Guidelines for marriages in the University chapels
You can find all information about wedding ceremonies taking place in University chapels in the guidelines below.
Chapels
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St Salvator’s Chapel
St Salvator’s is the large chapel on North Street, and it seats approximately 180 in the nave with an additional 110 in the ante-chapel. The pews face each other across the chapel in collegiate style in the nave, with chairs facing forward in the ante-chapel, behind a decorative screen. The chapel is equipped with wheelchair access and an induction loop.
St Leonard’s Chapel
St Leonard’s Chapel is situated within the grounds of St Leonard’s School and is much smaller and more intimate, seating approximately 50. It is built in traditional mediaeval style and the pews face each other across the chapel in collegiate style. It is particularly suitable for weddings where there are fewer guests. Wheelchair access is fairly easy.
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To determine the availability of the chapel, please refer to the Chapel Availability webpage. This page lists the dates and times when the chapel is unavailable.
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If you have guests who require wheelchair access to the chapels, please make the chaplaincy secretaries aware so that arrangements can be made for access.
St Salvator’s Chapel has a ramp from the North Street entrance and a ramp into the main chapel.
St Leonard’s Chapel has a four-inch step to be negotiated.
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St Salvator's Chapel
On-street parking in front of the Chapel is reserved as part of your wedding booking. There is space for between 4-5 cars. The wedding cars can arrive no more than 40 minutes before the ceremony start time, and must leave no later than 1 hr 15 minutes after the ceremony start time. For Catholic wedding ceremonies, the wedding cars must leave no later than 1 hr 45 minutes from the ceremony start time. This is to ensure the spaces are clear for the next wedding party to arrive.
Wedding cars are not permitted access to the quad.
There is a ‘pay and display’ parking scheme in operation in the rest of the town centre, with a maximum of 2 hours allowed, and parking may be available on roads nearby but spaces do tend to fillup quickly in the summer. There is a free car park at Petheram Bridge which is a 10-15 minute walk from either Chapel.
St Leonard’s Chapel
Although the Chapel belongs to the University, the immediate ground around it is part of a school. The school does not allow vehicles into that immediate area apart from the
bridal car. Your guests may park their cars on The Pends, the road running down to the harbour, with a short walk to the Chapel, or on-street parking in town. On no account must they park in the lane leading to the Chapel. Disabled parking
There are on-street disabled parking bays across from Chapel; however, we cannot guarantee that these will be free. We recommend that disabled guests are dropped off at the Chapel doors and the
driver then goes to park. If you prefer you may allow immediate family with mobility issues to use the parking space reserved in front of the chapel for the wedding cars, if space allows. For weekend weddings the Chaplaincy may be able to help arrange disabled parking on nearby university property. Buses
The space in front of the chapel cannot be reserved for bus collection and must be kept clear for the arrival of wedding cars. There is a dedicated bus parking area at the Bruce Embankment car park
which is situated next to the British Golf Museum, just a short walk from the grounds of the chapel, heading down Butts Wynd along The Scores.
Eligibility
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Only those who fall into one of the following categories may marry in the University chapels.
In line with recent changes in the law, the University chapels are available for weddings between members of the same sex and for religious registrations of civil partnerships.
University connection
One or both of the parties to the marriage must be a current member of staff, student or a graduate of the University of St Andrews.
The University Chaplains only conduct weddings for those with a university connection, as stated above. Those who fall into the below categories must provide their own minister/priest.
Local, St Leonard’s School and other connections
- child or grandchild of a current member of staff, student or alumni
- permanent residents of the KY16 postcode
- those with a connection to St Leonard's School, e.g., past student, current staff
- occasionally wider access is allowed, but normally there must be a clear University connection
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The Religious Council of the University passed the following resolution:
“The Council agreed that only denominations who were members of, associates of, or in agreement with the aims of the World Council of Churches might be granted the use of the Chapels for services."
