Perkins Chapel hosts nearly 200 weddings each year. While approximately one-third of those who marry in the chapel are SMU students or alumni, the remainder are members of the larger community. Couples of all faiths have been married in the chapel since it opened in 1951, and some families have celebrated marriages through multiple generations. Perkins Chapel's central aisle, as well as its proximity to many reception sites, makes it particularly suitable for weddings.
Four time slots are available for weddings each Saturday: 9:00 am–noon, noon–3:00 pm, 3:00–6:00 pm, and 6:00–9:00 pm. One-hour rehearsals for the weddings are held Friday evenings from 5:00–8:00 pm.
The cost of a wedding in Perkins Chapel is $4,000. Couples must provide their own ordained officiant or request information about available ministers from Perkins School of Theology.
SMU requires evidence of insurance for all third-party vendors and contractors that want to operate an event on campus.
The third-party is responsible for obtaining evidence of insurance (i.e. a Certificate of Insurance) and presenting it to the Office of Risk Management at least seven (7) days prior to the event taking place. If the third-party vendor does not maintain insurance regularly, they can procure a Tenant User Liability Insurance Program (TULIP) to meet SMU's insurance requirements.
Please be sure to thoroughly read the wedding policies before making a reservation. Reservations for weddings at Perkins Chapel may be made by emailing chapel@smu.edu.
Sample wedding photos are available online.
Regulations for Weddings in Perkins Chapel
Chapel Wedding Policies | Florist and Decorations | Photographers
Any questions not answered in the documents above may be directed to the chapel office at chapel@smu.edu.
