Policy 7601 — Wedding Services in The Chapel

Policy section:
Section 7600-7699 Facilities
Policy number:
7601
Subject:
Wedding Services in The Chapel
Group:
Institutional
Approved By:
The President
Approved date:
June 1, 1994
Effective date:
July 1, 1994
Revised:
January 1, 2007
April 30, 2024
Administered by:
Director of Facilities Management

1 — APPLICATION FOR THE USE OF THE CHAPEL

Application for the use of The Chapel for a wedding may be made by students or graduates of Mount Allison, employees and friends of Mount Allison and their immediate families, as well as the general public.

The chapel may be used for religious and civil wedding services and for same-sex or opposite-sex marriages

Application must be made through the office of Conference and Event Services which will consult with MtA Spiritual Care. Upon approval of the application, confirmation of a booking will be given by Conference and Event Services to the applicant.

2 — OFFICIANT AT CHAPEL WEDDINGS

The Multi-faith Chaplain and Spiritual Care Coordinator may be available to conduct wedding services in the University Chapel. Other officiants whether religious or civil, are welcome to conduct wedding services as well. The officiant must be authorized and licensed to perform marriages in the province of New Brunswick. Officiants or the applicants will be asked to provide proof of authorization or licensing. This will be reviewed and final approval of the officiant rests with the Multi-faith Chaplain and Spiritual Care Coordinator.
 

3 — LICENCE, REGISTRATION AND CERTIFICATE OF MARRIAGE

Couples wishing to marry in the University Chapel must obtain a marriage licence from a Service New Brunswick office; one is located in Sackville.

A marriage licence is valid immediately from the time of receiving it, and remains valid for three months from the date of receiving it. It is helpful to the wedding officiant, however, to receive the licence in advance of the wedding.


4 — COMPLETING THE MARRIAGE FORMS

The officiant is responsible to complete and file all paperwork related to marriage in accordance with the laws of the province of New Brunswick. Religious officiants must also complete the Chapel marriage register.
 

5 — MUSIC

If is the responsibility of the couple to find (a) musician(s) and consult with the musician(s) regarding appropriate music. The Chapel organ is available for organists, and musicians are welcome to bring other instruments. Recorded music can also be played through the sound system. Plans should be discussed with the officiant and indicated in the booking form.
 

6 — SET-UP

A Spiritual Care Ambassador will be present at the rehearsal and the wedding, and they will provide guidance regarding the use of candles, decorations and Chapel furnishings.

If decorations will be delivered outside the rehearsal time or the ceremony, arrangements must be made with Administrative Services to avoid conflict with other events.

Pew markers may be hung on the pew ends. Tape or tacks must NOT be used to affix pew markers or any other decorations.

The Chapel must be left as it was found prior to the wedding service.
 

7 — CONFETTI

Confetti, rice, or birdseed may NOT be used in the chapel or on the grounds near the entrance doors of the chapel.
 

8 — PHOTOGRAPHS AND VIDEO RECORDINGS

The use of photography and videography during the service is at the discretion of the officiant.
 

9 — CUSTODIAL SERVICES

Mount Allison Custodial Services will clean the chapel prior to the day of the wedding. Any special requests regarding cleaning must be made well in advance through the office of Facilities Management via the application form.
 

10 — REHEARSAL

It is recommended that the wedding rehearsal is booked at the time of application. The University reserves the right to request a change in the time of rehearsal to accommodate other events or activities in the Chapel.

The rehearsal time must be scheduled in consultation with the officiant, who is required to be at the rehearsal. A Spiritual Care Ambassador will be present for the rehearsal.
 

11 — FEES AND HONORARIA

The rental fee for the Chapel and the officiant's fee for the Multi-faith Chaplain and Spiritual Care Coordinator will be determined each year by Administrative Services. The chapel will be reserved upon approval of the application complete with the reservation fee.

Other officiants will set their own fees and will be paid directly by the couple.
 

12 — FURTHER INFORMATION

Further information may be obtained by contacting Conference and Event Services at (506) 364-2251, conferences@mta.ca or the Multi-faith Chaplain and Spiritual Care Coordinator at 506-364-9239, spiritualcare@mta.ca


ABOUT THE CHAPEL

The University Chapel was built in 1964. The seating capacity is approximately 220 persons, including 170 downstairs and 50 in the balcony.

Occasionally, more than one wedding may be booked for a single day; reservations may be made at two-hour intervals to accommodate the many requests for the use of the Chapel. This allows time for decorations to be put in place, guests to arrive, and for the service to take place with the possibility of pictures afterwards.

Normally, no weddings take place during the time that the University is closed over the Christmas break.

The University grounds are public access property, including the Pond, and are available for pictures without charge and without prior bookings, but no guarantee is made of their availability or their condition.

Other events may also take place on campus or in town on the day of a wedding. It is recommended to check schedules, as it may affect parking spaces and noise levels.

PROCEDURES

Fees for holding a wedding in the Chapel is $500.00

Fees for having the Multi-faith Chaplain and Spiritual Care Ambassador officiate at a wedding is $250.00

An administrative fee of $50.00 is charged for officiants needing to apply for a temporary license in New Brunswick