Exchange vows among some of the most picturesque architecture and gardens tucked within these historic universities.
Universities aren't just homes to higher learning. They also house some of the most picturesque architecture and gardens in America, making them ideal venues to consider for your wedding day. Many schools welcome alumni and occasionally nonaffiliated couples to use their properties for tying the knot. Here, some of our favorites.
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Stanford University
Where: Palo Alto, CA
What We Love: The Romanesque Memorial Church, with its natural carved stone, massive archways, and a large centerpiece mosaic, stands in the middle of the campus. After saying your I do's here, you can head over to the Stanford Faculty Club to celebrate under high wood ceilings or the open air.
Who Can Get Married Here: Interfaith ceremonies are offered to Stanford alumni, faculty, and members of the church or Stanford Religious Life. Children and grandchildren of this group, or of couples previously married at the Memorial Church, may have their ceremony here as well.
Book It: $2,900 for the ceremony. Full-time students at Stanford pay only $2,000 for up to six months after graduation.
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Columbia University
Where: New York, NY
What We Love: Head to the Upper West Side for an elegant ceremony at Columbia University's St. Paul's Chapel. Over 75 couples get married at this Byzantine brick-lined architectural masterpiece every year.
Who Can Get Married Here: The venue is open to anyone, regardless of affiliation with the university, and welcomes both secular and same-sex weddings to be performed in the space.
Book It: Ranges from $1,250 to $1,750, depending on the day of the week scheduled
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Swarthmore College
Where: Swarthmore, PA
What We Love: The Scott Outdoor Amphitheater provides a wonderful natural nuptial backdrop. Designed in 1942 by noted landscape architect Thomas W. Sears, the location is a bonding space for Swarthmore students who begin and end their time at the school with ceremonies here under a ceiling of tulip and white oak trees.
Who Can Get Married Here: Only alumni, faculty, staff, and students of Swarthmore are allowed to reserve the venue during summer, winter, and fall breaks.
Book It: $1,000 for the ceremony
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Notre Dame University
Where: Notre Dame, IN
What We Love: The Basilica at Notre Dame is the ideal place for alumni to get married at the Catholic university. Recite your vows underneath the elaborate gold and blue ceiling while surrounded by your family, friends, and gorgeous stained-glass windows. Afterward, there are a number of venues on campus where you can host your reception.
Who Can Get Married Here: Current Notre Dame students, alumni, members of the Sacred Heart Parish, and current full-time members of the Notre Dame faculty and staff can be married at the Basilica.
Book It: $800 for the ceremony
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University of Florida
Where: Gainesville, FL
What We Love: The sweeping yellow pine and copper arches and the large open windows make the Baughman Center at the University of Florida a perfect location for the minimalist couple who wants to be surrounded by natural beauty on their big day.
Who Can Get Married Here: The venue is open to anyone, regardless of affiliation with the university.
Book It: Ranges between $526 to $1,098 for the ceremony
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Cornell University
Where: Ithaca, NY
What We Love: Sage Chapel at Cornell University is an ornate nondenominational church covered in Tiffany glass windows and grand arches. The venue comfortably seats up to 748 guests, so it's ideal for a large formal affair. There are also various reception venues on- and off-campus.
Who Can Get Married Here: Cornell has two requirements for couples that want to get married at the Sage Chapel. First, the ceremony must be religious. Second, either the bride or groom must be a student, alumni, faculty member, staff member, trustee, or a child of alumni, faculty, staff, or trustees of Cornell.
Book It: $600 for the ceremony
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UC Berkeley
Where: Berkeley, CA
What We Love: The Botanical Garden at UC Berkeley offers a majestic outdoor setting for your ceremony. At the Stephen J. Mather Redwood Grove and Amphitheatre, your loved ones and the towering trees of the California Redwood Forest will surround you as you say your vows. The Botanical Garden also has a conference center a short walk away for your reception.
Who Can Get Married Here: The venue is open to anyone, regardless of affiliation with the university.