In practice, most mainstream Christian denominations do fall within these guidelines. If you have any doubts, please contact the Chaplaincy for advice.
For more information please contact the University Chaplain, Revd Dr Donald MacEwan by email: dgm21@st-andrews.ac.uk.
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University chapels are available for weddings between members of the same sex and for religious registrations of civil partnerships.
Both the Chaplain, Revd Dr Donald MacEwan, and the University Assistant Chaplain, Revd Samantha Ferguson, are approved celebrants who may solemnise marriages of same-sex couples. A member of our Honorary Team is also able to conduct same-sex marriages, and will be appointed, if for any reason, the Chaplain or Revd Ferguson is unavailable.
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Neither University Chapel can be used to conduct a civil ceremony, only religious ceremonies can take place in which you are being married in the eyes of God.
The University does however permit civil ceremonies, in which you are being married in the eyes of the law, to take place in Lower College Hall.
Further information is available from Accommodation, Conference and Events.
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Wedding Blessings can be held in the University Chapels. They follow a format similar to legal marriages, but without the associated paperwork and signing of the schedule at the end of the service. Consequently, the price for Wedding Blessings is the same as it would be for a wedding in the chapel. See 'Wedding Payment Policy' below for price list.
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To secure your wedding booking, you need to complete two steps. First, submit a non-refundable deposit of £200 via the University Online Shop and fill out the Wedding Booking Form (Word). After submitting both, you will receive a confirmation letter within three weeks.
The remaining balance of your wedding fees is due no later than ten weeks prior to your wedding day. You can pay this amount via the University online Shop at any time up until that date. Please note that wedding balance reminders are not issued, so it’s important to keep track of the due date issued to you in your wedding confirmation letter and ensure timely payment.
Unpaid accounts will receive a reminder requesting payment be made within 7 days. Should payment remain unpaid, despite reminders, your wedding booking may be cancelled.
Wedding fees include:
- janitorial services
- light and heat
- minister (for those with university connection only)
- organist (if University organist or his deputy)
- parking in front of St Salvator's Chapel for up to five wedding cars (St Salvator's Chapel only)
- administration and VAT.
Please note that the fee does not include additional hire time for external choir or musician rehearsals, or extra floral set up time. If you require these services, please contact the Chaplaincy to check availability and additional hire charges.
For costs, please see the Chapel price list web page.
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Couples planning to Marry in Scotland are required, by law, to complete and submit a Marriage Notice (Form M10) at least 29 days before the wedding date, you may need to postpone postpone if it is not submitted in good time. However, it is recommended to submit the form at least 10-12 weeks before the wedding to ensure that the registrar has enough time to verify your eligibility to get married.
How to answer questions 23 and 24 on the Marriage Notice Form (Form M10)
For those being married by the University Chaplain, Revd Dr Donald MacEwan
23: Person who is to solemnise the marriage? Revd Dr Donald MacEwan
24: Denomination or body to which (s)he is attached? Church of Scotland Minister
For those being married by the Assistant Chaplain, Revd Samantha Ferguson
23: Person who is to solemnise the marriage? Revd Samantha Ferguson
24: Denomination or body to which (s)he is attached? Assistant Chaplain, Scottish Episcopal Church.How to answer the celebrant questions on the Marriage Celebrant and Witness Details Form
Celebrant: Revd Dr Donald MacEwan
How does your celebrant sign their signature: Donald MacEwan
Celebrant: Revd Samantha Ferguson
How does your celebrant sign their signature: S FergusonTo submit your forms, please email them to the registrar at fife.registrars@fife.gov.uk, If you prefer to post your paperwork, please email the registrar and they will advise which office to post to, and what documents to send.
Once the paperwork is in order, the Registrar will produce a marriage schedule. The schedule must be collected in person by one or both parties to be married, no more than seven days prior to the wedding date. It is recommended that you check with the Registrar in advance to determine when you can collect the schedule. The marriage schedule should be brought to the rehearsal and handed to the minister as evidence of permission to marry. Please note that if there is no marriage schedule, the wedding cannot proceed.
