Weddings in The Chapel of St. Ignatius

Who can be married at the Chapel of St. Ignatius?

The Catholic Church has a long tradition of celebrating the sacraments within one’s own community of faith. Couples typically marry in the home parish of one or both members of the couple. Since the Chapel is not a parish, weddings at the Chapel are restricted to current Seattle University students, alumni, faculty, staff, regents, or trustees. 

When may weddings take place at the Chapel?

Weddings at the Chapel of St. Ignatius are celebrated on Saturday at 12 p.m. and 5 p.m. except during university closures, major university events, the Advent/Lent liturgical seasons and the week before and after changes in the liturgical seasons. 

Weddings must be scheduled at least six months in advance of the wedding. Please contact Campus Ministry for more information about guidelines and scheduling. Please allow for five business days for a response.   

How does someone arrange to get a wedding on the Chapel calendar?

Contact the Campus Minister for Liturgy at least six months before your prospective wedding date. If the date and time you request is available, the Campus Minister for Liturgy will place a hold on the slot. Once you complete the Finance Agreement and submit a $250 non-refundable deposit, the date and time will be confirmed.

Is some sort of preparation needed for couples wishing to be married?

Yes. Since marriage in the Catholic Church is a sacrament and a lifetime commitment, one of the ways we value and honor it is by taking time to help couples prepare. All couples marrying in the Chapel must go through some marriage preparation program. Marriage preparation is required for engaged couples to assess their readiness for marriage and to assist them in understanding that marriage is a vocation, covenant and sacrament. Campus Ministry hopes marriage preparation will offer ways to help engaged couples live out their vocation with hearts striving to be a couple with and for others. Seattle University no longer offers a marriage preparation program but you could participate in the program through your parish, or the Archdiocese.

Resources provided by the Archdiocese of Seattle:

• Catholic Engaged Encounter Seattle: In person retreat with options for overnight retreats and day retreats; multiple dates available January through October 2023.
• Local Seattle Parishes Offering Courses: St. Benedict's Catholic Parish.
• Blessed Sacrament Church. Click here for more information.
• St. Joseph's Parish. Click here for more information.
• The Archdiocese of Seattle recognizes marriage preparation options approved by the USCCB that includes some virtual preparation programs. Click here for more information.

Is there a fee involved for a Chapel wedding?

Yes. The fee varies depending on university affiliation.

A non-refundable security deposit of $250 (taken out of your fee) must accompany the Wedding Finance Agreement.

Are there other costs associated with weddings at the Chapel?

Yes. The approximate costs associated with each are listed below. 

Do Catholic weddings always take place during Mass?

No. Weddings can be celebrated either during the celebration of Mass or during a Liturgy of the Word. Normally, weddings are celebrated during Mass only when both parties are of the Catholic faith.

Does the Chapel have policies regarding the content of the wedding service, the music to be used, etc.?

Yes. The content of the service is set forth in the Church’s official Ritual Book for weddings, the Order of Celebrating Matrimony (2016). However, the couple being married is encouraged to engage in helping to plan the wedding service by choosing the Scripture readings that will be used during it. There are certain other options for the service, too, which will be explained to you. The Chapel also has standards and policies regarding the music to be used at a wedding.  All policies are outlined in the SU Wedding Guidelines.

Who is able to officiate at weddings in the Chapel?

The couple typically approaches their own priest or deacon to witness at their wedding. This person could be from this diocese, or another diocese. If you belong to another parish in the Archdiocese, your pastor will be the appropriate person to approach in this matter. You may also approach a member of the Seattle University Arrupe Jesuit Community.

Are people who are not of the Catholic faith able to be married at the Chapel of St. Ignatius?

They are, if they are marrying a Catholic.

Are people who have been married before able to be married in the Catholic Church?

Normally speaking, the answer to this question is no. That is because the Catholic Church regards marriage as a permanent commitment. Couples may have recourse to an annulment, but we do not have the staff capacity or expertise at the university to assist you in this process. Please contact your home parish for assistance. Weddings will not be scheduled at the Chapel if either party has a previous marriage (religious or civil) which is not yet formally annulled by the Catholic Church.

Finance Agreement & SU Guidelines and Policies