St. Alexander Church: A Historic Setting for Your Wedding in Upstate New York
You're in wedding planning mode; you want a church wedding in Upstate New York, and then you find St. Alexander Church. The perfect venue for Catholic and church weddings in the region, in our opinion, as a team of photographers and videographers in Upstate NY. Couples researching Catholic venues in upstate NY should consider St. Alexander's for many reasons, which is why we created this guide for couples considering booking their big day here.
About St. Alexander Church
This Church is located in Morrisonville, NY, Clinton County, under the Diocese of Ogdensburg. This is a shared parish community with St. Augustine and St. James, meaning one pastoral team but separate Masses and sacraments for each church.
This venue is unique because of its historic roots as a long-standing parish, and the adjoining cemetery reflects generations of local families who still call the area home.
To lock in your date, you’ll need to contact the parish by phone and likely make an appointment. The office address is 1 Church Street, Morrisonville, NY 12962. Many parishes require you to contact them at least 6 months in advance to begin the process of getting married in the church, so be sure to reach out early.
This parish offers incredible photo opportunities inside the sanctuary. The gorgeous stained glass windows offer a spectacular finish to the ornate architecture and vaulted ceiling inside the church. You’ll be saying your vows in front of an enormous, ornate organ that is an impressive sight.
Planning a Catholic Wedding at St. Alexander's
As previously mentioned, reach out 6+ months ahead of time and contact the parish office first before booking other vendors. There are a few other things to keep in mind when planning your wedding at St Alexander Catholic Church. The ceremony timing will need to work around the Mass schedule, as there are usually 7 Masses each week.
If one or both of you have been previously married, you'll also need to complete extra paperwork. Please allow enough time to complete any required paperwork, including certificates for your baptisms, confirmations, and first communions, a marriage preparation certificate, and others. There is also a music/reading approval process that must happen before they can approve what is used during your ceremony. If you know what music you want played or have specific speaking points, bring it up to your priest early so it can be approved quickly.
Why Couples Choose a Catholic Wedding in New York
A Catholic wedding in New York can look a lot different depending on where you are in the state. In Manhattan or Brooklyn, couples might marry in a soaring cathedral with hundreds of guests. Upstate, in towns similar to Morrisonville, the experience is usually smaller and more personal. The church might seat a hundred people instead of a thousand, and there's a good chance the priest already knows your family.
What stays the same across both settings is the ceremony's structure. The Mass follows a rhythm passed down for generations: the readings, the vows, the exchange of rings, and the nuptial blessing. Couples don't have to write their own ceremony from scratch the way they might for a secular wedding, and for many, that continuity is part of the appeal because tradition is a strong bond for some families.
In our experience photographing weddings across upstate NY, we've noticed couples who value deep-rooted traditions ultimately choose wedding venues like St. Alexander Catholic Church because they want to carry on certain family values into their vows and ultimately their marriage.
Capturing Your Wedding Day at St. Alexander's
Photographing a Catholic church ceremony takes a different approach than most secular weddings. The church sets the rules and the flow, not the couple, and part of our job is knowing and understanding those rules before your wedding day so nothing catches us by surprise.
Here are some things we’ll talk through with couples ahead of time:
Confirming the photo and video policy of the parish. Every Catholic church has its own guidelines for photography and videography during Mass, especially around communion and the vows. We will need to reach out to the parish ahead of time to know exactly where we can stand and when flash is or isn't allowed.
Scouting the lighting. Church lighting changes throughout the day, and stained glass or altar lighting can shift the color and tone of your photos and video. We like to visit or research the space in advance so we know what to expect the day of the ceremony.
Handling family formals with care. A church is a sacred space, not a studio, so we move through group photos efficiently and respectfully, keeping the tone in line with the setting.
Coordinating the recessional. We work with your officiant ahead of time so we know exactly when the recessional begins, which means we're in position and ready rather than guessing.
Considering Booking Your Wedding at St. Alexander’s?
A quick recap: contact the parish office first, then plan the rest of the day around that date to ensure you have plenty of time to complete the church's wedding requirements. After you secure the date, start booking your vendors!
If you’re ready to start planning your dream wedding at the beautiful St. Alexander Church or need help picking an Upstate NY venue, reach out today!
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is St. Alexander Church located?
St. Alexander's Church is located in Morrisonville, New York, in Clinton County, within the Diocese of Ogdensburg.
Does St. Alexander's host wedding ceremonies?
Yes. As an active Catholic parish, St. Alexander's hosts weddings for couples who complete the diocese's marriage preparation requirements.
How far in advance should we contact the parish?
Most couples should reach out at least six months before their desired wedding date to confirm availability and begin marriage preparation.
Is St. Alexander's connected to other nearby parishes?
Yes. St. Alexander's shares a pastoral team with St. Augustine and St. James, though each parish holds its own Masses and sacraments.\
