Filming Love at Old St. Patrick’s Church: A Guide for Couples & Why Mirar is Your Approved Chicago Wedding Videographer
Old St. Patrick’s Church Couple Outside Their Ceremony
Old St. Patrick’s Church — “Old St. Pat’s” — is one of Chicago’s most beloved and historic wedding venues. Its vaulted ceilings, Celtic-inspired stained glass, and the warm weight of history make it a singular place to exchange vows. Founded in 1846 and one of the few buildings to stand after the Great Chicago Fire, Old St. Pat’s carries a sense of reverence that reads beautifully on film.
Whether you’re planning pre-ceremony portraits in the church’s glow, the traditional Catholic Mass, or the first dances at your reception, the space shapes the story. As a newly approved vendor on Old St. Pat’s list, Mirar Weddings brings a cinematic, modern-elegant approach to every frame while honoring the church’s guidelines and sacred traditions.
Why Old St. Pat’s is a dream for cinematic wedding video
Historic architecture that photographs and films naturally. The cream-brick exterior, soaring arches, and handcrafted ornamentation create dramatic compositions that elevate bridal portraits and ceremony coverage.
Celtic-inspired stained glass that sculpts light. The iconic O’Shaughnessy windows filter daylight into rich tones — exactly the kind of natural, cinematic light we look for when capturing emotional ceremony moments.
A reverent atmosphere that amplifies emotion. The hush during the Mass, the echo of footfalls, the swell of music — these textures translate into film as intimacy, gravitas, and genuine feeling.
How Mirar approaches an Old St. Pat’s wedding — respectful, cinematic, unobtrusive
We treat church weddings with an instinct for discretion and story. Our process for Chicago church weddings, and specifically Old St. Pat’s, includes:
Pre-ceremony planning: We review Old St. Pat’s vendor guidelines, timeline, and lighting options in advance so the day runs quietly and smoothly.
Natural-light first: We prioritize available light through the stained glass and architecture for warm, cinematic portraits and ceremony coverage.
Minimal footprint: During the Mass we stay out of the sanctuary and use long lenses and quiet capture so your ceremony remains sacred and uninterrupted.
Film + reception continuity: Your wedding film should feel like one story — from pre-ceremony portraits to the vows at Old St. Pat’s, through cocktail hour and reception highlights. We craft a narrative edit that balances ceremony reverence with the joy of your celebration.
What couples should know (planning tips for your Old St. Pat’s wedding video)
Approved vendors only: Old St. Pat’s requires couples to choose photography and videography from their approved list, a rule designed to protect the sanctity and flow of the Mass. Choosing an approved Chicago wedding videographer removes stress and ensures compliance.
Lighting & timing: The best light for portraits is often the hour before your ceremony or during golden hour after the ceremony — timing your photographer and videographer for these windows makes a big difference.
Sound matters: For Catholic Masses, clear audio of vows and readings is essential. We capture clean, cinematic audio with a combination of lavalier mics and ambient mics to preserve the ceremony’s natural soundscape.
Respectful coverage: Cell phones are typically not allowed during the ceremony at Old St. Pat’s — it keeps the moment pure and helps your professional team capture unhindered video.
Want to see how your film could feel?
We created a dedicated venue page with more about Mirar’s approach to Old St. Patrick’s (lighting, logistics, and package options). If you’re planning a wedding at Old St. Pat’s and want an unobtrusive, cinematic wedding film that respects the Mass and captures the emotion of your day, let’s talk.