Besides vacations, camps and the Fourth of July, summer also is known for something more formal, yet intimate — weddings.

At the University of Houston’s A.D. Bruce Religion Center, weddings are plentiful this time of year. Then again, with about 200 weddings a year, the chapel is rarely without couples in white gowns and tuxedos.

Officially dedicated in 1965, the UH chapel — as it is commonly called — was a dream realized for Chancellor Emeritus A.D. Bruce, who longed to see a university chapel and religious center on campus. The center also joined the university with the religious community.

“Part of what makes the religion center so appealing to the community is that it caters to all denominations,” said Diana Shankar, the chapel’s event coordinator. “Everyone is welcome here.”

Shankar, who has worked at the chapel for more than 20 years, said the facility’s brilliant stained-glass windows and recent renovations — which include new tile and carpet and an upgraded sound system — also add to the chapel’s appeal.

“We’ve had everything from traditional Catholic weddings to bikers’ weddings,” she said.

That’s right. One of the most memorable weddings for Shakar was one in which the bride and groom arrived on motorcycles. Wearing a beautiful white gown, the bride made a splashing entrance into the chapel after getting off her Harley Davidson. And from the groom to the groomsmen to the ring bearer, most of the wedding party sported bikers’ jackets.

Regardless of the theme, there are some important things to remember the day of your wedding. Shankar said it’s surprising to know how many brides forget their wedding dresses on that special day. Some couples have even forgotten to pay their fees before showing up.

“We had all these guests showing up for a wedding, but we

The A.D. Bruce Religion Center has
a small chapel and a large chapel available for weddings. The main chapel area seats 250 people, and the smaller chapel seats up to 30. Reservations for the large chapel include the adjoining lobby and assigned dressing rooms. No dressing rooms are provided with the small chapel. Organists are available at an additional fee.

Chapel Rates:
$500 Students, alumni, staff
$625 Community
$350 Sunday Wedding
$125 Organist Fee

Small Chapel Rates:
$225 Students, alumni, staff
$350 Community

All payments are due in full upon confirmation. Payments must be in the form of a money order or cashier’s check made payable to A.D. Bruce Religion Center. Please write wedding date on check.

Reservation fees paid for weddings cancelled 120 days prior to the scheduled date are refunded minus a $50 processing free. Cancellations made less than 120 days prior to the scheduled date will not be refunded. All cancellations must be made in writing.

For more information, please contact Shankar at (713) 743-5050 or at dshankar@central.uh.edu.

While organization is important, Shankar also reminded husbands- and wives-to-be to relish their special day.

“This is a day you will always remember,” she said. “Whether you have a big wedding or a small ceremony, the day is yours, and you should be happy to share it with those you love.”

That’s just the attitude Andrew and Jacqueline Ortiz had when they got married at the chapel recently. UH alumni Andrew and Jacqueline couldn’t think of a more fitting venue for their summertime nuptials.

“Not only did we share our high school years together, but we also attended UH together,” Jacqueline said. “There was never any question as to where our wedding was going to be held. UH is very important to both of us.”

Luckily, the Ortiz wedding went off without a hitch. The 275 guests arrived on time, the bride and her bridesmaids remembered their dresses and no one forgot the rings. Jacqueline credits her year’s worth of preparations and attention to detail for the wedding’s success.

“Andy and I were together a long time before we got married, so I had been planning that day since I was a senior in high school,” she said with a smile. “But, there are so many things you have to remember, tiny details you would never think about.”

“We both had equal input as to what our dream wedding would be,” Andrew said. “We worked together enthusiastically to ensure those dreams were met.”

Leticia Vasquez
Lvasque5@central.uh.edu