St. Anastasia Catholic Church Wedding Photography Guide
A photographer's guide to one of St. Augustine's most beautiful churches
About St. Anastasia Catholic Church
St. Anastasia Catholic Church
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St. Anastasia Catholic Church is one of the largest and most beautiful Catholic parishes in the St. Augustine area. With its Spanish Colonial architecture, soaring interior, and stunning covered loggias, it provides a truly sacred and photogenic setting for wedding ceremonies.
As a ceremony-only venue, couples typically pair St. Anastasia with a separate reception location—many choose downtown St. Augustine venues like The Treasury, Villa Blanca, or The White Room for their celebrations.
What sets this church apart photographically are the remarkable loggias—long covered walkways with beautiful arched columns that create some of the most stunning portrait opportunities in the area.
Why We Love Photographing at St. Anastasia
Those loggias. We can't say it enough. The long covered walkways with their repeating arches create images with depth, symmetry, and beautiful light that's hard to find anywhere else. When that late afternoon sun filters through the columns, it's pure magic.
The garden behind the church is another favorite—a peaceful, private space with mature landscaping that most guests never even see. It's the perfect spot for intimate couple portraits between the ceremony and reception.
The church interior itself is beautifully traditional, with the scale and sacred atmosphere that makes Catholic ceremony photography so meaningful. The long center aisle provides classic processional shots, and the altar area photographs beautifully from multiple angles.
Best Photo Locations at St. Anastasia
This church offers exceptional photography opportunities both inside and out:
The Long Loggias
The defining feature of St. Anastasia—beautiful covered walkways with arched columns stretching the length of the building. The repeating arches create stunning leading lines, and the late afternoon light filtering through is absolutely magical for portraits.
The Garden Courtyard
A hidden gem behind the church. Lush landscaping, mature trees, and a peaceful atmosphere perfect for intimate couple portraits away from guests. The garden light is soft and flattering throughout the day.
The Church Interior
Soaring ceilings, beautiful stained glass, and traditional Catholic architecture. The center aisle creates a dramatic frame for processional and recessional shots.
The Bell Tower
The iconic tower makes a beautiful backdrop for exterior portraits. Best captured from the garden or parking area with the tower rising against the sky.
The Entrance Steps
Classic church exit location. The wide steps provide great angles for the couple's first walk as newlyweds, and the architecture frames the moment perfectly.
Sample Church Timeline
Here's how we typically approach a 3:30 PM ceremony at St. Anastasia:
Photographer Arrival
Arrive early to scout light in the loggias and garden, coordinate with church coordinator.
Guest Arrival
Capture guests arriving, exterior architecture, and detail shots inside the church.
Wedding Ceremony
Traditional Catholic ceremony. We position to capture the processional, vows, and recessional without disrupting the sacred service.
Family Photos
Quick family portraits inside the church or at the entrance before guests depart.
Couple Portraits
Take advantage of the loggias and garden for stunning couple portraits while the light is perfect.
Depart for Reception
Head to the reception venue with beautiful images captured at this stunning church.
Photography Tips for St. Anastasia
Based on our experience photographing ceremonies here:
Arrive Early for the Loggias
The covered walkways have specific times when the light is best. Arriving 30-45 minutes before the ceremony lets us scout the perfect spots for post-ceremony portraits.
Coordinate with the Church
Catholic churches have specific guidelines for photography during the ceremony. We'll work with the church coordinator to ensure we capture everything while respecting the sacred space.
Plan for Garden Time
Build 20-30 minutes into your timeline for garden portraits. It's a beautiful, private space that most guests never see.
Consider Ceremony Timing
Late afternoon ceremonies work best photographically—the loggias come alive with warm light, and the garden is beautifully illuminated.
Church Details & Contact
Address
5205 A1A South, St. Augustine, FL 32080
Capacity
Up to 800 guests
Style
Spanish Colonial, Sacred, Grand
Note: Contact the church office directly for wedding policies, requirements, and availability. Catholic weddings typically require parishioner status or special permission.
Real Weddings at St. Anastasia Catholic Church
Browse galleries from weddings we've photographed at this beautiful venue:
Planning a Wedding at St. Anastasia Catholic Church?
As experienced St. Augustine wedding photographers, we've captured dozens of weddings here and know every photo opportunity. Let's talk about your vision.
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