Graham Chapel Wedding – Washington University
Need a Wedding Officiant for a Wedding at Graham Chapel – Washington University?
CALL….. Rev Sark Elking 314-472-5017
Graham Chapel is a beautiful Non Denominational Chapel located on the washington University Campus. Graham Memorial Chapel was gifted to Washington University in St. Louis by Christine Blair Graham as a memorial to her husband, Benjamin Brown Graham. Graham Chapel was dedicated in 1909 and is now used for concerts, plays and the university’s weekly lecture program.
This is a premier event space.
Rental Fee
The Graham Chapel rental fee for wedding ceremonies is $1000. A one-hour wedding rehearsal is included in this fee. A wedding will not be considered confirmed until the applicant has received and returned to Event Management a signed original copy of the Graham Chapel Reservation Agreement and the full rental fee.
Scheduling Policies
Couples that are Washington University Affiliated (meaning one (or both) applicant is a current student, graduate, or employee of the university or the child of a student, graduate or employee of the university) may submit an application
14 months prior to their requested wedding date. Applications will be dated and time stamped in the order received and
processed 12 months prior to the requested wedding date.
Couples that are Washington University Affiliated Guests (meaning neither applicant is a current student, graduate, or
employee of the university or the child of a student, graduate or employee of the university) may submit an application 12
months prior to their requested wedding date.
Our online application must be submitted digitally in accordance with the above guidelines.
Weddings are processed in the order received in accordance with the Scheduling Guidelines. Submitting an application
does not guarantee confirmation; all days and times are subject to availability. A wedding will not be considered confirmed
until the applicant has received and returned to Event Management a signed copy of the Graham Memorial Chapel
Reservation Agreement and the full rental fee. If both components are not returned within the Agreement’s provided
timeframe, the ceremony time will be made available to other bookings.
Payment Method
Payment can be made by check or money order payable to“WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY” and should be mailed to
Campus Box 1155, One Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO 63130. The couple’s last names and event date should be
written on the memo line of the check or money order. This payment should be submitted with a signed copy of the
Graham Memorial Chapel Reservation Agreement. Payment by cash or credit card is not possible.
Venue Information:
- Graham Chapel seats 785 people.
- The main level contains 27 rows of pews on either side of the aisle.
- Each full row seats approximately 11 people for a total of 589 seats on the floor.
- The middle aisle is 42 inches wide and 105 feet long.
- The balcony seats 196 people in individual padded chairs.
- A second entrance and elevator is located on the north side of Graham Memorial Chapel.
- Restrooms are located on the lower level of the Chapel and can be accessed by the elevator or either staircase.
- The green room is located off the northeast corner of the Chapel.
- A private restroom is located just inside the green room.
Equipment Included With Reservation:
- Large podium with microphone
- 2 pedestal podiums
- 1 large high-back chair
- 4 large low-back chairs
- 1 double kneeler
- 2 short (2’ high) pedestal tables
- 2 tall (3’ high) pedestal tables
- 25 stacking padded chairs
- 2 3’x3’ over-pew tables
AV Included With Reservation:
- Up to two microphones
- CD player and/or MP3 player hookup
- Large built-in projector screen
- Wireless Internet
Event Management
Prior to the wedding, the Washington University Wedding Contact will review Chapel details including set-up, decorations, audio-visual needs, parking, food, security, signs, and other applicable University and Chapel policies. If you have
questions or concerns before your wedding regarding your contract and University policies, please contact the Event Management Office at (314) 935-5234.The Wedding Contact is responsible for the facilities and general
University questions but not for the logistics of the wedding ceremony. The bride and groom are responsible foe
providing a ceremony coordinator or coordinating themselves.
Please note that by booking a wedding in Graham Chapel you assume all responsibility for your event vendors and guests.
It is suggested that you provide a copy of the Graham Memorial Chapel Guidelines to your vendors and discuss with
them any questions they may have.
Ceremony Timing
Weddings take place in Graham Memorial Chapel Saturdays and Sundays: 11am-3pm and 4-8pm. Please note that we do not offer a Friday evening ceremony time. Ceremonies themselves ideally begin between 12 and 1pm for the first session and 5 and 6pm for the second session.
Your reserved session times include setup and teardown for all wedding activities including florists, musicians, photos, receiving lines, etc. It is imperative that all decorations and floral arrangements be removed from the Chapel by the end of the reserved time.
Graham Memorial Chapel is not available for weddings or rehearsal on the following days: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving week, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day, and the weekend of commencement.
Chapel Amenities
The following items are available for use at no additional charge:
- The Graham Memorial Chapel Grand Piano
- Two Candelabras that hold seven (provided) candles each
- One unity candle holder that holds two taper candles and a large unity candle (unity candle and tapers not provided)
- Two tall pedestal tables (approx. 3 feet tall and 1 foot square)
- Two short pedestal tables (approx. 2.5 feet tall and 1 foot square)
- Two pedestal podiums
- One set of double kneelers
- Two over-pew tables (approx. 3-foot square)
- Chairs
- Music Stands
- House sound system with up to two microphones and a CD player or MP3 player connection.
(Additional Audio/Visual packages are available; please call your Wedding Contact. All supplemental AV support must be coordinated no less than two weeks prior to the wedding date.)
