Introduction

Trinity University's Margarite B. Parker Chapel was dedicated in 1966 as a place of Christian worship in the center of the campus. The main sanctuary accommodates six hundred people; the attached Meditation Chapel accommodates eighty people. Weddings at Parker Chapel are services of worship; practices and music relating to weddings in the Chapel are regulated by religious considerations. Those wishing to have civil or non-religious services should find other facilities.

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Availability

Saturday wedding times are:
	11:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon (you will have access to the Chapel to prepare for your service at 9:00 a.m.)
	3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. (you will have access to the Chapel to prepare for your service at 1:00 p.m.)
	7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. (you will have access to the Chapel to prepare for your service at 5:00 p.m.)

The Chapel is available for weddings at all times other than Sundays, official University holidays, and when the building is scheduled for University functions. Trinity reserves the right to determine the times and uses of the Chapel.

Any exceptions to these times will be in effect only after receiving written confirmation of the exception from the Chapel office.

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Rehearsals

Rehearsals are scheduled for one hour in length. They are normally scheduled at 5:00, 6:00, 7:00, or 8:00 the Friday before a Saturday wedding

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Clergy

The University Chaplain and the emeritus Chaplain are available to the bridal couple as their schedules permit, although any ordained minister may officiate at the request of the wedding party.  

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Organist

The University Organist will play for all the weddings in the Chapel. If the University Organist is unavailable, the Chapel Office will arrange for the services of one of the Chapel’s assistant organists. If other arrangements are desired, the bridal couple must contact the University Organist.

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Wedding Hostess

Each wedding party will be assigned a Wedding Hostess whose name and contact information will be communicated in the letter confirming the wedding reservation. The Hostess will contact the bride or groom and schedule a meeting to help coordinate the details for the wedding. The Hostess will be present for the rehearsal and wedding to assist the wedding party and the minister.   

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Music

(See Wedding Music Guidelines)

Within the ceremony, worship is the principal guide. A wedding in the Margarite B. Parker Chapel is conducted in the presence of God. The selection of music should be appropriate to the religious setting. Secular and popular is most successful and effective at the wedding reception. A list of suggested wedding music is available at the Chapel office.

Parker Chapel possesses one of the finest organs in the Southwest as well as a superb grand piano. It is permissible, depending on the wishes of the bridal couple, to include instrumental music that utilizes string or wind instruments, harp, or piano. The bridal couple is responsible for hiring the musicians, and a list of music to be played should be submitted to the University Organist at least two weeks prior to the date of the wedding for approval.

If the bridal couple wishes to include vocal music, the couple will be responsible for hiring the vocalist(s). Vocal music may be in any style (classical, contemporary Christian, gospel, etc.) provided the text is sacred in nature. If you have any questions regarding text appropriateness, please contact the University Organist for assistance.

Electronic and recorded music, often used at wedding receptions, are not appropriate for the setting of Parker Chapel and are not permitted. If there are any questions, please contact the University Chaplain.

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Decorations

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Photographs and videos

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Smoking and the Use of Alcohol

Trinity University's policy does not permit smoking or the use of alcohol in any of its facilities at any time.

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Receptions

Wedding receptions may be held following the service in the Margarite B. Parker Chapel Reception rooms depending on availability. In order to reserve the Chapel Reception Rooms, it is necessary to do so at the time the application is submitted. Wedding receptions in the Margarite B. Parker Chapel are hosted and coordinated by the Wedding Hostess.

• The Chapel provides all needed candles, silver, china, linens, paper napkins and maid service.
• The bride is responsible for ordering the Bride's cake and the groom's cake (if one is desired); additional foods may be catered through the University’s food service provider. Sample price listings are available on request.
• The bride may, if she wishes, provide printed napkins and flowers for the table.

The maximum capacity for a reception is 75 persons.

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Fees

Main Chapel Sanctuary:
	Trinity University students, alumni, faculty, staff, trustees, children of alumni, faculty, staff, or trustees (total due as deposit)	$425 (total due as deposit)
	Others (half due as deposit; balance due 8 weeks prior to wedding date)	$1150
Meditation Chapel or Meditation Garden:
	Trinity University students, alumni, faculty, staff, trustees, children of faculty, staff, or trustees	$425 (total due as deposit)
	Others - Meditation Chapel	$550 (half due as deposit; balance due 8 weeks prior to wedding date)
	Others - Meditation Gardens	$600 (half due as deposit; balance due 8 weeks prior to wedding date)
Reception (due two weeks before the wedding)		$200
University Chaplain or Emeritus Chaplain		$300
Other ministers		Please make your own arrangements
University Organist or Assistant		$125
(If you wish for the organist to be present and play at the rehearsal an additional $75.00 will be charged. If the organist is requested to accompany vocal or instrumental soloists and practice time is necessary, there will be a charge of $50.00 per rehearsal.)

These rates include Special Events insurance coverage. If the renter can provide us with a certificate of insurance with a minimum of $1 million and naming Trinity University as an Additional Insured, (usually as a part of the renter’s home owners or renters insurance) we will discount the rental rate by $150.

A refund of payment, less $50 for administrative costs, will be made for cancellations at least 8 weeks in advance of the reservation date. Cancellations less than 8 weeks in advance of the reservation date will forfeit the amount of deposit.

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Reservations

Applications for use of the Chapel for weddings are available from the Chapel office: (210) 999-7311; snickle@trinity.edu.

Completed applications should be addressed to:

Margarite B. Parker Chapel
Trinity University, #73
One Trinity Place
San Antonio, Texas 78212-7200

A deposit must accompany the completed application form for the application to be considered. Upon approval of the application, a confirmation of the reservation will be mailed to the applicant.