The wedding rings. An important part of the wedding and the photography. This post is all about the wedding rings and getting the right wedding ring photograph. Both photographers and the bride and grooms may find this an interesting post.
Firstly let us look at the history of the wedding ring so that we can paint its story within the wedding.
Wedding rings or Wedding bands symbolises the commitment of a spouse and fidelity. The European custom of wearing such a ring has spread beyond Europe where is was first became a wedding tradition. It is believed that the wedding ring made its first recorded appearance in Rome where the history starts with a gift of betrothal.
Later the wedding ring became part of a set made up from a Pre engagement Ring, an engagement ring, then the eternity ring, which symbolises the renewal or ongoing nature of a lasting marriage, sometimes given after the birth of a first child. Finally a trilogy ring, usually displaying three brilliant-cut round diamonds each, in turn, representing the past, present and future of a relationship.
In older times, the wedding rings were not only a sign of love, but were also linked to the bestowal of ‘earnest money’. According to the prayer book of Edward VI: after the words ‘with this ring I thee wed’ follow the words ‘This gold and silver I give thee’, at which point the groom was supposed to hand a leather purse filled with gold and silver coins to the bride.
In several traditions, the best man or best woman may have the duty of keeping track of a couple’s wedding rings. To produce them at the symbolic moment of the giving and receiving of the rings during the traditional marriage ceremony. In more elaborate weddings, a ring bearer (usually a young boy that is part of the family of the bride or groom) may assist in the ceremonial parading of the rings into the ceremony.
With this in mind I shall talk about the photography and the story which falls based on the tradition and history of the wedding ring. The photography of the wedding ring should fall into one of these parts that we will detail.
The Wedding Ring Photography
Wedding Rings with The Groom –
The ring with the groom would symbolise the ‘this is what I’m offering’ & ‘These are our rings’. In some ways the Groom or best man with the ring inspection goes toward the ‘ I haven’t lost the rings’ but it is generally a showing off and an impressive image of the rings with the groom.
Wedding Rings with The Ring Bearer –
With the tradition of showing the rings to the bridal party and for them to be admired before the wedding, being placed as centre stageas a main part of the wedding itself. The rings tend to be placed on a pillow and carried to the altar by one of the families childen, which in itself becomes an important part of the wedding ceremony.
Wedding Rings At The Venue -
With many people foregoing some of the traditions of the rings and their importance, the ring symbolised the theme of the event and it is equal to the marriage certificate itself. With the Rings at the venue it offers the story of why people are at the event and still keeps the idea behind the rings being on show as with the ring bearer.
Wedding Rings During The wedding –
Taking the photos of the wedding rings during the wedding service is limited and only shows the rings which are placed on the fingers or exchanged. The Blessing of the rings which happens during a religious wedding only where the rings are sanctified and blessed by the church.
The story behind this is aleatory in that you can show the religious symbolism of the wedding rings and the blessing and a ’vow’ or ‘bond’ to god.
The signing of the registry shows the importance of the rings and that the wedding is of three parts, the vows, the rings and the contract of marriage.
Wedding Rings after the Ceremony -
After the wedding the wedding rings are a sign of the ’bond’ and commitment. During the ceremony, the view of the rings maybe limited and is therefore photographed to show the family and friends the bond of commitment to each other as a sign that the wedding has taken place, as apposed to the groom or ring bearer holding the rings, you may consider this as a picture of ‘acceptance’ and of course showing the ring off as practised with the engagement ring.
Considerations for the ring shot.
The ring shot can be difficult due to the rings being on two peoples hands and the same hand. This means that placing the hands together is unnatural and not the most comfortable way to shoot the wedding rings.
Making a natural photo of the rings on the fingers is inherently difficult and can take some time to get just right. Top tip: use a prop and trust your photographer.
Fingers and hands are important as the finger nails need to be clean and well dressed, a manicure for both the bride and groom can ensure clean hands and good nails for the photography.
In this gallery you will see a range of wedding ring photos which cover the subjects posted with the good and the bad ways to take the pictures of wedding rings.
But we look towards placing the ring in a the wedding album as part of the story of the day..
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