"Our heartfelt thanks to you and your loyalty on our special day. We were a little nervous but felt your peaceful spirit during all the excitement.
May God richly bless you more each day on your beautiful church and service you bring."
"We thank you very much for a most wonderful ceremony. Your love and guidance will always be remembered and cherished. Chan still gets tears when
remembering the wedding."
"Thank you for all of your help in making our wedding exactly how we wanted it."
12 Questions You Should Ask At Wedding Chapel Places
You deserve to have your wedding at the chapel venue
you've dreamed of since you were a little girl!
When looking at wedding places, here are some free wedding tips on
what to ask yourself and the wedding chapel manager. Whether the venue for your wedding is at the church you grew up in, or renting out a
wedding ceremony location or a romantic, beautiful wedding chapel you’ve never
seen before, your big day should be the fulfillment of your every
dream. To ensure you end up at the top wedding venue, here are some things to keep in mind.
Is it
a beautiful wedding chapel?
When you walk in the door for the first time, what is the first
thing you feel? Do you experience that special hush, perhaps a deeply
religious feeling, or that sense of beauty and simplicity that will
make your big day extra romantic? If you love nature, can you see
the mountains or some other special view from the chapel grounds?
A truly beautiful facility may even bring you to tears! If you're
having the wedding at your own church and the facility itself isn't
that pretty, would your minister be willing to officiate the wedding
at a site of your choosing?
Is it
the right kind of facility?
Your wedding ceremony should take place in a facility that highlights
the magic and specialness of your day. Are you thinking of just
having the wedding ceremony at your reception hall? If so, can they
really make that facility into the kind of place you always envisioned for the ceremony? Or is
it a compromise for the sake of convenience and savings? If they
specialize in receptions and simply set up a few dozen chairs in
a corner for your ceremony, will that fulfill your wedding dream?
Is it
the right size?
If you expect 75 guests, think twice about having your wedding in
a church with a capacity of 1000+ people. But don't choose a very small wedding venue or chapel where most of your guests will be standing!
Is it
nearby and easy to find, but still in a special location? If
your dream chapel is a three hour drive into the mountains on obscure
dirt roads, think twice! You want your chapel to be no more than
a 30 minute drive from the reception, and easy to find. But if possible,
you want it to be in a special part of town: a historic section,
perhaps, or near a park, mountains or other natural features that
are extra-special in your region. A chapel that is within a few
miles of a major highway will make it easier for everyone to get
there. Always include a good map with your invitations.
How is
the lighting? Dark
stained glass is beautiful, but be sure the guests can see you clearly
as you walk down the aisle and stand at the altar. Ask if photographers
may take flash photos during the ceremony; in a well-lit chapel,
a few judicious flashes going off will not be too distracting.
Are there
any decorations?
Most churches come "as is," and you have to bring your own altar
flowers and arrangements. Expect to spend $1000 or more with a florist
for your fresh flowers. Some chapels provide flower arrangements;
if they are beautiful and fit in with your color scheme, they will
save you a lot of time and money. Check to see if there is an altar
you can use for the unity candle and other decorations.
Are candles
allowed?
Some churches can't allow candles due to fire codes, and most have
restrictions on the more dangerous ones (such as pew candles). Some
provide candles; ask if they are free or if there is a surcharge
for their use.
Are other
decorations allowed?
If you want to bring in your own decorations, what restrictions
are there? How much time will you have to set them up and remove
them? What are your guests allowed to throw after the ceremony?
Do you need more time, and if so, can the extra time be bought?
Can their decorations,
such as ceremonial items the church normally leaves on the altar,
be removed?
Are the pews or chairs cushioned?
Expect some guests to sit for the better part of an hour. Unpadded
pews or uncomfortable chairs will seriously detract from your guests'
enjoyment of your ceremony.
Is there
indoor plumbing and air conditioning?
Some historic or mountain chapels do not have indoor plumbing, and
many beautiful old chapels do not have air conditioning. Be sure
you ask. Try to have your wedding in the morning if they don't have
AC, and bring a couple of fans if they don't have any on site.
What
are the dressing rooms like?
Ideally the dressing rooms should be big enough for your needs,
but not so big that two dozen girlfriends and aunts will be hanging
around while you get ready! A big old school classroom will draw
lots of unwelcome hangers-on. Dressing rooms can also be beautiful
places for a few pre-wedding photos. Are there nice mirrors around,
and pretty furniture, to make your preparation time pleasant and
your pre-wedding photos extra-beautiful?
Are the
roads to the chapel paved, and is there paved parking? If
your wedding day is a rainy one, or if it's snowing, paved roads
and parking will make a world of difference to your guests. Is the
chapel near the center of town, where it is likely to get priority
snowplowing from the city? Or is it down an obscure street 8,000'
high in the mountains, where the weather can be much worse than
it is in town?
How flexible
are the site managers? Will
you be allowed to decorate the way you want? Will you be allowed
to bring in your own officiate? Can you play the music you want?
Your own photographer? What is required of you and what is prohibited?
Can they work with you to determine the amount of time you need? Can you get a full hour for your rehearsal, or just 30 minutes-or
no time at all?
How helpful
are the site managers? Are you "on your own," or do you get consultation and help along
the way? Can they recommend wedding professionals? Do they help
run your rehearsal? Can they help with your wedding planning? Can
they offer "one stop shopping" for most of your wedding needs?
Can they
help you find a reception facility?
Very few chapels have large, beautiful reception halls on site which
also allow champagne and other drinks, but some are located near
a number of good banquet rooms. Can they help you find a convenient
facility near them?
If
you ask these questions before deciding on a site for your wedding,
you will have a beautiful ceremony with happy memories, some extra-special
photos, and a roomful of happy guests.
Call Foothills Chapel at 303.279.2152
for the wedding of your dreams!