Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who may be married at the chapel?
A: The chapel is open to all individuals, and couples do not have to have a relationship with TCU. The chapel offers a discount to TCU alumni, faculty, staff, trustees, or children of one of the groups listed. Because TCU is affiliated with, but not governed by Disciples of Christ, we welcome all to have their wedding in the chapel.
Q: How far out do you book?
A: Typically, we book 18-24 months in advance. Please contact our office to check availability. We do not book more than 2 years in advance.
Q: What does the chapel fee include?
A: The following services are included with chapel fees:
A 1-hour time block for the rehearsal the Friday before the ceremony. A 3-hour time block on the day of the ceremony for set up, ceremony, pictures, and cleanup.
Access to the chapel grounds, chapel, cloisters, and two classrooms during the contracted time frame.
An on-site chapel coordinator that will run the rehearsal and ceremony as needed, and to work with outside coordinators and vendors.
An audiovisual technician to mic your officiant, work with musicians, and provide sound for the lectern and pulpit for the rehearsal and ceremony.
Parking for you and your guests on a TCU campus lot (please note additional parking fee required on home football game days). Parking signs will direct your guests to the appropriate lots.
Q: What is the physical address of the chapel to use on invitations?
A: Robert Carr Chapel 2855 South University Drive, Fort Worth, Texas 76129
Q: Where is the chapel office located?
A: The chapel office is housed inside the Office of Religious & Spiritual Life, in Jarvis Hall. Jarvis Hall is located directly across S. University Drive from the chapel. When you enter Jarvis, from the street (S. University Drive), our office is directly on your right.
Q: Can I take a tour of the chapel on the weekend?
A: Because we host up to five weddings in the chapel each weekend along with campus worship services, we are unable to provide tours of the chapel on Saturdays or Sundays. In addition, the chapel is closed whenever TCU is closed. The chapel is open Monday through Friday from 8am-9pm, and Saturday and Sundays from 8am – 8pm. Please contact the chapel offices at robertcarrchapel@tcu.edu to check weekend availability as it is often booked with weddings and religious services. We would be happy to share the best times to stop in for the weekend you are interested in visiting. If you would prefer a guided tour, please contact our office to schedule an appointment during our weekly office hours, Monday through Friday, 9am-4pm.
Q: How do I make a payment? Who do I make checks out to?
A: You are welcome to make your initial, nonrefundable deposit (Chapel Retainer Fee), final rental payment fee (Payoff), and parking fee (if applicable) on online. Payments may also be mailed to the address below or dropped by the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life in Jarvis Hall. Security Deposits to cover possible damages or contract violations can only be paid by a physical check. All check payments are to be made payable to, TCU.
Checks may be mailed to:
Robert Carr Chapel
TCU Box 297310
Fort Worth, TX 76129
Q: If I must postpone or cancel my wedding, will I get my money back?
A: Please see our Wedding Policies that covers Rescheduling, Refunds, & Late Bookings.
Q: Who is the chapel’s officiant? Can I bring my own officiant?
A: The chapel does not have a designated officiant for wedding ceremonies. The couple is responsible for bringing their own officiant. He or she can be of any denomination. Please see frequent vendors for a list of officiants.
Q: Are there Sunday services at the chapel?
A: There are student organizations that use the chapel on Sundays, but there are no regular worship services open to the public.
Q: Where do my guests park? Will there be enough parking?
A: Two parking lots are available to wedding party and guests. A small lot located behind Beasley Hall offers limited parking and accessible spaces. A much larger lot is available at the corner of Parmer Avenue and W. Lowden Street by the TCU Music Center. Guests who may have difficulty walking may be dropped off on Princeton Street where an accessible ramp into the chapel is available. Please use flashers when temporarily parking and helping a guest into the chapel. There are more spaces than the number of people the chapel holds; therefore, there is always enough parking. Please refer to our Wedding Policies for more information concerning weddings held on TCU Football game days.
Q: Can my flower girl toss flower petals down the aisle? Can we decorate with flower petals?
