Wedding Info - Colorado College

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WEDDING INFORMATION: CC-AFFILIATED

General Information

Shove Memorial Chapel is an integral part of Colorado College. The campus is home to about 1,900 students, as well as the faculty and staff who make this a place of learning and discovery.Chapel policies reflect the educational context of this private, residential, liberal arts institution.

As an inter-faith college chapel (rather than a local church), the Chapel’s primary responsibility is to the Colorado College community.Thus, we cannot provide on-campus facilities for private wedding receptions or parties.However, the chapel building is available for a limited number of private wedding ceremonies, as the academic schedule permits.Please be aware that there may be college or community functions taking place in the grassy area directly west of the chapel and that the chapel does not have control over that scheduling.

The Chapel Code

A wedding at Shove Chapel for CC affiliated persons (bride, groom, or parents/grandparents on either side are alumni, currently matriculated, or currently employed) costs $75.00.This fee includes:

four hours of Chapel use:  1 hour for the rehearsal and 3 hours on the day of the wedding (11/2 hours prior to and 11/2 hours after the start of the wedding ceremony);

the logistical services of the chapel assistant at the rehearsal and the wedding;

any sound system or amplification equipment desired, including microphones and CD/cassette player;

the use of the grand piano and any chancel furniture you desire (table, lectern, pulpit);

use of the floor-standing unity candle holder with two dripless tapers.

Payment of the fee of $75 is requested within two weeks of your wedding reservation to secure the date/time.

If you wish, you may schedule a meeting prior to your rehearsal with the Chapel Coordinator, Linda Madden, during weekday office hours. Linda will be happy to show you around the Chapel, discuss lighting and sound system options, and address any other concerns or questions you have about the Chapel.Alternatively, these discussions can happen over the phone or at the rehearsal.

Especially in spring and summer months, wedding scheduling is very tight, with several weddings each weekend! For this reason, it is very important that your rehearsal and your wedding ceremony begin and end at the designated times.

Decorating prior to your reserved time is not allowed. Please do your best to make sure all of the participants are here on time and that everyone in your party exits the Chapel promptly at the end of your reserved times.

An additional charge of $60.00 per hour (or part of) may be assessed if the reserved times are exceeded by anyone in your party, including photographers and ministers.

You may rent our 7-candle candelabras (including dripless candles) for $30.00 per pair.Pewlabras” are available from local florists or rental companies.

Birdseed may be thrown outside the Chapel, but no rice, streamers, or paper products of any kind are permitted.Scattering of flowers or petals is not allowed inside or outside of the Chapel.

No consumption of alcoholic beverages is allowed inside the Chapel or on the adjacent grounds.

Your respect for the beauty and majesty of this sacred place will create a splendid wedding day!

Common Questions about Wedding Arrangements at Shove Chapel

What should my minister or master of ceremonies know in advance?

Please encourage the person who will preside at your wedding to stop by Shove and become familiar with the building. Since it is important that the ceremony itself be prepared before the rehearsal, your presider should meet with you several weeks in advance to plan the service and identify any items or issues to be brought to the attention of the Chapel Coordinator. Your presider should be aware of the exact rehearsal and ceremony starting times, and be prepared to direct the rehearsal.

What are your photography guidelines?

In choosing a photographer, it is wise to mention that the lighting in Shove Chapel is limited.Extra lighting such as floodlights is not appropriate during the ceremony. Your photographer should be aware of your 3-hour time limit and plan the photographing session so that it will end on time.

Can I use a professional florist to decorate the pews and chancel area?

Certainly! Just be sure you verify your reserved 3-hour time slot with the florist. This is the window of time that the building is available for decorating and removal of all decorations. Even if you do not intend to keep the floral arrangements, all decorations must be removed by the end of your reserved time.

What kinds of decorations are allowed in the Chapel?

Decorations such as flower arrangements and/or candelabra can be placed in the chancel area on the platform floor or the table. Pew-end decorations such as bows, flowers, or candles may be placed or fastened in a non-scarring method. An aisle runner may be placed in the center aisle. Except for the unity candle, all candles must be “dripless.” Please check with the Chapel Coordinator if you have other ideas for decoration that have not been mentioned here. Please do not use tacks, nails or tape (other than masking tape) anywhere in the chapel.

What are your guidelines for wedding music?

Live or recorded instrumental and vocal music of all kinds is permitted. The grand piano is available at no additional charge, unless you want it specially tuned, in which case you will be responsible for charges. Use of the Chapel organ must be negotiated with one of the approved College organists (please refer to Organ Policy statement). If wedding musicians need a practice in addition to the wedding rehearsal, they should schedule it with the Chapel Coordinator during open building hours.

Does the Chapel have a sound system?

There is an excellent sound system for your use in amplification and/or the playing of pre-recorded music. The Chapel will provide microphones; a lavaliere (lapel) microphone is available for your presider. Please designate someone to be in the sound booth at both rehearsal and wedding to play pre-recorded music. You may not connect personal sound equipment through our system.

Are children allowed in this Colorado College building?

Yes, we welcome children to your wedding. However, children who are in the Chapel must be supervised by an adult at all times. Neither Shove Chapel nor Colorado College is responsible for any injury a child might sustain through unsupervised play on the slate floors or stairs or near the heavy swinging doors. Is the Chapel wheel chair accessible? Yes, the ramp access to the Chapel is on the northeast side of the building. Additionally, an accessible restroom is available at the Chapel’s south entry. Please contact the chapel office for further information.

Where can we park our vehicles?

Wedding guests may park in properly marked spaces on Nevada Avenue or in college parking lots. The closest lot enters from Cache La Poudre, between Nevada and Cascade. For clarification, maps of the college campus are available at the Chapel office. Are vehicles allowed to drive up to the west doors? Yes, by notifying Colorado College Security at 389-6707, you may drive a limited number of vehicles, such as a limousine, antique car or carriage, or private vehicle for handicapped or elderly persons, to the west entrance on the day of your wedding. Designated gravel paths must be used by all vehicles.

Can wedding guests visit the Shove Chapel bell tower during the wedding time?

No one is allowed in the tower during the rehearsal or wedding ceremony. Visitors are very welcome at other times! The chapel is not responsible for any personal items of the wedding party or guests, or decorations of the florist or rental company, that are left in the chapel.