Wedding Terms of Use

Updated May 7, 2026

These terms of use are specific to the organization of weddings in Dwight Memorial Chapel and additional to Dwight Hall at Yale’s general Facilities Terms of Use. 

Dwight Hall does not provide wedding planning services. Our staff will guide the celebrants through the steps required to confirm a wedding reservation and may help to identify the Yale offices and community resources they may want to contact to make their arrangements. 

We strongly advise celebrants to visit Dwight Hall in person to determine whether the space is good fit for their ceremony.  

The Chapel 

Dwight Memorial Chapel is located within Dwight Hall on Yale University’s Old Campus. The Chapel was built in 1842-46 as the college library. In 1932, after the books were moved to the new Sterling Memorial Library, the large central space was converted to create Dwight Memorial Chapel in honor of Timothy Dwight. The Chapel’s Bozyan Memorial Organ was built by Rudolf von Beckerath in 1971.  

Dwight Memorial Chapel is best suited to small, simple weddings. A microphone and speakers can be provided, or celebrants can bring in their own sound system. Celebrants can decorate the Chapel as desired but need to clean up after themselves. Please note that the Chapel is not air conditioned. 

Capacity

The maximum capacity of the Chapel is 120 people. The Common Room can accommodate up to 80 for a reception. The Library can serve as a dressing room for 15-20 people. 

Requests

Inquiries and requests to reserve the Chapel for weddings should be submitted through an online wedding reservation request form.  

Requests are reviewed during business hours, and we aim to respond within a two days. 

Fees

There are flat rates for the organization of weddings in Dwight Chapel which include a $250.00 security deposit. The rates are $1,500 for Yale affiliated celebrants and $2,000 for non-Yale affiliated celebrants.  

Use of additional rooms for receptions, dressing, etc. costs $50.00/hour per room. 

Invoices are sent via email. Payments can be made online, in cash or by check payable to Dwight Hall at Yale and should be made before the event takes place.  

Yale Affiliation

To be considered “affiliated” with Yale, at least one of the celebrants must be a current student, faculty member, employee or an alumnus of Yale.

Facility Use Agreements & Insurance

Celebrants must provide a certificate of insurance demonstrating $2,000,000 of general liability coverage that names Yale University as additional insured.   

If needed, coverage can be purchased from Yale through URMIA. The TULIP insurance policy provides a standard amount of $1,000,000 of coverage. Users must select to add an additional $1,000,000 of coverage to reach the $2,000,000 requirement. 

A facilities use agreement will be drafted once the certificate of insurance is received. The agreement must be approved by Yale University’s Office of General Counsel. 

Event Coordination

A Dwight Hall event coordinator will be present on the day of the ceremony. The coordinator’s main responsibilities are setting up the Chapel furniture and facilitating access to the building for the celebrants, guests and any vendors. 

Officiants

There is no official officiant of Dwight Memorial Chapel. The celebrants must make their own arrangements with someone who is able to perform weddings in Connecticut. (See section 3 of Marriage in Connecticut document.) 

For celebrants looking to identify an officiant, Dwight Hall recommends contacting the Chaplain’s Office at Yale University (203) 432-1128. 

Organists

Celebrants in need of an organist should email Professor Martin Jean at Yale University’s Institute of Sacred Music martin.jean@yale.edu. 

Parking

Metered parking is available on most streets near Old Campus. There are also several parking garages close by including the Chapel-York Garage (150 York Street) and the Broadway Island Parking Lot (Broadway across from Apple Store).  

Meter bags can be requested through the New Haven Transportation Department.