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.
Planning Your Timeline at St. Anastasia Catholic Church
We don't publish generic sample timelines because they're useless without knowing your wedding date. Here's why:
A 5pm ceremony works beautifully in summer but means portraits in the dark in winter. Your timeline needs to be built around your actual date and what matters most to you.
Light at St. Anastasia Catholic Church
Church interior features traditional lighting and stained glass. Natural light varies with time of day.
Time for Photos
We recommend 30-45 minutes for portraits at St. Anastasia Catholic Church, covering the sanctuary, entrance, and exterior grounds.
Timeline Strategies
Sunset Portraits
Want that golden hour magic? We work backwards from sunset. Ceremony ends 60-90 minutes before, giving time for family photos, couple portraits, and catching the best light.
Brunch or Daytime
Morning ceremonies and daytime receptions mean lots of beautiful natural light all day. Great for summer when afternoons can get pretty warm.
Venue Timing Notes
- Music curfew at N/A
- Religious ceremony venue—church rules apply
Get a Timeline Built for Your Day
Tell us your wedding date, ceremony time preferences, and what moments matter most. We'll send you a custom timeline that accounts for sunset, this venue's best light, and your priorities.
Request Your Custom TimelinePhotography 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
