The Memorial Church

Weddings and the Blessing of Civil Unions

Welcome. Throughout its long history, The Memorial Church has held weddings for members of the Harvard community. We cordially invite you to become part of this joyous tradition. We hope that these materials will be helpful in making your plans; if, however, you have any questions not addressed here, please contact the Sexton, Richard Campbell, at 617-496-3195, Wednesday to Saturday. He will be happy to discuss your concerns and will also schedule the date you finally select for your wedding.

Because The Memorial Church is a University facility, we occasionally host events that may change the programming and appearance of the Church surrounding the date of your service. We will do our best to inform you of any Church, University, or community event that may affect your service date, place unusual demands upon the Church's accessibility, or significantly change the Church’s appearance.

Eligibility

The Memorial Church and Appleton Chapel are available for the weddings, ceremonies of commitment, and the blessing of civil unions of couples who have a valid marriage license and who are:

Officers of instruction or administration in the University listed in the University Directory for the current year and their children, parents, or siblings
Students listed in the Directory for the current year
Former students listed in the Alumni Records
Present employees of the University and their children, parents, or siblings
Officers emeriti and retired employees

Reservations

Making and Confirming a Reservation

To make reservations for a rehearsal and ceremony, call the Sexton at 617-496-3195. Upon initial inquiry, you will be sent an informational form (alternatively, you may download the form) which must be completed and returned to the Sexton, together with payment of the fee for use of the Church. (See fees and honoraria.) Payment of the Church fee confirms the booking; your cancelled check will be your receipt. When you complete the form, please include your affiliation with the University. This should include school of study and year of graduation, or department or office of employment. No reservation will be considered confirmed until the Sexton has received both the completed information form and payment for use of the Church. Time changes may not be made without first consulting the Sexton.

Download Wedding and Blessing of a Civil Ceremony Information Form (PDF)

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Times for Rehearsals and Ceremonies

Rehearsals and ceremonies are usually held on weekends, according to the following schedule. The Sexton may be able to make additional times of the week available, by special request.

Rehearsal Times: Fridays 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Saturdays 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Ceremony Times: Saturdays 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Sundays 2:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Note: Special arrangements may be made for Jewish ceremonies that begin after sunset.

About Rehearsals

One hour is scheduled for each rehearsal.
The rehearsal must start on time. If the ceremony participants are more than 30 minutes late, the rehearsal is cancelled.
The marriage license must be presented at the rehearsal.
The rehearsal will not take place if there are outstanding fees.

About Ceremonies

Two hours are reserved in the Church for the day of the ceremony. You and your guests will have access to the Church one hour before the starting time.
The ceremony begins promptly at the time for which the Church is reserved.
All persons who participate in the ceremony should attend the rehearsal.

Because the Church may schedule more than one rehearsal or ceremony on a given day, please be prompt and considerate of the time.

The Sexton oversees all rehearsals and ceremonies and is fully authorized to enforce Church policies. A wedding planner or coordinator may only be engaged for weddings in The Memorial Church with the permission of the Sexton. In the event that a wedding planner or service coordinator is used, that person should contact the Sexton to review Church policies.

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Officiant For the Ceremony

Clergy in The Memorial Church

The resident clergy of The Memorial Church are available to officiate upon consultation. They require a series of conferences with the couple prior to the ceremony. To make an appointment, please call Leslie Kress, Staff Assistant to the Ministers, at 617-496-1643.

Guest Clergy

Ministers, priests, or rabbis holding ordained status in their denominations are welcome to officiate at weddings and blessings of civil unions in The Memorial Church or Appleton Chapel; however, they must be authorized to officiate at weddings by the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Clergy from outside the Commonwealth should confirm their status by calling the Licensing Office in Boston at 617-727-2836 and obtaining a special license legally qualifying them to officiate in Massachusetts. In addition, they must obtain permission from their local ecclesiastical office and/or parish.

The officiant must also write a letter to The Reverend Professor Peter J. Gomes, Pusey Minister in The Memorial Church, requesting permission to officiate in the Church.

