Let Us Help
We know that you may have many questions regarding the planning of your wedding. Here is a list of commonly asked questions. If you are unable to find the answer to your question on this page, we encourage you to call our event coordinators. They will be happy to help you with any additional questions or concerns you may have. They are in the office Monday – Thursday from 9am to 4pm (PDT) at (310) 377-1650 Ext. 1 or by email at contactus@wayfarerschapel.org
Wayfarers Chapel Wedding FAQs
What is included in a wedding at Wayfarers Chapel?
Wedding contributions include a Chapel Minister, a wedding director, a gate attendant, and the Chapel musician.
What is required to have a wedding at Wayfarers Chapel?
A valid California Marriage License or a copy of your legal Marriage Certificate (if you are already married).
Three 1-hour meetings prior to your wedding (all of which are included in your contribution).
• An in-person Planning Conference with one of our Wedding Directors to discuss details of your ceremony.
• An in-person Minister’s Conference with our Minister (that will be officiating your wedding) to personalize your ceremony.
• An in-person Rehearsal (for the wedding couple, their wedding party members, parents, etc.), which will take place on the Wednesday or Thursday before the wedding.
NOTE: Please know the conferences and rehearsal are held on the grounds of Wayfarers Chapel.
No congregational membership or classes are required to be married at Wayfarers Chapel.
Can people of different religious backgrounds be married here?
Yes. While our “Celebration of Marriage” service is based on Christian principles, our Ministers work with couples of mixed faiths and those who prefer a non-religious service to tailor the wedding service to their religious/spiritual beliefs.
A Chapel Minister will meet with you for a minister’s conference in advance of your wedding day. At the conference, the Chapel Minister will discuss your service with you to tailor the ceremony to your own personal religious/spiritual beliefs. In the spirit of mutual respect, the Chapel Minister’s decision about what to include in the service is final.
Please see our About page to learn more about the Chapel.
Please see our Our Beliefs page to learn more about what we believe.
Does Wayfarers Chapel perform same gender weddings?
Yes.
Is there a waiting list?
No, we do not keep a waiting list and there are many dates and times available. To find out what dates and times are currently available for scheduling, please call our Wedding & Special Events office.
Weddings can be scheduled at 10am, 12noon, 2pm, 4pm, 6pm, and 8pm every day of the week with these exceptions: no weddings on Sundays at 10am and 12noon and no weddings on Wednesdays at 12noon.
How many people will the Chapel hold?
The Chapel can accommodate up to 100 people total (the wedding couple, all wedding party members, and guests).
May I bring my own clergy to officiate the ceremony?
Only Ministers of the Chapel officiate all weddings and sign all documents. A Chapel minister will meet with you for a minister’s conference in advance of your wedding day. At the conference, the Chapel Minister will discuss your service and any special plans you may have. The marriage service outline used at Wayfarers Chapel expresses the Swedenborgian Church’s view of marriage, however, our ministers work with couples to tailor the wedding service to their own personal religious/spiritual beliefs. In the spirit of mutual respect, the Chapel minister’s decision about what to include in the service is final. One of our Chapel Minsters will be assigned to conduct your service based on their availability.
Please see our About page to learn more about the Chapel.
Please see our Our Beliefs page to learn more about what we believe.
How much does it cost to have a wedding?
Wedding Contribution Amounts:
Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays – $5,400
Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and most holidays – $6,400
We ask that a non-refundable Reservation Fee of $200 be given at the time you place your reservation. Fifteen days later, the remaining amount is due. Contributions are non-refundable, but you may change your wedding date or ceremony time one time without penalty.
Additional services can be added to a wedding ceremony, including: video and streaming, aisle flowers, aisle candles. Please see our Wedding Cost page for more information.
How much time do I have for my wedding?
You will have a full two hours on the Chapel grounds and surrounding gardens. Please arrive no earlier than one hour prior to your designated ceremony time. Departure is at the end of the wedding hour.
For example, if your wedding is at 2 p.m., you will arrive at 1 p.m., the ceremony will begin at 2 p.m. (the ceremony typically lasts for approximately 20 minutes), and you will depart at 3 p.m.
Are two hours enough time on the grounds for photos?
Yes, your photographer may arrive on the grounds one hour prior to your designated ceremony time. This allows you to make full use of your two hours on the grounds.
Will visitors be on the grounds at the time of my wedding?
The Chapel and the immediate surrounding grounds will be closed off from visitors a half hour prior to your wedding ceremony. A gate attendant will be provided to ensure only your guests and wedding party enter into that area during your wedding. The remaining areas of the grounds are open to the public.
Can I bring a dog to my wedding?
In the spirit of respecting that the Chapel is a sacred space, only service dogs that are specifically trained to aid someone with a disability are permitted inside the Chapel. Emotional support, therapy, comfort, and companion animals are not considered to be service animals under the ADA.
Can we decorate the Chapel or bring items to toss/release after the ceremony?
The Chapel is already decorated with beautiful greenery and white orchids that are planted inside the Chapel all year long. During the season of Advent (the end of November and the month of December) red poinsettias are planted inside the Chapel and an evergreen Advent wreath is suspended above the altar. No additional flower arrangements, ribbons, bows, or aisle runners are permitted. Couples may add aisle flowers and/or aisle candles, please see Aisle/Pew Flowers and Aisle Candles for more details.
Rice, confetti, birdseed, flowers, flower petals, bubble, balloons, butterflies, birds, etc. cannot be tossed or released inside the Chapel or outside on the grounds.
Is there a Dressing Room?
Yes, we have one dressing room. To maximize your time at the Chapel, we strongly recommend that all hair and make-up be completed before arriving at the Chapel. The Dressing Room includes a vanity, private restroom, and a full-length 3-way mirror.
May we hire our own photographer/videographer?
Yes, you may hire your own photographer or you may hire a photographer from our recommended photographers list. All photographers adhere to the same guidelines and must stand behind the last pew during your wedding ceremony. Once the ceremony has finished, you may re-enter the Chapel for close-ups and reenactments. All videographers must adhere to the same guidelines by standing behind the last pew during your wedding ceremony with the exception of our Wayfarers Chapel Videographers. They have the capability of using remotely controlled cameras from an adjacent room which provides close-ups during your service. Please note that the use of drones is strictly prohibited on the Chapel grounds.
May I have my reception there?
Unfortunately, there are no facilities for receptions at the Chapel. We will be glad to offer suggestions for some of the facilities that are available within a short distance from the Chapel.
May we take wedding photos if we are not having our wedding at Wayfarers Chapel?
Absolutely no wedding day photography is allowed on our private grounds, with the exception of couples being married at Wayfarers Chapel during their allotted time frame. This includes wedding portraits, wedding party photos, and any photography in which anyone is dressed in Wedding Day attire.
Anyone on the property in violation of these policies will be asked to leave immediately.
