The Sanctuary, Long Beach
A former Presbyterian church in Long Beach's East Village, with stained glass, dark wood beams and a courtyard under mature trees between its two wings.
A Gothic chapel with a courtyard at its heart
The Sanctuary stands at 600 East 5th Street in the East Village, a few minutes from the beach and downtown Long Beach. It was built as the First United Presbyterian Church, the third church on the site where that congregation was founded in 1906, and it is listed today as a City of Long Beach historic landmark. The design is modeled after English Gothic churches, and the woodwork and stained glass are the details guests notice first.
Inside the chapel, vaulted ceilings and dark exposed beams sit against white walls, with arched windows and stained glass along the sides. Across an open courtyard shaded by mature trees, the Grand Hall in the east wing has oak floors and wrought iron chandeliers. Get-ready rooms keep the whole day in one place. The building is now run as a wedding venue by Wedgewood Weddings.
Photographing a historic chapel in Long Beach
We have photographed and filmed weddings at The Sanctuary, from days held entirely in the building to receptions that follow a church ceremony elsewhere. Because couples can get ready on site, the day often starts in the get-ready rooms and moves through the courtyard and chapel without anyone getting into a car.
The chapel's white walls and pale floors photograph softly by day. For evening ceremonies and receptions we bring our own lighting so the woodwork and the stained glass keep their color after dark. When two partners get ready separately in the building, we plan the coverage so each side receives equal attention.
Good to know
- Get-ready rooms let the whole day happen in one building
- The courtyard connects the chapel and the Grand Hall, so guests move between spaces on foot
- Plan a short portrait set in daylight before the evening events begin
- For evening events we bring supplemental lighting for the chapel and hall
- Confirm vendor arrival times and any photography guidance with the venue coordinator
Where we like to shoot
- The chapel aisle under the vaulted ceiling and wood beams
- The pointed arched window and the small stained glass window
- The light wood pews, for quiet portraits and details
- The white exterior gable with its leaded-glass window and lantern
- The courtyard trees and string lights at dusk
Sample wedding day timelines at The Sanctuary
Most days here keep everything in one building, from getting ready to the last dance. These are drawn from the weddings we have photographed here, and they are a starting point to adapt with your coordinator rather than a fixed schedule.
Eight hours with a first look
- 1:30 PMCoverage begins in the get-ready rooms. Dress, rings, details and final touches.
- 2:30 PMPrivate first look in the courtyard, then couple portraits in the chapel while it is still quiet.
- 3:15 PMFamily and wedding party portraits, finished before guests arrive.
- 4:00 PMYou tuck away. Ceremony details and guest arrivals photographed.
- 4:30 PMCeremony in the chapel, around thirty minutes.
- 5:00 PMCocktail hour in the courtyard, with guest candids and reception details.
- 6:00 PMGrand entrance, first dance, toasts and dinner.
- 8:00 PMCake cutting, then open dancing.
- 9:30 PMCoverage concludes, with the party continuing.
Eight hours without a first look
- 1:00 PMCoverage begins. Venue and detail photographs.
- 1:30 PMGetting ready moments, then portraits of the first partner with family and wedding party.
- 2:45 PMPortraits of the second partner with family and wedding party, kept apart.
- 3:45 PMCeremony details and guest arrivals.
- 4:00 PMCeremony in the chapel.
- 4:30 PMCombined family portraits, then couple portraits during cocktail hour.
- 5:45 PMReception details, grand entrance and scheduled events.
- 7:45 PMA group photograph of everyone near the dance floor, then open dancing.
- 9:00 PMCoverage concludes.
What is specific to The Sanctuary
A few things about this building that shape the day, and that are worth settling early with your coordinator.
Where couples also photograph nearby
Spots inside the building and a short drive away that come up on Sanctuary wedding days.
- The chapel under its wood beams
- The courtyard trees
- The Grand Hall chandeliers
- The white gable and lantern
- East Village streets
- Downtown Long Beach
- The Long Beach shoreline
- Hotel Maya
Questions couples ask about The Sanctuary
How many hours of coverage do couples book at The Sanctuary?
Every collection includes eight hours, which covers a typical day here from getting ready in the building through the first stretch of dancing. Coverage can be extended if you want the whole reception, or a church ceremony elsewhere earlier in the day.
Can we get ready at The Sanctuary?
Yes. The venue has get-ready rooms, and many couples start there so the whole day stays in one place. If you both get ready on site separately, we plan the coverage so each of you is photographed fully.
Should we do a first look?
It works well here. A first look in the courtyard or the chapel lets you finish family and wedding party portraits before guests arrive, so you can join cocktail hour. Without one, portraits happen after the ceremony and during cocktail hour, which works with a clear family photo list.
Where are the best portrait spots?
The chapel aisle under the vaulted ceiling, the arched and stained glass windows, and the white exterior gable. The courtyard trees and string lights are lovely at dusk. A short drive takes you to downtown Long Beach or the shoreline if you want a coastal look.
Will our photographs look good in the evening?
Yes. The chapel is soft and bright by day, and after dark we bring our own lighting for the ceremony and reception so the room, the woodwork and the stained glass keep their color.
More venues nearby on our regional venue guide and the city page.