Planning a wedding is one of the most exciting times in a couple's life -- but it also requires a great deal of work and organization! We hope that these extra bits of information and tips from our wedding team will help make your special day run as smoothly as possible.
SELECTING YOUR WEDDING PACKAGE
When considering which Rental Wedding Package is right for you, there are a few key things to consider:
VISION: Ask yourself what you'd like your wedding day to look like ... do you want to get ready at the Chapel (hair, makeup, etc.) or at home, different location, etc. If you choose to get ready at the Chapel, a larger package will allow you time to do so without rushing.
SIZE OF WEDDING / BRIDAL PARTY: Do you have a large bridal party and guest list, or will it be a smaller, intimate wedding? We know (from years of experience) that the more people there are, the more difficult it is to coordinate, which eats up time very quickly! Larger weddings should consider larger packages to allot ample time for day-of logistics.
PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES: Do you plan to take photos at the Chapel before and/or after the ceremony? Please keep in mind that Chapel's staff is volunteer-based and those who are assisting with your wedding are unable to stay past the time the package allots. Be sure to view our Styled Wedding Shoot Gallery to see some beautiful inspiration for photos on your wedding day! Please note: photos from this photoshoot with the cake are simply shown for effect. At this time, we do not have adequate accommodations for receptions. Thank you for understanding!
BUDGET: Last - but certainly not least - consider your budget. We are pleased to offer three different wedding package options that are sensitive to all budgets.
DAY-OF LOGISTICS
One of the most frequently asked questions we receive is: What time should I schedule my wedding / ceremony?
First, consider what the rest of your wedding day looks like ... Will you be getting ready at the Chapel or home/different location? How far will you and your guests have to travel to get to the Chapel and then to your reception location? Will you be taking photos before and/or after the ceremony?
Once you've established a vision for how your wedding day will flow, look at the time allotted for your specific package and go from there. Our Coordinator April is happy to offer suggestions on timing out your day!
MOCK TIMELINE
FULL-DAY PACKAGE (4 HOURS TOTAL):
Night before: 1 hour wedding rehearsal (4:30-5:30pm; allows time for rehearsal dinner afterward, if planning one.)
Day-of: Arrive and unpack 12:00-12:15pm
Hair & Makeup / Getting Dressed: 12:15-1:45pm. We suggest allowing at least 1-1/2 hours if having your makeup and hair professionally done, as it always takes longer than expected!
Pre-Ceremony Photos: 1:45-2:00pm. Once you're dressed and ready, consider taking individual "glamour shots" or "first-look" photos. These should not take long, as it is usually just the couple.
Ceremony: 2:00-2:30pm. Most ceremonies will not run longer than 30 minutes. If you know that yours is longer, simply cut time out of hair/makeup or pre/post-ceremony photos.
Post-Ceremony Photos: 2:30-3:00pm. The final half hour can be used for photos inside the Chapel and outside on the grounds. This does *NOT* include time for photos in the Town Square Park across the street. Please see Important Reminders below.
IMPORTANT REMINDERS
If you would like to take photos across the street at the Town Square Park / Gazebo, we kindly require you to remove *ALL* personal items prior to leaving the Chapel grounds. As mentioned above, our volunteer staff cannot extend their time beyond what is allotted for your wedding package and will lock up the building as soon as post-ceremony photos (indoors and on the Chapel grounds) have finished.
We suggest coordinating with a friend/family member who will be responsible for cleaning up the personal items, decorations, etc. while the couple is taking wedding photos AFTER the ceremony.
Absolutely *NO* alcohol is allowed on the premises at any time.