Weddings at St. Paul's Chapel

A newly married couple walking down the aisle in St. Paul's Chapel.

Every year numerous couples get married at St. Paul's Chapel at Columbia University. Weddings as large as 400 guests fill St. Paul’s with joyful love and hopeful celebration. Weddings in St. Paul’s may be traditional, secular, interfaith, same-sex, non-religious, civil or spiritual. St. Paul’s Chapel weddings easily accommodate cultural, religious, family and individual traditions as diverse as the University itself. No affiliation with the University or St. Paul’s Chapel is required. As an architectural gem, St. Paul’s Chapel makes a perfect space for a variety of types of wedding ceremonies.

Seating Capacity 

The seating capacity of the main floor of the nave is 400 people. For larger weddings, the balconies can also be used, expanding the capacity to 610. More intimate ceremonies may also be held in the chancel in front of the high altar, where the seating capacity is 60 people.

Two sets of parents sitting in the front row of the Chapel as their children walk down the aisle.

Planning a Wedding at St. Paul's Chapel

On behalf of the Earl Hall Center for Religious Life, Columbia University Event Management books special events in St. Paul’s Chapel, including weddings, memorial services, concerts, and other private events. Learn more about the space and submit a request online. The availability of Officiants and reception facilities should be checked concurrently when finalizing the wedding date and time. St. Paul’s Chapel books a large number of weddings each year, with April, May, June, September, October, and November being the busiest times of the year.

Photography and videotaping is permitted for all weddings. 

Wedding Officiant 

The Earl Hall Center at Columbia University is a great place to call for a wide range of weddings, including multi-faith, spiritually based, or same-sex ceremonies. Staff and affiliates of the Earl Hall Center and The Office of the University Chaplain may be available to conduct ceremonies in St. Paul’s Chapel. You may also choose to bring your own officiant to preside.

A couple flanked by their wedding party getting married in St. Paul's Chapel

Invitations

Your invitations should indicate the following address:

St. Paul’s Chapel
Columbia University
Amsterdam Avenue at 117th Street
New York, NY 10027

Enter through main campus gates at 116th Street and Broadway. There is a campus map on the north side of the 116th Street entrance.

Rehearsal Time

To assure the availability of the Chapel, reserve your rehearsal date and time when you make your wedding reservation.

Parking

Only cars with disability license plates or permits where previous arrangements have been made will be allowed to park on College Walk. However, up to two cars transporting the wedding couple and immediate family members or guests will be allowed to drop off passengers on College Walk. Afterward vehicles must find parking off campus. You can find more information about parking around campus here.