JOEL - Once a chapel has been dedicated and set apart for
worship services, still or video cameras are not
allowed to be used there, except perhaps under very
unusual circumstances. Chapels are considered a sacred
place, like the temple, where the spirit of God
dwells. It is out of respect for Him and the sacredness of the
place that cameras are not allowed.
For civil marriages performed in a church, the Church
Handbook of Instructions states:
"Civil marriage ceremonies should be simple,
conservative, and in harmony with the sacredness of
the marriage covenants. There should be no
extravagance in decorations or pomp in the
proceedings. Video recorders and cameras may not be
used in the chapel."
Sometimes video cameras are set up to carry church
services, like a stake conference, to other TV sets in
the church when a very large crowd is expected. This
is a rare exception.
If you had the ceremomy in any other part of the
Church building you would be able to use the video
camera. If you do decide to have it in the chapel you
might be able to at least record the ceremony on an
audio tape player. You would have to ask the Bishop.
When Richard Dutcher, the LDS movie director, filmed
the movie, "Brigham City", he was not allowed to use a
functioning LDS chapel for filming an LDS church
service scene. He had to use a building that used to
be an LDS church but was purchased by the city for a different use.