Weddings

ABOUT THE SERVICE

Every year over sixty couples get married at Columbia University's Saint Paul's Chapel. Weddings as large as with 400 guests and as intimate as the couple with two witnesses fill Saint Paul's with joyful love and hopeful celebration. Weddings in Saint Paul's may be traditional, secular, interfaith, same-sex, non-religious, civil or spiritual. Saint Paul's Chapel weddings easily accommodate cultural, religious, family and individual traditions as diverse as the University itself. No affiliation with the University or St. Paul's Chapel is required. With imagination, creativity and personal values as a guide, couples are able to develop wedding ceremonies that are uniquely their own. An architectural gem, with original furnishings including an Aeolian Skinner organ Saint Paul's Chapel is a classic; an elegantly appointed beauty that makes even floral arrangements unnecessary on the wedding day.

SEATING CAPACITY

The seating capacity of the main floor of the nave is approximately 400 people. For larger weddings, the balconies can also be used, expanding the capacity to 450. For smaller weddings, the ceremony may also be held in the chancel in front of the high altar, the seating capacity in the choir area is 60.

PLANNING A WEDDING AT ST. PAUL'S CHAPEL

You can contact the Administrative Office at (212) 854-1487 to reserve a date and time for your wedding. The availability of Officiants and reception facilities should be checked concurrently when finalizing the wedding date and time, since St. Paul's Chapel books a large number of weddings each year, with April, May, June, September, October, and November being the busiest times of the year.

WEDDING OFFICIANT

The Office of the University Chaplain at Columbia University is a great place to call if you are looking for an Officiant, non-denominational or spiritually based or same-sex wedding ceremony. Chaplain Davis and members of Columbia University's United Campus Ministries may be available to conduct ceremonies in St. Paul's Chapel or a wedding location (including parks, restaurants, private homes) within the tri-state area. For more information regarding Wedding Officiant please call (212) 854-1474. You may also choose to bring your own clergy person or Officiant to conduct your ceremony.

MUSIC

St. Paul's Chapel has a wonderful organ and a beautiful concert piano that may be used for weddings. The Administrative Office in St. Paul's Chapel will help provide you with an organist to play the organ at your wedding. The Office of the University Chaplain staff can also provide recommendations for other musicians. Please note that only St. Paul's Chapel approved organists will be allowed to play the organ.

INVITATIONS

Your invitations should indicate the following address:

St. Paul's Chapel
Columbia University
Amsterdam Avenue at 117th Street
New York, NY 10027

Enter through main campus gates at 116th Street and Broadway. There is a campus map on the north side of the 116th Street entrance.

REHEARSAL TIME

To assure the availability of the Chapel, reserve your rehearsal date and time when you make your wedding reservation.

PHOTOGRAPHY

Photography and videotaping is permitted in the chapel for weddings; however you should discuss with the Officiant when pictures may be taken.

PARKING

Only cars with disability license plates or permits where previous arrangements have been made will be allowed to park on College Walk. However, up to two cars transporting the wedding couple and immediate family members or guests will be allowed to drop off passengers on College Walk. Afterward vehicles must find parking off campus. Please go to the Columbia Website's About page and click on Visiting for information on local parking garages.

RESTRICTIONS

There can be no pinning, taping, stapling, or otherwise affixing decorations, signs, etc. to the walls, doors, floors, or woodwork anywhere in Earl Hall or St. Paul's Chapel. Balloons are not permitted anywhere inside St. Paul's Chapel. No runners are permitted inside or outside of the chapel. Throwing of any objects, i.e. rice, rose petals, bubbles, confetti, etc., is NOT permitted inside or outside of St. Pal's Chapel or Earl Hall Center. Pets are allowed inside the chapel. No food or beverages are allowed inside of the chapel nave. The piano, peace altar, or chairs in the Nave may NOT be rearranged. Violations of any of these restrictions shall constitute grounds for forfeiture of the applicant's deposit. The chapel is rented as-is, the chapel will not be customized for the applicant.

THE COST OF A WEDDING AT ST. PAUL'S CHAPEL

Wedding Service Deposits: $500

50% non-refundable payment and a deposit are necessary to reserve a wedding date and time. Deposits are separate from fees and are not deductible from then in accordance with the cashiering policies of Columbia University. The deposit will be returned to your credit card, or by mail, approximately one month after your wedding.

WEDDING SERVICE: (Saturday - Sunday $1,500; Monday - Friday $1,000)

Two hours in St. Paul's Chapel Nave

The remaining 50% balance of payment is due 60 days before the date of the event. If the wedding is set to occur within 60 days, full payment must be made at the time of the reservation. All deposits and payments must be made in the form of Visa/Mastercard, certified check, or money order payable to Columbia University.

Additional fees will be assessed for any event with more than 75 guests.

Wedding Rehearsal Deposits: $250

50% non-refundable payment and a deposit are necessary to reserve a wedding rehearsal date and time. Deposits are separate from fees and are not deductible from then in accordance with the cashiering policies of Columbia University. The deposit will be returned to your credit card, or by mail, approximately one month after your wedding rehearsal.

Optional Wedding Rehearsal - (Friday evening: $300, Monday - Thursday: $175)

For an optional 1 hour wedding rehearsal in St. Paul's Chapel. Typically the evening before the wedding. Please call (212) 854-1487 for arrangements.