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Washington and Lee University

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Fees

What Is The Fee For Using Lee Chapel?

The cost for the use of the Lee Chapel for a wedding is:

  • W&L community: $750
  • Lexington/Buena Vista/Rockbridge community: $1000
  • Out of region (restricted number): $1500
  • The above includes a $50, non-refundable administrative fee, charged to each reservation. This fee does not apply to simple inquiries.
  • If you need to reschedule, there is no cost for the first change. All further changes require a $50 fee per change.

What Does The Fee Include?

The rental fee includes one hour for rehearsal and two and one-half hours for the wedding. The fee covers use of the auditorium and stage only; the balcony is restricted and the museum level is strictly off limits. The income from these fees pays for staff assigned to your wedding and on-going chapel and museum maintenance and operation.

Each wedding requires the presence of a public safety officer or Lee Chapel staff person. These fees are including in the wedding charges.

NOTE: Chapel rental fees may be increased at any time. Once your reservation is permanent, the rental fee will not change.

How Is Our Reservation Confirmed?

To confirm your booking and ensure a permanent reservation, you must return a signed and dated agreement to comply with rules governing the use of the chapel for weddings. The Chapel rental fee in full must be received within 30 days, along with the Wedding Reservation form. Your payment secures your reservation. Any tentative reservation will be held for 30 days.

One more important disclaimer for wedding reservations:

Remember that University activities are a priority and scheduling in Lee Chapel is subject to many changes during the year. We will do our best to inform you of any University, Museum or community event that may coincide with your wedding date or place unusual demands upon the Chapel's appearance or accessibility. Though highly unlikely, unusual circumstances may disrupt reservations made months or even a year in advance.

What If Our Ceremony Will Be Longer Than The Time Allotted?

To ensure that each couple can accomplish all that is planned within their allotted time, without interfering with other chapel events, we require - based upon past experiences - that at least two consecutive time periods be reserved if any of the following situations apply to your wedding day plans and if the Chapel is available:

  • If you plan to have a ceremony longer than 45 minutes.
  • If you plan to install a canopy or chuppah, because of the time involved for installation and dismantling.

Additional time must be approved in advance by the Manager and is not guaranteed until payment is rendered. The Manager has the authority to deny requests for additional time based upon other demands on the building. If you exceed the time of your reservation by an hour or any part thereof, without making prior arrangements, you will be charged an automatic penalty fee of an additional full time period.

May We Start Preparations or Our Ceremony Early?

No. The museum will be conducting tours until the appointed hour for your wedding. No deliveries, photography, or any other preparations may be conducted in the Chapel before your appointed reservation begins. Adhering to the designated schedule ensures that each wedding receives its allotted time, free of disruption, and allows our visitors maximum and undisturbed access to the main floor exhibition space. If you wish to start your ceremony early, you may do so only within your reserved time frame.

Are There Additional Fees?

  • For a ceremony longer than 45 minutes or one requiring a chuppah or canopy, a second full time period is required. See basic fees above.
  • Rehearsal time for musicians outside of the designated reservation: $100/hour if time is available
  • Penalty fee for any portion beyond your designated reservation: Full rental fee for an additional time period

How And Where Do We Submit Payment?

Your payment secures your reservation. We will accept only checks and money orders. You should make your check payable to: Washington and Lee University and present it in person or mail it to:

Lucy Wilkins, Manager
Lee Chapel and Museum Office
11 University Place
Washington and Lee University
Lexington, VA 24450-2116

If payment is not received within thirty days of making the reservation, YOUR RESERVATION WILL BE CANCELLED.

What If We Need to Reschedule?

If you wish to change a confirmed wedding date, visit the Lee Chapel calendar to check remaining available dates. All requests to reschedule weddings must be made to the Manager. As a courtesy, a reservation may be changed one time at no cost. All further changes require a $50 fee per change.

What If We Need to Cancel?

You must immediately notify the Manager by e-mail at lwilkins@wlu.edu. The refund, if applicable, will be sent to the person who paid for the wedding. Please note the follow time limits:

  • If you have established a wedding date, have not paid within the required 30 day period, but wish to cancel, please send a brief letter or e-mail to the Manager to that effect. A $100 administrative fee will still be charged for any wedding date that has been set, due immediately.
  • Paid weddings cancelled 6 months (180 days) or more, prior to the scheduled date, will be fully refunded, minus the $100 administrative fee.
  • If a wedding is cancelled between 3 and 6 months prior to the wedding, 50 percent of the total payment will be refunded.
  • Within 3 months of the scheduled wedding date, there will be no refund.