An elegant and timeless setting, the University of Notre Dame hosts wedding ceremonies at its historic neo-Gothic Basilica and celebrations at a variety of reception venues on campus. Through the details below, you can find essential information to help you plan your Notre Dame wedding. I’ve included the requirements for hosting your ceremony at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, accessible sites on campus for your wedding photography experience, and selecting a space to host your evening celebration.
Hosting Your Notre Dame Basilica Wedding
Ceremonies at the University of Notre Dame take place at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart. To host a sacrament of marriage at the Notre Dame Basilica, you must be Catholic. Additionally, you must meet one of the following requirements:
- Currently enrolled as a student at Notre Dame
- Be an alumni/alumnus of Notre Dame
- Be an active member of the Sacred Heart Parish (for at least two years prior to your desired wedding date)
- Be a current full-time member of the faculty or staff (who has been employed for a minimum of five years).
Once you have confirmed that you or your fiancé meet the above requirements, you can book your wedding at the Notre Dame Basilica. Ceremony dates are available up to two years in advance. Wedding ceremonies at the Basilica are offered exclusively on Fridays and Saturdays at select times. Exceptions to these days are dates that fall on football weekends or other grand-scale University events. Your Notre Dame Basilica wedding can be reserved online, in advance, at this link.
Basilica of Notre Dame Wedding Photography
A sacrament of marriage in a Catholic church (including the Notre Dame Basilica) is a sacred covenant. Due to the significance of your sacrament, there are specific photography restrictions that must be adhered to throughout each portion of your Notre Dame Basilica wedding ceremony. As an Indianapolis wedding photographer, the experience of working with my couples has given me the knowledge of how to capture your holy matrimony while being respectful of the Basilica and the sacred covenant you are entering. This includes dispensing with the use of flash photography, circumventing the altar, and discreetly following along as you visit the Marian Shrine. While maintaining the sanctity of your union, every notable moment is captured with deference. Thus, ensuring a wedding photography experience showcasing the love you share, bound by your faith.
Exploring the University of Notre Dame Grounds for Wedding Photos
There are several locations on the grounds of the University of Notre Dame for wedding photos imbued with the atmosphere and spirit of the campus. During your photography experience, I highly recommend investing in a golf cart rental directly through the University. Golf carts can hold anywhere from 2-6 passengers allowing you to bring your wedding party along for the ride. This will provide easy access to locations such as The Golden Dome & The World of Life Mural (touchdown Jesus) for wedding photos. Lastly, you will need to secure your rental at least 2 weeks in advance of the date of your wedding.
With your rental in place, we will be able to plan a wedding photography timeline that allows space to visit each of the splendid locations around campus for timeless wedding photos filled beautiful golden natural light. There are a small number of restrictions on campus for your wedding photography experience. This includes acquiring permits, refraining from flash photography, and being respectful of the sanctity of each location. Each of these elements will be handled with care and respect. All in all, allowing you to enjoy the beauty of your wedding day as each moment unfolds. All while creating cherished memories and timeless wedding day photos at Notre Dame.
University of Notre Dame Wedding Photos at the Grotto
A place of reverence and quiet contemplation, the University of Notre Dame Grotto is a stunning location for wedding photos. In fact, while most visitors come to the grotto to pray, the location is no stranger to love. Hundreds, if not thousands, of students have proposed marriage to their significant other at the grotto. Choosing this sacred spot for taking their first steps towards married life together. Often referred to as The Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes, its charming structure is a representation of the French shrine where the Virgin Mary appeared to Saint Bernadette. The stones and boulders used to construct the Grotto were sourced from local farms, with one expectation. To the right-hand side of the shrine, you’ll find a piece of stone from the original grotto in France. It is placed directly underneath the statue of Mary.
Notre Dame Wedding Venue
Reception celebrations at the University of Notre Dame take place in a variety of settings. From glittering ballrooms to family-centered spaces and laid-back sports-infused atmospheres. Festivities evoking your personal love story unfold through your vision of creativity and design in the location of your choosing. Reception venues vary in size and can accommodate anywhere from 50 to 400 guests. Whether your dream of a wedding venue that can host a refined sit-down dinner and epic live band, or you have the desire to gather everyone you love for family-style seating, University of Notre Dame wedding venues are well-suited to any style of nighttime celebration.
Indianapolis Wedding Photographer
Faith and historic charm blend, creating unforgettable University of Notre Dame weddings. The university attracts thousands of visitors each year, whether they arrive to tour the Gothic architecture or enjoy a football game. However, Notre Dame is also a setting where modern love stories come together through a sacrament of marriage, surrounded by tradition and ivy-covered walls.
As an Indianapolis wedding photographer, I offer couples planning University of Notre Dame weddings several options to capture each detail of their experience on campus. For more details on the photography packages I offer at Notre Dame and locations throughout Indianapolis, follow this link.
