If you or your partner is looking for an absolutely iconic church to tie the knot in, a St. Patrick’s Cathedral wedding may just be the perfect fit for you. This church is absolutely stunning, and it is no wonder that it is such a popular venue.
As an NYC wedding photographer, I have been all over the city to some of the most beautiful venues New York has to offer, but there is something special about this church and the architecture that is ingrained throughout.
So, if this sounds like exactly what you are looking for, here are some of the top things you should know about planning a St. Patrick’s Cathedral wedding!
Planning Your St. Patrick’s Cathedral Wedding: Key Things to Keep in Mind
The church itself does have a few requirements and processes when it comes to tying the knot here. So, here are a few of the big things to keep in mind as you’re deciding if this is the right venue for you.
One or Both of You Must be a Baptized Catholic
In order to get married here, one or both of you must be a baptized Catholic. You don’t have to have been baptized there, but this is something that you will be asked when you first reach out.
In addition to this, they also require you to be a member of the Archdiocese of New York or of a surrounding diocese of NYC.
You Have to Have an Interview with the Church
As part of the process of booking the church as your wedding venue, you do have to have an interview with the team at the church. This is something that they request you do at least one year before the date you want for your ceremony.
Not only is this a popular venue that can book up, but by planning this out in advance, you also give yourself plenty of time to book all of the other vendors and spaces for your wedding, like your photographer and videographer, your getting-ready space, or your reception space!
They Only Do Weddings on Saturdays
This is super important to keep in mind when you are planning your wedding! The church only performs weddings on Saturdays, so be sure to keep that in mind as you request your wedding date.
There may also be some restrictions on what Saturdays are available due to church events, so it is always a good idea to have a few options for dates in mind when you do reach out!
The Church is Closed for Weddings During Their Holiday Season
Finally, the church does not perform weddings during its holiday season, which runs from Thanksgiving through the second weekend of January. So, if you are looking for that dream winter wedding in NYC, be sure to plan it for late January or February as soon as possible!
About St. Patrick’s Cathedral
St. Patrick’s Cathedral is a historic cathedral located on 5th Avenue in New York City. Construction began in 1858, and it officially opened in 1879.
Since then, it has remained a well-known cathedral that not only stands out in the area but also creates the perfect backdrop for a one-of-a-kind day. Reminiscent of the cathedrals in Europe, this church is truly stunning.
Throughout the cathedral, you’ll find vaulted ceilings, intricate details all around, and the perfect place to make a grand entrance as you walk down the aisle. The massive wooden doors leading out of the church also give you a dream backdrop, so no matter which way you turn, the church is just stunning.
Not only is the church itself incredible, but it is also in such a great location, especially for a wedding. It’s located just 10 or so blocks from Central Park, so you can pop over and take portraits before or after your ceremony.
There are also so many great hotels and venues around that you can use as a getting-ready space or for your reception. This makes it so easy for you and your partner to plan out the perfect wedding day without having to worry about you and your guests running around the entire city between your ceremony and reception!
A Gorgeous Wedding at St. Patrick’s Cathedral
I had so much fun capturing a recent wedding at St Patrick’s. It was the perfect day for this couple and this was hands down the best venue they could have chosen for their ceremony.
We started the day by taking portraits at The Lotte NY Palace Courtyard. This is such a unique space, and it gave us the chance to get some really cool photos in a space that was different from the cathedral.
When it was time for the ceremony, we headed over to the church for them to tie the knot. They kept things beautiful and simple with just some blue and white flowers around the altar. This is one of the best things about this venue.
St. Patrick’s Cathedral
Since the cathedral itself is so ornate and has so many incredible details, you really don’t have to do anything to decorate the space for your ceremony. The natural beauty and architecture create such a beautiful ambiance, and you really couldn’t ask for a better place to start this next chapter of your life together.
Once they said I do, we spent some time walking around the city and captured some portraits on the streets. I love being able to explore the city and really capture the beauty and uniqueness of everything around me.
I know a lot of people may think that they’d feel awkward or uncomfortable posing out on the streets in front of a bunch of random people, but honestly, it is so much fun. On the day of, you aren’t going to be thinking about anyone other than your partner, and everyone else just fades into the background!
