How to Plan Cooper Chapel Weddings + Elopements

Arkansas Wedding Venue | Cooper Chapel

Mildred B. Cooper Memorial Chapel, or just Cooper Chapel for short, is one of three glass chapels in Arkansas. It’s located in Bella Vista, in Northwest Arkansas, just 10 minutes from the Missouri state border. Bella Vista is close to Bentonville, which is where many couples will continue their celebrations after their chapel ceremony. The Arkansas glass chapels have been recognized worldwide as being some of the most beautiful wedding venues. Couples travel from all over the world for them. Cooper in particular is one of my favorites to photograph weddings at, because of the mesmerizing curved beams.

Read on to learn everything you need to know to get started with planning a Cooper Chapel wedding or elopement!

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• About the Space
• The Cost
• When to Get Married Here
• When to Book Your Vendors
• Where to Get Ready + Reception Venues
• Where to Eat
• Where to Honeymoon

Hire A Photographer Familiar With The Space

I’ve shot many weddings and elopements at all three chapels. They can sometimes be a bit tricky to work with as photographers, since there’s 360° glass letting light leak in. Hiring a photographer who has worked at the chapels can benefit you, since they will know what to expect of potentially tricky lighting situations. I always recommend asking to review a full gallery from the photographer you want to hire, especially a gallery of the venue you want to use, or at least a similar venue that will give you an idea of what to expect of that photographer’s capability to handle tough lighting conditions.

About Cooper Chapel

Cooper Chapel can seat 120 guests on cream-colored pews. While you’re in the chapel, you’re surrounded by stunning 360° views of the outdoors and architecture. The venue is temperature controlled. It’s perfect if you’re getting married in the coldest days of winter or hottest days summer, or if you just want a controlled environment. There is not a reception hall or getting ready space here, so you do have to do anything beyond a ceremony and portraits at another location, which I will list some options for you below!

The Cost

Please note that the chapel can change rates at any time. Please refer to their website Here for the most up to date info.

For Elopements (10 or less guests only): 1 hour, starts at $300. No amenities, like a rehearsal, the sound system, candlestands, or access to the changing space in the office, is included in this package.

For Weddings: 2 hours + 1 hour for a rehearsal, starts at $1,000. This package includes all amenities, such as: access to the changing space in the office, the sound system, and candlestands.

When to Get Married at Cooper Chapel

You can comfortably get married at Cooper Chapel any time of year, since the chapel is temperature controlled. Since the chapel is see-through and you might go outside for portraits, it’s still wise to pick a time of year where you like the foliage and can handle the temps for at least short periods of time, though!

Foliage: Around mid November through early March, the trees will be bare. Usually by mid to late March the green is back in the trees. By mid to late October, fall colors will settle in, but they usually don’t last more than a few weeks. Most of the leaves will fall off by mid November.

Temperatures: Unless you plan on having an outdoor reception, or plan on taking photos outdoors for a long period of time, the temperature won’t hold importance since the building is temperature controlled. Temps can get hot and humid, in the 90s to 110s, early May to early October. If you have a health condition that makes the heat difficult for you, or you don’t want to be sweaty, this is important to keep in mind. Arkansas winter can be all over the place, temperature wise. Typically we have temps sitting in the 40s and 50s for most of the season, but we can see temps in the 30s and sometimes freezing around January. It can be in the 60s/70s in early December and late February. Other times of the year, the temperatures are generally comfortable in the upper 60s to low 80s.

Tourist Season: While you don’t have to worry about tourist season in this direct area, Eureka Springs is just an hour away from Cooper Chapel. This is a big tourist spot for anniversaries, honeymoons, and just a good weekend getaway. If you’re interested in spending time in the area before or after your event, Eureka Springs may be on your radar. Be aware that they do shut many of the restaurants, shops, and attractions down in the winter/slow season, so be sure to check in advance if there’s anything specific you’re wanting to do there if you’re planning in the cold months. They do also get pretty busy in June and the fall – that being the time they put on their big Pride parade, and the fall being when many motorcycle rallies happen in the area.

When to Book Your Vendors

Cooper Chapel accepts a limited amount of events each year, so if this is your dream venue, I recommend getting in contact with them as soon as you have the funds ready to reserve them. October/November and late March through early May are generally the most booked months of the year, which means these months book out the fastest. Whatever time of year you want to book, it doesn’t hurt to reach out to vendors as soon as you’re ready, though. Most wedding vendors only open their availability a year to a year and a half out. There’s no rush to book if you need more time planning and saving, just do be aware that the shorter notice a vendor has, the less likely they are to be available still, so you may not be able to book your priority vendors if they’re already booked for your date.

Where to Get Ready + Reception Venues

Since there isn’t a place to get ready on the chapel grounds, you’ll need to get ready off-site at either your home (if you live local), at a venue, or at a short-term rental, like Airbnb/Vrbo. There are accommodation options local to Bella Vista, but you can also look into other nearby cities like Bentonville (15 minutes away). The office at Cooper Chapel will be unlocked for you about 15 minutes before your reservation begins (only if you reserved the wedding package), if you want to change in there to not wrinkle your outfit on the drive to the venue.

Accommodations/Getting Ready Spaces Nearby:

• Airbnb/Vrbo

Reception Venues Nearby:

• Under the Woods, 10 minutes away in Jane, MO
• The Ravington, 20 minutes away in Centerton
• Kindred North, 20 minutes away in Centerton
• The Ballroom at I Street, 20 minutes away in Bentonville
• Record Downtown, 20 minutes away in Bentonville (does not have getting ready space)

Where to Eat

If you don’t plan on having a reception to follow, but you do want to go out to dinner with your small number of attending guests, or just your spouse, check out these places in Bentonville:

• The Preacher’s Son (refined New American)
• Tusk & Trotter (gastropub)
• Tavola Trattoria (casual Italian bistro)
• Flying Fish (casual seafood place)

Where to Honeymoon

If you plan on honeymooning in the area, Bentonville is just down the road from Cooper Chapel. Check out Crystal Bridges Museum, the Momentary, and enjoy plenty of good eats. Or, Eureka Springs is just an hour away and is a great place to visit with loads of shops, food, and attractions to enjoy. Stay at the (allegedly haunted) Crescent Hotel & Spa, and go see tigers at Turpentine Creek and Refuge!

Final Notes

Cooper Chapel is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful wedding venues Arkansas has to offer. If you have your heart set on marrying in this serene place, reach out to them!

You can read about the other two chapels if you’re still trying to weigh all of the pros of each one to pick the venue right for you:

• Thorncrown Chapel
• Anthony Chapel

Still trying to decide between a big wedding celebration or an intimate elopement? Learn all of the pros and cons of both: How to Choose between Eloping or Having a Wedding

If you’re ready to make your date official and need a photographer then I’d love to chat with you!