Too many photographers?

The pictures after the ceremony were ruined? Why were people there/watching/taking pictures? They were supposed to be enjoying the cocktail hour while the bridal party TAKES PICTURES. Tell your guests to go enjoy drinks and appetizers while you take your pictures.

I haven't gotten all my photos back yet, maybe 10% of them, but none seem to be ruined because of guests's camera flashes.

To be safe, you could always have an 'unplugged' ceremony - meaning everyone needs to shut off phones, tablets, ipods, etc and put them away for the ceremony. I've seen some people go so far as to collect devices in a basket.

Or you could simply ask that all flashes be turned on.

Make a cute little chalkboard sign that says "Please no flash photography."

Definitely do an unplugged ceremony, and also give your photographer approval for them to take charge of guests who are getting in the way. Some photographers will just do this anyway to ensure good photos, others are a little too worried about what the couple will think.

Http://www.weddingwire.com/wedding-forums/unplugged-ceremony/5511c1171fe33241.html

https://www.weddingwire.com/wedding-forums/unplugged-wedding-ceremony-yay-or-nay/4731b70e9600d06d.html

https://www.weddingwire.com/wedding-forums/unplugged-weddings-warning-and-advice/d9d8e4727e346ef4.html

Really? The flashes from other cameras ruined the photos? This photo was taken of me walking up the aisle. There were so many flashes at this moment I was almost blinded. You can see that my pro photographer's photo wasn't ruined.

I was also gonna say I've never heard of that...

Well, I'm doing an unplugged ceremony with as many pictures as people would like to take at the reception.

However a professional should be able to deal with that and not have 80% of the photos ruined. No way was this the first time a couple has had relatives use flash photographer during their ceremony...

This:

http://player.vimeo.com/video/75820951

@ Angela - those are the reasons for an unplugged ceremony. We are having it printed on the programs and having the officiant announce it before the wedding begins. I do not want that to happen. I will be so angry if someone disregards our request >:\

The flashes aren't what ruined it though?

On my FAQ:

Q: What is an unplugged ceremony?

A: You are welcome and encouraged to take pictures during the reception. During the ceremony, we ask that our guests be fully present and refrain from using cell phones and cameras. We've hired an amazing wedding photographer who will be capturing the way the wedding looks — and we're inviting each of you to sit back, relax, and just enjoy how the wedding feels. So we're respectfully asking that everyone consider leaving all cameras in your bag and cell phones on mute during the ceremony. Of course we will happy to share our wedding photos with you afterward and feel free to snap away at the reception!

And our sign:

OTW - where are you putting the sign? I'm trying to figure this out.

So far I have wedding website FAQ - and FAQs on our invitation that say :

We are having an unplugged wedding ceremony. We request that those who join us for this wonderful moment be completely present and turn off their cell-phones and put away their cameras. Our photographer will capture the ceremony on film and we would like our guests to relax and enjoy as we exchange our vows.

Cameras are more than welcome at the cocktail hour and reception though! Have fun and take as many pictures as you would like before and after the ceremony. For half-an-hour though, please be fully present and not fiddling around with your camera or cell-phone.

Adding to my watch list. My wedding will be outside so I hope I won't have this problem but just in case...

Right by the entrance when they walk into the ceremony site.

I am all over unplugged ceremonies, but if you had this much trouble with this many photos, it's a photographer issue.

Thanks Ladies.. it was a mix of things, people getting in the way.. the other flashes.. it was just a cluster at some moments.. I think I just let the photographer handle it and let her know I will not be upset..lol

Just so people don't jump all over this random photographer and say they suck because all the photos turned out wrong because of other people's flash, let me give a basic explanation for this.

Usually if the lighting isn't ideal, the photographer needs to use a light meter (gauges the light in the room) and a separate flash (more power, please no on camera flash, they suck) to get good shots. When other people take photos at the same time that the photographer tries to do so, it'll "recycle" the meter/flash as the camera essentially gets confused because it's getting different readings on how much light is available in the room. So you'll either get an over/under exposed photo OR you'll miss the shot.

If it's a well lit room you won't likely face ruined shots but it might throw off the balance or contrast. Most of this can be fixed in editing, but it takes a lot more work. If it's dim or there's a lot of contrast in lighting, the flashes from guest's cameras will be problematic

Unplugged for the ceremony at the very least. Either that or that photographer your sister used sucked.

I worked for 2 different wedding photographers [also shot weddings myself] and there is nothing more annoying then people jumping in the way of the photographer. yes they want the picture too, but leave it to the professionals.

alot of the brides use to ask the photographers I worked for to photoshop the flash out, cellphone or camera out...simply, you cant. theres nothing to fill that space. Im going to have an unplugged ceremony. I want everyones faces visible.

There is an article floating around that emphasizes the importance of an unplugged ceremony. It written from a pro photog but shows a few things: pictures of iPhones and iPads taking pictures or of the flash being so bad that all the best lighting couldn't make the bride come into focus. This is real and it does happen and even great photographers can't always fix the damage.