A Faithful Notre Dame Wedding

Katy and George’s University of Notre Dame wedding was a day full of heart, intention, and faith. Every detail reflected who they are as a couple, and I absolutely adored being their Notre Dame wedding photographer.

Their ceremony took place inside the Holy Spirit Chapel at Saint Mary’s College. It’s such a sacred space that highlighted their deep Catholic faith. Afterwards, they celebrated with family and friends in the elegant Smith Ballroom at The Morris Inn on the University of Notre Dame campus.

From start to finish, Katy and George poured intention into their wedding so it reflected them completely. I loved every second of capturing their story! And if you’re planning your own Catholic wedding, don’t miss the tips linked at the end of this blog written by Katy herself for keeping faith at the center of your day.

The Details, Getting Ready & First Look With the Bridesmaids

The morning of Katy and George’s Notre Dame wedding began with all the beautiful little details that told their story. I photographed their invitation suite sealed with gold wax, her elegant jewelry, their wedding bands, and saint pendants that tied back to their Catholic faith. One of my favorite pieces was Katy’s veil, which was made from her first communion comb and the train of her mother’s wedding dress. It was such a meaningful heirloom and one of the most stunning veils I’ve ever seen!

Getting ready was filled with quiet, heartfelt moments. Katy slipped into her gown with the help of her mom before adding her final touches. Just downstairs her bridesmaids were full of excitement, and their first look at her was priceless. It was a reminder of everything I love about being a wedding photographer.

Saint Mary’s College Wedding Party Photos

After getting ready, we headed to Saint Mary’s College (Katy’s alma mater!) for separate wedding party portraits. Since Katy and George chose not to see each other before the ceremony, we photographed the bridesmaids and groomsmen separately on the beautiful campus grounds.

Their wedding color palette was inspired by the stained-glass windows in the chapel, and it was so fun to see those shades of green, purple, blue, and gold woven into the details of the day. From the florals and ribbons to the bridesmaids’ dresses and even the custom wax seal stamps, every little touch tied back to their inspiration. Both Katy and George were surrounded by such an incredible group of friends who supported them, celebrated them, and made portraits an absolute joy to capture!

A Faithful Saint Mary’s Wedding Ceremony at The Holy Spirit Chapel

Katy and George’s Saint Mary’s College wedding ceremony at The Holy Spirit Chapel in LeMans Hall was such a heartfelt reflection of their love and Catholic faith. As a Notre Dame wedding photographer, moments like these always remind me why I adore documenting weddings. Seeing George’s face completely lit up as he locked eyes with Katy for the first time walking down the aisle was priceless. It was one of those moments that felt timeless.

Their nuptial mass was filled with joy and reverence, blending tradition with personal touches that made the day uniquely theirs. After the ceremony, guests lined the walkway outside of LeMans Hall, ringing bells in honor of Saint Mary’s “Belles” as the newlyweds exited the chapel. It was the perfect celebration to usher them into married life before we gathered everyone for a group photo on the steps and transitioned into portraits with their wedding party.

The Frattaras’ Newlywed Portraits Around Campus

One of my favorite parts of the day was taking Katy and George’s portraits across both campuses that mean so much to them. Katy finished her undergrad at Saint Mary’s College, and together they both earned their master’s degrees from the University of Notre Dame. It felt so special to incorporate both places into their photos.

Katy’s removable overlay on her gown gave us two different bridal looks throughout portraits—classic and timeless for the chapel, then a modern, sleek silhouette for golden hour around campus. The way George couldn’t stop smiling at her was the sweetest.

As a Notre Dame wedding photographer, it’s always so special to capture my couples around these campuses that mean so much and are such a big part of their story.

A Beautiful Notre Dame Wedding Reception in the Smith Ballroom at The Morris Inn

Before guests arrived, Katy and George did a private room reveal of their Smith Ballroom reception. It was the perfect chance to soak in the space they created together. The room looked incredible with white linens, gold accents, soft florals, and glowing candlelight on every table.

During cocktail hour, they slipped away to Rohr’s, the restaurant inside the Morris Inn. They shared a quick drink at the same table where they had their first date (how sweet!). Once everyone gathered, the speeches kicked off. The father of the bride pulled out a comically long scroll of paper for his toast, which had the room laughing right away. His words were just as sweet as they were funny. The maid of honor and best man followed with their own speeches. They were some of the best and most heartfelt that I’ve heard, and they held every guest’s attention.

Within thirty minutes of open dancing, guests were doing the limbo and lifting Katy and George up in chairs. Guests packed the dance floor, kept the energy high, and made the night so much fun for them. I loved every single minute of it. Truly, it was such an honor to be Katy and George’s Notre Dame wedding photographer!

Why Notre Dame and Saint Mary’s Weddings Are So Special

There’s something truly unforgettable about a Notre Dame wedding. From the historic architecture to the beautiful spaces, the entire campus offers stunning backdrops at every turn. Whether you’re celebrating inside the Holy Spirit Chapel, walking the paths at Saint Mary’s, or dancing the night away at The Morris Inn, your day is surrounded by history, beauty, and meaning.

As a Notre Dame wedding photographer, my goal is to document your day in a way that feels timeless, personal, and true to you. As a Catholic myself, I understand the importance of capturing the sacred moments of a Catholic wedding with care. My style blends natural storytelling with classic portraits. Together, this creates a gallery that captures the big moments and the in-betweens you’ll want to remember forever!

You can learn more about me here. And if I sound like the right Notre Dame or Saint Mary’s wedding photographer for you, I’d love to chat. Inquire with me here! In the meantime, you can see more weddings on the blog for ideas and inspiration.

Bonus resources: The bride, Katy, is an incredible writer. She recently shared a series on Substack all about Catholic wedding planning. Her heartfelt advice is perfect if you’re looking to keep God at the center of your wedding day! You can read her reflections here:

The Meantime of Catholic Wedding Planning – Part 1

The Meantime of Catholic Wedding Planning – Part 2

The Meantime of Catholic Wedding Planning – Part 3

Love From Katy & George:

“Riley was the perfect fit for our big day! Leading up to the wedding, she was beyond helpful with wedding recs, planning, and simply being a good friend. As a couple who is not used to being in front of the camera, she made it so chill, comfortable, and fun. She helped us be completely ourselves and took our photo ideas and ran with them along the way. We could not recommend her enough and are so grateful for all of the photos that we will look back on fondly for the rest of our days!”

Riley Trott Photography | Notre Dame Wedding Photographer

Vendors:

Ceremony: The Holy Spirit Chapel in LeMans Hall at Saint Mary’s College
Reception: Smith Ballroom in The Morris Inn at The University of Notre Dame
Photographer: Riley Trott Photography
DJ: DJ Sticky Boots
Florist: Country Florist
HAMU: Beauty-and-Bliss