The couple’s first kiss as newlyweds is the most anticipated part of any wedding. It’s the part official wedding photographers work hard to perfectly capture. Veterans in the industry know exactly what to do to get that perfect shot — or at least they think they do. Just this week, a priest publicly scolded a Filipino wedding photographer for standing on the church aisle during mass. He took to Facebook to rant about the incident but unfortunately, netizens aren’t on his side.

Wedding photographer rants about priest that scolded them during the ceremony

In a now-deleted post, a Filipino wedding photographer aired his displeasure on social media about an incident that happened for the first time in his “6 years of shooting weddings.” The officiating priest paused the ceremony to scold him and his wife, who was also a photographer, as they were preparing to shoot the newlywed’s first kiss.

According to him, he and his wife were standing in the middle of the church aisle to “plan the shots” they were going to take. It was their routine to make sure they are in position in time for the first kiss. “We never had any problem with this routine and we were shocked na na-call kami for that,” he said.

The priest calls the pair out

Since the photographer’s post went viral before he deleted it, netizens were eager for details on what exactly happened. Someone even got their hands on CCTV footage of the wedding. In the video, the photographers were seen standing on the aisle with the woman leaning on the man. They were talking while the mass was going on. “Mga photographers na nasa gitna, ‘wag kayong nandiyan,” the priest could be heard saying. Eventually, they were forced to sit at the pews.

“Nagulat nalang kami na nakatingin na lahat ng guest sa amin and all we heard was ‘Kanina ko pa kayo tinitignan, hindi kayo nakikinig’ na sinabi ng priest,” said the wedding photographer on his Facebook post.

Why exactly were they called out?

Being scolded in front of the whole church was obviously a humiliating ordeal for the photographer. He argued in his post that it was only natural for them to stand on the aisle in anticipation of the first kiss. But he also had another suspicion about why they were called out.

After checking clips from the event, he surmised that they were scolded for the way he and his wife were standing together. In the CCTV footage, she was leaning on him while they were talking.

“First of all, MAG ASAWA PO KAMI,” he wrote. “Pangalawa, we were standing and moving around for hours since the preparations ng wedding, kaya I don’t see anything wrong kung sasandig sakin MISIS ko dahil nakakangalay tumayo ng ilang oras.”

He further clarified that they were never clingy in public, especially during shoots.

“Did we deserve to be humiliated like that? NO. Did we do anything wrong? Wala,” the photographer added.

The photographer addresses the priest

“Do you really have to stop the ceremony to call us out? Do you really have to point your fingers at us because of that?” the photographer continued. “You are a priest, a minister. You should know better because you are the one standing on the altar.”

The photographer was frustrated that the priest had to publicly call them out when he could’ve dealt with the matter privately after the ceremony. He was also angered at he didn’t get the chance to defend himself and his wife. The incident left a bad impression on the guests at the wedding, he said.

Netizens are disappointed

Instead of gaining support from netizens, many flocked to his post and told him off. Screenshots of the post circulated online with many giving their two cents on the incident.

“Dear Wedding Photographers and Videographers, kahit po kayo ang naatasan na magkuha ng moments ng bagong kasal, we still have to respect the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass,” one Facebook page said. It argues that what the priest did was right. A Mass is a sacred ceremony, and being a wedding photographer doesn’t mean anyone can do whatever they please.

“‘6 years of shooting weddings…’ pero di pa rin alam kung saang part ung kiss the bride,” commented one netizen.

“No-no yan, mars. Kung para sa’yo sa buong 6 years mo as photog e ngayon ka lang nasita, edi ibig sabihin niyan nahanap mo katapat mo. So noon mo pa yan ginagawa? Nakakahiya ka naman,” said another.

“Photographer din ako pero I never did this inside the church dahil may respective place and time for taking photo para sa bride and groom,” said another.

“Know your limitations inside the Parish.”

Some netizens are even suggesting that Parish churches should conduct seminars for official wedding photographers and videographers. Many notice that these folks tend to get noisy and even distract others when they’re roaming during the ceremony. The seminar could include proper etiquette inside the church to preserve the solemnity of the sacraments.

“Walang sinuman ang pwedeng magbida-bidahan sa loob, kahit pa mga matataas na opisyal, kahit pa mga mismong ikakasal o kung sino man,” said Facebook page Catholic FAITH Defense Philippines. “Know that your limitations, if you’re a Catholic mas lalo pa sana kayong magparticipate at know the do’s and dont’s inside the Church premises. Basic lang iyan.”

Respect the priest

But what really angered netizens is the photographer saying the priest could’ve dealt with the matter better. “The priest during the mass is in persona Christi. Wala kayong karapatan na bastusin siya sa loob ng Misa. Pag sinabi niyang “stop”, stop talaga. Pag sinabi niyang “go”, go talaga,” continued Facebook page Catholic FAITH Defense Philippines.

“One thing is clear, if you are posting that para makapaghiganti sa pari sa pagsita niya sa inyong “inappropriate act” during the mass, mapapahiya kalang. Ang pari pa ang napasama,” it added.

What do you think about this issue? Share your opinions in the comments!

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