It is the responsibility of the couple to arrange for a cleric to officiate and to inform the cleric that a letter must be sent at least eight weeks before the wedding.

Note: If either party has been divorced, the officiant should be informed at once, and may require a copy of the decree absolute. In certain cases, the remarriage of divorced persons must receive ecclesiastical approval well in advance of the wedding.

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Music

All music in The Memorial Church, including music for weddings and blessings of civil unions, is under the direction of the Gund University Organist and Choirmaster, Edward E. Jones. For an initial discussion regarding the music for your service, contact the Research Associate in Music, Carson P. Cooman, at 617-496-9425.

The Choirmaster or the Assistant Organist will play the organ for ceremonies. If you would prefer a guest organist, you must apply in writing to Edward E. Jones, enclosing a resume of the guest organist, at least six weeks before the ceremony.

As soon as a ceremony is confirmed, an organist will be assigned by the Choirmaster. Couples should then contact the assigned organist, at least six weeks before the ceremony, to discuss musical selections; a recording of suggested organ music is available. If the organ is not to be used during the ceremony, please contact the Music Department in writing.

Note: Recorded music is not permitted in The Memorial Church.

Singers and Instrumentalists

All vocal selections are subject to the approval of the Music Department. Guest soloists must be requested in writing at least six weeks before the ceremony, and if the soloist is not already known to the music department, a resume must accompany the letter before approval will be granted.

Note: Electronic amplification is not available for singers.

All arrangements for additional instrumentalists must be approved by the Choirmaster before firm arrangements are made.
$25 per singer or instrumentalist will be added to the Organist’s fee in compensation for the extra consultation and rehearsal time.
The Memorial Church maintains a list of available singers and instrumentalists for the convenience of couples; the list includes competent students and local professional musicians. However, the Church does not act as a booking agency; all arrangements and fees must be finalized between the couple and the musicians directly, once approval has been granted.

Piano

A piano is available for use in the sanctuary of the Church.

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Photographs/Audio and Visual Recordings

All arrangements for photography and videotaping in the Church must be made in advance with the Sexton. In some cases, the Church may request permission of the couple to take photographs for use in illustrating The Memorial Church’s Web site or other publications. If permission is granted, all photo rights belong to The Memorial Church.

Photographs and videos may be taken with flash or illumination during the processional and recessional only.
During the actual ceremony, all photographs and videos must be taken from the balcony using existing light; no flash or illumination is permitted. It is the responsibility of the Sexton to enforce this rule.
The Department of Audio-Visual Services is not available for video or audio recordings of services.

Guest Books

Guest books are provided by those planning the service and may be placed on the stands in the narthex.

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Flowers

Floral decorations are provided by the couple. These decorations must conform to the following policy:

Decoration in the front of the Church is limited to a centerpiece placed on the flower stand or on the chancel table.
Flowers or bows may be hooked or clipped to the fixtures at the ends of pews. Nothing else may be stuck or taped to the pews or chancel woodwork.
There may be no other decoration of the interior or exterior of the Church.

Furnishings

The following items are available in the Church:

Chancel table (altar), 2 feet wide by 7.7 feet long (no altarcloth)
One dual kneeler (Church pews have no kneelers)
One floral stand, 11.5 x 11.5 (top surface of stand)
Four ornate chairs (two with arms)
A Hebrew tablet with the text "Surely the Lord is in this place," which may be installed in the chancel area, in the center of the screen
A swag, serving as a drape for the choir screen cross

Fixed furnishings or ornaments in the Church may not be otherwise altered or removed. Candles, such as a "Unity Candle," may be used only within the context of the service. A chuppa canopy, furnished by the couple, may also be used.

No aisle runners are permitted in the Church.

No rice, confetti, balloons, birdseed, rose petals, or other materials shall be thrown in or around the Church or Chapel.

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Fees and Honoraria

Checks should be made out to each individual (the sexton, minister, organist, photographer) for honoraria, and sent to the sexton no later than one week prior to the service. All fees and honoraria must be paid prior to the service. Note: the student rate applies for ceremonies until the December 31st following graduation.

