Weddings at Mount de Sales

List of 17 frequently asked questions.

• Q: How many guests can the Chapel of St. Francis de Sales hold?

  The main Chapel of St. Francis de Sales can seat 175 guests comfortably. We will do our best to accommodate a larger number of people in the side chapel. 

• Q: Who can get married at Mount de Sales?

  The Chapel of St. Francis de Sales at Mount de Sales Academy is open for Catholic wedding ceremonies to Mount de Sales alumnae only.

• Q: When can I have the rehearsal?

  An approved rehearsal may be held the evening before the wedding date in the Chapel of St. Francis de Sales. 

• Q: How do I find out what dates are available?

  To inquire about the availability of the Chapel on a specific date or if you have other questions, please contact the Director of Alumnae Relations, Maria Ciarrocchi '19 at mciarrocchi@mountdesales.org.

• Q:

  What are the fees for a wedding at Mount de Sales?

  The Chapel Reservation Fee is currently $1000. This includes all use of the chapel for your rehearsal and ceremony but does not include a stipend for your presider.
  
  Since presiders are not associated with Mount de Sales, we ask that you arrange this directly with him.

• Q: When can I get married at Mount de Sales?

  Weddings will only be held at MDSA in the months of January-May if the date requested is available. This is due to the heavy schedule of school-sponsored events during the fall semester.
  
  Weddings are NOT held at MDSA during the summer months, or any of the scheduled vacations throughout the year including Christmas and Spring Break.
  
  Mount de Sales is first and foremost a school and it is during these breaks that renovations and improvements to the building occur and the Chapel is not open to the public.

• Q:

  What are the photography guidelines for the chapel?

  All photography and videography must respect the sanctity of the Chapel and the wedding ceremony.  
  
  

  We would love to see your wedding photos!  Please send any photos taken at MDSA that you are willing to share, with photographer permission to the Director of Alumnae Relations, Maria Ciarrocchi '19 at mciarrocchi@mountdesales.org

• Q:

   

  Are there restrictions on decorations in the chapel?

  There are limitations on flower arrangements as well as other décor for weddings in the St. Francis de Sales Chapel. We recommend the use of artificial flowers for an easier cleanup process. All decor must be removed immediately following the ceremony.

  • Please do not remove any seasonal Chapel decorations.
  • Decorations may not be attached to Chapel surfaces with tacks or nails.
  • Flower girls may NOT drop flowers or anything else during the wedding ceremony.
  • Your guests may NOT throw anything outside after the ceremony.

  if you have other questions, please contact the Director of Alumnae Relations, Maria Ciarrocchi '19 at mciarrocchi@mountdesales.org

   

• Q:

  Can the bridal party get dressed at Mount de Sales?

  No.  We do not have the facilities to enable the bride, groom, or bridal party to get dressed at the church.  Typically, the groom and groomsmen arrive 30 minutes prior to the ceremony.  If you are not having a "first look" and taking pictures before the ceremony, the bride and bridal party will be brought into the school and will wait in the Sacristy before. 
  
  We recommend the bride and bridal party arriving 45-60 minutes prior to the ceremony so there is no cross over with the groom.

• Q:

  Is there a list of priests at Mount de Sales that we can contact to preside at our wedding?

  We do not have a list of priests who are on reserve or who regularly perform wedding ceremonies at MDSA.  Typically, couples contact a priest or minister from their own parish and ask them to preside over the wedding here.
  
  If you are not currently registered members of a parish, we recommend joining the parish that you attend most frequently.

• Q:

  Will Mount de Sales provide musicians for the wedding ceremony?

  No, it is the responsibility of each couple to provide a musician(s) for the ceremony. A list of musicians familiar to MDSA is available upon request.

• Q:

  Do I need to hire a wedding planner?

  There will be a representative from MDSA provided to you for the rehearsal and the day of. They will manage the chapel operations, such as the lights and microphones; and will assist with the processional and recessional.  
  
  You do not specifically need to hire a wedding planner or day-of coordinator to assist with the ceremony.  If you have hired a wedding planner for your reception, they are welcome to attend the rehearsal and ceremony and work with the staff member to help your wedding day run smoothly.

• Q:

  Is there wheelchair accessibility?

  Yes, those who are in need of elevator use are able to enter through the cafeteria doors and use the elevator at the end of the hallway. This will take you to the second floor where the chapel is located. We ask you to inform your guests of this accommodation. 

• Q:

  Do both the bride and groom have to be Catholic?

  No, both the bride and groom do not have to be Catholic to get married in the Archdiocese of Baltimore. Only one party must be a baptized Catholic. If marrying a non-Catholic, the Catholic party must obtain permission from the diocese. Both parties must be free to marry. 

• Q: What do I need to do before I can secure a wedding date?

  In order to be married in the Chapel of St. Francis de Sales, couples must complete the Pre-Cana process through the Archdiocese of Baltimore. Please note that you may not secure the Chapel of St. Francis de Sales until the marriage is approved by the Archdiocese of Baltimore and the appropriate paperwork is completed.
  
  

  The Church cares deeply for couples entering the sacrament of marriage and offers Pre-Cana sessions as part of the preparation for your life together. Completing Pre-Cana is required for all couples getting married at Mount de Sales. 

• Q:

  I was married at Mount de Sales.  How do I obtain copies of my marriage records?

  Since MDSA is not a parish, we do not have the facility to store records for weddings which have taken place in the chapel.  Our records are stored at St Agnes Church, which is located up the street from Mount de Sales. If your wedding has already taken place and you need copies of your records, please contact St Agnes directly.

• Q: Who should I contact to learn more?

  For more information, please contact Director of Alumnae Relations, Maria Ciarrocchi '19 at 410-744-8498 x 265 or mciarrocchi@mountdesales.org.