If you’re dreaming of a traditional Catholic wedding in San Diego, The Immaculata is undoubtedly one of the most iconic churches in the city. Located on the University of San Diego campus, it’s easy to see why so many couples choose this beautiful church for their wedding day.
Beyond its stunning Spanish Renaissance architecture and striking blue dome, one of the things that makes The Immaculata so special is the experience it offers. From the ceremony itself to the many portrait opportunities surrounding the church, everything is conveniently located in one beautiful setting.
As a San Diego wedding photographer who’s had the privilege of photographing a wedding at The Immaculata, I’ve experienced firsthand what makes this venue so unique. In this guide, I’ll walk you through what you need to know about getting married at The Immaculata, what to expect throughout the planning process, and share a few tips to help you make the most of your wedding day.
The Immaculata Catholic Church at a Glance
Location: University of San Diego, San Diego, California
Wedding Style: Traditional Catholic weddings
Architecture: Spanish Renaissance
Known For: Its beautiful blue dome, bell tower, and grand interior
Wedding Ceremonies: Saturdays at 11:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m., and 6:30 p.m., with select Friday ceremonies available during USD’s summer and winter breaks. Weddings are not held on Sundays.
Portrait Opportunities: The church grounds and surrounding University of San Diego campus
Planning Timeline: Wedding dates may be scheduled up to two years in advance, and the Diocese of San Diego recommends setting your date at least nine months in advance.
Why Get Married at The Immaculata Church?
Few churches in San Diego make quite the same first impression as The Immaculata. Widely recognized as one of San Diego’s most beautiful Catholic churches, it provides a timeless setting for couples planning a traditional Catholic wedding.
One of the things I love most about weddings here is that the church grounds offer so much variety without requiring you to spend your day traveling between portrait locations. Whether you’re taking family photos after the ceremony or spending some time together for couples portraits, there are beautiful backdrops just steps from the sanctuary.
If your timeline allows, you can also explore more of the University of San Diego campus for additional portraits, including fountains, gardens, and scenic overlooks with views of Mission Bay and the Pacific Ocean. These locations require a little more walking, but they can be a wonderful addition if you’ve built extra portrait time into your schedule.
Planning Your Wedding at The Immaculata Church San Diego
If you’ve decided The Immaculata is the place where you’d like to say “I do,” it’s a good idea to begin planning early. Wedding dates may be reserved up to two years in advance, and the Diocese of San Diego recommends beginning the planning process at least nine months before your wedding. This gives you plenty of time to complete your marriage preparation and gather any required documents.
While there are several steps involved in planning a Catholic wedding, don’t let that feel overwhelming. The church and your parish will guide you through the process, and beginning early gives you plenty of time to complete everything before your wedding day.
Who can get married at The Immaculata?
The Immaculata welcomes both parishioners and non-parishioners who wish to celebrate the Sacrament of Marriage. At least one member of the couple must be a baptized Catholic, and both individuals must be free to marry according to the Catholic Church. Non-parishioners complete their marriage preparation through their local parish and are responsible for securing their own celebrant.
How do you reserve your wedding date?
The first step is contacting The Immaculata’s Wedding Director to check availability. Once you’ve selected a date and submitted a Date Request Form, the church can place a 30-day tentative hold while you begin working with your parish and complete the required steps to confirm your reservation.
How much does it cost to get married at The Immaculata?
The fee to use The Immaculata for your wedding is currently $1,200. A $700 non-refundable deposit is required to confirm your wedding date, with the remaining $500 due one month before the wedding.
The church fee includes the services of an Immaculata Wedding Coordinator, who will lead your rehearsal and assist you on your wedding day. Music, décor, and other services are additional. Because fees can change, be sure to confirm current pricing directly with The Immaculata as you begin planning your wedding.
When are weddings held?
Wedding ceremonies are typically offered on Saturdays at 11:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m., and 6:30 p.m. Friday weddings at 2:00 p.m. are available during USD’s summer and winter breaks in January, June, July, and August. Weddings are not held on Sundays.
