Rehearsal & Wedding Specifics

Note: for applications submitted before August 10, 2009, please refer to Pre-08/10/09 Wedding Rehearsal.

Reservations

Once you have decided to have your wedding at Mount Holyoke College and have read all of the documentation on this site, please go to the Application Site and fill out and submit an application.  You will receive an email within 7-10 business days during the academic year, (slightly longer during the summer and college breaks) regarding your application.

Rehearsal

The wedding rehearsal is usually planned for the evening before the wedding.  The purpose of the Rehearsal is for the wedding couple, the officiator and the sexton to make decisions on the setup of the altar, where the bridal party will stand, where the parents of the Wedding Couple will sit, when and how the procession will take place.

The College will ensure that the Chapel is open and the Sexton will be available a half hour before the rehearsal starts to answer any questions you may have. 

• Those attending the Rehearsal must be limited to members of the wedding party, the officiator, readers, and the parents of the Wedding Couple and musicians (if any). 
• The Wedding Couple has one hour for their Rehearsal, commencing at the time reserved.
• It is very important to stress to those attending the rehearsal to arrive on time so that you have the full hour to rehearse your wedding.
• Please note that your officiator has to be present at the rehearsal, there are no exceptions to this so please make sure that she/he is available on the date and time you set up for your rehearsal.
• It is strongly suggested that any musician(s) attend the rehearsal so they also know where they will be seated, when they should start to perform, etc.
• If the rehearsal runs more than one hour, the College will charge the “Person Responsible for Payment” an additional $100 for every hour or part thereof.
• If another event is scheduled immediately following your scheduled time, the Wedding Couple agrees to leave at the end of their allotted time.
• All arrangements agreed upon at the Rehearsal with the Sexton or other College staff cannot be changed on the day of the wedding.

Wedding

• The College will ensure that the Chapel will be open one hour before the wedding time agreed upon and that the Sexton will be available during this time. 
• The flowers for the wedding must be delivered during this time period; the flowers may not be delivered earlier. 
• Please discuss your schedule for photography with your photographer before the wedding. 
• The Wedding Couple has 1 ½ hours for the wedding and for any photographs to be taken inside the Chapel or in the Chapel Garden which is alongside the Chapel.  
• If the wedding runs more than 1 ½ hours, the College will charge the “Person Responsible for Payment” an additional $100 for every hour or part thereof. 
• If another event is scheduled immediately following your scheduled time, the Wedding Party agrees to leave at the end of their allotted time. 
• The Wedding Couple must make sure all floral arrangements, decorations and any personal items are removed immediately at the end of the wedding. 

Wedding Reception and/or Rehearsal Dinner

Please consider having your wedding reception and/or rehearsal dinner at Willits Hallowell Center located right on our campus overlooking the picturesque Stoney Brook.