Wedding Officiant / Minister
Wedding Officiant for a Wedding at Graham Chapel at Washington University? CALL….. Rev Sark Elking 314-472-5017
Organ Usage
The Graham Memorial Chapel organ is available for use. The University organist, William “Pat” Partridge is the exclusive organist for the chapel. He manages his own fees. Please contact him at the following phone number for information and scheduling: Christ Church Cathedral, 314-231-3454.
The organist requires an assistant who will watch the processional and be his “eyes” for timing. Your Wedding Contact is not responsible for this role. A friend (or wedding party member’s date!) would be an excellent assistant. This volunteer will not miss any part of the wedding ceremony.
Food & Beverage
Light refreshments are allowed in the Graham Memorial Chapel basement. Food is not allowed anywhere else in the building. Alcohol is strictly prohibited anywhere on the Chapel’s premises.
Smoking
As of July 1, 2010, all Washington University campuses are Tobacco Free. Smoking and the use of all other tobacco products is prohibited on the entire campus, including parking lots.
Pets
In accordance with Washington University campus policies, no animals, except service dogs, are allowed anywhere in the Chapel.
Decorations
All decorations must be approved, prior to the event, by the Event Management Office.
Nothing may be affixed to any wood surface, including pews, by using putty, wire, tacks, staples, tape or any material that will harm the wood finish.
Pews may not be moved for any reason without prior written permission from the Washington University Event Management Office. (Please make sure your photographer is specifically aware of this policy.)
The only candles allowed in Graham Memorial Chapel are the ones in the candelabras and the optional unity candle.
Aisle runners are allowed, but must be secured to the floor with low-residue tape. Please avoid the use of disposable aisle runners as they cause a particularly dangerous tripping hazard.
Only silk petals or paper petals may be scattered on the runner or floor.
The following activities are not allowed on University property:
- Throwing of rice, bird seed, flower petals, glitter, or confetti
- Releasing of balloons
- Posting of signs on trees, lampposts, fences, buildings, street signs or other structures.
The following activities are not allowed on University property without express written permission from the Event Management Office:
- The lighting or use of sparklers or other fireworks
- Releasing of doves or pigeons
Rehearsal Information
Each wedding session includes a one-hour rehearsal prior to the wedding. Rehearsal days and times are subject to availability but typically take place the Thursday or Friday evening before your wedding. No decorations or wedding day supplies may be left at Graham Memorial Chapel following the rehearsal.
Site Visit/Wedding Tour
Couples and vendors are welcome to visit the Chapel. All visits must be scheduled at least 24 hours in advance and are subject to Graham Memorial Chapel and the assigned Wedding Contact’s availability. The Chapel is not typically unlocked to allow for impromptu visits. Please call 314-935-5234 to schedule an appointment.
Parking
It is highly recommended that specific parking directions are provided to wedding guests. You can find a campus map here: http://parking.wustl.edu/parkingmap_2010.pdf. Please note that Graham Memorial Chapel does not have an address because it is not on a street. Guests who enter the Chapel’s name in a GPS program may be directed to the far end of campus.
Free parking is available in any YELLOW surface lot spot on Saturdays and Sundays. The large lot to the east of the Danforth University Center is typically available for weekend parking.
The address for the Danforth University Center (where you can find a garage and a large surface lot immediately to the west) is 6475 Forsyth Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63105, and the entrance to the parking garage is located at Forsyth Blvd & Wallace Drive. Pull into the garage, park closest to the north end of the garage (you will see north & south elevators), and take the north elevator up to the 1st floor. Exit the building and make an immediate right on to the sidewalk. Graham Chapel will be straight ahead. Please note that this garage is not open on Sundays or some holiday weekends and will charge by the hour, payable by cash or card (exact change is not necessary). Weddings wishing to validate parking for their guest must notify their Wedding Contact no less than four weeks prior to the wedding date to make proper arrangements.
Parking is not guaranteed for any wedding. While your Event Contact will make every effort to notify you of large events on campus that may impede your guests’ ability to find nearby parking, this is not always possible.
Cancellations
Event Management must receive all ceremony cancellations in writing. Cancellations made one year to six months prior will be refunded fifty percent of the total reservation fee. If a cancellation is made within six months of the event date, no refund will be made.
Changes/Edits
Event Management must receive all ceremony and rehearsal date change requests in writing. Change requests are not guaranteed and should not be considered confirmed until a new Agreement has been issued, signed, ad returned to you.
Clergy 314-472-5017
General Information
Graham Memorial Chapel seats 780 people.
The main level contains 27 rows of pews on either side of the aisle.
Each full row seats approximately 11 people for a total of 589 seats on the floor.
The middle aisle is approximately 42 inches wide and 105 feet long.
The balcony seats 189 people in individual padded chairs.
A second entrance and elevator are located on the north side of Graham Memorial Chapel.
Restrooms are located on the lower level of the Chapel and can be accessed by the elevator or either staircase.
The Green Room is located off the northeast corner of the Chapel. A private restroom is located just inside the Green Room.
Bride’s Dressing Area
The basement of Graham Memorial Chapel, which has a large restroom with mirrors, is the most common area used by brides prior to their ceremony. This space is not private.
For more info on a St Louis wedding officiant from St Louis Wedding Chapel……. Call 314-472-5017 to Book your wedding officiant / minister for a Graham Chapel Wedding Ceremony
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