Our Visit to the Chattanooga Wedding Chapel

Looking for venues for my daughter's big day is an overwhelming experience. Chattanooga, TN is filled with many ideal locations. Some of the sites that cater to weddings offer all-inclusive package that take the work out of planning. Such was our visit to the Chattanooga Wedding Chapel.

Directions and address
Wedding Chapel of Chattanooga
6188 Adamson Cir
Chattanooga, TN 37416
Phone (423) 855-5728

Getting there from Knoxville was frustrating for me. Once I decided not to follow the directions I got there without problem.

I took Exit 7 off of I-75 (Bonny Oaks Drive exit). Then I turned right onto Bonny Oaks for about 4-5 miles. I turned left the traffic light that is just past DigitOne Graphics. At that light, Adamson Circle is on the left, the road on the right is preservation drive.

The Chattanooga Wedding Chapel was in front of me on the left. I parked in the lot next to the building.

My map directions took me a few miles beyond I-75, Exit 7 onto Hwy. 153. I was then directed to take the Jersey Drive exit, pull onto Bonny Oaks Drive and turn right at the Adamson Circle/Preservation Drive traffic light. These directions will certainly work but weren't the most direct route for me.

History
The building that is now the Chattanooga Wedding Chapel dates back to 1939. It was built as a worship center in a school for underprivileged children. Today, it serves double duty as a functioning sanctuary for Chattanooga Church and as a site for weddings.

Packages
Several packages are offered at the Chattanooga Wedding Chapel. Their Traditional Elegance package provides everything for the happy couple except the gown, tuxedo and caterer. At the time of this writing the package is only $1,875.

This package gives you a 4 hour block of time for the ceremony and reception. It comes with a minister, coordinator and photographer. Plus, you also get a guest book, unity candle, garter, toast glasses and just about everything else you need to complete your wedding.

If you want a quiet intimate ceremony with only a few friends the Chattanooga Wedding Chapel can do that too. For only $200 you can rent the chapel and be married in a candlelight ceremony with an ordained minister.

Staff
The ordained minister gave us the tour. The minister was professional and polite throughout the tour. I had the impression that the staff would do anything they could to make my daughter's wedding perfect.

Tour
The upstairs sanctuary seats about 150 people. The dark wood is a striking contrast against the light walls. Some brides may find that only minimal decorations are needed.

Like many churches, at the Chattanooga Wedding Chapel the fellowship hall is downstairs. There is room at the front of the hall for a band or DJ and seating. The table arrangement determines how many people can comfortably attend the reception.

It is also where the bride and groom enter as they come downstairs. I felt that with the right decorations this could make for a fun entrance. The bride and groom could be announced by the DJ or MC at the Chattanooga Wedding Chapel as they enter the room and face the seated guests.

Handicapped accessibility to the Fellowship Hall is by exiting the building at the rear of the sanctuary. You would go around the building and reenter at the hall.

Garden
The garden at the Chattanooga Wedding Chapel would be a pretty place for an outdoor wedding or outdoor reception. It looked to have ample space for about 100 reception guests if served buffet style.

Final word
The Chattanooga Wedding Chapel could potentially make any bride happy. What more could you ask for a once-in-a-lifetime event.