The Registrar’s office is now based in Cupar, which is approximately 30 minutes away from St Andrews. Please factor this time into your travel plans, especially if you plan to collect your schedule on the day of your rehearsal.
The signed marriage schedule must be returned to the Registrar within three days of the wedding to ensure that the marriage is registered. If you are unable to return the schedule personally, you can ask someone else to do this for you. The most common practice is for the best man or a relative to take it to the Registrar’s office within the allotted time.
If you live outside Scotland, or if you are not a British subject, or if you are divorced or widowed, it is essential to contact the Registrar as soon as possible to clarify what legal requirements may need to be satisfied. If you have any questions, please ask the Registrar.
This information is for guidance only. Please contact the Registrar in all circumstances. Further information can be found at the National Records of Scotland website.
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In the event that you have to cancel your wedding, please submit notification in writing as soon as possible.
The deposit for your wedding, bell ringing services and choir (where applicable) is non-refundable.
Cancellations made after the ten week final balance payment due date will be charged at the full amount.
Your service
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The University Chaplains conduct weddings only for alumni, staff, and students. If you fall into any other eligible category, you must provide your own minister, whose details must be provided to and approved by the Chaplaincy.
If you choose to have one of the university chaplains conduct your wedding, we will appoint either the University Chaplain, Revd Dr Donald MacEwan, or Assistant Chaplain, Revd Samantha Ferguson, subject to availability. Although you are welcome to state your preference, we cannot guarantee it. You should also be aware that from time to time, when a wedding falls in one of the university vacations, the Chaplain and/or Assistant Chaplain may be unavailable. On such an occasion, we will organise another member of the clergy to take the wedding, either an Honorary Chaplain of the university or another minister who has experience in conducting weddings. They will offer you the same pastoral support before and during your wedding.
Both the Chaplain and Revd Ferguson can solemnise marriages of both opposite-sex and same-sex couples. If either is unavailable during part of the year due to prior diary engagements, we will advise you in writing.
For those being married by the University Chaplain, Revd Donald MacEwan, please quote his denomination as Church of Scotland Minister in question 24 of the M10 marriage application form. For the Assistant Chaplain, Revd Samantha Ferguson, please quote her denomination as Assistant Chaplain, Scottish Episcopal Church Priest.
You are also welcome to make arrangements to bring your own minister, who must belong to a mainstream Christian denomination recognised by the World Council of Churches. Please provide your minister’s details to our Chaplaincy team for review and approval. If the minister is not from Scotland, it is vital that you take advice from the Registrar. There are certain legal conditions that must be fulfilled before an overseas minister may conduct a wedding in Scotland. Please see the section below regarding Anglican and Catholic weddings for more information.
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Those wishing to bring their own minister, licenced within the Anglican Communion, to conduct an Anglican wedding may do so. However, your Bishop/Parish priest must obtain permission from the Bishop of the St Andrews/Dunkeld/Dunblane diocese in the form of a letter/email to conduct a wedding in his/her parish. Your Bishop/Parish priest will be required to provide their current Licence and DBS (Safeguarding) status to the Bishop of the diocese.
The Scottish Episcopal Liturgy for marriage should be used by any Anglican priest conducting weddings in Scotland. An online version is available on the Scottish Episcopal Church website.
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If you wish to have a Roman Catholic wedding, you must first seek approval from the parish priest of St James’, St Andrews, Fr Michael John Galbraith, by emailing him at mjg23@st-andrews.ac.uk. He may be able to conduct the ceremony himself, but you may also approach another priest or deacon (e.g., your own parish priest) to preside at the wedding.
Please note that the date and time of the wedding must not be booked until the couple has spoken to the priest or deacon who has agreed to preside at the service. However, we are happy to make a provisional wedding booking to hold your preferred date and time.