(Plus, it’s New York City. I promise seeing you and your partner in your wedding attire will not be the most out-of-the-box thing someone will see walking around that day!)
Frequently Asked Questions: St. Patrick’s Cathedral Weddings
Where is St. Patrick’s Cathedral located?
5th Avenue between 50th and 51st Streets in Midtown Manhattan — one of the most recognizable addresses in New York City. The cathedral sits directly across from Rockefeller Center, with Central Park a few blocks north and some of the most iconic portrait locations in the city within walking distance.
Who can get married at St. Patrick’s Cathedral?
At least one partner must be a baptized Catholic, and you or your fiancé must be a member of the Archdiocese of New York or a contiguous diocese. You don’t need to have been baptized at St. Patrick’s specifically — any Catholic baptism qualifies. These requirements are non-negotiable and should be confirmed before you begin the booking process.
What days are weddings performed at St. Patrick’s Cathedral?
Saturdays only. This is one of the most important logistics to know going in. If you have your heart set on a different day of the week, St. Patrick’s is not the venue for you. Saturday availability also varies based on the church calendar, so having multiple date options in mind when you first reach out is essential.
When is St. Patrick’s Cathedral closed for weddings?
The cathedral does not perform weddings during its holiday season, which runs from Thanksgiving through the second weekend of January. If you want a winter wedding at St. Patrick’s, plan for late January or February — and start the process early, because those dates book up fast.
How far in advance do you need to book St. Patrick’s Cathedral?
The church requests you reach out at least one year before your desired date, and an interview with the church team is required as part of the booking process. Given how much planning a wedding at this scale requires — a reception venue, photographer, getting-ready location, all the vendors — starting the process a year or more out is genuinely necessary, not just recommended.
What is the interview process for booking St. Patrick’s Cathedral?
As part of the booking process, the church requires an interview with their team. This is standard for Catholic marriage preparation and specific to the Archdiocese of New York. Details on the current process are best confirmed directly through the cathedral’s weddings page.
What is it like to photograph a wedding at St. Patrick’s Cathedral?
There is nowhere else like it in New York City. The soaring Gothic vaulted ceilings, the stained glass, the sheer scale of the space — the ceremony becomes part of the building’s layered history. Photography at the cathedral has specific guidelines: no flash during the ceremony, photographers must stay in designated areas. I’ve photographed here multiple times and know how to work within those guidelines without missing anything.
What does the light look like inside St. Patrick’s Cathedral?
Dark and dramatic with extraordinary stained glass color. The light shifts as the ceremony progresses and creates patterns across the pews and the aisle that are unlike anything in a conventional ballroom. It requires a photographer genuinely comfortable with low ambient light — but when the light is right during an afternoon ceremony, the cathedral photographs like nowhere else in the world.
What are the best portrait locations near St. Patrick’s Cathedral?
Fifth Avenue itself — the exterior of the cathedral with its Gothic facade is an obvious and extraordinary backdrop. Rockefeller Center is steps away. Bryant Park is a short walk. The streets of Midtown have a scale and grandeur that work beautifully for couple portraits after the ceremony. Many couples also combine St. Patrick’s with a rooftop reception venue nearby — my
St. Patrick’s Cathedral and Castell Rooftop guide covers that specific combination in detail.
Do couples travel from outside New York City to get married at St. Patrick’s?
All the time. St. Patrick’s Cathedral is one of the most famous Catholic churches in the world — couples come from across the United States and internationally specifically to be married here. If you’re planning a destination wedding at St. Patrick’s from outside the New York area, build extra lead time into your planning and connect with a local planner who knows the Archdiocese requirements and the city’s logistics well.
Do you photograph weddings at St. Patrick’s Cathedral for couples coming from outside New York?
Yes — and I’m deeply familiar with the planning considerations for destination couples. If your wedding is at St. Patrick’s, wherever you’re coming from, I’d love to hear about it. For more on what I do across Midtown Manhattan venues, my NYC wedding photographer post covers the full picture.
There is no more iconic place to get married in New York City. If your wedding is at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, I’d love to hear about it.
