Muhlenberg College is pleased to make its facilities available to persons who are or have been related to the College. Since the Gideon F. Egner Memorial Chapel is the College's major worship center and is often used for concerts and other cultural events, the College's schedule and programs take priority. Weddings are not scheduled during periods when the College is closed or when College events preclude the use of the Chapel - specifically during the months of March, April, October, November and December. The Chaplain's Office is responsible for determining the uses of the Chapel. The Chapel Staff and affiliates can be contacted by calling:

Chapel Program Coordinator: Tanya Schock (484) 664-3121
Call this number for all reservations and availability requests.College Chaplain: The Rev. Peter Bredlau (484) 664-3120
Roman Catholic Chaplain: The Rev. John Krivak (484) 664-3122
College Organist: Stephen Williams Office: (484) 664-3121 or (610) 435-1641

ELIGIBILITY AND FEES - Those marrying are to be persons with a religious affiliation and/or persons for whom a wedding service conducted in the worship context of the Chapel is religiously meaningful.  If at least one of the principals is a degree candidate, graduate, the child or grandchild of a graduate; a current member of the Muhlenberg Community or the child of such member; a member, past or present, of the Muhlenberg Board of Trustees or Board of Associates, or the child or grandchild of such a member, the Chapel may be reserved at a fee of five hundred dollars ($500.00).  (Please note: Roman Catholic Diocese rules are more limited).  A two hundred and fifty dollar refundable overtime deposit will be required, for a total of $750.00 due with the application.  If you stay within the time limit of one hour for the rehearsal and two and a half hours for the wedding, the deposit will be refunded the week after the wedding. 

SCHEDULING - Confirmations of dates for rehearsals and weddings are given no sooner than twelve months prior to the proposed wedding month.

LIABILITY - Couples must sign and return the enclosed "Use of Premises Waiver" with their application. Applications will not be processed without it.

TIMING - Weddings are scheduled in two and a half hour time slots, usually on the hour. You will need to complete set-up, the ceremony, pictures, and clean-up within the two and a half hours to permit subsequent ceremonies. This includes set up of flowers and other decorations.  We suggest that any receiving line be held at your reception where you and your guests will not feel rushed. Your proposed times as discussed with the Chapel Staff are to be noted on the enclosed application.

APPLICATION - Now that you have contacted the Chaplain's Office and have checked on the availability of a date, you should complete an application and return it with the appropriate payment of the registration/facilities-use fee. Half of this fee is a non-refundable deposit. If the requested date and time cannot be accommodated, alternate scheduling will be discussed with the couple. In the event a confirmation is not granted, the full fee will be refunded. This application is also available for online submission. The online form requires a Registration code, which you will receive from the Chaplain's Office when you check the date availability. (The application must be returned or submitted at least 90 days prior to your wedding date).

SECURITY - There will be two Campus Safety officers present during the wedding. They are trained in first aid, CPR, etc. and are here for your safety and the safety of your guests. One hundred dollars ($100.00) of the registration fee is used for this purpose. This service will be arranged with the receipt of your application.

REHEARSAL - On the night before your wedding there will be a rehearsal. You will have one hour for the complete rehearsal. It is expected that all members in the wedding party will be present for the rehearsal, as will the organist and officiating clergy. The officiating clergy leads the rehearsal.

MUSIC - The College Organist or his designee will be the organist. While he will receive notification of all weddings scheduled in the Chapel, it is the couple's responsibility to contact the organist to reserve this service. The College Organist consults with the couple concerning all the music for the wedding and assists in determining the music to be used.

CLERGY - Weddings that take place in a space such as this Chapel are community events and couples being married in the Chapel are encouraged to invite the clergy from their worship community to officiate at their wedding and provide the necessary pre-marital counseling. The College Chaplain and the Roman Catholic Chaplain or their designees are available for conducting wedding ceremonies only as their schedules allow.

WHO TO PAY AND WHEN - Honoraria are to be given directly to the persons involved at the rehearsal. It is best to assign this task to a reliable member of the wedding party. Clergy and organist are present for and active in the rehearsal and service. The appropriate honorarium is two hundred dollars ($200.00) for the College Organist and two hundred dollars ($200.00) for the clergy. Custodial fees are included in the facilities-use fee.

PHOTOGRAPHY - Flash pictures are not to be taken during the wedding service. Photographers and videographers are expected to respect the religious nature of the ceremony. For further details, consult the officiating clergy.

DÉCOR AND FLOWERS - The Chapel's liturgical appointments will remain in place and may not be moved. The color of the altar paraments is determined by the season of the church year only. The couple may provide floral decorations. Bows or other decorations are allowed on the ends of the pews, providing they are attached with wire, string or tape. There are 28 pews on each side of the Chapel. ALL decorations are to be removed from the Chapel at the completion of the wedding ceremony.

CANDLES - Candles will be provided for the altar and the two standing candelabras. The candelabras are a good place to decorate with flowers. A wedding unity candle may be used; however, you need to supply your own. Please arrange for someone to serve as acolyte. Candlelight weddings are NOT permitted for safety reasons.

FURNISHINGS - Please indicate which altar you will use - the high stone altar at the east wall, or the moveable wooden altar. The wooden altar and candelabras may be placed where you wish. The Chapel can provide kneeling cushions at the altar, if requested. Couples who wish to celebrate communion will supply the communion bread and wine. Wedding programs, if you desire to have them, are also to be printed and supplied by the couple. A white aisle runner is not provided. If desired, the couple may make arrangements with a florist for a runner. The length of the aisle is approximately 83 feet from the back pew to the chancel step.

WHAT TO TOSS - Since rice, confetti and flower petals are difficult to remove from walkways, please use birdseed or bubbles. Please do not plan on scattering flower petals or confetti on the aisle - we do not permit them, as the stone floor can become very slippery. Balloons may not be released as they can present an environmental hazard to wildlife and they can become entangled in the large trees on campus.

ALCOHOL POLICY - The use of alcohol in the Chapel is permitted only for the sacrament of communion. All other alcohol use is prohibited.

PARKING - Two parking spaces for vehicles carrying the bride, groom and attendants will be reserved directly in front of the Chapel. Other cars may be parked in College lots or on the street as available. The nearest College lots are behind the Chapel on 23rd Street, and across Chew Street behind the Trexler Library.