The couple must meet with their parish priest or deacon to undertake pre-marital preparation, which includes the completion of all the necessary paperwork. This may or may not be the same priest or deacon who presides at the service.
Once all paperwork has been completed it should be sent to:
The Chancellor
Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh
100 Strathearn Road
Edinburgh
EH9 1BBOnce processed, the documentation will be forwarded to the parish of St James’, St Andrews.
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If you have elected to have one of the university chaplains officiate at your wedding, you will receive a wedding preparation booklet with your confirmation paperwork.
You will be required to have a wedding preparation meeting with the chaplain at least 4-6 months before your wedding, which is an essential element of your booking. Appointments take place on weekdays during the chaplains office hours, in person however meetings via MS Teams can be arranged for those who do not live locally. You will begin to explore with the chaplain your hopes for married life, he/she will also help you put together the order of service for your wedding.
For details further details on the University Chaplain(s) please refer to the Minister Officiating section above. -
It is highly recommended to have a rehearsal for your wedding. Please arrange this with the Chaplaincy office, and the content of the rehearsal can be discussed with the Chaplain or your officiating minister.
Typically, 45 minutes are allocated for rehearsals, which usually take place the day before the wedding between 9 am and 4 pm, subject to chapel availability. If more time is required, please discuss with the Chaplaincy office in advance. Please be on time, as the chapel may be booked for other services or events.
Rehearsals are an excellent opportunity to ensure that everything runs smoothly on your big day. During the rehearsal, you can practice walking in and out, and make sure everyone knows where to stand.
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The Chaplaincy accepts bookings every two hours, with the confirmed booking time marking the start of your ceremony. Brides must arrive on time for their ceremony, which begins at the confirmed booking time (e.g., 2pm). The groom and ushers may arrive 40 minutes ahead of the ceremony start time (e.g., 1.20pm), with guests arriving 30 minutes before the ceremony (e.g., 1.30pm). Please refer to the Flowers section below for details of when the florist can gain access to the chapel.
Wedding ceremonies are expected to last no more than 40 minutes with an added 15 minutes to sign the wedding schedule, after which you will be ushered to the Quad Lawn. You should clear the chapel (including flowers) within one hour of your allotted time. Our experienced janitorial team will ensure the smooth running of this process to allow for the guests of any later weddings to arrive without impinging your booking.
As another wedding may follow yours, it is important that your wedding service begins on time. If the service is running late, it must finish no later than 1 hour from the time the next wedding is scheduled to begin. This may result in your ceremony being cut short, and the janitors on duty will advance. This allows the Chapel to be prepared for the following wedding.
If your wedding begins more than half an hour late, and there is a university choir, members of the choir may have to leave due to prior engagements. No refund can be given in such cases. If members of the choir can stay and perform, an added fee will be incurred.
Couples who would like more time than the standard wedding booking slot allocation must submit a request at the time of booking or as soon as possible thereafter. Please note that there may be an added chapel hire cost for any additional time requested beyond the standard booking.
If you’re planning a Roman Catholic wedding, the Chaplaincy will consider two and a half hour booking slots, subject to approval from Father Michael John Galbraith. You must request this at the time of making your provisional booking, otherwise, a standard time slot will be allocated. This would allow for a 1-hour Nuptial Mass with an additional 15 minutes to sign the schedule (register), after which you will be ushered to the grounds of Quad Lawn. You should clear the chapel (including flowers) within one and a half hours of your allotted time. Those wishing a Roman Catholic wedding must first seek approval from the parish priest of St James’, St Andrews. Please refer to Roman Catholic Weddings section above for further details.
After submitting both the Chapel wedding booking form (Word) and deposit payment, you can expect to receive written confirmation of your booking within three weeks.
Written confirmation of your booking will be returned, usually within three weeks of submitting both the Chapel wedding booking form and deposit payment.
