Archive for the ‘Notre Dame’ Category

Molly + Mark, April 2, 2011

June 10, 2011

Wedding in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, on the campus of the University of Notre Dame, surrounded by the love of family and friends, was the perfect way for Molly and Mark to begin their married life. The reception that followed, at the Palais Royale in downtown South Bend, IN held delightful surprises as well as thoughtful details.  As I began the wedding planning process with Molly and her mother Kathleen, I knew I was in for something special – as it turns out, so were all of the guests who attended this magical celebration.

Much of the event’s design direction was lifted directly from the custom invitation’s colors and patterns.  We used the design motif from the patterned paper throughout the event, see if you can spot the various elements we used it on!

 

 

 

 

Molly and Mark chose to see each other before the ceremony, and where else would they meet, other than the Grotto, where they paused to light a candle together.

Spring flowers perfumed the aisle! These pew markers were later transferred to the Palais Royale and used on the back of the bridal party’s chairs – see a photo of this application below!

 

 

 

 

Guest tables were named for places that were significant landmarks around the Notre Dame campus – where it all began for them!!

 

 

In lieu of a favor, a charitable donation was made to the Center of Social Concerns, at the University of Notre Dame. We love the presentation! The guest napkin was fashioned into a rosette, with the  message printed on ‘leaves’.

This shelving unit served multiple purposes! It helped divide the cocktail space from the dining area, and held images of their parents, grandparents and great grandparents on their wedding days! On each side are the gowns that Molly and Marks mothers wore when they wed – I love this image of the bride and groom – Molly in her wedding gown, standing next to her mother’s wedding gown.

 

 

Re-purposed pew markers! Can’t you just smell the hyacinth? Nothing says spring like the scent of hyacinths!

 

 

At the end of the First Dance, the centerpieces exploded with fireworks, a surprise and tribute to the brides father, who, every fourth of July wonders why he isn’t arrested for the excessive fireworks display he puts on!

Guests were treated to a dessert buffet that tasted as delicious as it looked!!

Can you believe the amazing work on this cake? Taken directly from the paper used in the custom wedding invitation! Gorgeous!

Happily ever after starts now!!

Cyndi – XO

 

Our Vendors:

Ceremony – Basilica of the Sacred Heart, University of Notre Dame

Reception – Palais Royale

Rehearsal Dinner – Club Namoli, University of Notre Dame

Wedding Planning & Design – Cynthia Basker, Celebrated Events

Floral & Decor - MichaelAngelos

Photography – Peter Thurin, Peter Thurin Photography

Cake & Dessert Buffet – Cakewalk

Papery – Cloud Nine Invitation Design, Emily Dionne Events and Nuptials

Ceremony music – Notre Dame Folk Choir

Reception music – Dennis Keith Band

Hair – Emerald Salon and Spa

Makeup – GabGlam

Photo Booth - Fun Zone Photo Booths

Transportation – Cardinal Buses

Farewell brunch – Hilton Garden Inn

Host hotels – Inn at Saint Mary’s, Hilton Garden Inn

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Mary and Michael Get Married!

March 18, 2011

On a perfect summer day in August, Mary and Michael, together with their family and friends, became Mr. & Mrs.! Throughout the planning process, the mantra was ‘soft, summery and romantic’, and I think we most decidedly accomplished that feel. The day was full of meaningful details and family traditions. Among them, the soup course at dinner:  Italian Wedding Soup – made from a family recipe, handed down from mother to daughter on the bride’s side. The Groom’s aunts lovingly made and brought with them, traditional Italian cookies, which the guests enjoyed after dinner. The day was so joyful – can’t you see it on their faces?

Our Vendors:

Ceremony: Basilica of the Sacred Heart, University of Notre Dame

Reception: Great Hall, Century Center

Photography: Peter Thurin, Peter Thurin Photography

Band: Lynn Jordan and the Shivers

Floral/ Decor :MichaelAngelos

Cupcakes :Sweet Mandy B’s

Hair: Emerald Cut Salon & Spa

Makeup:  Camelia’s Cosmetics

Photo Booth: Fun Zone Photo Booths

Papery :Christina Duthie, Cloud Nine Invitation Design

Transportation: Cardinal Motor Coach, !st Class Limousine

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Tina & James – Friday, June 11, 2010, Notre Dame, Indiana

September 7, 2010

Tina and James chose to marry  at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, on the campus of the University of Notre Dame. They met in the fall of 2003 as freshman in Italian class, and seven years later, brought their relationship full circle, by tying the knot where it all began! Guests, for the wedding, came from as far away as Caracas, Venezuela, where the bride spent much of her childhood, so incorporating elements that reflected her background was important to her.  Chocolate bon bons, hand carried from Venezuela by her Mother, served as the guest favor. A Latin salsa band delighted and entertained guests during the reception, and the evening was topped off with a custom called ‘cotillion’. Guests were invited to don feathered masks, top hands, shake maracas, blow horns and join the conga line in this custom that feels like a combination of Mardi Gras, New Years Eve and a Masquerade Ball!