The Sanctuary
Students – $300
Alumni, University Employees – $1,500
Make check payable to Harvard University

Appleton Chapel
Students – $200
Alumni, University Employees – $1,000
Make check payable to Harvard University

HONORARIA

The Sexton
Fee for the Sexton – $300
The Sexton is required to be at all rehearsals and services.
Make check payable to Richard Campbell.

The Minister
Honorarium for an officiant on The Memorial Church staff – $500
Make check payable directly to the clergy person, by name.

The Organist
Fee for the organist – $300
Additional fee per rehearsal with instrumentalist or singer – $25
Make check payable directly to the Organist, by name.

The Photographer
Our in-house photographer is available or you may provide your own.
Please send an e-mail for rates and services.

Others
Fees for soloists and instrumentalists are arranged on an individual basis by the couple. The same is true of honoraria for clergy not on the staff of The Memorial Church.

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Additional Information

Receptions
The Memorial Church has no facilities for receptions or receiving lines. Please plan your receiving line for the reception site.

Parking for Guests
The Memorial Church has no provision for guest parking. The couple must arrange in advance for parking through the Harvard University Parking Office. All matters regarding parking are negotiated solely between the Parking Office and the couple. Arrangements for guest parking must be made in writing at least one week before the rehearsal and service. Please direct all questions and correspondence to:

Harvard University Parking Office
46 Blackstone Street
Cambridge, MA 02138
617-495-3772 (Monday through Friday)
Fax: 617-495-9119

Harvard Yard Access and Parking
Vehicular access to Harvard Yard is strictly limited. The Memorial Church ensures access for four cars to the Yard for the service only. Access to the Yard is through a guard posted at the Johnston Gate or the Widener Library Gate on Massachusetts Avenue, depending on the day of the week and the time of day. All parking and access arrangements should be made with the Sexton at 617-496-3195.

Wheelchair Access
There is a wheelchair-accessible entrance on the north side of the Church, facing Canaday Hall. An elevator is available. Please inform the Sexton in advance if special arrangements are necessary.

Deliveries
Deliveries requiring vehicular access should be confirmed with Harvard Yard Operations at 617-496-5375. All deliveries are made through the Johnston Gate or the Weidner Library Gate on Massachusetts Avenue, depending on the day of the week and the time of day.

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Directory

The Memorial Church 617-495-5508

Harvard University Fax: 617-496-9166

Cambridge, MA 02138

Richard Campbell 617-496-3195

Sexton in The Memorial Church

Office Hours: Wednesday – Saturday

Edward E. Jones 617-496-3192

Gund University Organist and Choirmaster

Carson P. Cooman 617-496-9425

Research Associate in Music

For initial contact about music

Harvard Chaplains 617-495-5529

Massachusetts Licensing Information 617-727-4179

Parking

Harvard University Parking Office Weekdays: 617-495-3772

46 Blackstone Street Fax: 617-495-9119

Cambridge, MA 02138

Police

Harvard University Police 617-495-1212

1033 Massachusetts Avenue Fax: 617-495-7782

Cambridge, MA 02138

Suggestions for Receptions/Catering

Harvard Faculty Club 617-495-5758

20 Quincy Street

Cambridge, MA 02138

Loeb House 617-495-3326

Marie Forbes, Functions Manager

17 Quincy Street

Cambridge, MA 02138

Peasant Stock Catering 617-628-5707

Gerald Pierce

58 Sycamore Street

Somerville, MA 02145

Suggestions for Florists

Brattle Square Florist 617-876-9839

31 Brattle Street

Cambridge, MA 02138

The Celebrated Flower 617-661-0400

11 Miller Street

Somerville, MA 02140

Petali Fresh Flowers 617-492-3600

1350 Massachusetts Avenue

Cambridge, MA 02138

Winston Flowers 617-541-1100

1331 Newbury Street

Boston, MA 02116

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