Interestingly, Southern ceremonies can go one of two ways: massive, 500+ person affairs that the entire town is invited to in gorgeous, soaring cathedrals, or small, intimate gatherings in tiny, historic chapels. Here at SW, we love both! Today, though, we’re focusing on the ittie bitties, and I’ve rounded up a collection of oh-my-goodness adorable chapels for your viewing pleasure. Where we have it, I’ve included the actual church information, too — be sure to let us know if any of y’all tie the knot in one of these beauties!
Image credits, clockwise from top left: first two images by Valls Photographic of Oaks Pioneer Church in Portland, OR; image by KMI Photography in Wilmington; image by Stephen DeVries of Mooresville Brick Church in Mooresville, AL; image by Amy Kumler of Holy Trinity Church in Trinidad, CA
Image credits, clockwise from top left: image by Laura Negri Photography of Mt. Horeb Presbyterian ChurchKallima Photography of Beaches Chapel Church in Neptune Beach, FL; image by Nick Kessler of Pawley’s Island Chapel in Pawleys Island, SC; image by Susan Bolling of Namozine Presbyterian Church in Amelia County, VA; image by Luke Eshleman Photography in Grottoes, VA
Image credit, clockwise from top left: image by Cameron Ingalls of Old St. Hilary’s in Tiburon, CA; image by Meg Baisden Photography of Saint John’s Episcopal Church in Ocean Springs, MS; image by Stephen DeVriesCalera Presbyterian Church in Calera, AL; image by Stephen DeVries of Calera Presbyterian Church in Calera, AL; image by Bragi Þór Jósefsson in Iceland
Image credits, clockwise from top left: two images by Crosswhite Photography of Chapel Dulcinea in Austin, TX; two images by Forever Photography Studio of United Evangelical Lutheran Church of Swiss Alp in Schulenburg, TX; image by Orchard Cove Photography of Saint Andrew Church in Waterbury, VT; image by Paul Johnson Photography of Ashland Place United Methodist Church in Mobile, AL; image by Allen Arrick of Roseland Plantation in Tyler, TX
So tell me: where are you getting married? Big church? Tiny church? No church at all?
Another great tiny church is Mount Pleasant Church in Tanglewood Park in Winston-Salem, NC. http://www.forsyth.cc/parks/tanglewood/mt_pleasant_church.aspx
I laughed so hard when I read the intro—southern weddings are either huge or teeny tiny! It's such a true statement! While I am getting married in Ohio, I am incorporating as many southern aspects as possible into my 250 person wedding. So, I guess I'm in the big wedding boat! :)
I live in Michigan now, and that's where we're getting married. We found a fantastic little historical chapel, Newburg Church (http://www.ci.livonia.mi.us/tabid/189/Departments/Community%20Resources/Greenmead/NewburgIntersection.aspx), and with the rental, we get the run of the whole historic village grounds for three hours! It's perfect for our wedding (about 120 people).
Another great tiny chapel: http://carillon-beach.com/our-village/community/meeting-house/My friend got married here last fall, it was a beautiful setting.
Amanda and Lynsey, those are adorable! Great choices! Lauren, we love the Carillon Meeting House — another great option!Emily @ SW
My fiance and I are getting married in the quaint Frost Chapel on New Years Day. This special place is located on the campus of Berry College in Rome, Ga., where John and I met and attended college. We are more than excited to tie the knot in a place that holds so many memories for me and my fiance.http://bit.ly/b8EJjPAnother chapel I thought you may all enjoy is located in my hometown of Wilmington, NC. If I hadn't chosen to go to school 8 hours from home (and marry a Georgia boy) I would be getting married in Lebanon Chapel on the grounds of the beautiful Airlie Gardens. This chapel was featured in 'A Walk to Remember' and is a place I remember visiting as a little girl.http://bit.ly/a9l6UZ
We have three words for this beautiful idea: intimate, romantic and lovely!
I love old tiny chapels! I've attended a ceremony in Ashland Place United Methodist and it was beautiful!
My now-husband and I got married at the Pawley's Island, SC tiny chapel (the picture featured was from our special day!) in May 2010 and would not have changed it for the world. It was incredibly poignant and beautiful.
I love the look of a small church. It is so intimate and inviting. They can be difficult to set up for a wedding video shoot, but I love the challenge. The joyful emotion of a couples wedding day is fun to capture on DVD. RC Pattonreflectivevideo.com