Late one night in October 2018, Max Ujdak and Katie Wall (now Katie Ujdak) found themselves in front of a computer, gazing at the website for the Basilica of the Sacred Heart. This Catholic church, located at the University of Notre Dame in Indiana, is a popular wedding venue. The clock struck midnight, and the couple eagerly submitted a digital form to rank their wedding date preferences. They hoped for a 3 p.m. slot on October 24, 2020.
Although they received a confirmation for their preferred date, it was for a 1 p.m. slot. While they were happy, they kept their excitement to themselves. After all, their friends and family had no idea they were planning a wedding, and they weren’t even engaged yet.
A year passed before Max and Katie got engaged on the Notre Dame campus. They were determined to have their wedding at their alma mater, where their love story began and where they both graduated. They requested a booking without an engagement, not wanting to miss out on the competitive opportunity. They now reside in Waunakee, Wis., with Max working as a project lead for a steel fabricator and Katie working as a grant specialist while pursuing a law degree at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Max expressed the significance of getting married at the Basilica: “When it’s such an important part of your relationship, getting married there, in that beautiful space, it’s unreal.”
For couples who met in college, choosing a wedding venue can be a daunting task. However, for many, the choice seems obvious—the school they attended together. Colleges and universities often have a rich tradition of alumni marrying on campus, whether it’s at a religious building or a well-known landmark. These locations hold personal significance for the couples as they can bring their loved ones back to where their love story began.
Blanche Williams, the former wedding director at Duke University Chapel, has spent 18 years guiding couples through the on-campus wedding process. Working at the ecumenical chapel, she assisted nearly 800 couples before retiring in April. One couple even sends her a Christmas card with their photo every year as a tribute to their special day.
Booking a wedding at the Duke chapel can be intense. Couples can only reserve their dates a year in advance, and the process can become cutthroat. In pre-pandemic times, some couples would even camp outside the chapel overnight to improve their chances of securing their desired dates.
Bianca Argueza and Sam Saenz also applied for their wedding date at Stanford University’s Memorial Church before getting engaged. The couple met as undergraduates in April 2009 and now reside only a few miles away from Stanford. Returning to their roots and physically being together in the same place held significant meaning for them.
Stanford’s Memorial Church holds sentimental value for Bianca as she had made a wish in the church’s courtyard during her high school years to study at the university. She fulfilled her wish and attended mass at the same church during her undergraduate years. On May 25, 2019, Bianca and Sam tied the knot at the cherished location, reliving the milestones in their lives.
Jenny Faubion and Amit Ranade, both attorneys, decided to plan their wedding at their alma mater, the University of Washington. They met at the university in 2000 and reconnected a few years later. Wanting a Hindu and Presbyterian wedding with over 400 guests, they needed a venue that could accommodate their celebration.
Amit even jokingly suggested getting married at Husky Stadium, where the university’s football team plays, but Jenny disagreed. Instead, on July 11, 2009, they exchanged vows at Sylvan Grove—a place where University of Washington students traditionally visit at the beginning and end of their college journeys. Their reception also took place on campus, complete with a wedding cake featuring the university’s mascot, the husky dog.
Seattle provided a picturesque backdrop for their special day, but nothing compared to the beauty of the University of Washington campus.
Choosing a wedding venue is a personal and heartfelt decision for couples, especially those who share a college experience. It allows them to revisit the places where their love story blossomed and create new memories surrounded by the familiar sights and sounds of their alma mater.
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