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Mariners' Memorial Chapel
U.S. Merchant Marine Academy
Kings Point, NY 11024-1699
516-726-5931
FAX - 516-773-5310
The Mariners Memorial Chapel is
a National Memorial honoring men of the Merchant Marine
who gave their lives at sea during World Wars I and II
in the defense of their country. Permission to use the
Chapel for weddings will be granted on a priority basis.
It should be remembered that this privilege rests on the
assumption that rules for the proper preservation and
religious respect of this Memorial will be carefully
observed.
Denominational Requirements
DATE RESTRICTIONS
Wedding dates only will be confirmed one (1) year in
advance. Academy functions and closures take precedence
over wedding dates. Applications for weddings during
Academy academic break periods are considered on an
individual basis by the Command Chaplain, and may be
disapproved due to lack of staff availability. Weddings
will not normally be scheduled on the first weekend of
the summer indoctrination period, and on the Saturdays
of Parents' (Acceptance) and Homecoming weekends.
Wedding times on Graduation Weekend will be reserved for
new graduates.
TIME AVAILABILITY
The normal times for weddings on weekends are:
Requests for other wedding times will be considered
individually by the Command Chaplain in accordance with
staff availability.
ELIGIBILITY
Use of the Mariners Memorial Chapel will be determined as
follows:
- Priority I - Graduating Midshipmen
- Priority II - Alumni and Academy personnel and their
children
- Priority III - Active or Retired Merchant Mariners
and their children
- Priority IV - Active Duty Military
INITIAL CONTACT WITH THE CHAPEL
The bride or groom should make contact as early as
possible (at least 6 months in advance) with the Chapel
Manager at (516) 726-5931. No other persons, family or
friends, may make arrangements unless written
arrangements have been made in advance.
No weddings will be scheduled more than a year
in advance. No other social arrangements should be made
prior to a signed contract with the Chapel Wedding
Checklist. Catering on Academy grounds is available
at Melville Hall.
RELIGIOUS REQUIREMENTS
Religious requirements for marriage must be planned before
the wedding date is set. The participation by a
clergyperson is governed by faith group regulations
stipulating religious conditions for marriage such as
faith group affiliation, religious background, and
marital history. Only clergypersons may determine if
they may perform such a service in light of their own
faith group’s requirements. Premarital counseling with
the couple is required by most clergy before performing
a marriage ceremony. It is recommended that the couple
make arrangements with clergy early in their engagement.
Justice of the Peace ceremonies or other non-religious
ceremonies are not permitted in the Mariners Memorial
Chapel. Academy chaplains' priorities for
performing weddings are with Midshipmen graduates,
alumni, staff, and Active Duty military.
Denominational Requirements. (Protestant - Catholic - Jewish)
APPLICATION
An application may be obtained by contacting the Mariners'
Memorial Chapel or you may access it online and print
it. View
Wedding Application (Requires Adobe Reader). Your application for use of
the Chapel will not be complete until we receive: (1)
Usage fees; (2) The address and phone number of the
clergyperson who has agreed to perform the ceremony; (3)
A letter from the clergyperson stating that he/she
intends to perform the ceremony. These
requirements must be met before the application is
finalized and your wedding is scheduled. Be
advised that you do not have a confirmed reservation
until the completed form is received by the Mariners
Memorial Chapel and approved.
MARRIAGE LICENSE
The license must be procured in the State of New York at
any county town clerk office (except New York City,
which is not to be used). Consult the blue pages section
in the phone book for the NY TOWN CLERK office nearest
you. A 24-hour waiting period is required between from
issuance of a license and the ceremony. The license is
valid for 60 days. It is advisable to bring the license
to the rehearsal prior to the wedding. The officiant
must have a valid license in his/her possession to
conduct the wedding.
WEDDING REHEARSALS
If the Chapel will be your rehearsal site, you should
reserve the time and date at least three (3) months in
advance. For the rehearsal to be of value, the entire
wedding party including the clergyperson should attend.
Any special time requirements should be made known to
the Chapel Manager at time of application.
THE CEREMONY
The bridal party should be present in the Chapel at least
twenty minutes before the ceremony. The downstairs
lounge is available for bridal party use before the
wedding. All wedding parties are to
begin on time and depart the Chapel
thirty minutes following the ceremony.
ORGANIST
Wedding music is the responsibility of the wedding couple
subject to the oversight of the Command Chaplain. The
Chapel Organist makes himself available to support all
Mariners' Chapel weddings, and advises the Command
Chaplain regarding use of the Chapel organ and other
musical instruments. The Chapel Organist is contacted
through Mariners' Chapel. Requests to use other
musicians must be made to the Command Chaplain early
enough to determine whether the performer has the
technical and professional competence to use chapel
musical instruments. Only appropriate music will be
performed. All financial arrangements for musical
services are made directly between the organist and the
couple.
FLOWERS, CANDLES, AND AISLE RUNNERS
The Chapel does not provide flowers. Flowers should not be
placed on the altars. Two vases of flowers may be placed
on the two stands provided. Bouquets or ribbons may be
attached to the pews with
rubber bands only. Candles for the Main
and Portable altars are furnished by the Chapel. Special
Ceremony candles (i.e. Unity Candle) should be provided
by the bridal party. The Chapel does not supply a runner
for the main aisle. If desired, this must be purchased
separately and should have a length of 80 feet.
THROWING OF RICE, ROSE PETALS, ETC.
Rice, rose petals, birdseed, confetti, or similar
materials are strictly forbidden in or around the
Chapel. Please refrain from contributing to
environmental hazards and waste such as releasing
helium-filled balloons, non-biodegradable decorations,
bubble machines, and the like.
PHOTOGRAPHERS
Photographers must consult officiating clergy as to which
pictures are permitted during the processions and
ceremony. The ceremony should not be interrupted for
"posing" or special effects. Photographers are reminded
to be as discrete as possible.
USE OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES
Alcohol consumption in or on the grounds of the Chapel,
except for sacramental purposes, is prohibited. Catering
on Academy grounds is available at
Melville Hall.
MILITARY HONORS
To receive military honors either the bride or groom
must be in uniform. Six or eight ushers
are needed for the arch of swords. You are responsible
for procuring the swords and sword bearers. You may
request military honor support from the Regimental Honor
Guard Commander (contact through the Chapel Manager).
MIDSHIPMAN ASSISTANT
A trained midshipman will be present to assist the wedding
party and clergy at the rehearsal and ceremony. The
midshipman and the Chapel Manager serve as the Academy's
representatives. The midshipman fee is $100 cash to be paid directly to midshipman.
GUEST PARKING AND LIMOUSINE SERVICE
Automobile parking for guests is provided in the Chapel
Parking Area, Collins Place Parking Area, Marvin Lot
Parking Area, and along Peabody Drive, Farrell Road and
Steamboat Road. Only the vehicles of the bridal party
(maximum of two limousines if used) may park in front of
the Chapel during the ceremony. Limousine drivers must
refrain from sounding their horns on academy grounds.
ARRANGEMENTS AND POINT OF CONTACT
All arrangements will be under the direction of the
Command Chaplain or the Chapel Manager, which also
applies to clergy. The Chapel Manager and Midshipman
Assistant are the representatives of the Academy. Their
instructions must be followed. If you
need more information, please feel free to write, or
call the Mariners' Memorial Chapel at the U.S. Merchant
Marine Academy.
Mariners' Memorial Chapel
U.S. Merchant Marine Academy
Kings Point, NY 11024-1699
516-726-5931
FAX - 516-773-5310
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