"Our minister just told us he doesn't allow flash photography during the wedding service. Are you OK with that?"

Speaking strictly as a wedding photographer, NO! But, it's your officiant's ballpark, right? And I always respect the wishes of the wedding officiants. In fact I strongly agree that some wedding photographers are just way too busy running around shooting photos and popping flashes during the wedding ceremony - which is a tender and solemn event for most folks. And every year the congregation is getting worse at pulling out their pocket cameras and popping flashes throughout the ceremony. But I also believe that the intelligent use of flash photography will get my clients a much better indoor image 90% of the time. If you want to use a "no flash" officiant or venue, fine - but I'll ask you and your officiant to re-stage a few critical poses immediately after the ceremony (the ring exchange, the kiss, couples walking down the aisle, lighting of the unity candles, etc.) I ask this of you to ensure you will have professional quality images of that part of your big day. (my BIGGEST pet peeve is when I'm emphatically ordered by the wedding officiant not to use my flash during the ceremony - and then half the wedding guests proceed to pop their flash cameras off throughout the entire ceremony. How crazy is that? I'm the only one there being paid to produce professional photos!)