Book It: $1,075 to $1,375 for the ceremony; $3,325 to $4,125 with the reception included
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Washington University in St. Louis
Where: St. Louis, MO
What We Love: The Graham Memorial Chapel is a gem with its stained-glass windows, including the central one soaring above the altar. There are also an array of spaces for receptions on campus.
Who Can Get Married Here: Affiliated and nonaffiliated couples may get married here, although the application process is different for both.
Book It: $1,000 for rental of the chapel and a one-hour rehearsal
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Lewis and Clark College
Where: Portland, OR
What We Love: If you're looking for an outdoor wedding venue in the Pacific Northwest, consider the Estate Gardens at Lewis and Clark College. Available for your ceremony and reception, the venue's reflecting pool, wisteria arbor, cascading fountain, and cobblestone circle offer plenty of options for a backdrop. There is also a lovely chapel that seats 460 guests should you wish to exchange vows indoors before taking your celebration outdoors.
Who Can Get Married Here: The venue is open to anyone, regardless of affiliation with the university.
Book It: $4,800 for access to the Estate Gardens, and $6,200 with the addition of the Agnes Flanagan Chapel
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Harvard University
Where: Cambridge, MA
What We Love: Among Harvard's hallowed halls is the Memorial Church. An arched ceiling, stately Roman columns, and rich wood altar make the venue an austere place for a wedding ceremony. Follow up with a reception at the school's Fogg Museum.
Who Can Get Married Here: The bride and groom must be a baptized Roman Catholic to be married at this church.
Book It: $2,800 for the ceremony
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University of Chicago
Where: Chicago, IL
What We Love: The Rockefeller Chapel, with space for over 1,000 guests, is a grand architectural feat in the middle of the University of Chicago campus. Follow up your ceremony at one of the University's reception venues, including the Quadrangle Club or Ida Noyes Hall.
Who Can Get Married Here: Current enrolled students, members of staff or faculty at the University or University hospital, alumni, or children/grandchildren of alumni can access this venue.
Book It: $2,416 for the ceremony, with discounts offered to current students
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Vassar College
Where: Poughkeepsie, NY
What We Love: Constructed in 1904, The Vassar College Chapel remains one of the few un-renovated buildings on the campus, due to the sheer beauty of its original construction. Say "I do" in front of the grand organ and celebrate later with your guests in the campus's Shakespeare Gardens or Alumnae House.
Who Can Get Married Here: Vassar College students, alumni, employees, and immediate family of these groups may be married on campus.
Book It: $150 for use of the chapel or Shakespeare Gardens
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Coker College
Where: Hartsville, SC
What We Love: The Drengaelen House at Coker College is a picturesque outdoor venue for your nuptials. Drengaelen, which translates to among the trees, is true to its name. We recommend keeping your festivities outside and using this charming Southern abode to accommodate your catering staff and for getting ready with your wedding party.
Who Can Get Married Here: The venue is open to anyone, regardless of affiliation with the university.
Book It: $600 for a half-day (up to four hours), $150 for each additional hour, and $1,000 for a full day
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Duke University
Where: Durham, NC
What We Love: The Duke University Chapel is an exquisite Neo-Gothic church on the university campus where a bride can imagine she is in a grand European cathedral as she walks down the aisle.
Who Can Get Married Here: The bride, the groom, or one of their parents or grandparents must be a full-time Duke student, an alumnus, or a full-time employee. The chapel is currently undergoing restoration, but is expected to be available for booking for summer 2016.
Book It: $1,250, with an additional $350 organist fee
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Southern Methodist University
Where: Dallas, TX
What We Love: Nearly 200 couples a year get married at the sweet Perkins Chapel. Housed on the SMU campus, a path of flowers leads the way to the church, highlighted by its tall steeple. Inside, the high ceiling, large columns, and white walls create a wonderful setting for you to decorate with your own floral arrangements.
Who Can Get Married Here: The venue is open to anyone, regardless of affiliation with the university. (About 66 percent of those who get married here are not affiliated with the university.)
Book It: $2,000 for the ceremony, which also includes an organist, a sound technician, and a security guard to direct parking
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