I want to preface this blog by saying, I have an extreme soft spot in my heart for this bride. She endured so much during these uncertain times. She went through her Plan A dream wedding, to her Plan B wedding, then to her Plan C wedding. And let me tell you – her Plan C could have been Plan A. I instantly fell in love with the day when we were emailing back and forth about it. There’s something so special about these intimate weddings. You just feel the love pouring out of them onto the couple and I. AM. HERE. FOR. IT.
From start to finish Kelly and Michael’s day was jam packed with an outpouring of love and support. The morning began when Kelly’s mom placed the veil she wore on her own wedding day onto her daughter’s head. Her dad’s reaction – seeing his daughter in the veil his bride wore – brought tears. Michael’s face as Kelly walked down the aisle was pure emotion. And their last dance together in the backyard tent, surrounded by their closest family and friends, was the perfect ending. It was truly an honor to witness and even more of an honor to be trusted with capturing such a special day.
A Copshaholm Gardens Wedding Like No Other
When COVID-19 changed everything about weddings in 2020, Kelly and Michael had to reimagine their wedding day multiple times. But what emerged was something truly beautiful. On September 12, 2020, they celebrated an intimate Copshaholm Gardens wedding in South Bend that felt personal, meaningful, and incredibly special.
Copshaholm Gardens provided the perfect backdrop for their modified Catholic ceremony. With special permission from the church, they were able to celebrate a Catholic mass outdoors in the lush gardens. The late summer setting was gorgeous. Full green trees and manicured gardens created a peaceful, romantic atmosphere. The historic property offered both the sacred space they wanted for their ceremony and the natural beauty that made for stunning portraits.
An Intimate Ceremony in the Gardens
There’s something incredibly moving about watching a couple exchange vows in an intimate setting. With only their closest family and friends present, Kelly and Michael’s ceremony at Copshaholm Gardens felt deeply personal. The outdoor Catholic mass brought a sense of sacred beauty to the gardens, and you could feel the weight and importance of the moment.
Kelly wore her mother’s wedding veil, a detail that brought tears to everyone’s eyes. Her father’s reaction was unforgettable. Seeing his daughter wearing the same veil his bride had worn decades earlier was one of those moments that reminds you why this work is so meaningful. These are the heirlooms and traditions that connect generations. Being trusted to document them is truly an honor.
The ceremony took place surrounded by the natural beauty of the gardens, with the late summer greenery providing a lush, timeless setting. Michael’s reaction when Kelly walked down the aisle was everything you hope to capture as a wedding photographer – pure emotion, pure love, pure joy.
Portraits at Copshaholm Gardens
After the ceremony, we took time for portraits throughout Copshaholm Gardens. The property offers so many beautiful spots – from the manicured gardens to the historic architecture to the natural landscaping. The late summer light was perfect, and Kelly and Michael were so relaxed and natural together.
One of the benefits of an intimate wedding is the relaxed timeline. There was no rush. The afternoon unfolded naturally as we explored the gardens, capturing the details of Kelly’s dress and the florals from Poppies. Genuine moments between the couple happened organically. The September weather was ideal – warm but not too hot, with that perfect golden light that makes every image feel timeless.
A Backyard Reception Full of Love
Following the ceremony and portraits at Copshaholm Gardens, the celebration continued at Kelly’s parents’ home in South Bend. The backyard had been transformed with a tent, tables, and all the details that make a wedding reception feel special. But what made this reception truly memorable wasn’t the setup. It was the atmosphere.
With only their closest family and friends gathered together, the evening felt like the best kind of intimate celebration. There was laughter, tears (the good kind), heartfelt toasts, and dancing under the tent as the sun set. Burns Special Events provided the rentals that created a beautiful reception space, and Macri’s delivered a stunning wedding cake that was almost too pretty to cut.
Kelly’s hair and makeup by Nicholas J Salon looked flawless all day, from the morning getting ready through the last dance. Michael looked sharp in his tux from Louie’s Tux Shop. Every detail came together beautifully, but more importantly, every moment felt genuine and full of joy.
The Beauty of Intimate Weddings
Photographing Kelly and Michael’s Copshaholm Gardens wedding reminded me why I love intimate celebrations. When you strip away all the extras and focus on what really matters – the commitment, the family, the love – something magical happens. The energy in the room shifts. Guests are fully present, not distracted. It shows in the photographs.
Kelly and Michael made the absolute best of a difficult situation. Instead of focusing on what they couldn’t have, they created a day that was perfect for them. The outdoor ceremony at Copshaholm Gardens, the meaningful traditions like her mother’s veil, the celebration with their closest people – it all came together in a way that felt right.
Planning for the Big Celebration
There are plans to do her big dream wedding next September (2021), and I for one am extremely happy that these families will be in my life for just a little bit longer. But I have a feeling that when they look back on their wedding celebrations years from now, this intimate Copshaholm Gardens wedding will hold a special place in their hearts. Sometimes the plans that emerge from challenges end up being even more meaningful than what we originally imagined.
So excited to share Kelly and Michael’s picture perfect wedding day.
VENDORS
Photo: Cat Alkire | Floral: Poppies | Cake: Macri’s | Rentals: Burns Special Events | Hair/MUA: Nicholas J Salon | Tux: Louie’s Tux Shop
Planning your own South Bend wedding? Whether you’re dreaming of an intimate celebration at Copshaholm Gardens or a grand reception at another local venue, I’d love to hear about your plans. Get in touch to check my availability and start planning your wedding photography.
