Wedding Photographers & Videographers at St. James Lutheran Church, Gettysburg

A wedding at St. James Lutheran Church in Gettysburg is open to members and non-members alike, which makes this downtown church on York Street a welcoming choice if you're coming to town just for your wedding. From the outside it's an old Romanesque building. Step inside and you'll find a contemporary worship area, bright and uncluttered, which is easy for a photographer and videographer to work in. The walk down the aisle, the vows at the front and the recessional are where most of your wedding photos and film will happen during the wedding ceremony.

The congregation is happy to recognize God's blessing on your marriage whether you belong to St. James or not. Music matters here: the church has a strong music ministry, and the wedding page asks couples to contact both a pastor and the church organist early in their planning. That's good news for your wedding video, since live organ music makes the processional and recessional feel like a ceremony instead of a playlist.

St. James is busy, with many events in the building, so dates go quickly. Guests can use the small lot behind the church off Zerfing Alley, which also has accessible parking, a ramp to the rear entrance and an elevator inside. Meters line York, Stratton and Middle Streets, and the Gettysburg Parking Garage is within walking distance, handy for a wedding day when town is full of visitors.

• Contact a pastor and the church organist early to check your date.
• Tell guests about the parking garage and street meters.
• Ask about photo and video guidelines for the ceremony.

A little about St. James Lutheran Church

Lutherans have worshipped in Gettysburg since at least 1789, and the congregation built its first church on this corner in 1848. The worship area served as a field hospital for five weeks after the Battle of Gettysburg in 1863, and the church was rebuilt after a fire in 1969.