Policies for Weddings

The Christian and Jewish faiths within our community support the Big Sky Chapel, an interfaith place of worship. Therefore, the needs of our congregations will take precedence over all other events. Permission to reserve the Chapel will be granted at the discretion of the Board of Directors and is subject to compliance with the following:   POLICIES FOR WEDDINGS IN THE BIG SKY CHAPEL 1). Wedding ceremonies must be conducted by a commissioned member of the clergy from a traditional denomination (e.g. Catholic, Protestant, Jewish) following the tenets of that faith and in accordance with the laws of the state of Montana. A list of local clergy who have performed weddings in our Chapel is available or you may make your own qualified clergy arrangements. The Board of Directors of the Big Sky Chapel reserves the right to not accept any application that does not comply with the aforementioned. 2). The Chapel will be reserved for you for three hours with an additional hour set aside for rehearsal. Our experience suggests that you plan your time very carefully, as we cannot allow any extra time for photographs or set up. Scheduled times are to be strictly adhered to. Please discuss this with your photographer well in advance of setting the time for your ceremony. It would be to your advantage for you and your photographer to meet at the Chapel to consider different shoots, lighting, etc. The maximum seating capacity is 185 persons in the Chapel sanctuary and 40 persons in the balcony. 3). To assure a less stressful day, we ask you to provide a family member or friend to act as your Chapel Assistant and be responsible for these policies being followed the day of your wedding. This person should be introduced to our personnel immediately upon entering the Chapel. This person may assist guests inside and outside the Chapel and should be responsible for children’s behavior (no children unattended on the elevator), general clean up, and removal of all boxes and

personal belongings after the wedding. Please provide your Chapel Assistant a copy of these policies before the day of your wedding. 4). There will be a Chapel volunteer on site at all times during your wedding and rehearsal to assist you in any way that he or she can. 5). Our Chapel has been blessed and dedicated as a place of worship. The altar can be moved back against the wall under the front window in the sanctuary. The pulpit must remain on the dais. Items that can be placed on the altar are communion vessels, a cross, candles, and floral arrangements. Please return everything back to its original position after your ceremony. 6). Arrangements for music, flowers, etc. are your responsibility. Please do not move the piano as it adversely affects the sound. If you wish to use our sound system to amplify your particular recordings, our Chapel volunteer will assist you with this. The choice of musical selections should be discussed with your clergy beforehand. 7). The Big Sky Chapel was designed so that its simple beauty would speak for itself. If decorations are desired, no staples, nails, or anything that would permanently deface the Chapel are allowed. Ribbon or elastic bands may be used to attach flowers to our pews. Silk flower petals are allowed but must be cleaned up before leaving the chapel. Please no real flower petals as they stain the carpet. 8). You may use drip less candles in the altar area. The Chapel does have two single candle holders available for your use. No candles of any type may be used elsewhere in the Chapel or on the Chapel grounds because of fire hazard. 9). Please consult your clergy for guidance in advance regarding flash photography and video cameras. Expectations may differ. Please inform your photographer and video camera operator of proper protocol. 10). We ask that the wedding party and officiating clergy please sign the Chapel historical register during the rehearsal time. 11). Neither smoking nor the consumption of alcoholic beverages is permitted anywhere in the Chapel building or on the Chapel grounds. No food or drink other than water is permitted in the sanctuary. 12). Confetti, rice or birdseed are a safety hazard on our sloped driveway so their use is not permitted.   Please review these Big Sky Chapel procedures carefully. By making application for use of the Chapel, you indicate your acceptance of and willingness to adhere to our policies and that you will respect our interfaith religious heritage. Please call with any questions that you may have. We look forward to welcoming you to our Chapel.