How to plan a wedding or elopement at the Thorncrown Chapel, also known at the glass chapel in the woods in Eureka Springs, Arkansas.
The thorncrown chapel is a glass chapel in northwest arkansas and one of three glass chapels in the state. It sits a little outside of the town of Eureka Springs in the middle of the woods, giving it an ethereal and intimate feel while staying close to amenities and easy travel for guests. It is a top elopement spot in Arkansas and the midwest and a Eureka Springs Wedding Photographers dream location to photograph weddings at! It is a gorgeous venue option for those looking for a wedding getaway and a prime destination location in the midsouth.
Weddings at the Thorncrown Chapel
Inside the big wooden doors & glass windows, you will find cool toned wooden beams and blue pew’s that seat roughly 100 guests. The foliage from the surrounding trees offer soft natural light that leaks in from the glass windows above and along the walls. The dark stone floor leads up to a beautiful platform furnished with urns and a pedestal for your officiant if needed.
The chapel sits at the end of a walking path but has a large parking lot so you don’t have to worry about people watching, traffic or not enough space for your guests. It offers such a private experience.
There is a small getting ready space on location for you to slip into your dress if you choose. Many couples will get a hotel suite or air bnb in Eureka Springs to do their hair & makeup at, then travel to the chapel and get into their dress there.
There is not a reception area on site, but not to stress there are many reception venue options all around the area!
Cost of a Wedding at the Thorncrown Chapel
Pricing for the chapel varies based on day, guests, and other factors.
Saturday: two hour reservation $1795
Sunday through Friday: two hour reservation $1595
Monday through Thursday: 1½ hour reservation $1195
Elopement Special: (just the couple & a photographer, one-hour reservation, Monday through Thursday only, sound system included but not a sound person, minister will run sound.) $695
Here is there website for more in depth information on pricing!
As you can see, this is one of the more affordable glass chapels to get married at in Arkansas.
When to Get Married at the Thorncrown Chapel
Time of year and time of day to get married can really depend on what you want your dream wedding to look like and feel like, as well as what they have available!
Time of Year: you can make this decision based off of what you want the trees and leaves to look like. If you want lush greens of summer or the dark oranges of fall. As well as if you want it to be hot or maybe you want a cool winter weddings!
Time of Day: the chapel offers 2 hour rental slots so you can choose to time your ceremony earlier in the day or later. The nice part about the chapel is thanks to the leaf cover, the sun is not very harsh even when it is at its peak. You can have a morning ceremony and then start your honeymoon earlier in the evening, or have a late ceremony and party all night at your reception with friends & family.
Getting Ready & Reception Venue Options in Eureka Springs for Thorncrown Chapel
Since Thorncrown only has a changing space available to you about 15 minutes before your rental time begins, you’ll need to get ready elsewhere ahead of time. Eureka Springs has plentiful of great accommodations in the area. This is a fun & hoppin tourist town, which means there’s so many unique places you can stay, like treehouses and hobbit caves! There is a plethora of different air bnb options as well as numerous hotels that are mainstream or historic.
Accommodations/Getting Ready Spaces Nearby:
- Crescent Hotel & Spa
- Basin Park Hotel
- Best Western Inn of the Ozarks
- Vrbo/Airbnb
Reception Venues Nearby:
- Crescent Hotel
- Basin Park Hotel
- LaGrange Lavendar Co
- Basecamp
- Lot’s of options in Bentonville or Fayetteville to!!
Rehearsal Dinner and Food Options Nearby:
- Crescent Hotel
- Basin Park Hotel
- Local Flavors
- The Grotto
- Gotoahold Brewing
Some Final Notes on Thorncrown Chapel Weddings
I think Thorncrown Chapel is one of the most beautiful venues that NWA & Eureka Springs, Arkansas has to offer, and located in a great spot and touristy town. This is a perfect venue if you want one of the best that Arkansas has to offer. Reach out to the chapel to inquiry about reserving it for your special day!
If you’re still considering the other two glass chapels Arkansas has to offer, you can read some info about Anthony Chapel here.
If you’re ready to make your date official and need a Eureka Springs, Arkansas photographer then I’d love to chat with you! Reach out here or hit the inquire button at the top of the page!
