Hi Friends...
I get to shoot a wedding this Saturday at the temple in Newport Beach... I've been prepped by the bride and my LDS friends about the process in what to expect but am wondering if there is anything from a photographers perspective that I might need to know. Anyone done one before and have thoughts or advice to share? Thanks so much, appreciate your time!
Karey
Full Version: Ever done an LDS (Mormon) wedding?
Hi Karey!
I'm LDS and a photographer so you're in luck!
Hehe! Anyway, I have my first temple wedding coming up. I've never shot one, although I've been to many and had one myself. I plan to be there extra early because I was also invited to the ceremony, hopefully I want to catch them all walking in, etc. The ceremony will at the most last a half an hour. Afterwards we plan on doing some formals outside the temple. Make sure you get a picture with the couple and as much of the temple in the background as you can. (The front and the spire with the statue on the top is usually waht everyone wants. Not necessarily the whole building. You can walk around the temple grounds and usually take pictures anywhere on them, as long as people are quiet and respectful. Sometimes they don't like you to take pictures by the celestial room if you are using flash cause they have big windows, and it's a bit annoying if you are someone inside. You'll have to ask the bride and groom if they know where the celestial room is.
Ohter than that, after we're done at the temple we're going to got to a park and take some fun pictures. An then! I'll be at the reception later that night. If you have any more questions I'd be glad to help you out. Temple weddings are kind of different in that you aren't at the actual ceremony so it's hard if you consider yourself more of a photojournalist. But you can still get all the details and lots of emotion outside of the temple. (Oh, make sure you get them coming out too!) I hope you have a good time! Get there early so you can walk around the temple and find the good spots!!
I'm LDS and a photographer so you're in luck!
Hehe! Anyway, I have my first temple wedding coming up. I've never shot one, although I've been to many and had one myself. I plan to be there extra early because I was also invited to the ceremony, hopefully I want to catch them all walking in, etc. The ceremony will at the most last a half an hour. Afterwards we plan on doing some formals outside the temple. Make sure you get a picture with the couple and as much of the temple in the background as you can. (The front and the spire with the statue on the top is usually waht everyone wants. Not necessarily the whole building. You can walk around the temple grounds and usually take pictures anywhere on them, as long as people are quiet and respectful. Sometimes they don't like you to take pictures by the celestial room if you are using flash cause they have big windows, and it's a bit annoying if you are someone inside. You'll have to ask the bride and groom if they know where the celestial room is. Ohter than that, after we're done at the temple we're going to got to a park and take some fun pictures. An then!
I'll be at the reception later that night. If you have any more questions I'd be glad to help you out. Temple weddings are kind of different in that you aren't at the actual ceremony so it's hard if you consider yourself more of a photojournalist. But you can still get all the details and lots of emotion outside of the temple. (Oh, make sure you get them coming out too!) I hope you have a good time! Get there early so you can walk around the temple and find the good spots!!
Colleen, thank you so much for that info! That helps a ton. Ok here is another question for you, for the family formal shots we take outside the temple is it important to have the spire? And by that I mean in addition to the bride and groom shots. The way the sun will be I'd prefer to use a different side and there is a tree blocking it but the light is way better. Thanks so much, you are right I lucked out
Hey I am LDS also.... As far as the family shots go it really does not matter if the spire is in the pics. since the key is thefamily..What temple are you shooting at? Let me know and Il see if i can send you some links of other photographers shots there that way you will have an idea of what to shoot. If you have any question let me know. Just PM me I am very familiar with the photography at LDS Temples. You will do great.
Jason
Jason
Pepper Nix does great work at the Newport Beach Temple. The only rules are keep the noise down and don't let the gardener see you step in the flower beds 
Most of my weddings are temple weddings. I like to start with an exit shot, then family hugging candids, then all of the wedding party, then bride's family, then groom's.
After the wedding party heads out to set up for lunch or the reception, keep the bride and groom on the grounds for some over all shots of them and the grounds.
Get one way back with the whole building and them really tight in the foreground. Try for some private moments when no one is bugging them and they are snuggling.
Make sure and ask the groom if he has his car keys and they both will need their locker keys to go back in the temple and get their stuff. I have driven a few brides and grooms to their reception because Dad left with the keys.
You don't get the ceremony photos, but the grounds are great for moment shots of the bride and groom; family reaction shots also. It's tons easier than a ceremony wedding.
I'm LDS, too.
P.S. Find out what time the ceremony is scheduled. The ceremony is short, but there is 20 minutes of hugging and 30 minutes of changing clothes, so plan on anywhere from 60-90 minutes. I have waited 2.5 hours for a slow dressing big hugging bride before. It is busier (longer wait) on Saturdays. The nice people right inside the door, dressed in white, are volunteers who will answer all your questions. The foyer is ok for anyone to stand in. They will repeatedly tell you that no pictures are allowed inside, even in the foyer. There is a list at the desk with the bride and groom's names and ceremony time. Ask the gentelman with the list what time your bride's ceremony is and what his opinion is of her exit time. They are very friendly, but very strict. Asking questions is always allowed. I have never seen photos of the bride and groom going inside, except me at my wedding.
That is one early photographer.
Most of my weddings are temple weddings. I like to start with an exit shot, then family hugging candids, then all of the wedding party, then bride's family, then groom's.
After the wedding party heads out to set up for lunch or the reception, keep the bride and groom on the grounds for some over all shots of them and the grounds.
Get one way back with the whole building and them really tight in the foreground. Try for some private moments when no one is bugging them and they are snuggling.
Make sure and ask the groom if he has his car keys and they both will need their locker keys to go back in the temple and get their stuff. I have driven a few brides and grooms to their reception because Dad left with the keys.
You don't get the ceremony photos, but the grounds are great for moment shots of the bride and groom; family reaction shots also. It's tons easier than a ceremony wedding.
I'm LDS, too.
P.S. Find out what time the ceremony is scheduled. The ceremony is short, but there is 20 minutes of hugging and 30 minutes of changing clothes, so plan on anywhere from 60-90 minutes. I have waited 2.5 hours for a slow dressing big hugging bride before. It is busier (longer wait) on Saturdays. The nice people right inside the door, dressed in white, are volunteers who will answer all your questions. The foyer is ok for anyone to stand in. They will repeatedly tell you that no pictures are allowed inside, even in the foyer. There is a list at the desk with the bride and groom's names and ceremony time. Ask the gentelman with the list what time your bride's ceremony is and what his opinion is of her exit time. They are very friendly, but very strict. Asking questions is always allowed. I have never seen photos of the bride and groom going inside, except me at my wedding.
That is one early photographer.
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