Today we’d like to introduce you to Siobhan O’Brien.
Hi Siobhan, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My longtime friend, Loveta Wilen had a dream of creating a unique setting for small weddings and therefore opened the Annapolis Wedding Chapel in September of 2010. Loveta had been the General Manager at Paul’s on the South River in Riva, Maryland (a popular wedding venue and fine dining restaurant) for 25 years. I was a photographer on Loveta’s vendor list. A coveted spot for any vendor working in the Annapolis area. Paul’s closed in 2009 but through that experience, she realized that there were so many couples who dreamed of a simpler wedding. There were no small local venues that could give couples, bespoke, private simplicity for just a wedding ceremony. The chapel has a very small inside location that can seat 10 guests, and a magical outside garden area which can seat up to 24 guests. The chapel welcomes pets, they don’t count as a guest!
When Loveta opened the chapel in 2010, she asked if i would like to offer smaller photography packages to couples at the chapel. I said yes. She also suggested I become ordained to perform weddings. We had two businesses that worked so well as a team! Both Loveta and I were always on the same page. We are all working together to serve the couple. The team mentality brought ceremonies that are intimate and personal to every couple, but also designed around photography. We have been doing things at the chapel for many years that the wedding industry is just coming on board with now. Loveta was always ahead of her time!
It is with great pride that I am now the owner of the Annapolis Wedding Chapel. I continue to offer personalized ceremonies for every couple, civil, spiritual or religious, so that the ceremony speaks to every couple’s vision for the day and their unique story. I continue to offer photography services through house photography and have several officiants who are thoughtfully trained to make sure every couple has a deeply memorable day.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Our biggest struggle is one of our biggest assets! We are small. Couples come to us because we are small, and we take care of so many aspects of the ceremony/celebration, it is almost like one stop shopping! The gardens are amazing, the inside chapel also is designed with plants and twinkling lights, no decoration needed. You just need to show up and look beatiful!
Due to our limited seating and parking, we cannot accommodate more than 24 guests.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
The Annapolis Wedding Chapel is an elegant alternative to the County Courthouse. The chapel is available for weddings during the week, on weekends and holidays.
Exclusively for small intimate wedding ceremonies that are performed in the chapel or in garden area at the pergola. The chapel is located just 12 minutes from downtown Annapolis and 30 minutes from either Baltimore or Washington.
The chapel was created based on the premise that many couples dream of a simpler wedding, but most of the local venues are unwilling to accommodate their needs based on size. Perhaps, the desire is to have just a few guests to be in attendance, or maybe a private ceremony. Until now, there has not been a venue to meet this need. In addition, most sites may charge a rental or site fee, as well as requiring guarantees of an exorbitant number of guests when all the couple ever wanted was a small wedding.
The Annapolis Wedding Chapel offers:
A setting for a private service, only you and your guests
Services offered also include Renewal of Vows, Elopement Ceremonies and Same-Sex Marriages
Inside the chapel or garden, ceremonies are offered
Reserve the time for your ceremony – starting at 10:00 am
Eight designated parking spots – there is no additional parking – guests should carpool
Pets are welcome to participate or just attend and be cute
We have three resident officiants – all professionals to ensure your day goes smoothly
The Annapolis Wedding Chapel Officiants travel offsite as well. We can perform your ceremony at your selected location or venue.
Our outside gardens are the star of the show, until, of course, the bride shows up!
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Always be open to adjusting course if needed! Have an open mind without compromising your principles.
Pricing:
- Pricing depends on how many guests and weekday/weekend
- Weekdays range from $365-$570
- Weekends range from $410-$650
- We travel. Professional offsite officiant services, starting at $600
Contact Info:
- Website: https://annapolisweddingchapel.com/
