Weddings at King's College Chapel

The wedding year runs from 1st August to 31st July.

The University makes the following charges in respect of wedding and civil partnership ceremonies taking place in King's College Chapel, which are payable to the Multi-Faith Chaplaincy when the application form is lodged.

You must pay a deposit of £200 of your final cost to secure your chosen date.

Discounts available

We offer the following special discounts:

• 10% for a Monday-Thursday wedding booking.
• 10% for weddings that book their reception at the University of Aberdeen.

Should you want to make an initial enquiry about King's College Chapel availability for your wedding, please email chaplaincy@abdn.ac.uk

You can request to book King's College Chapel by completing the booking form.

King's College Chapel is not only a picturesque wedding venue, but also a place of worship with a musical history extending back to Bishop Elphinstone's foundation of the University of Aberdeen in 1495. Your service will take place in a setting steeped in history. Your wedding will be a special and memorable day in your lives as well as being one of the many services taking place in King's the whole year round which makes it both unique and steeped in history.

The organ plays a significant role in creating a wedding atmosphere, from the music played before the service to the entrance of the bride through to the recessional as you both leave, all of which contribute to making your wedding a very special day. King's College Chapel has a magnificent instrument of international distinction commissioned from the French organ builder, Bernard Aubertin, and installed in 2004. It has attracted recitalists from around the world, and visitors have come especially to play it from as far afield as Japan.

The form linked in below has sound clips of the various pieces you can choose for the Entrance of the Bride, the Signing of the Register and the Recessional to help you make your selection. Please note that the pieces are interchangeable: for example, you can decide to go out to something suggested for the entrance of the bride, or vice versa. When you are ready, please complete the online form. You should receive an email acknowledgement of receipt.

Wedding Music Form

It is sometimes possible to provide contact details for a singer, instrumentalist, or small choir (usually of four singers), although this is subject to availability. Extra fees apply and are paid directly.

A solo singer or choir will help lead the congregational singing and contribute music for the Signing of the Register; an instrumentalist can perform during the Signing of the Register. The music for the Entrance of the Bride and the Recessional is best provided by the organ. Please include any requests in the “Additional Information” field of the  Musical Arrangements Form.

Although the wedding fee includes the services of an organist, some couples wish to bring their own. If you wish to use another organist, please note that you must obtain permission from Stuart Muir, Director of Chapel and Ceremonial Music. Organists have to be able to demonstrate a professional level of competence because the instrument is particularly valuable; also, the Chapel is used extensively for services and concerts, so usually the only time to practise is an hour before the ceremony.

All music in Chapel services should be at a professional standard. You are advised to seek permission before engaging anyone! Some couples want a family member to play or sing during the ceremony: please ensure that they are happy enough to do this and are aware of the standard expected (post-Grade VIII). Please note that amplification is neither necessary in the Chapel nor permitted.

The organist will normally accompany any solo items, and - once approved - musicians should be asked to rehearse with the accompaniment three-quarters of an hour before the ceremony.

You may request music that is not on the list. Please remember that your wedding is a Chapel service, so music should reflect both the sacred nature of the celebration and its historic setting.

All music should be live performance.

If you have any other queries, please include them in the 'Additional Information' section of the form, or email chaplaincy@abdn.ac.uk.

It is not essential to have flowers for Chapel decoration.

However, there are two pedestals for floral arrangements available.  It is the responsibility of the wedding party to ensure that all flowers are delivered and removed from the Chapel at the end of the ceremony.  If you have any additional questions or requests, please don’t hesitate to contact the chaplaincy office to discuss.

While we appreciate how important it is to get an accurate recording on film of your ceremony at times photography can be very intrusive. For your own benefit and ours we ask that you strictly observe the following.

Photographs may be taken during:

• the processional
• the recessional
• the signing of the Register at the wedding table

Photography and video-recording from the Choir Gallery and the Bishop Forbes seat are permitted and a remote camera can be placed at the chancel.

If photographs are required on arrival, then appropriate arrangements and timings must be made. The Sacrist will brief the Ushers on arrival about arrangements for photography outside the Chapel after the ceremony.

No confetti is allowed within the Chapel or Chapel Area. However, biodegradable confetti is permitted on Elphinstone Lawn.

It is advised that for bagpipes welcoming guests they should stand outside the chapel as directed by the Sacrist.

Not permitted during examination times.

You are reminded that special traffic regulations apply in Old Aberdeen and King's College Chapel is affected by them. The approach to the Chapel by a wedding car should be made from Regent Walk, off King Street. Then turn left alongside Elphinstone Lawn and right to the side of the Chapel.

Special arrangements will be made for the officiant, ceremony participants and any guest requiring accessible parking if prior notice is given to the Sacrist, King's College.

The Sacrist will welcome the opportunity to provide a rehearsal. This is normally done on the day prior to the ceremony. A time (between 10am and 2.00pm) can be arranged through the Chaplaincy Office.