Basilica of the Sacred Heart Wedding Guide

The Basilica of the Sacred Heart is the crown of the Notre Dame campus and one of the most breathtaking churches in America: soaring Gothic Revival vaults, murals by Vatican painter Luigi Gregori, luminous French stained glass, and a bell tower rising over 200 feet above the Golden Dome’s neighbor. For couples with a Notre Dame connection, there is no more meaningful place to marry, and no more cinematic one.

Basilica Wedding Films

Watch two ceremonies we filmed at the Basilica:

Kelsey & Pat’s wedding, with a bagpipe procession from the Basilica doors to the Morris Inn.

Tori & Bryan’s wedding, from the Marian Devotion to the recessional.

The Ceremony

Basilica weddings are full Catholic liturgies, traditional, reverent, and unhurried, which gives a wedding film a depth few venues can match. The processional music alone, played on the Basilica’s organ under those painted vaults, elevates every frame. Eligibility generally requires a Notre Dame connection, and dates book many months ahead, so start with the Basilica’s wedding office early.

Filming at the Basilica

Like most historic churches, the Basilica has specific guidelines for where videographers may stand and how they may move during the liturgy. We have filmed here and know how to work within those guidelines while still capturing every key moment: the entrance down the long center aisle, the vows at the altar, the faces in the front pews, and the triumphant exit onto God Quad. We scout positions before the ceremony so nothing is improvised during it.

After the Ceremony

The Basilica’s front steps and the surrounding quad make a spectacular setting for a grand exit, and the rest of campus, the Golden Dome, the Grotto, and the lakes, is minutes away on foot for portraits before your reception at the Morris Inn or South Dining Hall.

FAQ

Can anyone get married at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart?

Weddings are generally reserved for those with a Notre Dame connection, such as alumni, students, and staff. Confirm current policies with the Basilica wedding office.

Are videographers allowed inside the Basilica?

Yes, within the Basilica’s guidelines for placement and movement. We have filmed weddings there and plan our coverage around those rules in advance.

How long is a Basilica wedding ceremony?

A full Nuptial Mass typically runs about an hour. We recommend coverage that starts with guest arrivals; the Basilica filling with light and music is footage you will want.

Who films weddings at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart?

We do, gladly, and we love the trip from Chicago. Check your date →