Wedding Photographers & Videographers at Ford Memorial Chapel (Allegheny College), Meadville

A wedding at Ford Memorial Chapel on the Allegheny College campus in Meadville has a warm, old-fashioned glow. The restored Victorian interior pairs cream walls with a dark rose accent wall at the back, maroon pew cushions and carpet, and dark oak pews, paneling and ceiling. Those warm tones flatter skin in your wedding photos, and the 25-seat balcony gives a wedding videographer a high view looking down toward the front.

Any qualified officiant may lead your wedding ceremony here, and the college can share a list of officiants and musicians in the area. The chapel seats 350, with 325 on the main floor. There's no center aisle: the pews sit in three sections with two side aisles about 33 feet long, so decide early which one you'll walk down. The chancel is five steps up, with a small thrust stage on the second step for a wedding party. You can also get married outdoors at various sites around campus and keep the chapel reserved in case of rain.

The Oratory, a side room, works as a dressing space, and other rooms are available in the building next door. There's no indoor passage from the Oratory to the back of the sanctuary, so plan the walk around the outside of the building, which can make a sweet moment for pictures. The chapel has a Shigeru Kawai grand piano, a digital organ and a sound system for recorded music, which helps your wedding film's audio. Plan your reception elsewhere.

• Contact Conference and Event Services to schedule your date and rehearsal.
• The chapel isn't air-conditioned, so think about an earlier start on a summer wedding day.
• Ask about photo and video guidelines and send-offs; guests usually park in college lots 13 and 15 or on nearby streets.

A little about Ford Memorial Chapel

Ford Memorial Chapel was built in 1902 and has since been restored to its original Victorian character. Allegheny College itself dates to 1815.