Our Lady of Lebanon Church, Thornbury Wedding Photos
The Maronite co-cathedral on Normanby Avenue, seven kilometres north of the city
Our Lady of Lebanon is the Maronite Catholic church on Normanby Avenue in Thornbury, about seven kilometres north-east of the Melbourne CBD in the City of Darebin. It is one of the parishes of the Maronite Eparchy of Australia, New Zealand and Oceania, and holds the standing of co-cathedral. Weddings here are celebrated in the Maronite rite, which gives the ceremony a different rhythm and length from a civil service or a short Latin-rite Mass.
Veri photographed Stella and Saad’s ceremony here before the day moved to Meadowbank Estate in Broadmeadows for portraits and the reception. That is a typical pairing for a Thornbury church wedding: the ceremony in the inner north, then a drive out to a reception estate on the northern edge of the city, with the portraits fitted in on arrival.
How to prepare for your wedding photos (without overthinking it)
Seven small things that make a real difference on the day — learned across hundreds of weddings. None of them involve practising poses.
In motion, unposed · FR 15A1. Be yourselves — that's where the magic is
You don't need to perform or worry about what you look like. The best photos come from real moments: a glance, a laugh, a shared breath. Let go a little — we'll guide when needed, and the best unfolds naturally.
2. Build buffer time into your timeline
A little breathing room between getting ready, the ceremony and couple portraits makes all the difference. It gives us space for spontaneous shots — and gives you time to soak it all in.
3. Choose locations that feel like you
A quiet lane, an open field, a textured wall — we love meaningful or interesting spots. Trust us to find great light, but if you've got a place you love, let's work it in.
4. Consider an unplugged ceremony
Phones can distract from the emotion (and your photos). Asking guests to be fully present makes for cleaner frames and a more heartfelt atmosphere.
5. Get ready in calm, light-filled spaces
Clutter-free rooms with natural light are a photographer's dream, and calm energy in the morning sets the tone for the day. Keep the space tidy — or assign a friend to do a quick sweep before we arrive.
6. Keep a drink and snacks nearby
Especially during portraits — hydration and a little sugar go a long way in keeping energy and moods high.
7. Trust the process
We've worked at hundreds of weddings and we're here to make you look and feel amazing. Trust us with the light, the angles, the pace — we've got you.
Photographing a wedding at Our Lady of Lebanon Church
A Maronite ceremony has its own order and moments, so I talk the sequence through with the couple beforehand, set up early, and work the aisle and the sanctuary without moving during the prayers. The entrance on Normanby Avenue handles the exit, the confetti and the family groups, kept brisk so the drive to the reception starts on time. Portraits are usually better at the reception venue, where the gardens and the late light are. The gallery below is Stella and Saad’s wedding from this church to Meadowbank Estate.