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WEDDING POLICIES

The beautiful McLean Foyer of Meditation in the Armstrong Browning Library is a popular and elegant setting for weddings. We wish to assist you in making your very special event as lovely as its physical surroundings. In return, we ask that you help us protect the building's facilities and treasures.

For specific questions, contact:
Kathryn Brogdon (254.710.4960) or
Mary D. Rodriguez (254.710.7830)

Armstrong Browning Library
One Bear Place #97152, 710 Speight Avenue
Waco, Texas 76798-7152

Library fax number: 254.710.3552

Please read carefully. It is the responsibility of the signatory of the Wedding Application Form (usually the bride-elect) to ensure that the wedding party abides by these policies.

TO RESERVE THE McLEAN FOYER OF MEDITATION THE BRIDE OR THE GROOM MUST BE A:

• Currently enrolled Baylor student
  
• Baylor graduate
  
• Current Baylor employee or child
  
• Library Patron* or child
  *This designation requires a donation of $5,000 or more. Contact Trey Hagins (254.710.1982), Library Development, to make a Library Patron donation.
  

SCHEDULING A WEDDING (bride-elect or her representative):

• Request a Wedding Application Form in person, by telephone, or by e-mail.
  
• Return the Wedding Application Form and pay the Wedding Fee and Security Deposit by mail or in person.
  
• After your date has been confirmed, schedule a meeting and walk-through with Ms. Brogdon or a designated library representative to discuss the possibilities and limitations of the facilities.
  
• If you wish, bring a family member and/or wedding consultant to the meeting.
  
• Special Note. Two weeks prior to the wedding, the bride-elect and/or the wedding consultant must call or see Ms. Brogdon or the designated representative to discuss all aspects of final preparations. After this time, extensive and time-consuming changes will not be considered.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• Wedding receptions are not held in the Armstrong Browning Library at any time.
  
• Only one wedding is scheduled during any month.
  
• Weddings are scheduled only on a Saturday afternoon.
  
• No wedding is scheduled in August.
  
• Should there be several requests for the same month, preference will be given to the first application received.
  
• Rehearsals and weddings will not be scheduled on University holidays or on any day when the University is officially closed.
  
• Seating capacity for the Foyer of Meditation is 200 people.
• Reservations may be requested no earlier than the first business day nine months in advance of the wedding month. Reservations may be requested no later than three months in advance, corresponding to the wedding date in the month. The schedule is as follows:

  Wedding month:	No earlier than:	No later than:
  January	April	October, corresponding date
  February	May	November, corresponding date
  March	June	December, corresponding date
  April	July	January, corresponding date
  May	August	February, corresponding date
  June	September	March, corresponding date
  July	October	April, corresponding date
  September	December	June, corresponding date
  October	January	July, corresponding date
  November	February	August, corresponding date
  December	March	September, corresponding date

  
  

WEDDING AND SECURITY FEES:

• Wedding Fee: $1,000.00, for five (5) hours total building access, including the rehearsal and preparation time.
  
• Security Deposit: $500.00 (refundable). A fee of $100.00 will be deducted from the deposit for each hour (or portion thereof) that the rehearsal or the wedding exceeds the allotted time.
  
• Damage to the Library will result in forfeiture of the security deposit. Damage includes (but is not limited to) stains, scratches, and trash. Deductions will also be made when rules have been violated (for example, proof of food and/or drink in unauthorized locations). Deductions are made at the discretion of the Library Director.
  
• Cancellation: Only the security deposit will be refunded.
  
• Please make checks payable to the ABL Guardian Angel Fund. The bride and groom receive complementary three-year memberships in the ABL Guardian Angels (the Library's friends' group).

REHEARSAL AND WEDDING TIME-ALLOTMENTS:

• The wedding fee pays for a total of five (5) hours for rehearsal and wedding. Note: Wedding photographs must be completed within this five-hour period.
  
• Rehearsals are scheduled no earlier than 5:00 pm and no later than 6:00 pm on the Friday evening prior to the wedding.
  
• The rehearsal is allotted 1.5 hours, including arrival and departure. (If the rehearsal begins at 6:00 pm, the building must be vacated by 7:30 pm.)
  
• Weddings are scheduled on Saturday afternoon no earlier than 2:00 pm and no later than 4:00 pm.
  
• The building will not be opened prior to a time agreed-upon in advance.
  
• The wedding is allotted 3.5 hours, including arrival, pre-wedding activities, the ceremony, photographs, and departure.

PROHIBITED ITEMS:

• No lighted candles, including unity candles, are permitted in the Library by order of the Fire Marshal.
  
• Smoking and alcoholic beverages are not permitted in the building. No alcoholic beverages are permitted on the grounds.
  
• Food and soft drinks for the wedding party prior to the ceremony are permitted only in the Cox Reception Hall and the kitchen on the first floor.
  
• Birdseed must be used rather than rice. It should be distributed and thrown only outside the building.
  
• No recorded music is permitted. A grand piano is located in the Foyer of Meditation. Consult Ms. Brogdon or the designated representative about live music.
  

FLOWERS, DECORATIONS, AND RECORDINGS:

• Arrangements for delivery, placement, and removal of flowers and other decorations must be reported to Ms. Brogdon or the designated representative no later than two weeks prior to the wedding.
  
• No decorations are to be placed in the Cloister of the Clasped Hands. A kneeling bench may be used.
  
• Decorations are not to be attached with tacks, pins, tape, or nails to any of the furniture, walls, or woodwork in the building.
  
• No flowers may be placed on musical instruments or furnishings (except for the large table, with proper protection under the container).
  
• Flowers must be placed in containers to avoid damage to the floor. Do not use wet, potted plants.
  
• The table in the McLean Foyer of Meditation cannot be moved.
  
• Audio and Video Recording: Extension cords and their placement must be approved beforehand.
  
• The Library decorates for Christmas towards the end of November or the beginning of December. Neither these decorations nor any that the University puts up at any other time may be moved, with the exception of the table decoration in the Foyer of Meditation.
  

DRESSING FACILITIES ON THE FIRST FLOOR OF THE BUILDING:

• Groom and Groomsmen: The men's lounge will be available, but men are urged to arrive dressed for the wedding. Groomsmen may gather in the Research Hall (on the second floor) prior to the wedding. (Note: The Research Hall is not an alternate dressing area, as security cameras remain "live" in that room.)
  
• Bride: The women's lounge will be available to the bride. (Note: There are no electrical outlets in the lounge.)
  
• Bridesmaids: Depending upon availability, either the Mary Maxwell Armstrong Seminar Room or the Cox Lecture Hall near the women's lounge can be reserved for the use of the bridesmaids. (Note: There are no mirrors in either of these spaces; there are electrical outlets.)
  
  

PERSONAL VALUABLES:

• The Armstrong Browning Library is not liable for personal effects that are lost, stolen or damaged.
  
• Personal items must be removed from the Library as soon as the wedding ends. The building will be locked as soon as the participants have left for the reception.
  

Rev. June 2010