On this page you will find detailed information on many church's photography policies and restrictions that may affect
the quality of your photos. The following information should be helpful when choosing your wedding venue.
the quality of your photos. The following information should be helpful when choosing your wedding venue.
Dear Photographer/Videographer:
We are happy to welcome you to The Immaculata! Whether you have been photographing or videotaping
weddings at our church for several years, or it is your first assignment, please take time to thoroughly read the
following guidelines, as some of our policies have changed. Please understand that The Immaculata is not a building that has been rented by the bride and groom for their own personal use. Rather, The Immaculata Parish community is sharing their worship space with the couple on their special day. San Diego wedding photographers and videographers must see to it that reverence and respect are observed in the church at all times. Weddings at The Immaculata are first and foremost religious ceremonies. Any distraction or lack of discretion regarding this religious ceremony by the photographer or videographer is unacceptable. Please know that we will make every reasonable effort to facilitate the success of your assignment.
Before the Ceremony
1. A Catholic Church sanctuary is considered a sacred space. It is not to be used as a professional studio.
Therefore, studio lighting equipment of any kind may not be used before, during or after the
ceremony. Handheld studio light reflectors are permitted after the ceremony. Lighting equipment
on tripods may not be used.
2. If pre-wedding photographs are desired, the photographer and bridal party may arrive no earlier than
one hour (1 hour) before the ceremony. Photo sessions in the sanctuary must end at least fifteen
(15) minutes prior to the scheduled start time of the wedding.
3. Aisles must remain clear of any camera bags and/or equipment.
4. Videographers must bring their own wireless audio systems and microphones as they will not be able to
have access to the church’s sound systems.
Please note: It is the photographer’s/videographer’s responsibility to make sure a spirit of reverence and
respect are observed while posed photos are taken in the sanctuary.
During the Ceremony
1. To avoid distracting the congregation, there should be as little movement around the church as possible
by the photographer and videographer. Photographer or videographer teams may consist of no
more than two members each (including stationary photographers/ videographers). A third
member of the videography team may be stationed in the choir loft or behind the last row of guests in
the main aisle. If tripod stationed in the main aisle, the videographer must remain with the camera
at all times. Photographers and videographers must never block the congregation’s view. Neither
should they cross in front of the sanctuary at any time during the ceremony. Please consult with the
parish wedding coordinator should you be unsure of which areas of the church these are.
Photographers and videographers must remain on the ground level and are not allowed within
the sanctuary at any time during the ceremony.
Revised 7/24/15
2. The use of flash by the photographer is permitted during the procession and recession only. Flash may
not be used at any time during the ceremony itself. Videographers may not use video lighting at
anytime while inside the church building. Please note: Depending on the amount of natural light, the
main body of the church may be dark.
3. Photographers and videographers should check with the priest or deacon who will be presiding at the
wedding before the ceremony begins to determine his personal preferences. Some priests or deacons
may have additional requirements. Visiting clergy may not override any of The Immaculata’s existing
polices.
4. “Same Day Edit” provisions: should the couple hire you to provide this service, you may set up your
laptop or other equipment in the choir loft.
After the Ceremony
1. Posed photographs of the bridal party and family may be taken in the church immediately following the
ceremony. The church must be vacated 1½ hours after the scheduled start time of the wedding
without exception (especially for the 2pm weddings, as confession begins at 3:30 pm). If the wedding
begins on time, this should allow you ½ hour for photos at its conclusion.
2. Sanctuary furnishings may not be moved or removed except for the kneelers or bridal party chairs.
Ladders/stepstools aren’t allowed in the sanctuary, but may be placed in the main aisle if needed.
Large group photos (more than 20 ppl) should be taken outside the church. Photos can be taken
near the communion rail, as the sanctuary is a sacred. Additional photos may be taken at other
locations on the church or University grounds provided it does not interfere with another event.
3. The Immaculata disclaims all responsibility for any equipment left on church property at any time.
4. Studio lighting equipment of any kind may not be used after the ceremony. Handheld studio light
reflectors are permitted after the ceremony. Lighting equipment on tripods may not be used.
It is our sincere hope that you will have a pleasurable and successful experience at The Immaculata. Please
contact our Parish Wedding Director if you have any questions or need clarification of the above guidelines.
We are happy to welcome you to The Immaculata! Whether you have been photographing or videotaping
weddings at our church for several years, or it is your first assignment, please take time to thoroughly read the
following guidelines, as some of our policies have changed. Please understand that The Immaculata is not a building that has been rented by the bride and groom for their own personal use. Rather, The Immaculata Parish community is sharing their worship space with the couple on their special day. San Diego wedding photographers and videographers must see to it that reverence and respect are observed in the church at all times. Weddings at The Immaculata are first and foremost religious ceremonies. Any distraction or lack of discretion regarding this religious ceremony by the photographer or videographer is unacceptable. Please know that we will make every reasonable effort to facilitate the success of your assignment.