Marriage preparation
Marriage preparation is an important part of planning a Catholic wedding. Depending on your circumstances, you’ll work with your parish to complete the required preparation before your wedding day. Your priest, deacon, or wedding minister will help guide you through the process and determine which preparation programs and documents are required for your particular situation.
Because requirements and procedures can change over time, be sure to visit The Immaculata’s official wedding page or contact the Wedding Director for the most up-to-date information as you begin planning your wedding.
Making the Most of Your Wedding Day at The Immaculata
There are a few things to keep in mind that can help your wedding day at The Immaculata run a little more smoothly and give you more time to simply enjoy the day.
Give yourself plenty of time to arrive.
Plan to arrive early enough to check in, settle in, and enjoy a few quiet moments before the ceremony begins. The bridal room is designed for final touch-ups rather than getting ready, so most couples arrive dressed and ready to go.
Be mindful of your timeline.
The Immaculata is very mindful of keeping weddings on schedule since another wedding or church event may follow yours. Excessive tardiness can result in the ceremony being shortened or post-wedding photos being canceled, so this is one venue where staying on schedule really matters.
Work with your photographer when planning your timeline.
Depending on your ceremony time, it may make sense to take some portraits before the ceremony while others are best afterward. Every wedding day is a little different, so it’s helpful to build your photography timeline around both the ceremony schedule and the available light.
The church grounds offer enough variety that most couples won’t need to leave immediately after the ceremony for portraits. If you have additional time built into your schedule, you can also explore more of the USD campus.
Consider whether a first look makes sense.
A first look can be especially helpful if you’d like to complete some of your portraits before the ceremony. Depending on your ceremony time and the lighting, you may be able to take advantage of the beautiful areas around The Immaculata and the USD campus beforehand, leaving fewer photos to complete after the ceremony.
It can also give you more flexibility with your timeline, especially since the time available for photos inside the church after the ceremony is limited. A first look isn’t necessary, but it’s definitely worth discussing with your photographer to see whether it makes sense for your wedding day.
Have your family photo list ready.
The family photo time after the ceremony goes by quickly, so having a well-organized family photo list makes a big difference. It helps portraits move efficiently and gives you more time for couples portraits afterward.
If you have a larger family, it’s also helpful to ask a friend, sibling, or coordinator who knows everyone to help gather people for the next photo. And if you aren’t able to finish all of your group photos inside the church during the allotted time, there are plenty of places outside where you can continue.
Consider having a second photographer.
Because The Immaculata is such a large church, I highly recommend having a second photographer. During a Catholic wedding ceremony, photographers should remain quiet, respectful, and as unobtrusive as possible.
Having two photographers makes it possible to capture different perspectives while minimizing movement throughout the ceremony. It also helps ensure important moments and reactions are documented without one photographer having to move from one side of the church to the other at crucial points in the Mass.
Choose a photographer familiar with Catholic weddings.
Catholic wedding ceremonies follow a very specific order, and many include meaningful traditions that aren’t part of other wedding ceremonies. Depending on your ceremony, there may be traditions such as the exchange of arras (coins), the Liturgy of the Eucharist, the placing of the lasso or veil, or the presentation of flowers to Mary.
Working with a photographer who understands the flow of a Catholic wedding means they’ll know what to expect, where to be before these moments happen, and how to capture them respectfully without becoming a distraction during the ceremony.
When your photographer understands the flow of the ceremony, you can stay present in the moment knowing those once-in-a-lifetime memories are being beautifully documented.
A Real Wedding at The Immaculata
One of the best ways to experience a wedding venue is to see it through a real wedding day. Every wedding at The Immaculata is unique, but this celebration offers a glimpse into what it’s like to get married at one of San Diego’s most iconic Catholic churches.
From getting ready nearby to a traditional Catholic ceremony inside the church, portraits around the beautiful grounds, and a reception with family and friends, here’s a look at how this wedding day unfolded.
A Relaxed Start to the Day
I had previously photographed these two for their engagement session, so it was wonderful to see them again for their wedding day. They started the day getting ready at a nearby hotel before making their way to The Immaculata. Choosing accommodations close to the church helped simplify the timeline and made for a relaxed start to the day.
