one of the latter!
As Phil pointed out, some Registry offices are pretty, others are completely soulless places. Have a scout about for suitable locations should the actual venue be one of the latter!
Mikesphotaes
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fred,
Speak to the registrar well before the ceremony and find out what restrictions (if any) he has on where you can stand, move around and flash use. If you foresee any problems speak to the happy(?) couple before the event.
Have fun
Very good advice and make sure you speak to the actual Registrar who will be officiating, they usually all have different ideas.
meonshore
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My advice...
Depending on the day of the week, and time of the year (although maybe not as much of an issue mid-January as in the summer) you may find that the Register Office has multiple marriages and/or civil partnerships on the same day.
Unlike a wedding service at a church this could result in a wedding party arriving every 15-30 minutes. The register office in Portsmouth, for example, can do 7-10 weddings on a busy day. That results in wedding parties arriving, entering, having photos taken, and leaving in a short space of time and you could find 3-4 couples "onsite" at any one time. Not only might this scupper you planned place to take any formal photographs but it will almost certainly involve you ensuring you carefully select the subjects in your images, and your composition.
Nothing worse than delivering a set of proofs containing other B&Gs guests be they formals or candid images. I know photographers who have done this (although not me when I was shooting them, and fortunately I only had a few of them in my first couple of seasons).
So it might be worth, a week before, calling up and seeing what the timetable is - you might be lucky and be the only one on that day.
Depending on the day of the week, and time of the year (although maybe not as much of an issue mid-January as in the summer) you may find that the Register Office has multiple marriages and/or civil partnerships on the same day.
Unlike a wedding service at a church this could result in a wedding party arriving every 15-30 minutes. The register office in Portsmouth, for example, can do 7-10 weddings on a busy day. That results in wedding parties arriving, entering, having photos taken, and leaving in a short space of time and you could find 3-4 couples "onsite" at any one time. Not only might this scupper you planned place to take any formal photographs but it will almost certainly involve you ensuring you carefully select the subjects in your images, and your composition.
Nothing worse than delivering a set of proofs containing other B&Gs guests be they formals or candid images. I know photographers who have done this (although not me when I was shooting them, and fortunately I only had a few of them in my first couple of seasons).
So it might be worth, a week before, calling up and seeing what the timetable is - you might be lucky and be the only one on that day.
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As I'm a fully paid up member of the Pedants Society, it's called a Register Office, not a Registry Office (I think)
You're quite right, Nigel! Just looked back at our photos and there's one of us standing in front of the building with the sign in shot proving your point. Not my photo so not going to post it, besides, I'm a lazy b****r and have done with PSE for today!
freefall
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I love our local registry office but I need more weddings there. It's white, un offensive and has plenty of light.
I can get f5 at iso 1600. Suits me! Great advise speaking to the registrars, they usually work in an office at the building and can be very approachable.
I can get f5 at iso 1600. Suits me! Great advise speaking to the registrars, they usually work in an office at the building and can be very approachable.
nigpd
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