Central Christian Church is a downtown Austin church built in 1928, with a balcony and a courtyard, and it seats about 450 including the balcony. Membership is not required to marry here. The church is upfront about one thing every photographer and videographer should hear early: the lighting is limited.
Hero photo: Central Christian Church
Light and camera prep
The church's wedding page says the 1928 sanctuary has limited lighting, and that photographers or videographers who have not worked there can schedule a visit with the coordinator before the rehearsal to judge whether they need extra light. We would take that visit. It tells us which lenses to bring and whether the ceremony can be filmed in available light.
The coordinator reviews the photography guidelines at the rehearsal or by phone, so ask for them before the day.
Photo: Central Christian Church
The church coordinator runs the room
Judye Moore-Heim has coordinated weddings here since 2011. Outside planners can help with dressing, photos and belongings, but the church coordinator and her assistants direct everything inside the church: room assignments, the processional, and cueing the musicians and ministers.
Recorded music is not permitted. Church musicians can play the pipe organ or piano for an added fee, and the church can recommend string quartets.
Access and timing
The church opens two and a half hours before the ceremony, and after the ceremony you have one hour to finish photos and clear out. The church notes many couples take most photos beforehand. Our April couple did exactly that: a first look at the church at 3:15, then the full bridal party, family photos and couple portraits outside the church before guests arrived at 4:00.
The rehearsal is usually the day before, the church opens 30 minutes ahead, and an hour is plenty.
- No candles or aisle runners along the center aisle; the church supplies candles for the ledges and baptistry window.
- Only paper or silk petals may be dropped.
- No nails, screws, wire or tape, and pew markers must be padded.
After the ceremony
The 5:00 ceremony we filmed ended by 5:30. A 56 passenger charter bus took guests to the Stephen F. Austin Hotel, then came back at 5:45 for family and the bridal party, while the florist moved ceremony flowers to the reception. The couple left by SUV at 5:50 for portraits at a spot the planner called the docks, 13 minutes from the church, and were back at the hotel by 6:50.
A real day here
An April Saturday we filmed here (April 2025)
| 2:30 PM | Florist arrives at the church; bride, bridesmaids and photographer head over |
| 2:45 PM | Bride into her dress; groom and groomsmen arrive to dress at the church |
| 3:00 PM | Ushers arrive; video coverage begins at the church |
| 3:15 PM | First look at the church, then bridal party, family and couple photos outside |
| 4:00 PM | Early guests arrive; prelude music; bride hidden |
| 4:30 PM | Programs handed out |
| 5:00 PM | Ceremony begins |
| 5:30 PM | Guests leave the church on a 56 passenger charter bus |
| 5:45 PM | Bus returns for family and bridal party; florist moves ceremony flowers to the reception |
| 5:50 PM | Couple leaves by SUV for portraits |
| 6:10 PM | Couple portraits about 13 minutes from the church |
| 6:50 PM | Couple back at the reception hotel |
Sample timelines by season
Church ceremony times stay fairly fixed, so the season mostly changes what happens after you leave Central Christian Church. Here is how the rest of the day moves with sunset. Treat the times as a starting point.
Spring
| 8:30 AM | Coverage begins with getting ready |
| 10:00 AM | Separate portraits; no first look |
| 10:30 AM | Guests seated |
| 11:00 AM | Ceremony begins |
| 11:30 AM | Recessional; family photos at the altar, then wedding party photos outside |
| 12:15 PM | Lunch for the couple and wedding party; rest at the hotel |
| 5:15 PM | Couple portraits at the reception venue before guests arrive |
| 6:00 PM | Cocktail hour |
| 7:00 PM | Grand entrance and dinner |
| 7:30 PM | Golden hour portraits, about 15 minutes |
| 8:15 PM | Toasts, first dance and parent dances |
| 8:45 PM | Dance floor opens |
| 11:15 PM | Send-off |
In early April, a 5:00 ceremony still left time for couple portraits away from the church before a 6:50 arrival at the reception.
Summer
| 3:30 PM | Coverage begins with getting ready at the hotel |
| 4:30 PM | First look with dad and a bridesmaid reveal; couple stays apart |
| 5:15 PM | Shuttle to the church; guests seated from 30 minutes before |
| 6:00 PM | Ceremony begins |
| 6:30 PM | Recessional; family photos in the church, guests leave by bus |
| 6:50 PM | Couple leaves by car for portraits on the way |
| 7:00 PM | Cocktail hour at the reception |
| 7:10 PM | Couple portraits, about 25 minutes |
| 8:00 PM | Grand entrance and first dance |
| 8:05 PM | Golden hour portraits, about 15 minutes |
| 8:20 PM | Dinner, toasts and parent dances |
| 9:30 PM | Dance floor opens |
| 12:00 AM | Send-off |
Fall
| 11:30 AM | Coverage begins with getting ready near the church |
| 12:15 PM | First look at the church, then couple portraits outside |
| 12:45 PM | Wedding party and family photos before guests arrive |
| 1:30 PM | Couple hidden; guests seated from about 30 minutes before |
| 2:00 PM | Ceremony begins |
| 2:30 PM | Recessional; extended family photos at the altar |
| 3:00 PM | Wedding party leaves for the reception |
| 4:30 PM | Reception doors open, cocktail hour |
| 5:30 PM | Grand entrance and dinner |
| 6:30 PM | Golden hour portraits at the reception, about 15 minutes |
| 6:40 PM | Toasts, first dance and parent dances |
| 9:00 PM | Send-off |
Winter
| 12:00 PM | Coverage begins with getting ready; the couple stays apart |
| 1:00 PM | Bride with her bridesmaids, groom with his groomsmen, in separate rooms |
| 1:30 PM | Guests seated; prelude music |
| 2:00 PM | Ceremony begins, first sight at the aisle |
| 2:30 PM | Recessional; family and wedding party photos inside the church |
| 3:05 PM | Couple and wedding party by shuttle to a downtown portrait stop |
| 3:30 PM | Couple portraits and wedding party photos, about 45 minutes |
| 5:00 PM | Cocktail hour at the reception |
| 5:10 PM | Quick sunset portraits at the reception |
| 6:00 PM | Grand entrance, first dance, dinner |
| 7:00 PM | Toasts and parent dances, dance floor opens |
| 9:30 PM | Send-off |
Common questions
Do we have to be members to marry at Central Christian Church?
No. The church says membership is not required.
How much time do we get in the church?
Access starts two and a half hours before the ceremony, and you have one hour afterward for photos and clearing out.
Can we use recorded music?
No. Taped or digitally recorded music is not permitted. Church musicians can play organ or piano for a fee.
How many guests fit?
About 450, including the balcony.
Planning a wedding here? Send us your date and we will tell you how we would film it.