United States Air Force Academy Cadet Chapel

by Lisa Matte

The sky's the limit when you choose the United States Air Force Academy Cadet Chapel as the place to make your wedding day dreams come true. Surrounded by the majestic Rocky Mountains at the academy's 18,000-acre Colorado Springs campus, the chapel is one of the most photographed in all the world.

Designed by Walter A. Netsch, Jr., of the Chicago-based architectural firm, Skidmore, Owings and Merrill, the striking structure features 17 individual spires jutting 150-feet into the expansive Colorado sky. Five years on the drawing board followed by four years of construction culminated when the chapel opened its doors for the first time in the summer of 1963. Nearly four decades later, the USAF Cadet Chapel remains a stunning symbol of the heights to which USAF cadets aspire.

But there's a catch. The Cadet Chapel is only available as a wedding site to graduates to one of the nation's four service academies - West Point, U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Coast Guard Academy, and U.S. Air Force Academy. If you or your betrothed meet that requirement, call 719/333-2636 for additional information.

And off you go into the wild blue yonder!

Photo courtesy US Air Force Academy, www.usafa.af.mil/

Copyright Lisa Matte

Boston-based travel writer Lisa Matte is a member of the Society of American Travel Writers. Author of City-Smart Boston (Avalon), Lisa's work has appeared in numerous national and regional publications including American Way, Skylights, AAA Journey, Bridal Guide, Coastal Living, Outbound Traveler, and Travel Weekly.