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The Order of Service booklet, used on the day of your wedding, is not produced or printed by the Chaplaincy. However, we can provide hymn words from Church Hymnary 4 and a sample Order of Service template upon request.
If the University Chaplain is conducting your wedding, he/she will provide you with a running order for your Order of Service. This will be discussed at your wedding preparation meeting.
If you are providing your own minister, please discuss your running order with him/her.
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One or more passages of scripture should be read during the service. Many couples like to choose one scripture reading and a poem (you should check the latter with the officiating chaplain or minister). The following readings are all suitable for your service and are written out in full in the order of service booklet which is sent to all couples who ask the Chaplain to conduct their wedding. You may, of course, choose readings from the Bible which are not among these suggestions.
Old Testament
- Genesis 2: 15-24
- Ruth 1: 16-17
- Psalm 128
- Ecclesiastes 3: 1- 8
- Ecclesiastes 4: 9-12
- Song of Songs 8: 6-7
- Jeremiah 31: 31-34
New Testament
- Mark 10: 6-9
- John 2: 1-11
- John 15: 9-12
- 1 Corinthians 13
- Ephesians 3: 14-21
- Colossians 3: 12-17
- 1 John 4: 7-12
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Music is an essential part of a wedding ceremony, and hymns and songs can be a beautiful way to express express praise and thanksgiving to God, and to celebrate God's love for us, our love for God, our love for one another, and the love of husband and wife. Hymn books can be provided, although most couples print the words of the hymns in an order of service.
Once you have selected your hymns, the Chaplaincy can send you the words of the hymns for printing. If the hymn is within an author’s lifetime or 70 years of his or her death, copyright is required. Please include ‘© <author’s name>’ and the University’s license number ‘CCL 55085’ in your order of service.
The order of service booklet sent to all couples who ask the Chaplain to conduct their wedding includes the full text of the following hymns, which are all suitable for weddings. However, you may choose hymns that are not among these suggestions.
- All people that on earth do dwell
- Lord of all hopefulness, Lord of all Joy ©
- As man and woman we are made ©
- Lord of creation, giver of gladness ©
- Bind us together, Lord ©
- Love is the touch of intangible joy ©
- Christ is made the sure foundation
- Love Divine, all loves excelling
- Come down, O Love Divine
- Now thank we all our God
- From all that dwell below the skies
- O God the Bethel! by whose hand
- Glorious things of thee are spoken
- Praise, my soul, the King of heaven
- Glory be to God the Father
- Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation
- O God of Love, to thee we bow ©
- The grace of life is theirs ©
- Guide me, O thou great Jehovah
- The Lord’s my Shepherd, I’ll not want
- How lovely is thy dwelling-place
- Your love, O God, has called us here
- Let’s praise the Creator who gave us each other ©
- We come, dear Lord, to celebrate ©
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Both University chapels contain very fine pipe organs which provide wonderful music for weddings. As well as leading the hymns, the organ provides music at several important points before, during and after the service:
- before the service (as guests arrive for the service, the organ can provide background music)
- entrance of the bride
- signing of the register
- recessional
See examples of suitable organ music for the service.
Organist
Your wedding fee includes the services of an organist provided by the University. All arrangements for music at the service should be made through the deputy University organist, Andrew Macintosh, who is always happy to discuss or suggest music. Please make contact with Andrew, by email ajrm@st-andrews.ac.uk, at least six weeks in advance of your wedding. Before contacting Andrew, it is recommended that you review the information provided on the Music for Weddings webpage.
During the entrance of the bride and the recessional, it is inadvisable for music to be provided by a recording or any instrument other than the organ. This is because the sound of the organ is ideally suited to a processional mood. However, during the signing of the schedule, music can be provided by a choir, a solo singer, or by instruments other than the organ, if desired.
