Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church on Briarcliff Road is a beautiful place to get married in Atlanta. The sanctuary’s high wood ceiling, organ pipes and stained glass frame every ceremony, and the bold gold panels on the church doors make one of the most distinctive portrait backdrops in the city.
Our team has photographed weddings at Immaculate Heart of Mary, and here is what to know about getting ready at the church, the ceremony and the best spots for portraits.
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About Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church
Immaculate Heart of Mary is a Catholic parish in the Briarcliff area of Atlanta, founded in 1958. The current church was dedicated in 2009, on the parish’s 50th anniversary. It is a cross-shaped brick church that seats more than 800 guests, with a pipe organ, stained glass and an apse behind the altar.
Saturday weddings are typically scheduled for late morning or early afternoon. Check the parish’s marriage page for current times, guidelines and how to reserve a date. Planning a Catholic wedding and comparing churches? See our guide to Our Lady of the Assumption in Brookhaven.
Getting Ready at the Church
The church has a space where the bride can get ready, which keeps the morning relaxed and makes it easy to move straight into the ceremony. Some couples choose to get ready at the church and others prefer a hotel nearby, like the Emory Conference Center. Either way, we plan a few minutes of candid photos on each side before the ceremony.
Portraits at the Church Doors
The bold gold panels on the church’s entry doors make a striking backdrop for portraits before or after the ceremony. The color and clean lines photograph beautifully with a white gown and dark suit.
Ceremony Guidelines for Photographers
Like most churches, Immaculate Heart of Mary has guidelines for photographers, and the church sets where photographers may stand during the ceremony. Photographers usually stay toward the back of the church, so we rely on zoom lenses to capture close moments at the altar. We never use flash during a ceremony.
After the ceremony, the church allows lighting for family and wedding party portraits at the altar. Churches often schedule other services on Saturday afternoons, so plan to finish photos inside the church by the time the parish gives you.
Ceremony at Immaculate Heart of Mary
The sanctuary’s high wood ceiling, organ pipes and stained glass frame the ceremony beautifully. Wide photos from the back show the full church, while closer photos capture the vows, the ring exchange and the moments in between.
Altar Portraits With Family and the Wedding Party
After the recessional, the altar is a natural spot for family and wedding party portraits. Sharing a short family photo list ahead of time keeps these portraits moving, so everyone gets to the celebration sooner.
Couple Portraits Inside the Church
Once the sanctuary clears, the altar steps, the center aisle and the stained glass windows give you a few quiet minutes for portraits of the two of you.
More Wedding Photos at Immaculate Heart of Mary
Every wedding here looks a little different. Here are more photos from weddings our team has photographed at Immaculate Heart of Mary.
The processional and vows unfold beneath the organ pipes and crucifix, and the side windows add soft color to every ceremony photo.
During a wedding Mass, the liturgy of the Eucharist brings quiet, meaningful moments at the altar that we capture from a respectful distance.
Wedding party and family photos at the altar come together quickly when you share a short photo list with us ahead of time.
FAQ: Immaculate Heart of Mary Weddings
Where Is Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Atlanta?
The church is at 2855 Briarcliff Road NE, in the North Druid Hills area near Toco Hills and Emory.
What Times Are Weddings at Immaculate Heart of Mary?
The parish schedules Saturday weddings at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Check the parish’s marriage page for current times and guidelines.
Can the Bride Get Ready at the Church?
Yes. The church has a space where the bride can get ready before the ceremony. Some couples use it and others get ready at a hotel or home nearby.
Can You Take Pictures During a Catholic Wedding?
Yes, within the church’s guidelines. The church sets where photographers may stand, we never use flash during a ceremony, and we use zoom lenses to capture close moments from a respectful distance.
Where Can We Hold the Reception?
There are lovely reception venues a short drive from the church. The Michael C. Carlos Museum at Emory is nearby, and our Atlanta wedding venues guide has more ideas.
Venue Link
Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church: ihmatlanta.org
Photographing Your Wedding at Immaculate Heart of Mary
At Jaimie Dee Photography, we love capturing the timeless beauty and sacred moments of weddings at Immaculate Heart of Mary, from the grand entrance and the vows to the joyful celebration with loved ones. If you are planning a wedding here, contact us to check your date, or explore more wedding chapels and churches in Atlanta.
Learn more about our Atlanta wedding photographers studio, view our wedding photography collections, or book a stand-alone wedding portrait session.