A: You are welcome to decorate with flower petals (real or fake) and have a flower girl toss petals. Please keep in mind that your wedding party will be responsible for picking up ALL petals and we do not provide cleanup materials. It is up to the wedding party to ensure the chapel looks as it did when you arrived, whether you contract a florist to clean up or schedule friends/family to help. This is a task that little kids usually don’t mind helping with!
Q: Can my dog walk down the aisle?
A: No animals are allowed inside the chapel other than service animals.
Q: Can wagons/strollers be pulled/pushed down the aisle?
A: Yes, but they must be removed immediately after they are used and not block any walkways or aisles. All wheels must be cleaned of debris. No motorized vehicles are allowed.
Q: Can I have a unity candle?
A: Yes, you may have a unity candle, sand, knot, cross, etc. We do not discriminate and are open to all kinds of unity ceremonies. However, we do not allow unity paintings due to the risk of paint damage.
Q: Are there decorations for my wedding?
A: The chapel does not provide any decorations, candles, pedestals, or flowers. However, if your wedding is during the season of advent, the chapel will be decorated.
Q: Can I play recorded music in the chapel?
A: No recorded music is permitted in the chapel for wedding ceremonies. NO EXCEPTIONS. Please see our Wedding Policies for more information on the chapel’s music policies.
Q: What kind of instruments are in the chapel?
A: We have 3 instruments in the chapel, an organ, piano, and carillon bells. In August 2013, the chapel obtained a brand-new Mason & Hamlin piano. Our most popular instrument is the 2,400-pipe organ. “The present organ in Carr Chapel was built by the Ross King Organ Company of Fort Worth. The King, valued at over $300,000 has three keyboards, thirty-six stops and is fully digitized and movable. The carillon is electronic, not, as one would expect, a cast-bell mechanism. The Verdin carillon plays short measures of the TCU alma mater before striking each hour.”
Q: Can my relative/friend play the piano for our wedding?
A: Yes, you are welcome to use whomever you wish for instruments other than the organ and carillon bells. Please see our Wedding Policies for further information on the chapel’s music policies.
Q: What are the chapel measurements?
A: Side table in narthex: 47 x 15 inches (for guestbook, flowers, candles, etc.)
Front table in narthex: 56 x 22 inches (for guestbook, flowers, candles, etc.)
Pews: 19 x 4 inches (for ribbon/tool to wrap around)
17 Pews on right, 17 pews on left for a total of 34 pews
3 feet tall
Windows: There are 5 windows on each side of the chapel for a total of 10.
The windowsills are 10 inches + 2 inches (raised ledge) + 5 inches = 17 inches.
Flowers or candles need to fit into the 5- or 10-inch spaces.
Aisle: 59 feet, 3 ½ inches long & width is 5 feet 9 inches. No runners allowed in the aisle.
Communion table: length: 7′ 4.5” width: 2’6.5” height: 2’9.5″
Q: How many people does the chapel seat?
A: The chapel in its entirety can hold approximately 300 guests, including balcony and narthex. Pews can comfortably seat about 275.
Q: How many people can sit per pew?
A: There are short and long pews. Approximately 6 people can sit in the short pews and 7 people per long pew. The number of guests per pew depends upon how close your guests want to sit next to each other. The 1st and 2nd pews sit approximately 6 on each side; however, we do not suggest more than 4-5 persons in the first row for wedding ceremonies as the line of site can be hindered by wedding party. The 3rd, 4th, and 5th pews sit approximately 7 people on each side. Only 10 people allowed in the balcony, per fire code.
Q: Can I take pictures around campus?
A: Yes, you may take pictures around campus, as desired. Couples will have access to the chapel grounds, chapel, cloisters, and holding rooms for your assigned ceremony time frame only. We are very firm on our time frames. We suggest saving campus pictures for either before or after your time frame. You may NOT interrupt another couple’s time frame by showing up early or staying late. A couple will forfeit their Security Deposit if vendors, wedding party, or family arrive before or stay after the contracted time.
Q: Can I have portraits at the chapel prior to my wedding?
A: Yes, each couple has an option to reserve the chapel for two hours for portraits. Times are based on chapel availability, and an appointment must be made with the chapel coordinator. Please email robertcarrchapel@tcu.edu to schedule a time.
