Quick Pro Tip: Before I get into the pros and cons, I wanted to touch on something I have found to be an easily avoidable problem on wedding day. Often at the end of ceremony, the church locks up as they rely on a limited staff to service weddings on a weekend day. Out of respect, please inform the officiant and any other church staff weeks in advance that you intend on using the church space after ceremony for photos. This allows them to plan on the proper time to leave. I have encountered a few rushed moments where the staff was unaware that the church was to be used for photos after ceremony resulting in it getting locked up, while the couple (and sometimes entire families – oof) wait to reenter and then rushing through photos while inconveniencing the staff waiting on standby to go home. We don’t want any of this peeps! So always communicate ahead of time <3

PHOTOGRAPHIC PROS:

Timeless and Elegant Backdrop: Churches offer stunning, classic architecture that can provide a beautiful, elegant backdrop for wedding photos, from grand altars to stone pillars.

Natural Light: Many churches have large windows that let in natural light, especially during daytime ceremonies, providing soft, flattering light for photos.


Spiritual Atmosphere: The sense of tradition and reverence in a church adds a meaningful, emotional atmosphere to the photos, capturing the significance of the ceremony which can be felt through the photographs in posture, facial expressions and ritual.

Variety of Angles and Shots: Churches often have elevated spaces (like balconies or mezzanines) where me and other photographers alike can capture dynamic shots from different angles.

Outdoor Steps for Fun Exits: Many churches have grand outdoor steps that provide a perfect setting for a fun, confetti-filled exit. This allows me and photographers alike to capture lively, joyful moments as the couple makes their way down the stairs, surrounded by friends and family celebrating the newlyweds. These are some of my favorite moments to document as you get both the reactions of the guests seeing the couple walk through and engage with the couple as well as the couple’s joy and excitement. 

PHOTOGRAPHIC CONS:

Lighting Challenges: While many churches have beautiful natural light, some may be dimly lit, requiring the use of an external flash avoid blurry or grainy images which may or may not be allowed depending on the type of church. Even with flash, some do not offer enough bright walls to bounce the light off of resulting in darker images.

Limited Photography Freedom Some churches have strict policies on photography, such as limitations on movement, no flash use (as mentioned above), or restrictions on certain angles, which can limit a photographer’s ability to capture the event freely.

Space Constraints: Churches can sometimes have limited space for photographers, especially if they are small or have a large guest count. This can make it difficult to move around and get different shots without being in the way.

High Altars and Limited Angles: Some churches have high altars or stages, which can make it difficult to capture close-up shots of the couple during key moments like vows or ring exchanges.

Distractions: Churches often have a lot of decorative elements and may be filled with guests and other people, which can clutter shots or create distractions in the background.

Interior Design and Painted Walls: While churches often have stunning, intricate interior design—like ornate carvings or painted walls— sometimes this can sometimes be visually distracting in photos. The busy patterns and colors may compete with the couple’s attire or draw attention away from the ceremony’s emotional moments, making it harder to focus on the couple in wide-angle shots. Also, if the walls are painted a certain color – anything other than white honestly – it can make for challenging color grading that complements your wedding colors, dresses or skin tones.

By considering both the advantages and potential challenges, photographers can better plan their approach to a church ceremony, making sure to maximize the stunning features of the space while working around any obstacles.