The chapel photographs beautifully empty — white walls, arched window, Hill Country light. Which means anything you add reads as intentional. Here's how decorating works.
What works
- Ground-level, free-standing decor is yours to play with: floral arrangements at the altar area, lanterns or flowers lining the aisle, arrangements beside the chairs.
- Reserve-your-row touches — ribbon or small signs tied to the front rows for family.
- Petals down the aisle — real or silk, indoors only. Your flower girl is welcome to toss them.
- A backdrop moment — simple florals at the front are welcome on every experience. For a full backdrop, choose the chapel's free-standing cross (pick it in your questionnaire, no charge) or add the White Floral Backdrop, lush white florals and greenery behind the altar, set before you arrive. Premier couples can also bring their own. More in your backdrop.
- Bring your own stands — we don't have easels, pedestals, or flower stands, so bring whatever your pieces need to stand on. The one exception is the clear acrylic podium for your officiant. See your backdrop.
- Candlelight — real candles are welcome as long as each one sits inside glass you provide that rises at least an inch above the flame (hurricane vases, tall votive holders). Battery candles work anywhere.
The rules
- Nothing attaches to the walls or any other surface — no tape, hooks, nails, or hanging from the globe chandeliers. No exceptions.
- No tape of any kind on the floors.
- Real candles only inside glass. Every real flame needs a glass enclosure you provide, with the glass extending at least an inch above the flame. A unity candle during the ceremony is the one open flame allowed, and battery candles are always fine.
- Larger backdrops are Premier-only. Simple floral arrangements at the front are fine on every experience, but a full backdrop takes extra setup and teardown time, so bringing your own is only possible with the longer Premier window. On Intimate and Signature, your backdrop options are the chapel's cross or our White Floral Backdrop add-on, positioned by our staff.
- Nothing thrown or scattered outdoors — rice, confetti, birdseed, and petals included. Indoors, petals only. Sparklers are only through our Sparkler Send-Off add-on — see your sendoff.
- In and out within your window. Setup starts when your window opens; every last stem and lantern leaves before it closes, including anything in the suites. Assign a wrap-up person and keep the boxes. We set out a trash can, and there's a broom and dustpan in the vendor closet if you want them.
Signs, banners, and easels outside the front door
A welcome sign, banner, or easel outside the chapel's front doors is welcome — free-standing on a stand or easel you bring, with nothing attached to the doors or the building. One thing to weigh: the breeze. A light sign or easel can blow over out there, so if your piece isn't weighted, it may be happier just inside the doors by the entry table, where guests still see it on the way in.
Planning something ambitious — a florist install, arch pieces, anything that towers? As long as it's free-standing, carried in and out within your window, and nothing attaches to the building, you're set. Text a photo of the plan to (830) 402-5690 if you'd like a second look.
Your florist is one of the welcome vendors — send them chapeltx.com/guide/vendors so they know the load-in rules.
Common questions
Can our flower girl toss petals down the aisle?
Yes — real or silk, any color, tossed anywhere inside the chapel. The only rule is that petals stay indoors: nothing is thrown or scattered outside, so for the sendoff itself look at what your guests can wave, blow, or toss.
Do you have stands or easels for our own flowers or signs?
We don't, so plan to bring any stands, easels, or pedestals your pieces need. The clear acrylic podium for your officiant is the one piece we provide, and the free-standing cross can be dressed in your own florals — see your backdrop.
Can we put a welcome sign or banner outside the front door?
Yes — free-standing on your own stand or easel, with nothing attached to the doors or the building. If it's light, consider setting it just inside the doors instead so the wind can't knock it over.
Is there a broom or anything for cleanup?
We set out a trash can, and the vendor closet has a broom and dustpan if you'd like them.