Ellie and George’s Notre Dame Wedding at The Basilica of the Sacred Heart & Morris Inn’s Smith Ballroom was everything I love about a wedding here. It was timeless, faith-filled and centered around what mattered most: the sacrament of marriage and celebrating afterward with the people they love.
Their wedding had an understated elegance with soft sage, blush and ivory florals, classic black tuxedos and just a maid of honor and best man standing beside them. There were also plenty of little ones running around throughout the day, which made everything feel even more joyful and full of life.
A Love Story Rooted at Notre Dame
Notre Dame has been part of Ellie and George’s story from the very beginning.
They met on Hinge while both attending graduate school at Notre Dame. Ellie is earning her JD, while George recently graduated with his MBA. Their first date was at Chicory Cafe in South Bend in the middle of winter, and they have been inseparable ever since.
Their connections to campus go back even further. Ellie attended Notre Dame for undergrad while George attended Holy Cross, and they are fairly certain their paths crossed at some point before they officially met.
Then, on November 7, 2025, George proposed at the Grotto after the two attended Mass together inside the Basilica.
So when it came time to choose where they would begin their marriage, the Basilica of the Sacred Heart could not have been more fitting.
A Wedding Mass at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart
We began the day with Ellie getting into her wedding gown and a few final photographs of both her and George before heading to the Basilica.
The Mass was truly the heart of their wedding day.
Ellie walked down the long center aisle of the Basilica alongside her father before she and George were married during a traditional Catholic Nuptial Mass. Surrounded by the incredible blue ceilings, stained glass and gold details of the Basilica, they exchanged vows, received the Eucharist and began their marriage in a place already filled with so much meaning for them.
After Mass, they also spent a few quiet moments together in the Lady Chapel, kneeling side by side in prayer as husband and wife.
These are always some of the photographs I treasure most from a Catholic wedding. As a Catholic Wedding Photographer, I want the images from a wedding Mass to preserve more than how beautiful the church looked. I want them to tell the story of the sacrament itself.
For couples hoping to marry here, my Getting Married at Notre Dame: A Complete Guide shares more about planning a Basilica wedding and what to expect from a wedding day on campus.
Wedding Portraits Around Notre Dame
After Mass, it was time to celebrate!
We photographed Ellie and George with their families and small wedding party before spending some time creating portraits of the newlyweds around campus.
Notre Dame was beautifully green for their summer wedding, with flowers blooming throughout campus and soft cloud cover giving us wonderful light for portraits. We photographed around the Basilica and Morris Inn, creating a mix of classic portraits and the more candid, joyful moments that happened in between.
And some of my favorite photographs included the kids.
I am such a fan of children being part of wedding days. Ellie and George had quite a few little ones celebrating with them, from flower girls gathering around Ellie before Mass to helping with her train and running around outside afterward. There is something so sweet about documenting those moments exactly as they happen. Someday, those photographs become part of the family’s history too.
If you are planning your own wedding here, my Where to Take Wedding Photos at Notre Dame guide shares more of my favorite portrait locations around campus.
A Smith Ballroom Wedding Reception at the Morris Inn
The celebration continued just across campus at the Morris Inn’s Smith Ballroom.
After such a meaningful ceremony, the rest of the evening felt relaxed and joyful. Ellie and George were able to spend time with their guests, enjoy dinner and toasts, and eventually make their way onto the dance floor.
By the end of the night, Ellie had changed into a short white reception dress and sneakers, George was down to his shirt and suspenders, and the two were right in the middle of the party.
It was such a fitting ending to a wedding day that felt completely true to them.
They met as Notre Dame graduate students, became engaged at the Grotto after Mass, were married inside the Basilica of the Sacred Heart and celebrated their first night as husband and wife at the Morris Inn.
It really does not get much more Notre Dame than that.
Ellie and George, thank you for allowing me to document such a beautiful beginning to your marriage!
VENDORS
Photographer: Cat Alkire | Ceremony Venue: Basilica of the Sacred Heart | Reception Venue: Morris Inn – Smith Ballroom | Florist: Snapdragon Designs | DJ: In Tune DJ | Catering: Three Leaf Catering | Hair & Makeup: Something Blue Stylists
Planning a Notre Dame Wedding?
If you are planning a wedding at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Morris Inn or elsewhere on Notre Dame’s campus, I would love to photograph your day.
After years of photographing weddings here, I know the campus, the Basilica and the logistics of a Notre Dame wedding day incredibly well. You can learn more about working with me as your Notre Dame Wedding Photographer and inquire about your wedding date.
