Campus chapels popular for weddings

The rumor often heard about a 10-year waiting period to schedule a wedding at St. Aloysius Church is just that, a rumor.

"Ten years? Goodness no. We only book a year and a half out," said Kathy Yates, Gonzaga's marriage pastoral associate.

Yates has worked at Gonzaga for the past 22 years. She and fellow coordinators Patty Hallinan, Kristine Lyons, Mackenzie Yates and Bliss Lanier are responsible for scheduling and organizing all of the weddings on campus.  Locations on campus that can be rented include St. Aloysius Church, The University Chapel (located on the third floor of college hall) and St. Michael's Chapel (located on the ground floor of the Kennedy Apartments).

In order to be married in one of Gonzaga's chapels, couples are required to have an affiliation with the school or be a member of the parish community.  Yates then determines if the couple is in compliance with the school's wedding policies. 

Most of Gonzaga's wedding policies are centered on preventing damage to the facilities.  For example, candles are forbidden in the University Chapel and the throwing of rice is banned campuswide. Gonzaga also bans alcohol and the use of CDs, requiring live musicians instead.

Yates said most couples who are unable to marry in one of Gonzaga's chapels are not turned away because of a full schedule, but rather because they find conflict in meeting the school's policies.

"We are very busy, but the five of us are able to juggle the scheduling very effectively. Couples are rarely turned away, rather they find our facilities aren't exactly what they're looking for," Yates said.

Gonzaga's chapels host 60 to 65 weddings a year, according to Yates. She cites April to October as the busiest time of year for her and her coordinators.  During this time, there could be up to five weddings scheduled per weekend. 

Yates says St. Aloysius is the most popular location for weddings, due to its history, décor and classic cathedral-style architecture.  She also noted that the recent renovations have not hindered weddings and believes that in the long run, they will only make the space more accommodating. 

The University Chapel also underwent recent renovations that made the space more usable for weddings.

"About 10 or 11 years ago, the College Hall Chapel was renovated.  Before, it was more of a space for student worship and reflection and did not really accommodate our purposes. Since being renovated, it's become even more beautifully sacred and wedding-friendly. I'd say we schedule 15 or 16 weddings there a year," Yates said.

The price of a rental depends on both the location on campus and couple's affiliation to the school. Yates said that St. Aloysius was the most expensive location, costing at about $500 per wedding, while the other locations range in price from $250 to $400.

Yates describes a typical wedding day as stressful, but rewarding. She said the planners arrive on site before the bridal party and do not leave until the facility is completely clean and empty.  She explained that the entire process takes five to six hours total, but is completely worthwhile.

"As a wedding coordinator, it's our job to remain steady and calm for the couples. Our main goal is to be present, meet their needs, and take that stressful energy off their shoulders and put it on ours. Weddings are an incredibly joyful time for couples.  It's absolutely wonderful to be able to share this tremendous celebratory experience with them."