Pakistan Prelate Issues Wedding Photography Guidelines to Protect Church Sanctity

Archbishop Benny Mario Travis of the Catholic Archdiocese of Lahore, Pakistan, has issued strict guidelines on wedding photography in Church premises to uphold the dignity and sanctity of the Church and the Sacrament of Matrimony.

The Archbishop’s directive comes in response to the growing trend of “posing-style” photography during weddings, which he said often distracts from the solemnity of the sacramental celebration. In a letter issued on March 10, 2026, Archbishop Travis addressed priests, religious, and the lay faithful across the archdiocese, urging respect for the Church as a place of worship.

“It has come to my notice that, at the Cathedral and many other churches in Lahore, newly married couples and their families engage in elaborate photography before and after the Nikkah (Sacrament of Matrimony) ceremony,” he said. “While we celebrate the joy of marriage, we are all called to respect the dignity and sanctity of the House of God. The Church is foremost a place of worship, prayer, and encounter with God.”

The guidelines specify that:

1. Photography is permitted only during the Nikkah ceremony, with prior approval of the parish priest, so as not to disrupt the liturgical rite.

2. A group photo with the couple, immediate family, and close relatives may be taken at the conclusion of the ceremony, under the priest’s guidance.

3. A group photo may also be taken at the entrance of the Cathedral or Church.

4. Elaborate, studio-style or “posing-style” photography is strictly prohibited inside the Church and its compound.

Archbishop Travis urged clergy and religious to explain these policies gently during pre-marriage preparations and on the wedding day, helping couples and families understand the importance of maintaining reverence in sacred spaces.

Fr. Adnan Rasheed, parish priest of St. Ignatius Church in Lahore, welcomed the guidelines.

Speaking to RVA, he said: “Photographers and relatives often focus on taking pictures during the prayerful ceremony, distracting both the priest and the couple. Posing-style photography in front of sacred symbols or inside the Church diminishes the solemnity of the Sacrament.”

Fr. Qaisar Feroz OFM Cap, executive secretary of the Episcopal Commission of Social Communications, added: “Churches are not studios or wedding halls. Photography should respect the sanctity of the place. Many people unintentionally disrespect the Church by treating it like a backdrop for posed photos.”

Fr. Feroz, who also heads the Urdu service of Radio Veritas Asia in Pakistan, stressed that weddings are a moment to focus on the prayerful ceremony, rather than on cultural or photographic displays.

The Archdiocese of Lahore serves as one of Pakistan’s largest Catholic dioceses, with a network of parishes, schools, and social outreach programs across the city and surrounding areas, making these guidelines relevant not only locally but also as a reference for Catholic communities across Asia.