What it Takes: Memorial Chapel Weddings

You’ve got your freshman year roommates in vibrant red bridesmaid dresses. A little gold turtle pin on the groom’s lapel. And even Maryland flag-themed umbrellas in case of a spring sprinkle.

The perfect place to show off all that University of Maryland pride on your wedding day is closer than you think. 

Rughoonundun: Couples find us through word of mouth or they remember the chapel from when they were students and say, “Oh, let’s get married here!” Others find us on WeddingWire or other marketing sites. People love how it looks here; they’re captivated when they walk in, and they say how grand it feels. 

McHugh: We hold about 55 to 60 weddings here per year. We’re heading into the busy season in spring, although we have a lot of weddings in the fall as well. 

Usually, about two-thirds are alums or people affiliated with the university, while the rest are from the local area. This year, though, it’s flipped. We have more non-Terps, though we don’t exactly know why. And many more people are now booking just three or six months in advance—it’s not a year or more anymore. 

Rughoonundun: We have monthly open houses, and we also offer tours. We have several different packages, from about $700 to $1,600. Our most popular one is for the main chapel, which fits up to 300 people, and we also have the garden chapel, which fits up to 100 guests. Both of those include a rehearsal. We also have a small wedding package that’s an hour and up to 20 guests.

McHugh: We have eight student or recent alum staff members, like Jhanavi, who serve as event managers. They carry out most of the weddings on Saturdays. It’s a really great experience for them, since you get to interact with people on one of the most important days of their lives. 

Rughoonundun: You learn a lot about communication. On the day of the wedding, the two event managers arrive an hour before to set up linens, candlesticks, floral stands, easels, signs and prepare the music. We help direct the wedding coordinator and vendors on where to go, assisting with pins or tape and plugs. 

There’s a lot of problem-solving involved. One time, the bride arrived so late that all the guests were seated. She was already dressed, but she needed to get to the bridal suite without anyone seeing her, and the only way was through the balconies that run above the pews, so we had to take her through a back staircase and literally hold up cloths to cover her as she walked. 

McHugh: We had an officiant who had to leave because the couple was so late. He just gave his notes to an event manager and said, “I can’t stay any longer.” And she amazingly found an officiant from our list who was able to come on very short notice and perform the ceremony. 

Rughoonundun: Once the ceremony starts, we are pretty hands-off, except if they need music played. We’ll coordinate to play the right songs when each person is walking out. 

McHugh: People bring their UMD pride into the ceremonies in different ways. Testudo was once part of an engagement proposal right outside at the Labyrinth. 

One couple considered having fireworks and the pep band. The bride was a Facilities Management employee. They ended up having a UMD a cappella group sing at the ceremony, then got the dance team to perform at their reception at Stamp. 

For couples that want to hold their reception on campus, we have discounts with Stamp and the UMD Golf Course, and some also use the Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center. 

Rughoonundun: One wedding, they had, instead of a flower girl and a ring bearer, just a toy car with a teddy bear. I’m pretty sure it was dressed in a tuxedo. And somebody was remote-controlling it down the aisle, so that was pretty funny. 

McHugh: We do allow animals, if people want their dog to be their ring bearer, but that doesn’t happen often. Occasionally, people will also ask to get married outside in the gardens or the labryinth, but very few actually do. 

Rughoonundun: I love the end of each ceremony, when the couple is finally announced. Everyone feels relieved that it went well. It’s very satisfying and heartwarming to be part of it. 

This is part of a series that looks behind the scenes at “what it takes” to keep the University of Maryland humming and create a vibrant campus experience. Got an idea for a future installment? Email kshih@umd.edu.