Over the years, we have done many Wren Chapel Weddings. With the majority of our client base being William & Mary alumni, we are some of the lucky few who get to execute weddings in the stunning and historic Wren Chapel!

We have learned all the ins and outs of performing a ceremony in this space. Today we are sharing all the things you should know when having your ceremony at the Wren!

1. You will share the day with other couples. The Wren Chapel performs 70 -100 weddings a year. The Chapel has become so popular, that the Chapel has created 2-hour wedding time slots and will perform multiple weddings a year. Now before you think this is a bad thing, think this through. You are in a Chapel filled with so much love and if the walls could talk, you would hear about weddings dating all the way back to 1860. With planning the ceremony at the right time, having a 2- hour time slot is not an issue. We typically tell couples to do their wedding at the half hour mark or forty-five after.

2. Parking will be next to impossible to find. The Wren Chapel is located on William & Mary’s campus and is centrally located to the famous, Colonial Williamsburg’s Duke of Gloucester street. While there is no parking lot for the Chapel, wedding guests can park on Richmond Road near the Chapel or in the Colonial Williamsburg parking lots. For those who are elderly or who have trouble with mobility, we always suggest getting transportation and having those folks dropped in a parking lot located by the President of the College’s office building. Now, this is not always a bad thing. Because parking is scarce, you get incredible photos of well-manicured gardens surrounding the Wren Building like the ones below.

3. Candles (other than on the altar) are an absolute no-no and minimal decor is permitted. You cannot blame the folks in charge for not allowing candles other than the altar candles. Fire has gutted the Wren Building three times — in 1705, 1859, and 1862. (excerpt from Wren webpage). Each time the building was rebuilt using the original exterior walls. You are permitted to decorate the railings leading into the Chapel doors, to place flowers on the altar table and bows are allowed on the pews (but you must use ribbon to adhere the bows on the pews). However, we think the Chapel needs nothing more than the decor that is allowed. The interior is breathtaking and when you are a guest, you can’t help to be in awe of how stunning the historic Chapel is.

4. The building is historic! This is perhaps the best part about the building.  It is the oldest college building in the United States and the oldest of the restored public building in Williamsburg. It’s construction dates back between 1695 and 1699, before the City of Williamsburg was even founded. (excerpt from Wren webpage). But what does this mean for wedding ceremonies? The original doors leading into the Chapel are incredibly beautiful. However, in the summer months when the heat and humidity take over, the wood doors expand and it can make it very difficult to open and close the doors. This can make bride’s entrances a bit delayed or noisy, but we like to think the beauty is worth it. The space is also smaller. We typically recommend having your bridal party sit in the pews rather than standing due to limited space by the alter. The capacity of the chapel is 120 guests.

5. You are going to get some of the most stunning photos! There is no doubt, that the Wren Chapel is one of the most beautiful spaces to get married in all of Williamsburg. We’ve had some incredible weddings at the Chapel and are always ecstatic to see the photos that come from the wedding ceremonies we have a hand in. While space is limited for the photographers, the shortened aisle and the overhead balcony gives photographers the up-close, candid shots that they long for! If you plan accordingly, you will get sunset pictures that are unlike any you have seen before!

 

The Wren Chapel is an incredible space to get married in. As long as you know the do’s and don’ts of the building prior to planning your wedding day, you will be set. We think all of the little things that some may think are limiting, is what keeps the building so unique and special. If you are interested in learning more about the building or renting it for your wedding day, visit the site today (click here).

Planning a wedding? Visit our resource page HERE

To see some of our favorite weddings at the Wren Chapel visit the links below!

More Williamsburg weddings HERE