Before the Ceremony
1. A Catholic Church sanctuary is considered a sacred space. It is not to be used as a professional studio.
Therefore, studio lighting equipment of any kind may not be used before, during or after the
ceremony. Handheld studio light reflectors are permitted after the ceremony. Lighting equipment
on tripods may not be used.
2. If pre-wedding photographs are desired, the photographer and bridal party may arrive no earlier than
one hour (1 hour) before the ceremony. Photo sessions in the sanctuary must end at least fifteen
(15) minutes prior to the scheduled start time of the wedding.
3. Aisles must remain clear of any camera bags and/or equipment.
4. Videographers must bring their own wireless audio systems and microphones as they will not be able to
have access to the church’s sound systems.
Please note: It is the photographer’s/videographer’s responsibility to make sure a spirit of reverence and
respect are observed while posed photos are taken in the sanctuary.
During the Ceremony
1. To avoid distracting the congregation, there should be as little movement around the church as possible
by the photographer and videographer. Photographer or videographer teams may consist of no
more than two members each (including stationary photographers/ videographers). A third
member of the videography team may be stationed in the choir loft or behind the last row of guests in
the main aisle. If tripod stationed in the main aisle, the videographer must remain with the camera
at all times. Photographers and videographers must never block the congregation’s view. Neither
should they cross in front of the sanctuary at any time during the ceremony. Please consult with the
parish wedding coordinator should you be unsure of which areas of the church these are.
Photographers and videographers must remain on the ground level and are not allowed within
the sanctuary at any time during the ceremony.
Revised 7/24/15
2. The use of flash by the photographer is permitted during the procession and recession only. Flash may
not be used at any time during the ceremony itself. Videographers may not use video lighting at
anytime while inside the church building. Please note: Depending on the amount of natural light, the
main body of the church may be dark.
3. Photographers and videographers should check with the priest or deacon who will be presiding at the
wedding before the ceremony begins to determine his personal preferences. Some priests or deacons
may have additional requirements. Visiting clergy may not override any of The Immaculata’s existing
polices.
4. “Same Day Edit” provisions: should the couple hire you to provide this service, you may set up your
laptop or other equipment in the choir loft.
After the Ceremony
1. Posed photographs of the bridal party and family may be taken in the church immediately following the
ceremony. The church must be vacated 1½ hours after the scheduled start time of the wedding
without exception (especially for the 2pm weddings, as confession begins at 3:30 pm). If the wedding
begins on time, this should allow you ½ hour for photos at its conclusion.
2. Sanctuary furnishings may not be moved or removed except for the kneelers or bridal party chairs.
Ladders/stepstools aren’t allowed in the sanctuary, but may be placed in the main aisle if needed.
Large group photos (more than 20 ppl) should be taken outside the church. Photos can be taken
near the communion rail, as the sanctuary is a sacred. Additional photos may be taken at other
locations on the church or University grounds provided it does not interfere with another event.
3. The Immaculata disclaims all responsibility for any equipment left on church property at any time.
4. Studio lighting equipment of any kind may not be used after the ceremony. Handheld studio light
reflectors are permitted after the ceremony. Lighting equipment on tripods may not be used.
It is our sincere hope that you will have a pleasurable and successful experience at The Immaculata. Please
contact our Parish Wedding Director if you have any questions or need clarification of the above guidelines.
Full gallery 1: Navy Lodge North Island
Full gallery 2: Immaculata Parish USD Campus
Full gallery 3: San Diego Torrey Pines Glideport
Full gallery 4: San Vicente Resort and Golf Course
Full gallery 5: Southern California Poway Wedding
Full gallery 6: Rancho Weddings Photographer San Diego
Full gallery 7: Pala Casino Resort and Spa Sycamore Room
Full gallery 8: Marina Village South Lawn
Full gallery 9: Orfila Vineyards & Winery
Full galley 10: Saint Gregory the Great Catholic Church
Full gallery 11: Westgate Plaza Hotel
Full gallery 12: St. Jude's Shrine Quinceanera
Full debutante gallery: Island Club Coronado
Full gallery 2: Immaculata Parish USD Campus
Full gallery 3: San Diego Torrey Pines Glideport
Full gallery 4: San Vicente Resort and Golf Course
Full gallery 5: Southern California Poway Wedding
Full gallery 6: Rancho Weddings Photographer San Diego
Full gallery 7: Pala Casino Resort and Spa Sycamore Room
Full gallery 8: Marina Village South Lawn
Full gallery 9: Orfila Vineyards & Winery
Full galley 10: Saint Gregory the Great Catholic Church
Full gallery 11: Westgate Plaza Hotel
Full gallery 12: St. Jude's Shrine Quinceanera
Full debutante gallery: Island Club Coronado