Presbyterian Church of St Andrew Wedding Photos
Sandstone Gothic on State Circle, opposite Parliament House, open since 1934
The Presbyterian Church of St Andrew stands on State Circle at Forrest, directly opposite Parliament House. Its foundation stone was laid in 1929 and the church opened on 22 September 1934 as the National Presbyterian Church. Architect John Barr designed it in an adaptation of Gothic Revival, clad in sandstone, with a square side tower carrying a sandstone spire. Inside are the Warriors’ Chapel, stained glass and a rare set of Ellacombe chimes. It is heritage-listed with its Georgian brick manse.
For a wedding it gives a proper stone church in the middle of the parliamentary triangle, and the steps and lawn outside frame the exit. Veri photographed Kate and David’s ceremony here, then moved to the National Arboretum for portraits and to Hotel Kurrajong for the reception: 392 images across the day, the church section running from the processional through the vows to confetti on State Circle.
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 Presbyterian Church of St Andrew
The nave is long and the windows are coloured glass, so the light inside is dim and warm; we work at high ISO without flash during the service and save flash for the signing. Outside, the sandstone photographs best in the afternoon when the west face is lit, and the tower gives a strong vertical for the wide frame with the couple on the steps. Parliament House is a two-minute drive for a portrait stop on the way to the reception. The gallery below is Kate and David’s wedding.