How Wedding Photographer Tells Guest Blocking Aisle To 'Move Out' the Way

A wedding photographer has gained viral attention for sharing how she handled a well-meaning but over-eager wedding guest.

In a video on TikTok with 1.9 million views, Heather Wang shared the moment her shot was obstructed by a guest stepping into the aisle to take photos on her phone. Faced with this unexpected situation, Wang quickly but kindly asked the guest to "tuck in," preserving her shot.

In the video, she emphasized the importance of blending kindness with assertiveness as a photographer. The text overlay said: "How to ask a guest to move out of the aisle. It's our job to be kind to all guests because how we treat everyone reflects on our business! But also be forward enough not to miss your shot."

"Phones are often taken out during ceremonies often, which doesn't cause an issue at all as long as it's not blocking a photographers shot," Wang told Newsweek. "I've personally never had a guest stand in the aisle and take photos so this was a first experience for me. I had to think quickly to find a way to ask her kindly to move while also getting my point across so I could capture one of the most important parts of this bride's wedding day."

Pictures from the TikTok where the photographer had to ask the guest to move. @heatherwangphoto/TikTok

Wang has been a wedding photographer since 2017, and decided to turn the moment into a behind-the-scenes educational video for her followers on TikTok.

"I wasn't frustrated with the guest, rather I had anxiety that I might miss my shot if I didn't ask her to step back into her seat," Wang said.

The video on TikTok quickly gained attention, with comments ranging from appreciation for the photographer's quick thinking to frustration over guests using phones during ceremonies.

"That was very professional. She's living in the moment and didn't realize she was in the way," said viewer YoYoYogi.

While TikToker Natalie Walker wrote: "Ohhh I love how you worded that!"

Others said that they would want a phone-free wedding ceremony for this reason. "Just tell your guests no phones during ceremony," Cullen said.

While BecWatson wrote: "We had our celebrant announce no phones during the ceremony for this reason."

Some viewers even criticized the guest for getting in the way. "Floors me the nerve people have to jump into the aisle in front of a professional," user1891414200778 wrote.

"From what I can gather in the comments, her actions reflect several other brides experiences with their own wedding and they wished their photographer had stepped in to save their photos," Wang said.

Wang isn't the only photographer to share an encounter with guests on TikTok. Earlier this month photographer Jennifer Banegas was forced to become the "bad guy" during a wedding when people were standing in the aisle.