Wedding Policy

The College extends the privilege of using the Chapel to the following members of the Mount Holyoke College community: faculty, staff, students, alumnae and their immediate families, i.e. mother, father, daughter, son, sister, and brother. The spaces available for weddings are the main chapel, which seats 900 people, and the adjacent small chapel, which holds up to 65 people. Since all weddings are governed by the following guidelines, we ask that you read them carefully.

Guidelines

• No furnishings or ornament in the Chapel or Interfaith Sanctuary may be covered or moved without prior consultation with the Chapel Sexton, Rob Masse, 413-536-6277, also any special ritual needs for the various traditions should be discussed with the officiant and cleared through the Chapel Sexton.
• No rice or confetti, birdseed, etc. shall be thrown in or around the chapel. Aisle runners are prohibited in the interest of safety. Only altar candles normally used in Abbey Chapel are provided. The wedding party must provide any additional candles. Aisle candles, free-standing or attached to pew holders, are prohibited.
• Receptions: Please consider Willits-Hallowell as a convenient and hospitable place for your reception. Those reservations are made through Rachel Osborn at (413) 538-2220.
• Smoking or alcohol is prohibited anywhere in the Chapel building.
• The length of the aisle in the main chapel is 90 ft., 30 pews per side.
• The Chapel has a built-in sound system you may use, however with the building’s excellent acoustics the use of built-in sound system may not be necessary.

Your attention to these guidelines is appreciated. Any deviation from this policy will result in a $100 fine.

Please direct any further questions to Gayle Higgins or call (413) 538-2054.