St Ignatius Church Wedding Photos
Wardell’s bluestone church on the top of Richmond hill, with a 65-metre spire finished in 1928
St Ignatius’ Church stands on Church Street at the highest point of Richmond, a Catholic parish church in the care of the Jesuits. William Wardell designed it and the foundation stone was laid in August 1867; the parish marked 150 years in 2017. It is Gothic Revival in local bluestone, 63 metres long, with room for around 2,000. The spire by Gerald Vanheems went up in 1927 and 1928 and, at 65 metres, was the tallest structure in Australia when it was finished.
Veri photographed Ricky and Fransiska’s wedding here. A church on the highest ground in the suburb gives the photographer a spire that shows from well beyond the parish and a wide sky behind the doorway. Richmond is a few minutes from the CBD and from the Yarra, so receptions tend to be in town or along the river, with portraits fitted in between.
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 St Ignatius Church
Bluestone reads dark, so expose for the faces and let the walls fall away; the nave is long, and a 70-200 from the back keeps the couple large in the frame at the altar. The doorway exit with the spire above is the shot to be outside for, and Church Street is wide enough to get the whole height in. Ask the parish about flash and positions before the day. Rain is no problem inside. The gallery below is Ricky and Fransiska’s wedding at St Ignatius.