Waverley Chapel is a fairy tale location for your fairy tale wedding. Built in Old English style - grey stone on the outside, arched ceilings inside, dark wood pews with red velvet cushions, and a lovely stained glass in the nave that puts a beautiful glow over the wedding party...all these lovely features and more make it a perfect venue for your wedding and a great background for unforgettable photos. www.waverleychapel.com (714) 532-5245 Located inside Fairhaven Memorial Park, west of Tustin Avenue in the City of Santa Ana, CA. When my husband and I married there, Orange County couples received a lower rental rate. Not only was it the perfect venue - I knew the moment I walked in! - it was also the least expensive venue we explored. Even our denomination's local church seemed wastefully expensive. The nave is big enough for a large wedding party. Seven or more attendants can fit easily. There is also a kneeler available should the couple choose to kneel during the ceremony. We did a huge family photo on the steps of the dais and fifty people fit easily. The chapel is located in Fairhaven Memorial Park. It became so popular for weddings that another chapel had to be built for funerals. You can't see the graves from the front, but afterward we had a wonderful photo taken in front of the largest mausoleum. Several of the local cemeteries have venues that are popular for weddings. But nothing compares with Waverley Chapel for that classic fairy tale look. The church is in a traditional cruciform shape with alcoves to either side of center in front. One alcove contains an organ - I don't know how the organ plays as we brought our own musicians (harpsichord and violin) and placed them in the other alcove. Candles or other lighting are recommended for the altar during the service as it is a little shady. The location has several types of candle holders available as well as candle lighters. Make it part of the ceremony! The bride's room is decadent, with a beautiful full-length mirror that is featured in the portfolios of many local photographers. The ""traditional"" mirror photo shows the bride in jeans holding up the dress with her fully ready self smiling back out. If you are in Orange County and ask for a photo like that, your photographer will probably suggest Waverley Chapel as a venue. Outside the chapel are grassy areas and shrubbery. The exit aisle is the perfect width for a sword arch and it's a very popular location for military weddings. Based on the number of attendees at our wedding (around 80) I would put the capacity at around 300. Our group did not look tiny, but there was plenty of wiggle room.

Adjacent to the chapel is a reception center that can be configured for inside seating, but I don't know how many people can be accommodated. A good choice is to rent tables and chairs to be placed on the lawn between the reception hall and the church, but by all means call the and inquire. We moved the musicians over into the reception center. It has a full kitchen as well as good staging areas for the cake, bouquet and garter toss, dancing, and more. There is a coordinator on staff who will walk you through the rehearsal with placement, music timing, and address any other concerns. Waverely Chapel made our wedding that much more memorable. Your guests will have an unforgettable experience too. EVERYONE complimented us on the location. Call and arrange for a tour, but I recommend doing so as soon as you're engaged because it's very busy. If you drive by on a Thursday or Friday night you're likely to see a rehearsal (see above about sword arches!) and on a weekend you'll probably catch sight of a bride! Waverley Chapel, Santa Ana, CA