Rating Reno's wedding chapels by Darcy Gibson, Outpost Contributor There are more than 20 wedding chapels located in the Reno area. Today Reno locals or tourists can exchange their sacred vows anywhere from the heart of downtown to the silvery rills of the Truckee River. I visited six local chapels throughout Reno in search of the best chapel experience in town. Comparing prices, facilities and customer service, I was surprised to learn how this famed business operates. Adventure Inn If you are looking for the "complete" wedding experience, the Adventure Inn and Wedding Chapel on 3575 S. Virginia is the first place you should go. Equipped with two chapels, both large and small, the Adventure Inn offers more than any other chapel in Reno. The Adventure Inn has two chapels, an outdoor gazebo, and 45 theme rooms. With three friendly on-site wedding coordinators, your wedding experience at the Adventure Inn will be professional as well as memorable. Organizing 20-25 weddings a week, the Adventure Inn is busy and this Valentine's Day performed 39 ceremonies. The Adventure Inn is willing to help in any way to make this day as comfortable as possible. This is true &endash; the service at the Adventure Inn is exceptional. They will even make dinner arrangements and of course there is access to the several luxurious theme suites. Visit the Adventure Inn web site at www.adventureinn.com or call 828-9000 and ask for Anne Shultes! Candlelight Wedding Chapel Located on 4th Street, Candlelight Wedding Chapel is a quaint reminder of a traditional downtown Reno Chapel. It has been in existence for over 15 years and is under the same ownership as Silver Bells Wedding Chapel on North Virginia Street. I spent over an hour and a half with manager Claudia who was delightful. She explained to me how the ceremony is performed, different lighting techniques, wedding videos and introduced me to the concept of "wedding bubbles" to replace rice and birdseed. She even allowed me a free sample of these magic bubbles. The chapel itself begins renovations next week where the colors will be changed to shades of peach and will accommodate live foliage. Just in time for the June wedding rush, the new chapel will be beautiful and unique in comparison to other chapels I visited. Candlelight also offers limousine service with chauffeur Wally, who happens to be Claudia's fiancé, and Candlelight refers you to Western Florist down the street for fresh flowers in a hurry. Candlelight Wedding Chapel is an easy and affordable way to wed in Downtown Reno. If interested call Claudia at 786-5355 she is a wonderful help. Celebration Wedding Chapel One can find Celebration Wedding Chapel in the Hilton Hotel and Casino on Mill Street, however it is a separate entity from the Hilton. This is the most beautiful chapel I have seen today! The room is very large and can accommodate over 100 people. The altar stands before a tall stained-glass window and an ornate golden chandelier hangs above the bride and groom. Celebration takes the time for their customers by booking weddings from hour to an hour and providing access to a number of special services including hotel reservations, reception areas, fresh flowers, hotel catering and a live organist. Celebration Wedding Chapel offers several different ceremony packages to chose from at a very affordable cost in relation to the services. This staff will do just about anything to make your wedding suit you, even incorporate your Harley Davidson if necessary, as was for one couple. One groom was even married in a thick pair of wool socks to prevent "cold feet". Call Angie at 789-2472 for questions and reservations. Park Wedding Chapel Forty-two years old and just a hop, skip and a jump from the courthouse, Park Wedding Chapel is named "Reno's Original Wedding Chapel". Park is proud of the fact that much of their business is repeat with grooms whose fathers and grandfathers were wed there. This chapel averages around 4,000 wedding a year and performed a staggering 51 ceremonies on February 14, 1998. The wedding price list is reasonable and in close competition with nearby chapels. The chapel itself is traditional and inviting. The sun shines in during the day and candles light the altar in the evening hours. Park Wedding Chapel is perfect for that small, private wedding. Just ask Noah Wyle from television's ER or call 323-1770. Silver Bells Wedding Chapel The only wedding chapel at the top of North Virginia Street and nearest to the university, Silver Bells Wedding Chapel is, I believe, the epitome of how I pictured a Reno Wedding Chapel. The appearance from the passing traffic of this yellow and white trim building should be indication enough. Though it is charming in its own way, the Chapel itself is basically white, dressed in red and seats about 60 guests. The chapel also has access to five limousines. Silver Bells Wedding Chapel has seen several different nationalities as customers and has witnessed plenty of custom and tradition in the ceremonies. Get married at Silver Bells Wedding Chapel for a low price or have your vows renewed for only $65. Call 322-0420 for information White Lace and Promises In a class all its own, White Lace and Promises Wedding Chapel is an inexpensive route to creating one of the most memorable days of your life. Locally owned and operated, John and Revered Marsha Ketaner admit, "You can get married in any chapel in Reno, but we give you a wedding." And yes they do! A fellow classmate and I participated in a mock ceremony performed by Rev. Ketaner on April 22, 1998, and she did do everything in her power to create the most memorable event the spring semester Journalism 201 class has witnessed yet. We were pleasantly surprised by Marsha's exceptional service towards her customers and even more surprised when she donated the ceremony to our class free of charge. The chapel runs adjacent to the Truckee River and couples have their choice of marrying in the chapel or an outdoor park wedding. Marsha is also willing to provide any special services if possible, including an Elvis impersonator if necessary. The very first wedding booked at White Lace and Promises was for a blind couple. Their seeing-eye dogs stood beside them with flowers on their dog collars. The chapel is beautiful inside, almost resembling a garden, and accommodates up to 50 guests comfortably. Marsha is delightful! My pretend groom and I met with her prior to the wedding and found her very personable and helpful. Only in existence for the past 2 years, White Lace and Promises is Reno's up and coming best wedding chapel. Call 786-7020 and ask for Marsha, she will be more than happy to help you!   copyright May 1998 Nevada Outpost http://www.jour.unr.edu/outpost