What St. Mary’s Church Offers / Key Features
From what I found, here are some of the venue’s features and policies relevant to weddings and photography:
Sacramental / Catholic wedding setting: St. Mary’s follows Catholic liturgical tradition. That means there are rules and customs around what is allowed in the ceremony, how it is structured, etc.
Marriage preparation: Couples typically engage in preparation with the church, often with counseling or formation sessions. There's usually a requirement for contacting the parish well ahead of time (often at least 6 months).
Photographer / photography rules:
Only one photographer during the ceremony; more than one is permitted before and after.
Photographer must review their plan with parish wedding coordinator ahead of the wedding.
During the ceremony, the photographer should remain at the back of the church or off to the side (not moving around too much) and not distract from the liturgy.
No flash photography inside during the ceremony is allowed.
Video is allowed, but equipment must be fixed/non‑distracting.
Time constraints: The church gives a certain time allocation (for example, formal photography or portrait time) that needs to fit around other events or liturgy. Since multiple weddings or services may be on the schedule, running on time is important. (While I didn’t find the exact hour‑limits for every St. Mary’s, this is typical in such churches including Oshkosh ones.)
Decor and setup: Sacred art, furnishings, altar, etc., are part of the permanent decor. Some pieces may not be moved. The church’s decor for liturgical seasons may already be in place and cannot always be altered.
Dress / behavior expectations:
Brides are asked to dress modestly (shoulders covered, respectful neckline).
The space is sacred, so behavior, reverence, etc., are expected.
What Makes It Good / Photogenically Strong
Here are what tend to be the strong points for photos at St. Mary’s:
Architecture and light: The structure typically includes tall pillars, arches, stained glass, and natural light coming through (where possible). This gives beautiful lines, symmetry, grand backdrops, and dramatic shots. (For example, one wedding photographer commented that St. Mary’s was “breathtaking... filled with an abundance of natural light … tall white pillars … ” in a wedding at Oshkosh.)
Formal / traditional ambiance: The church setting brings a sense of ceremony and solemnity which can make for very elegant, classic wedding portraits (procession, altar shots, group portraits along pews, etc.).
Backdrop for portraits after ceremony: Many couples do small portraits outside the church (if grounds allow) or in nearby areas after the ceremony, taking advantage of both natural light and more relaxed moments.
Contrast opportunities: Between the indoor lighting and natural light outside; between the formal dress and church interior; between group photos and intimate details. Good place for combining wide‑angle architecture shots with tight, emotional moments.
Challenges & What to Plan For
To get the best photos, here are common challenges (based on St. Mary’s and similar churches) and planning tips:
Planning Tips
| Low light indoors / no flash during ceremony | Make sure your photographer has gear that performs well in low light (fast lenses, maybe higher ISO but clean sensor). Also, verify whether they bring external lighting that’s permitted (but often only discreet/side/back lighting is allowed). |
| Limited movement / restrictions during ceremony | Since photographer must stay behind congregation or to the sides, they should plan their shots, know ahead of time where they’ll stand. Might consider doing portraits before or after to avoid constraints inside. |
| Time constraints | Work with a detailed schedule. Include buffer to move from church to photo locations. Know how long formal portraits might take. If photos are to be done at the church grounds, plan that before or after so you don’t run late. |
| Coordination with church staff and rules | Meet with parish coordinator early. Get the wedding guidelines well ahead. Understand what can/cannot be moved or decorated. Confirm where photographers can go, what angles are allowed. |
| Weather (if outdoor photos are desired) | Have backup locations for portraits in case of bad weather. Are there good indoor spots, covered porches, etc.? Also consider time of day for light (morning, late afternoon) for outdoor shots. |