Office of the Chaplains and Religious Life
Brown University

Weddings and Blessing Ceremonies Guide 

How Do I Arrange for a Clergy Person or Licensed Official to Perform the Service or Can I Invite My Own Officiant?

Manning Chapel is an interfaith house of worship. All Christian clergy, rabbis, imams, and other ordained or licensed individuals may perform weddings. However, you must check to make sure the clergy person performing this service is in good standing with their faith and has a valid license. Clergy should review the regulations of the state of Rhode Island (see below) and their local religious authority.

Couples often have a clergy person or other religious official in mind as the officiant for their service. OCRL only needs to know the name of that person and that they are fully licensed to perform this service.

Roman Catholics intending to be married in Manning Chapel must contact the Rev. Henry Bodah, the associate chaplain of the University for the Roman Catholic community, Henry_Bodah@brown.edu, after the reservation has been confirmed by OCRL.

The chaplains of the University are available to officiate at the ceremonies of Brown University community members.

Most important, please keep in mind that some religious faiths have guidelines for counseling prior to the wedding service. You must abide by those strictly in consultation with your clergy person or licensed officiant.

Note: The officiant must be secured at the time the reservation is submitted to OCRL. The officiant's full name, address, phone number, and affiliation are necessary for the reservation to be complete. Visiting clergy must provide their own vestments and any other liturgical needs, such as chuppah, manvarai, eucharist or communion vessels, wine, and bread.

What Denominational Regulations Need to Be Satisfied When Using the Chapel?

All visiting clergy should inquire with their local denomination or faith about performing a service at Manning Chapel. Specifically, Roman Catholic clergy need to consult with the Rev. Henry Bodah, associate university chaplain to the Roman Catholic community. He can be reached at Henry_Bodah@brown.edu, after the reservation has been confirmed by OCRL.

Licensed officials need to read Rhode Island 's requirements for performing wedding ceremonies in this state. Also see What Licenses Are Required on this site?

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