Tina’s clutch was embroidered with her new married name, and wedding date – what an amazing keepsake! I absolutely adored it!

This bench on campus was where Tina and James shared their first kiss! They spent a few quiet moments there before the ceremony.

Just before it was time to go to the Basilica to await the ceremony – the skies opened up!! James, with an assist from a couple of his groomsmen, made sure Tina got to the church safe and dry!

Tina, in her cotillion mask and…..

more cotillion shenanigans!!

Our vendors:

Ceremony site: Basilica of the Sacred Heart, University of Notre Dame

Reception site: Palais Royale Ballroom, South Bend, IN

Floral/Decor: MichaelAngelos

Photography: Adam Novak Photography

Videography: Blink of an Eye Productions

Event Design & Coordination, Specialty Rentals: Celebrated Events

Paperie: Cloud Nine Invitation Design

Wedding Cake: Rascia’s Creative Cakes

Hair: Emerald Cut Salon and Spa/ Bridal Hair Stylist: Eric Woolridge

Makeup: Gabrielle Thompson/ GabGlam

Reception Entertainment:Rica Obsesion

Favor: La Praline Chocolatier, Caracas, Venezuela

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Basilica Monday 2010

February 13, 2010

For most people, March 1, 2010 will be an ordinary, back to work Monday. But for those brides, grooms and families who are hoping to secure a date for their 2011 Notre Dame wedding at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart,  it is so much more! Its been called things like ‘Basilica Monday’ and ‘Basilica Lottery Day’, but according to Amy Huber, who is the Wedding and Baptism Coordinator at the Basilica, it doesn’t have a name, it is simply the day the Basilica of the Sacred Heart opens their calendar  for brides to reserve their wedding dates for 2011. Amy will begin taking calls at 8:00 am, EST and stop at 4:30 pm, EST. When dialing the Basilica, you will not get put on hold, just keep dialing until you get through. If you hear a busy signal, hang up and try again, Amy is on the line with another caller. Can you plan a strategy to try and up your chances of getting the day and time you are hoping for? I think you can. These suggestions may not help you get through to Amy faster, but they will help you to be prepared to make a decision with confidence, once you do get through. The last thing you want to have happen, is to get through to the Basilica, but not be able to accept an available date. You’ll have to hang up, then go through the whole process all over again.

1.) First and foremost, have five to ten, dates and times chosen that would be acceptable choices. Discuss this in advance with all involved parties until you can all agree on a list of acceptable dates/times.
2.) Have multiple folks calling in on your behalf.
3.) If you are having multiple folks calling in, make SURE they have your list of acceptable dates and times, and that they are authorized to make a decision on your behalf.
4.) This may seem like it goes without saying, but remember that the calls are being taken on Eastern Standard Time – if you are on the west coast, that means calls will begin being taken at 5:00 am and end at 1:30 pm your time.
5.) Be patient, just keep dialing.

Good Luck Everybody!! Once you secure your 2011 date, give Celebrated Events a call! We will take all of your hopes and dreams for your Basilica wedding, and make them come true. If you can dream it, we can do it!

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New Event Venue on Notre Dame Campus

February 3, 2010

There is a brand new reception & event venue on the campus of the University of Notre Dame, for brides and grooms getting married at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart! Workmen were putting the finishing touches on Club Naimoli, located inside the Joyce Athletic and Convocation Center, when I was invited to tour through it yesterday. Amber, from Catering by Design led me through the event space, which can hold up to 350 guests, including a dance floor! Guests enter the Joyce Center through the newly renovated Gate 10, then ushered up to the event space via elevator. As you step off of the elevator, in front of you is a wall, covered in sapphire blues, with subtle, iconic images of Notre Dame. If need be, there is a coat check available. Walking into the main event space, I was first struck by the windows that overlook the campus, and the light that was streaming in from them. There is comfortable, overstuffed furniture that can be grouped together in various ways to create seating areas or a perhaps a ‘lounge’ area which made the room feel so inviting. State of the art flat panel television screens were mounted in various areas around the room. These can be used to run a slide show, video, or can be simply tuned into the television station of your choice. The space has custom ND themed tables and chairs (see photos), however, if you are planning to host your wedding reception there, this furniture can be removed, and replaced with tables that can host 8 guests, as well as banquet chairs. You can also bring in specialty rental chairs, i.e. chivari ballroom chairs, to compliment your event design.

There are two outside balcony areas, situated on either end of the space, that overlook the campus, providing views to the east, south and west. The space hosts hard wood floors, with gorgeous wood accents on the walls and around the bar area that give the room a warm feel. Another feature, on the wall/area opposite the windows, is the option to open up part of the wall, which then allows views into the arena – very cool!

If you are interested in this space, call Amber M. Pena, Sales Manager at Catering by Design – 574-631-7859. While the Club is not ‘officially’ open, Amber informed me that they have already booked two weddings! I’m so excited to have this new venue on campus! I see so many possibilities with regard to how the space might be used – Rehearsal Dinners, Wedding Receptions, Sunday After Brunches, Welcome Partys – to just name a few!! Isn’t it exciting?!!

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