Q: Can I move my rehearsal time?
A: Rehearsal times are matched with ceremony time frames and are firm.
Q: My reservation is from 2pm-5pm. What time can I arrive at the chapel?
A: You may arrive at the chapel at the start of your reservation time; in this case, no earlier than 2pm. The same goes for your vendors including photographers, videographers, florist, coordinators, etc. They may begin arriving at the start of your reservation time.
Q: Can I arrive to the holding rooms earlier so that I can start getting ready sooner?
A: No, you cannot access the holding rooms early, which is why we highly encourage you to treat the holding rooms as waiting rooms. You will need to arrive at the chapel dressed and ready to go, so that you can begin taking photos once you arrive.
Q: What are the holding rooms like?
A: The holding rooms are two classrooms in either Beasley or Moore Hall, buildings adjacent to the chapel. There are floor-length mirrors in the rooms so that you are able to make last-minute touch-ups.
Q: Can I have my reception at TCU?
A: The vast majority of weddings have their receptions off campus. You can see a list of frequent reception sites here. TCU campus reception options are located at the Amon G. Carter Stadium in the Legends Club or the Champions Club, located west of the chapel. There must be a donor or alumni tie to the university to use this space. If you are interested, please contact TCU Conference Services at 817-257-7641 or at conferenceservices@tcu.edu or fill out a form of interest here.
Q: Can I rent the chapel for vow renewals?
A: Yes. Our normal wedding fees pertain to vow renewals that occur on wedding days/time frames. For those interested in other times as feasible, please email robertcarrchapel@tcu.edu.
Q: Do you host weekday weddings?
A: No, we cannot accommodate weekday weddings due to campus schedules and parking availability.
Q: What is a typical timeline for the rehearsal?
A: Each rehearsal is one hour in length. Here is a typical timeline for a 5pm to 6pm rehearsal:
5:00 Chapel Coordinator goes over chapel rules & regulations and will give a brief overview of the order of rehearsal.
5:05 Chapel Coordinator lines everyone up in place as if they’ve just processed down the aisle.
5:10 Officiant leads wedding party through main points of ceremony.
5:25 Full run through of ceremony with music processional, ceremony and recessional. Minister only reviews main points.
5:45 Chapel Coordinator answers any last-minute questions.
5:50 Chapel Coordinator shows everyone the holding rooms and alternate ways in and out of the chapel.
6:00 Next wedding party arrives
Q: What is a typical timeline for the day of the wedding?
A: Typical timeline for a 2pm to 5pm wedding in the chapel with a 3:30pm ceremony:
2:00 Florist/photographer/videographer arrive and begin setting up. Wedding party arrives and drops off items in holding rooms.
2:15 First group in wedding party takes photos in chapel; second party arrives and waits in holding room.
2:40 First group in wedding party returns to holding room; next group takes photos in chapel.
3:00 Second group returns to holding rooms; prelude music begins, guests arrive, and ushers seat guests.
3:15 Chapel Coordinator gets everyone into place for the ceremony.
3:30 Ceremony begins.
4:15 Ceremony ends and the wedding party is secluded while guests are invited to leave the chapel and head to the reception. The wedding party photos begin.
4:30 Florist/photographer/videographer take down decorations/equipment.
4:45 Photos wrap up. The wedding party cleans out dressing room and heads off to reception.
5:00 Chapel is completely cleaned up and next wedding party arrives.
Q: What time do wedding ceremonies traditionally start?
A: We have suggested ceremony start times for each time frame to allow for arrival, set up, pictures, guest arrival, the ceremony, after ceremony pictures, and clean up.
For 11am-2pm, a ceremony over 30 minutes would begin at 12:00pm and a ceremony under 30 minutes would begin at 12:30pm.
For 2-5pm, a ceremony over 30 minutes would begin at 3:00pm and a ceremony under 30 minutes would begin at 3:30pm.
For 5- 8pm, a ceremony over 30 minutes would being at 6pm and a ceremony under 30 minutes would begin at 6:30pm
Q: What if I want to have a ceremony start time that coincides with the beginning of a time frame? Ex: I want a 5pm ceremony start time.