Gillespie Center Wedding : Colleen & Zach

Zach and Colleen met second semester of their sophomore year at the University of Notre Dame. Colleen first saw Zach in the Alumni Hall Chapel as he read petitions during Sunday evening mass. The following night, Colleen spotted Zach at a local establishment and knew she had to introduce herself. Colleen casually “misplaced” her phone at which point Zach offered to call it in an attempt to find it. With phone numbers officially exchanged, Colleen and Zach made arrangements to have dinner together the next evening at the Saint Mary’s dining hall, and the rest is history!

In January 2014, Zach met with Colleen’s mother in Chicago to formally ask for her blessing before proposing to Colleen. With her blessing, Zach purchased a beautiful engagement ring, which he presented to Colleen at Notre Dame‘s Grotto on February 7, 2014 with help from the Notre Dame Bagpipe Band, family, and friends. Colleen responded, “yes, of course!” and the two spent the weekend celebrating in South Bend before flying to Key West for their first vacation together!

It was day that was nothing short of exquisite. The perfect combination of Navy and Gold to show off their love for their beloved Notre Dame. How fitting to be married in a location that resembled their grace and loyalty they share for one another.

Colleen’s mother bought them this beautiful leather bound Bible with the Notre Dame crest on the cover, imprinted with their names in gold. Naturally, I had to document it in a way that signified the joining of their lives together.

Colleen’s gifts to he girls were even given in Gold striped bags with Navy tissue paper inside. Each girl was presented with jewelry to wear to the wedding and a magnet with some of Colleen’s favorite pictures of them together. I love personal touches like that.

Colleen’s Uncle Nick helped to walk her down the aisle and because he was so involved in her day, naturally I had to do a first look with him when she was all dressed up and ready to be presented to her groom.

Zach just couldn’t wait for Colleen to hurry down the aisle so they could be married.

Seriously though…Didn’t Nicholas J Salon do an amazing job with these gorgeous girls?

MichaelAngelo’s did a beautiful job with these flowers. Colleen’s bouquet is wrapped with the sleeve of her grandmother’s wedding dress and a pendent with her grandparents’ wedding picture. Just beautiful!

And this picture….this is why I love when we have enough time in the schedule to allow Chris to come with us for photos. He takes me idea, challenges me to do something different and magic is made.

OMG! Just stop it with your awesomeness! I just can’t handle how gorgeous you too are!

The Gillespie ballroom is so beautiful with their crystal chandelier draped and the up lit from MichaelAngelo’s really adds to the dimension and sets the mood perfectly.

This cake from C’est La Vie was amazing.

The football on the left was gifted to the bride and groom with well wishes by Lou Holtz. The football on the right is a the 1988 National Championship ball with the signatures of all the players. If I remember correctly, this ball has been passed down within the family. Another great tradition incorporated into their amazing day!