Trevor Howard Photography, weddings, portraits, Thetford, Bury St Edmunds, Norfolk, Suffolk also copy and restoration, recovery of images, talks, leatures, workshops, photographic training.

Church Wedding Guide

A church wedding is a formal, traditional ceremony. Always take advise from your church minister, but the information below will be a good guide.

Arrivals - The ushers should arrive about 40 minutes before the service, greet the guests as they arrive, advise on car parking, hand out service sheets or hymn books and show guests to their seats. The bride’s family sit on the left of the aisle, the groom’s on the right, close family towards the front. It is a good idea to seat parents with small children towards the back in case they need to make a quick exit.

The groom and best man arrive about 20 minutes before the service and should be seated before the arrival of the attendants (bridesmaids and pages) and bride’s mother.

The attendants, accompanied by the bride’s mother, should arrive about 10 minutes before the service. One of the ushers should escort the bride’s mother to her seat, the attendants wait outside for the arrival of the bride.

It is helpful if the bride arrives a few minutes early. This allows time for the adjustment of her veil, dress and for photographs to be taken.

The service - The minister will often meet the bride at the church door. When the organist starts playing, the congregation stand and the groom the best man take up their positions, the best man standing on the grooms right. The groom turns to greet the bride as she slowly walks up the aisle on her fathers right arm, followed by the attendants in pairs.

At the alter the chief bridesmaid steps forward to take the bride’s bouquet which she holds until the register is signed. The service will last about 30 minutes.

After the service and the signing of the marriage register, the bridal party leave in the following order; bride and groom, young attendants, chief bridesmaid and best man, other attendants, bride’s mother and groom’s father, groom’s mother and bride’s father.

If the minister and/or choir proceed down the aisle before the bridal party, it is very important to leave enough space and to walk slowly so you can enjoy the occasion and allow photographs can be taken.

When the final guests have left the church, the main photographs are often taken, you should allow at least 30 minutes for this. The best man and ushers can help the photographer by locating people for family groups. The chief bridesmaid should assist the bride with arranging her dress, although a good photographer will often do this.

After the main photographs have been taken, the guests can walk towards the gate forming two lines either side of the path. As the bride and groom walk between them, confetti can be thrown, it makes a good photograph as well!

The reception - The bridal party receive their guests by standing in the following order; bride’s parents, groom’s parents, bride and groom, attendants and best man.

You make like photographs taken in the reception grounds, allow time for this before your meal.

Speeches -These follow the meal and should be kept reasonably short. The bride’s father starts by toasting the couple, the groom replies by thanking the parents and guests and toasts the attendants. The best man replies on behalf of the attendants and reads out any cards and messages.

A good, experienced wedding photographer will always offer the bride, groom and family advise and help in advance and on the day.

Trevor Howard Photography, Thetford, Norfolk. Tel: 01842 761125

Trevor Howard Photography provides wedding photography Thetford, wedding photography Bury St Edmund’s, portrait photography Thetford, portrait photography Bury St Edmund’s, copying and restoration, recovery of images, photography talks and training.