Non-Refundable Deposit

A non-refundable deposit is required in advance in order to reserve your wedding date. The remaining balance is to be paid one week prior to the day of your rehearsal.

The Rehearsal

For larger weddings, a rehearsal helps your ceremony run smoothly; please invite the entire wedding party to attend. Bring your marriage license and any dripless candles, runners, recorded music, etc., needed for the ceremony. As the Wedding Coordinator has oversight of the rehearsal, neither the officiating minister nor the custodian will be present. It is very important that you schedule your rehearsal at the time you schedule your wedding.

The Day of The Wedding

Since we often have more than one wedding on the same day, it is important that the wedding is on time. You will be able to set up for your wedding one hour before the ceremony. Please keep this in mind when planning your decorations or flower delivery. Please do not use tape or staples on the gazebo pillars or sanctuary pews.

Clothing and personal items must be brought to the Chapel when the wedding party comes to prepare for the wedding and not before. Please bring all clothing “ready to wear”. No irons or other electrical appliances are allowed. Please try to have your photos completed — and any items you may have brought with you (including all plants and flowers) — removed as soon as possible after the wedding.

You are permitted use of the Chapel for one hour before and one hour after your scheduled wedding time. (Example: If your wedding is scheduled for 4:00 p.m., you will be able to use the Chapel from 3:00 to 5:30 p.m.) We sincerely appreciate your promptness and cooperation. In case of impending rain, please contact us by 10:00 a.m. the morning of your wedding to make a decision as to whether you would like your garden wedding moved inside. We request that you do not bring food or drinks on the premises, and alcoholic beverages are prohibited. This is a NON-SMOKING facility.

Candlelight Ceremony

A white wrought iron candelabra is available for your use. It requires sixteen 12" dripless tapers. There is no charge for the candelabra, but please supply the necessary candles. Check with the Wedding Coordinator for specific details.

We will be happy to include a Unity Candle Ceremony in your service if you purchase the Unity Candle (9"x3" pillar) and two side tapers. We will provide the candle holders for your use, unless you choose to purchase your own.

Photographer & Post-Wedding

In keeping with the sacred nature of a wedding at Longboat Island Chapel, flash photography is not allowed during the wedding ceremony. There will be sufficient time for taking pictures before or after your ceremony. We ask that your photographer take available light photographs from behind the last row of guests or the balcony during the actual ceremony. You may take pictures of the processional and recessional. Please plan to have all your pictures taken in the Chapel before you go out to greet your friends.

If you wish to record your wedding on videotape, we have a designated location near the altar for that purpose. Please place the camera on a tripod and allow it to remain in that location. Your photographer must complete pictures within 50 minutes of the ending of the ceremony.

You are welcome to have a receiving line either inside or outside the Chapel after the wedding. If you are planning to “shower” the couple after they exit the Chapel, please contact the office regarding specific restrictions. For safety reasons, flower petals are not permitted, and for the safety of our wildlife, neither rice nor a balloon release is permitted.

Marriage License

Obtaining a marriage license is your responsibility. You can apply to the Clerk of Courts in Sarasota or Manatee County. A waiting period is not required if you live out of state. Be sure to bring the license to the rehearsal. We will mail the completed license to the Clerk of Courts, or upon request, return the completed license to you for filing.

Special Notes

• We cannot hold your date permanently until we receive your non-refundable deposit.
• A Chapel minister must officiate all wedding ceremonies.
• Our Wedding Coordinator is required to assist with all weddings held at the Chapel.
• No food or drinks allowed on the premises. We are a non-smoking facility.
• Flowers and shrubbery in the Garden are seasonal and therefore the Garden may not have the same appearance from month to month.
• In case of rain, your garden wedding will be moved indoors to the sanctuary. (There will never be another wedding scheduled at the same time as yours.)
• A Florida marriage license is available at any county courthouse, Bradenton and Sarasota's being the closest to the island. The license needs to be obtained in advance of the wedding and is good for 60 days from the date of issue. Courthouse hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday thru Friday. There are no special requirements for residents of othe states or citizens of other countries.