A First Look Before the Ceremony
Before the ceremony, the couple chose to have a first look and spend some time taking portraits together around The Immaculata and the USD campus. This gave us the opportunity to take advantage of some of the beautiful portrait locations before guests arrived while also freeing up more time after the ceremony for family photos and additional portraits.
A Traditional Catholic Wedding Ceremony
Family and friends gathered inside The Immaculata as the couple exchanged vows during a traditional Catholic wedding ceremony. One of the things I appreciate most about photographing Catholic weddings is the meaning behind each part of the ceremony. Every reading, blessing, and tradition is intentionally woven together to celebrate not only the wedding day, but the Sacrament of Marriage itself.
Family Portraits
After the ceremony, we took advantage of the time set aside for family portraits while everyone was still gathered together. Having a well-organized family photo list helped everything move efficiently, giving the couple plenty of time for portraits together afterward.
Portraits Around The Immaculata
After family photos, we spent some time exploring the grounds surrounding the church. There are so many portrait locations within a short walk of the sanctuary that we were able to create a wonderful variety of images without spending a lot of time traveling between locations.
The Reception
After portraits, it was time to head to the reception and celebrate with family and friends. Dinner, heartfelt toasts, and plenty of dancing brought the day to a wonderful close.
Looking for a Wedding Photographer at The Immaculata?
If you’re planning a wedding at The Immaculata, I’d love to hear what you have planned. Having photographed a Catholic wedding here, I’m familiar with the church, the flow of the ceremony, and how to make the most of the portrait locations throughout the church grounds and USD campus.
Just as importantly, I’ll work with you ahead of time to create a photography timeline that takes your ceremony schedule, family photos, portrait time, and lighting into consideration so you can enjoy your wedding day without feeling like you’re constantly being pulled away for pictures.
I’d love to learn more about you and your wedding plans.
Tell Me About Your Wedding
Want to see another wedding at The Immaculata?
Take a look at this wedding for even more inspiration.
Frequently Asked Questions About Weddings at The Immaculata
What are the marriage requirements for getting married at The Immaculata?
At least one member of the couple must be a baptized Catholic, and both must be free to marry within the Catholic Church. Couples also need to complete the appropriate marriage preparation and required paperwork before their wedding. Your priest or deacon will help determine exactly what’s required for your circumstances.
Can non-parishioners get married at The Immaculata?
Yes. Both parishioners and non-parishioners can get married at The Immaculata. Non-parishioners are required to complete their marriage preparation through their local parish and provide their own priest or deacon to preside at the ceremony.
How far in advance can you book a wedding at The Immaculata?
Wedding dates can be scheduled up to two years in advance. The Diocese recommends setting your date at least nine months ahead to allow enough time for marriage preparation.
What time are weddings held at The Immaculata?
Saturday ceremonies are held at 11:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m., and 6:30 p.m. Friday ceremonies at 2:00 p.m. are available during select months when USD is on summer or winter break. Weddings are not held on Sundays.
Can we take wedding photos at The Immaculata after the ceremony?
Yes, but the church keeps a strict schedule, so you’ll want to use your available post-ceremony photo time efficiently. Having your family photo combinations organized in advance is especially helpful. If you need additional time for group portraits, there are plenty of locations outside the church where you can continue.
Where can we take wedding portraits at The Immaculata?
There are plenty of options right around the church, including the front plaza, archways, courtyards, and surrounding grounds. If you have more time available, the University of San Diego campus offers additional locations, including gardens, fountains, and scenic overlooks.
Do I need a photographer who has experience with Catholic weddings?
It’s not a requirement, but I highly recommend working with someone who understands the flow of a Catholic ceremony. Catholic weddings can include a Mass as well as traditions you may not see at other weddings, and an experienced photographer will be better prepared to anticipate those moments while remaining respectful and unobtrusive.
Is parking available at The Immaculata?
Yes. The church guidelines state that two parking lots are available for rehearsals and weddings—one on the west side of the church and another on the north side. Guests should follow all USD campus parking signs.
