
Exchange wedding vows in the Hermance Family Chapel of St. Basil the Great surrounded by family and friends.
Congratulations on your engagement!
Thank you for considering St. John Fisher University’s Hermance Family Chapel of St. Basil the Great for the celebration of your wedding.
To inquire about celebrating your wedding at St. John Fisher University, please contact Sarah Mancini-Goebert, Assistant Director of Campus Ministry, at smancini-goebert@sjf.edu or by calling (585) 385-8368.
Below you can find answers to some commonly asked questions about weddings at Fisher.
For a wedding ceremony to take place in the Chapel, the couple must meet the marriage requirements of both Roman Catholic and Civil Law. For wedding ceremonies that do not meet these requirements, there are other wedding venues on the campus.
The following requirements must be met to celebrate the Sacrament of Matrimony in the Chapel:
Either the bride or the groom is:
Effective June 1, 2025, the Hermance Family Chapel of St. Basil the Great is available for weddings on Saturdays from June 1 to August 15 annually.
Weddings may be scheduled at 11:00 a.m. or 2:00 p.m.
We ask that couples book the chapel at least one year and no more than 18 months in advance of your wedding date.
The fee is $750, and we ask for a non-refundable $250 deposit to hold your wedding date and time. The fee includes attendance at our annual marriage preparation course and a wedding coordinator to assist at your rehearsal and ceremony. Additional fees include: celebrant, musician(s), and server(s) and will be discussed with the couple prior to signing a contract.
As part of your preparation for your wedding, you will have a planning meeting with the Office of Campus Ministry. At this meeting, you will discuss scripture readings, appropriate music, and logistics for your liturgy. As a part of the fee to the Chapel, a wedding coordinator from the University will be present to run your wedding rehearsal and at the ceremony on the day of your wedding. Additionally, the Office of Campus Ministry will provide a pianist and cantor for your celebration. Additional musicians and needs will be discussed with the Office of Campus Ministry prior to finalizing your liturgical plan.
The Chapel has a maximum seating capacity of 250.
The Chapel is accessible and is closest to Lot M. Guests can also park in Lot A near the University’s main entrance and take the short walk to the Chapel.
The primary focus in the celebration of Matrimony is always the couple’s deepening love and commitment to Christ and each other. The beauty of the Chapel calls for minimal enhancements. Respect for the prayerful nature of this celebration guides the way in which flowers, photography, and music are involved.
As a general rule, none of the furniture or furnishings in the Chapel can be moved or removed. All aisles and exits must remain clear to allow safe entrance and regress to and from the Chapel. No candles, candelabras, torches, etc. are to be brought in or used anywhere in the Chapel.
Floral arrangements have long been a significant part of the décor of any worship environment. Flowers must not inhibit the movements required of the wedding couple, the attendants or guests, nor block sightlines especially around the altar and ambo (pulpit).
The Chapel does not allow the excessive use of flowers in the sanctuary or aisles of the Chapel, including the dropping of petals; flowers are not permitted on the altar. Artificial flowers are not permitted.
Many members of the Fisher community have chosen to hold their wedding ceremony in the beautiful Hermance Family Chapel of St. Basil the Great on the campus of St. John Fisher University.
If you would like to submit photos to our Weddings at Fisher photo album, please email campusministry@sjf.edu.
View the Weddings at Fisher Photo Album