Policies

Weddings in Hope College's Dimnent Memorial Chapel are reserved for Hope College faculty and staff and their immediate family members, students and alumni during the summer season from mid-May through mid-August.

Hope College is affiliated with the Reformed Church in America, but the chapel is open to persons of all faiths and denominations. Hope College’s affiliation with its founding denomination only allows wedding ceremonies on campus that are consistent with the standards of the RCA’s Order for Christian Marriage, a “coming together in the presence of God” that is part of the Liturgy of the RCA. These standards include the definition of marriage as a “joyful covenanting between a man and a woman.”

HOURS OF USE

You’ll be able to use the facility for an hour rehearsal and four consecutive hours for the ceremony. This includes set-up, the ceremony and the breakdown. 

DRESSING ROOMS

You'll probably need a place to get ready, so we provide you with two classrooms in the basement of the chapel, which include a dressing room with fans, mirrors, tables and chairs. 

HANDICAP ACCESS

Handicap parking spaces are located in the vicinity of the chapel. The chapel has elevator access through the front entrance.

STUDENT ASSISTANT

One of our awesome student assistants will be assigned to your wedding to ensure that the facility is open and all your basic A/V and setup needs are met. All technical and setup needs must be confirmed one month prior to the wedding with the Events and Conferences Office.

MUSIC

You’re welcome to have someone to play the Pel's Van Leeuwen Organ in the balcony of the chapel, the Skinner Organ on the stage or the 6' Yamaha Grand Piano. We also have a CD Player available in the balcony if you'd prefer that. Chairs, stands and stools for musicians are available upon request, and we advise that they come and practice during your scheduled rehearsal. 

FLOWERS

You’ll need to provide your own florist, who will be able to access to the chapel at the same time the wedding party does. There is an air-conditioned room in the chapel to keep flowers cool, but placing them in the basement with a fan has worked just as well.