If you wish to bring your own organist, please bear in mind that you must obtain the permission of the University organist first. This is because the organs in both Chapels are very valuable and must only be played by those who can satisfy the University organist of their level of competence
Choirs
A choir can make your wedding service even more memorable. In addition to leading the congregation through the hymns, they can sing during the signing of the schedule. The University Deputy Organist, Andrew Macintosh, will always do his best to accommodate requests for choirs. You can contact him by email at ajrm@st-
andrews.ac.uk. A wedding choir typically consists of between four and eight singers. Singers are readily available during University semesters (around February to May and September to December). However, it can be difficult to find singers at other times of the year. If the date of your wedding falls outside University semesters, please contact Andrew Macintosh in the first instance.
If your wedding is during the period from January to September, please contact the organist before 31 October in the preceding year. If your wedding lies in the months from October to December, please make your request before 31 May
External Choirs and Musicians
Please note that if you wish to bring your own choir and/or musicians, you must obtain permission from the Chaplaincy and Andrew Macintosh in advance. If additional time is required for set up or rehearsal, an additional hire charge will apply based on the duration required.Instrumentalists and soloists
You are welcome to provide your own instrumentalist or soloist to play during the signing of the schedule or during the ceremony. If they require a rehearsal in the chapel, and if you would like the University organist to accompany them, this may incur a charge – please see the price list for details.
The organist is also happy to book solo instrumentalists, where possible. In all circumstances, please contact the University organist well in advance. It is especially important that, if the organist is required to accompany a soloist, the sheet music in the appropriate key is received not less than one month in advance.
Bells
St Salvator’s Chapel has six bells that can be rung for your wedding, subject to the availability of bell ringers. If you would like the bells to be rung at your wedding, please contact the Bell Ringing Society via email at bellringers@st-andrews.ac.uk. Couples expecting their wedding to last longer than 45 minutes must indicate this at the time of booking. Cancellation of bookings must be done in writing to the email address provided, noting the cancellation policy section.
Please see the price list for costs.
There are no bells at St Leonard’s Chapel.
Pipers
Pipers are welcome to play outside the chapel for your wedding. However we recommend you consider the following points to ensure there is no clash of music.
- You must inform the Deputy Organist if you plan to have a piper play at your wedding.
- If you have a piper playing outside the Chapel before your service, it will not be possible to have organ music playing inside.
- If you have hired the choir to sing during your service, the piper should only play in the 15-minute window before service commences, to allow for choir rehearsal.
- At the end of the service the piper should not play until the bridal party have fully emerged from the chapel into the cloister area.
- We recommend you do not have both a piper and bells playing before your wedding.
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Recordings: visual and audio
If you plan to create an audio or video recording of the service, please follow these guidelines:
Obtain Permission: Before recording, seek permission from both the officiating minister and the organist. It’s essential to do this well in advance.
Copyright Considerations: Keep in mind that video recordings are subject to copyright law. Ensure that you comply with any relevant regulations.
Recording Location: Before finalising setup arrangements with your videographer, consult with your minister. Unmanned fixed recording devices are allowed at the front of chapel if the minister agrees, but be mindful of how they might affect the view for guests in the chapel. If the University chaplain is conducting the service, video recordings are normally only permitted from the balcony at the back of the chapel.
Access and Set-Up: The videographer can gain access to the chapel for set-up purposes 50 minutes before the service begins. We kindly ask you to inform our office if you plan to have a videographer so that this information can be passed to the janitorial team. If additional time is require, please request it in advance via the chaplaincy. Additional time will be subject to chapel availability, and may incure additional hire charges.
Wi-Fi Connection: The University offers free BT wifi across most University buildings, during the summer (June to September). Click on link for further informaiton.Photography
Here are some essential guidelines regarding photography at your wedding.
