Nichole and Randy are MARRIED-!
Just a handful of days ago ((amidst their Notre Dame & Michigan PhD & Master’s programs)) these two Southwest Michiganders were married here in South Bend, Indiana on a beautiful autumn day. You may remember these two from their Engagement Session just a month & a half ago near one of their homes up in Southwest Michigan (vacation city St. Joe) on the beaches of Lake Michigan (and at their plane in Southwest Michigan), but if not that’s ok. ((A lot has been gone on in the world & USA since then-!)) Let’s get in to their autumn wedding day!
Oddly enough/ these two didn’t plan it on purpose, but their wedding happened to be on Vetran’s Day! Randy is actually in the Air Force and in his PhD at Notre Dame, so he graduates next Semester and these two had just chosen a convenient date that was opened for their locations- a happy coincidence!
Their wedding day started off smoothly and calmly with Nichole getting ready with her ladies, her hair stylists, and her makeup artists at the beautiful and modern Aloft in downtown South Bend and Randy & his guys getting ready at the ever lovely Palais Royale ((and huge Double Tree nearby)).
Randy wore his traditional Air Force dress uniform as did some of his groomsmen (well, Marine dress uniforms and more).
Nichole and her ladies went traditional, though Nichole broke from tradition a bit in getting her ladies beautiful navy blue velvet purses & gem belts (instead of traditional bouquets) to go with their gorgeous maroon velvet dresses. Nichole was also outfitted with a gorgeous tiara and beautiful accents!
Being ever the wonderful helpers, both Nichole and Randy immediately started helping everyone around them get dressed. From Nichole cutting ribbons, making beautiful bows on the back of the ladies’ belts, and helping her mom get ready to Randy helping his dad and groomsmen get dressed, these two both spent as much time focused on their loved ones as they did themselves. They’re the sweetest!
Before long Nichole headed up to her bridal suite and her mom & ladies helped her get into her bridal gown, veil, and more!
Meanwhile Randy had a “First Look” of sorts with his young daughter Hailey. The two shared a sweet moment at the reception venue The Palais Royale before heading out to pick up others in the shuttle at the huge Double Tree before heading off to the ceremony venue of Notre Dame’s Basilica of the Sacred Heart.
Nichole at the same time was having her own “First Look” with her dad! After a sweet moment, all were off in a smaller bus heading to the Basilica (but not without first throwing aviators on)-!
Once to the Basilica Randy and his men gathered in the traditional side spot within the cathedral while the ladies pulled up in their own bus to the front.
Nichole headed out to her wedding ceremony without a hitch and had plenty of time to spare- quite in line with their calm demeanors on their wedding day.
Guests were already within the Basilica as the Basilica has a strict back-to-back wedding schedule of 4 weddings a day/ only a half hour window before and after ceremonies. More headed in as ladies handed out the programs and Nichole & Randy awaited their wedding ceremony.
Soon it was time for their ceremony and Randy’s brother kicked things off in the loft playing trumpet for one of the introductory songs!
Nichole’s dad handed her off to Randy and so started their wedding ceremony!
As to be expected their wedding ceremony was beautiful.
The two exchanged rings and vows under the guidance of their priest…
…headed back for a Mary Adoration…
…had their First Kiss and things were official: They were married!
The two came down the aisle Newlyweds!
We captured about 25 formal family group portraits within the Basilica for their entire less than 30 minutes allotted.
Their families were laid back and easy to guide, so they made it easy on us.
Then all gathered outside to greet the newlyweds with a traditional Air Force sabre arch by the *God, Country, Notre Dame” exit doors to the cheers of their guests1
We even managed to create a few Newlywed photographs at a handful of spots on campus while heading back to one of the buses to head on to more pre-reception portraiture!
Luckily enough it seems that we caught some of the last autumn leaves on campus while heading out to the street with these newlyweds!
These two lit some candles at The Grotto on campus and then enjoyed some brand new piers & reflecting ponds by the lake there.
Then we all got back into the bridal party smaller bus and headed off to the Palais Royale for their bridal party portraits and the start of a bit of Cocktail Hour.
