This actually came from meeting a couple this morning and preparing for their March wedding and it was something that I always say no to but then realised, I didn’t actually know why. Time to check facts rather than relying on “well it’s always like that...”
Through some research, it seems that this falls into the slot between the law and etiquette. Technically the signature of the wedding registry (the legal bit directly after your vows), is not governed by a law that says that you can’t photograph it. So would someone photographing the registry signature be breaking the law? Here’s where the technicality comes in.......
The register contains publicly available information, so no problem right? Kind of. When someone photographs a document and it contains personal information including signature and personal details and it’s held digitally, the photographer (and presumably the venue) become liable under the data protection act to keep this data safe. In plain English, if the photos I took were stolen or posted and this information was used in say fraud then I am liable as a data handler. The venue also has a responsibility to the couples personal information as well under this but it is not illegal to photograph the signature. It’s therefore very much down to the registrar or person presiding over the ceremony as they're directing this element of the day.
So I can photograph with impunity right? Now comes the etiquette part. Registrars travel between different weddings and having a good relationship with them is important to getting the shots you want and in general just getting on with the people you work with. Also taking photographs that the venue aren’t happy with puts me in conflict with them as well. I once took a photograph of an ornate front door (not 50 feet from where I'm writing this blog as it happens) and was confronted by the owner who said I should of asked permission. Technically I didn’t need to as I was on public land but the right thing to do is to ask. That experience has stuck with me and regardless of what I'm photographing, I always ask permission and it's stood me in good stead.
So, in answer to the original question, yes I can but it’s going to cause problems potentially legally with the people I work with and where I work which is why it’s not generally done. So there we have it. With that knowledge, I’ll continue to respect people’s wishes that I work with and will continue to work hard to take the photographs that people feel comfortable with. On the flip side, no one has ever complained that I haven’t been able to photograph the register but at least I know why it’s a taboo subject rather than a legal complication.
As you were.......