Here are some questions that people typically have when planning their event at the Ottawa Wedding Chapel. Please note that our rules are designed to carefully protect our historic building.
Our reservation staff are experienced wedding coordinators. Feel free to ask any questions you have either on the phone or by email at any time.
We encourage you to reserve a free tour of our facility to check out the physical layout. At that time you can ask about arrival times, music, restrooms, decorations, candles, pictures, flowers, rehearsals, and anything else.
Depending on the size of the wedding we suggest about 20 minutes prior to the ceremony. The chapel will open for guests 30 minutes before the ceremony is set to begin.
It is never fashionable to start late. Our contract with you will be that the ceremony never be more than 20 minutes late starting as others may be waiting to use the facility or the officiant may have another wedding off site and need to leave. If you are concerned about someone arriving late, please speak with them in advance.
Rehearsals may be held at the chapel. There is a charge of $100, which includes 1 hour in the chapel and one of our co-ordinators to help run your rehearsal. We will practice your entrances and exits, timing with your music, the hand off (if one partner is being walked down the aisle), where everyone will stand during the ceremony, and moving to and from the signing table. If you would like your officiant to attend your rehearsal, they will have their own fee. In most cases, you can work through the details of the ceremony with the officiant at the planning meeting.
Weddings that need to be cancelled within 30 days of booking will be refunded minus an administration fee ($100 or $200 + tax, depending on the package). Those weddings that are cancelled more than 30 days after booking will not be refunded.
In most cases other licenced officiants are welcome. We do not lower our fee. Talk to us about this option. We will need Provincial Government proof of their licence.
While a friend or family member can participate meaningfully in the ceremony (even conducting the vows and ring exchange), there are certain parts of the ceremony that must be conducted by a licenced officiant (including a question of intent to each partner and the legal pronouncement). Ask us for more information at the time you make your reservation. Our regular fee applies.
As an add-on to your wedding we can arrange a champagne toast or cocktail reception for up to 65 guests. We can seat up to 32 people for a sit-down meal. This can be discussed with our event planner by calling the office.
For larger weddings you have several options, including:
We have no rules on photo taking. It’s your wedding. Speak with your photographer and your wedding officiant. If you do not want guests to take pictures during your ceremony, make sure you have someone make the announcement prior to the start of the ceremony.
No rice or confetti is permitted on the chapel grounds, inside or out.
We have a small stereo system as well as a Bluetooth speaker that is more than enough to fill our space with sound. We encourage you to bring your own music (on Bluetooth-compatible device or CD) and ask that you have someone to manage your music for you. Live music sounds amazing in our chapel. We can refer musicians for you to contact.
Our chapel comes pre-decorated; however you can bring your own as well. You may want to augment or change our decorations. All we ask is that you use no tacks, no staples, and no tape. In short, nothing may be fastened to the wall. Please use ribbons or string etc., because of the historical nature of the building.
We do not allow candles for decoration. We have a supply of realistic looking battery-operated candles. If you would like to have a unity candle as part of your ceremony, please discuss this with our staff.
Yes. There are two restrooms just downstairs at the entrance foyer near the coat closet.
At this time—no. As a historic building it was built with the charms and standards of another era. We have restored the building to its original beauty, and as we continue to update the facility it will be made accessible.
Flowers are welcome as long as they do not have water in the vase. This is a historic building with very old wood so water can cause damage very quickly. We suggest instead of water you use sand or marbles readily available from any craft store.
There is a small parking lot two doors down from the chapel. There is also parking on the street. The spot right in front of the chapel is reserved for the wedding party. Please don’t block the driveway beside the chapel. We are directly across from a City of Ottawa community centre. That parking lot may be available for the use of your guests if there are no events scheduled there on your wedding day. We have parking signs to help guide your guests.
Our Ottawa Wedding Chapel is a smoke-free facility; inside and out!
We've got a group of over 50 provincially licensed, experienced wedding officiants in the Ottawa area. They can officiate at your wedding at the Ottawa Wedding Chapel, your home or another location of your choosing. They are bilingual, male and female and will meet with you to discuss and implement YOUR vision of your wedding ceremony.
