The first full-time TCU Chapel and Events Coordinator, Brittney Smith, is making more than wedding plans.

Smith said that being full-time allows her to quickly respond to brides and also plan programs open to faculty, staff and students. Earlier this semster, Smith held the first Wedding Bells on Campus event, cohosted by a professional wedding planner to teach attendants about current wedding trends and saving money.

She said the chapel provides a site for over 100 weddings a year with 60% alumni couples and 40% Fort Worth community members. The Chapel appeals to brides and grooms because of its size, location and beauty.

Recently married Lori Motes said the decision to use the Chapel was the “one decision [they] knew going into planning.”

Other brides like Lauren Andrews have a family connection to the Chapel. Andrews’ father received his hood after graduating from Brite Divinity in the Chapel.

She said her fond memories of hearing the bells on campus also influenced her decision.

Smith said she works hard to coordinate other campus wide events involving the Chapel and wants students to know that it is not just a place for weddings.

“If students want to come in [the Chapel] and just meditate or read or use free Wi-Fi then they can do that as well,” Smith said. “It’s also a space for the community to use.”