The Palais Royale’s Morris Theatre was gorgeous as always and we loved capturing their Bridal Party Portraits there with everyone.
Being in this early 1900s extraordinary space never gets old and we were so excited that their families and friends- mostly from out-of-state- got to experience the splendor as well for such a perfect occasion!
Once we’d captured their entire bridal party within their reception venue, we then headed off for their final Newlywed Portraits with their plane!
Though a cooler day and closer to sunset, this was such a magical part of the day! The mood was serene and these two finally got to step away from the people and non-stop moving to just relax within these 45 minutes.
You may remember, but both Nichole and Randy are pilots! It was so cool getting to see these two in their element (even if Jenny almost accidentally could have chopped some hands or body parts off by spinning the propeller). The two not only got into the plane that Randy had ridden down from Michigan to Indiana, but the two even climbed right up on it in their wedding clothes!
These two as you can see are an absolute match made in Heaven! It was fate that these two would meet on a dating app and have so much in common and we love seeing the two of them together (and with daughter Hailey too)-!
There’s a warmth and serenity that these two exude when you’re in their presence and we’re so happy that these two trusted us with their magnificent wedding day and loved ones!
Once wrapped up with the casual Newlywed Portraits with their plane, we headed back to their 5th and final spot: Their reception at The Palais Royale.
Back at the Palais their guests were enjoying two floors of Cocktail Hour (with the absolute best hor’dourves ever).
Everything on their wedding day was perfected to the T and their Cocktail Hour was to exception.
They had pre-warned us that their guests were pretty laid back, but without warning you could tell that everyone was warm, welcoming, and calm.
Once Cocktail Hour was wrapped up everyone was ushered into the Ballroom for the formal reception.
Out in the lobby of the ballroom Randy and Nichole had guests books, an engraved vintage wooden plane propeller for folks to sign, gift table, and more for folks to enjoy. We were excited to see their huge Engagement Photographs that we’d printed and put into their frames for them!
Every corner of the ballroom had amazing Air Force and travel details that were top notch as well!
They even had a photobooth out in the lobby as well as a receiving line for guests to greet them as everyone headed in for more snacks and mingling!
It was definitely one of the warmest and most genuine welcomes of guests that we’ve seen in most of our 14+ years of wedding photography. Many old traditions have died back, but seeing everyone clamour over to greet the newlyweds was extremely heartwarming (especially in this digital age).
Once greetings were over, everyone headed off to their assigned tables for dinner service.
Nichole and Randy headed up to be announced from the balcony and greet their guests with little speeches.
They then headed down to their private table on the stage to enjoy dinner.
After dinner they enjoyed heartfelt toasts from their Maid of Honor and Best Man…
…then both sets of parents!
Randy’s dad had said a prayer, Nichole’s brother had spoken, and Randy gave a little toast to his bride and guests!
Since this wedding was also joining family, these two and daughter Hailey partook in a sweet Sand Ceremony as well.
After Randy and Nichole cut their beautiful cake and sweetly fed it to each other.
The Newlyweds then had their First Dance (which was not choreographed but went off without a hitch).
Then they had their father-daughter and mother-son formal dances.
Then Randy and his daughter Hailey had their formal dance which started off slowly with a classical version of a Lego movie song… which then transitioned into the pop version of it and had them bust out their best moves!
With that Open Dance began!
…and continued throughout the night!
There were glow sticks for all, fun lights, desserts galore, popcorn machine, photobooth going non-stop, and all of the fun things!
We even managed to earlier in the night capture their rings on some of their centerpieces!
Though Randy didn’t throw the garter, Nichole did toss her bouquet! Funnily enough their daughter Hailey caught it!
With that we headed the 4 minutes home, but were back a couple hours later for their Sparkler Exit! We had our little propane torch to make sure things went well & quickly and it was one of the longest sparkler tunnels we’ve ever captured at the end of a wedding day!
Congratulations again, Nichole and Randy on a beautiful wedding day and your marriage! We hope that you two do well finishing up your papers this and next week, but ultimately that you have an amazing Honeymoon this coming weekend in just a couple days-!! Thank you so much for entrusting us with your lovely wedding day and we hope that you had the best time ever!