Big Wedding on Campus: Cadet Chapel at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Spring, Colo.
The United States Air Force Academy’s Cadet Chapel in Colorado Spring, Colo., truly is unique. The chapel’s unmistakable structure features 17 spires reaching 150 feet into the air. Work on the Cadet Chapel began in 1959 and was completed four years and $3.5 million later. According to its website, the chapel’s mission is to “inspire men and women to become leaders of character through spiritual formation” and it’s open to the public.
Marriage at Cadet Chapel is open to graduates of the United States Air Force Academy, United States Military Academy, United States Naval Academy, United States Coast Guard Academy and the United States Merchant Marine Academy. Also, active duty personnel assigned to the Air Force Academy or stationed in the area, dependents of active duty personnel assigned to the Air Force Academy, and Purple Heart and Silver Star recipients can be married at Cadet Chapel. Although weddings at the Cadet Chapel are limited to military personnel, the service is primarily religious, save for the traditional “arch of swords” and military uniform. Both of these traditions are optional, however.
The chapel hosts about 150 weddings each year, and each wedding is given a two-hour time slot in the chapel. Weddings can be scheduled any day of the week except holidays or other pre-determined special events days. To schedule a wedding date, the bride or the groom must either call or email the chapel. You will then receive a Wedding Request Form that you should fill out and return. From there, you will be able to make a reservation on a first come, first serve basis. There is no charge for using the church, but most couples make a donation.
Source: Cadet Chapel