May 30, 2009
A TWIST ON TRADITION
If someone would have told Patricia O'Connell she would spend more than four years in South Bend when she first moved there as a Saint Mary's freshman in 2003, the south Florida native would have looked them in the eye and said "No way!" But timing and tradition had a funny way of teaming up and changing her plans.
At a house party the spring before she graduated, Patricia met Patrick - one of her friend's younger brothers, and also an architecture student at Notre Dame. The two had instant chemistry and began dating. But just a few months later, they had to say goodbye. Patricia had already committed to a job at the University of Chicago and Patrick went home to Maryland for the summer.
"That's when I knew I wanted to marry her," Patrick recounted. "That first time we said goodbye was so much harder than I expected."
The couple talked on the phone a lot and visited each other four or five times that summer, then in September Patrick left to study abroad in Rome.
The Proposal
They still managed to visit each other a few times during the nine months Patrick was abroad. Then one day during a phone conversation, he told Patricia he was sending her a jewelry catalog in the mail so she could pick out her engagement ring. But he asked her not to open it until he came home, so they could look at it together. They had only been dating a year and Patricia wasn't expecting a ring from Patrick just yet, so she set the box aside and didn't think much of it.
But his first night back from Rome, Patrick opened the box he'd mailed and surprised his girlfriend with a beautiful ring.
A Twist on Tradition
In many ways, the couple was simply carrying out a family tradition. Several of their immediate family members, including Patrick's parents, met and married because of the Notre Dame - Saint Mary's connection. One thing nobody in their family had done before - a Basilica Wedding.
"No matter what day or time we got, we knew we wanted to get married there," Patricia said. "It's just one of those things we knew we wanted."
The Wedding Day
A whirl-wind year of planning suddenly turned into the couple's wedding day. The three adjectives Patricia had given her coordinators and decorators - romantic, soft and elegant - came together to create a smooth, timeless touch that truly represented both Patrick and Patricia and their relationship.
Their huge wedding party represented their large families. Patrick is one of five children and Patricia is one of four. Patricia - a teacher at The Montessori Academy in South Bend - loves kids and wanted to include all the young girls on Patrick's side of the family. In all the couple had five flower girls, eight bridesmaids and ten groomsmen!
"The day was such a blur. The church and ceremony are really the only part of the day I remember vividly," Patricia said. "The rest of it just went by so fast."
The couple and their guests didn't have far to go from the ceremony to the reception. MichaelAngelos "The Event Company" transformed the South Dining Hall into an elegant party atmosphere where Patrick and Patricia were able to mingle with their guests and celebrate their marriage.
Rooted in Tradition
It's been nearly 7 years since Patricia first moved to South Bend. Even though she never thought she'd be there that long, Patricia said she couldn't have been as happy living anywhere else. In May, Patrick graduated from Notre Dame.
The O'Connells want to stay in South Bend, but that depends on whether Patrick finds a job in the area. And if they ever do have to leave, their Notre Dame and Saint Mary's roots will forever be a part of their marriage and their lives.
"It still sometimes feels like a dream," said Patricia. "The Basilica is now our parish. We just feel lucky to be a part of all of it."
Basilica of the Sacred Heart
Notre Dame, IN
Reception Location:
South Dining Hall
Notre Dame, IN
Wedding Coordinator:
Elaine Kriegel
Mother of the Bride
Lighthouse Point, FL
Caterer:
Catering by Design
Notre Dame, IN
Photographer:
Munoz Photography
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Videographer:
Penta Vision
South Bend, IN
Wedding Gown:
Vera Wang Chicago
Chicago, IL
Bridesmaids' Gowns:
Vera Wang Chicago
Chicago, IL
Hair Salon:
Emerald Cut
South Bend, IN
Makeup:
Saks Fifth Avenue
Boca Raton, FL
Nail Salon:
Emerald Cut
South Bend, IN
Tuxedos:
Bernardo's
Mishawaka, IN
Rings:
JR Dunn
Lighthouse Point, FL
Bride's Shoes:
Jimmy Choo
Chicago, IL
Bride & Bridesmaids' Jewelry:
Rocks on the Block by Lisa Price
Lighthouse Point, FL
Flowers:
MichaelAngelos "The Event Company"
South Bend, IN
Invitations:
Handcrafted by Sarah Prye
Lehigh Valley, PA
Ceremony Musicians:
Basilica of the Sacred Heart Strings
Singing: Dr. Andrew McShane
Wedding Cake:
Indulgence Pastry
South Bend, IN
Reception Band:
Don Cagen Orchestra
Northbrook, IL
Transportation:
London Limo/Trolley
Wilmette, IL
Rehearsal Dinner:
Coleman Morris Center
Notre Dame, IN
Welcome Dinner/Cocktails:
Irish Courtyard at the Morris Inn
Notre Dame, IN
Farewell Brunch:
Irish Courtyard at the Morris Inn
Notre Dame, IN