St Salvator’s Chapel: Following the ceremony, you will be ushered onto St Salvator’s Quad lawn. Keep in mind that the Quad Lawn is a public space and may occasionally be used by for other functions or indeed there may be tourists in the area. If another wedding is scheduled in chapel immediately after yours, we kindly request that you and your guests clear the area at least 15 minutes before their ceremony begins. This ensures a smooth transition for the next couple. The janitorial team on duty will keep things moving in a timely mannor.
St Leonard’s Chapel: The area surrounding St Leonard’s Chapel is owned by St Leonards School, a private school, and is not affiliated with the University. While the school authorities technically have the right to charge for using the grounds for photographs, they do not do so in practice.
Inside the Chapels: Photography inside the Chapel is at the discretion of the officiating minister. Please consult with them during your wedding preparation meeting to discuss any specific requests or limitations.
Official Photographer: The designated photographer is welcome to capture moments from the gallery (St Salvator's Chapel) or the rear of chapel (St Leonard's Chapel). They can also step forward to document the signing of the schedule, as well as the couple and witnesses at the table. Additionally, all guests, including the photographer, are welcome to take pictures as the newlyweds process down the aisle at the end of the service.
Guest Photography During the Service: To maintain the solemnity of the occasion, we advises against photographs or recordings taken by wedding guests during the actual service itself.
Photography in St Mary’s Quad: St Mary’s College Quad and Gardens, off South Street, may be used for photographs with permission from the University Estates team. This is also a public space meaning that exclusive use
cannot be guaranteed. -
Typically, the services of a florist are employed to arrange flowers for weddings. However, you are welcome to ask a friend to arrange the flowers for you. Regardless of who you choose, it is important to note that the flowers must be removed from the chapel as soon as possible after the service.
If you are willing to share flowers with other couples getting married on the same day, please indicate this on the booking form. Closer to your wedding date, you can contact the Chaplaincy secretaries to obtain contact details of other couples who are also willing to share flowers. You must conduct your own negotiations with other couples regarding sharing flowers. Please note that you may not put flowers into the Chapel before another wedding if that couple is not willing to share
Typically, flowers can only be placed in the chapel 45 minutes before your allotted time, by which time the janitor will be on duty and the chapel for your allocated booking slot.
The Chaplaincy does not provide flower pedestals. However, you are welcome to provide them yourself or have your florist provide them for you. Please note that the pedestals must be removed at the end of the wedding ceremony before the next wedding party arrives.
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St Salvator’s Chapel
Candles are provided on the communion table for each wedding. To ensure safety, we kindly request that no candles be placed on window ledges or along the aisle. However, candles secured within flower displays are permitted on the communion table or on stands at the front of the chapel only.
St Leonard’s Chapel
St Leonard’s can be lit by candlelight using wax candles that are placed in wall-sconces and three central chandeliers. Candlelight is particularly suited to late afternoon winter weddings, but candles can be lit for all weddings.
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Decorating the chapel for your wedding should take place during your allocated time slot, which is typically 45 minutes before the ceremony. See also information about relating to floral displays and candles.
Decorating the aisle
The aisle, in both chapels, must be kept clear and cannot be decorated with candles, flower petals, or similar items.
Decorating pew ends
Hand-tied flowers can be hung with ribbon on pew ends near the front of St Salvator’s Chapel. Please note that pins or sticky tap should never be used to secure items to the pew ends as this will damage pew ends.
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Confetti should not be used at either chapel or on University property or in St Leonard’s School property; this also applies to rice and similar items. Please make this rule is clear to your guests.
After the ceremony
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The University boasts a stunning, historic venue for wedding receptions. The impressive Lower and Upper College Halls, which lies just across the quadrangle from St Salvator’s chapel, is the perfect setting for exclusive wedding receptions. Find out more about booking a wedding reception in St Andrews.
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Accommodation is available within some University residences over the summer months.
The University is delighted to offer all wedding guests a discount on Wedding accommodation. In order to benefit from this special offer, please contact the Accommodation, Conferences and Events team to obtain a discount code which can be circulated to your guests.