Today, the first day couples can register for weddings at the Sacred Heart Basilica for the 2011 year, is perhaps one of the reasons the "ring by spring" mentality pervades for many a Notre Dame senior.
According to Amy Huber, Wedding and Baptism Coordinator of the Basilica, current students, alumni, University administrators and Sacred Heart parishioners are all eligible to sign up for weddings at the Basilica beginning today by calling in.
The process is competitive, as desirable spots fill quickly as the day progresses.
"You just have to be patient and keep redialing until you get through," Huber said. "I probably take about 70-80 reservations [on call day]."
Huber said the Basilica accommodates only a certain number of wedding reservations each year, and that number is limited by certain days on which wedding ceremonies are disallowed.
"There are a little over 100 dates for 2011 to give out and the summer afternoon dates always go first as expected," she said. "[Weddings are not held] on holiday weekends, JPW, Alumni Weekend, final vows weekend, ordination weekend, Freshman Orientation weekend and Commencement weekend."
The fee for use of the Basilica is $750, and Huber said that figure includes not just the ceremony itself.
"It also provides a wedding coordinator who will attend the rehearsal and wedding and will assist in all the details of the wedding liturgy," she said.
Couples who choose to marry in the Basilica tend to do so because of a sentimental bond with the University.
"Most of the couples met here, fell in love here and want to have the sacrament of marriage here," Huber said. "The Basilica is one of the most beautiful places on campus and our staff at the Basilica and Campus Ministry are wonderful in supporting these couples in all aspects of their preparation and liturgy."
Samantha Mainieri Roth, a 2009 graduate, married her husband Andrew Roth, a 2008 graduate, in the Basilica on Oct. 10, 2009.
"The number one reason I wanted to get married at the basilica is because Andrew and I met at ND and it just symbolizes tradition in every sense to us," she said. "Just knowing how many previous ND grads got married there made it that much more special."
A former Notre Dame cheerleader, Mainieri Roth said the date of her wedding was especially difficult to come by.
"I knew I wanted the bye-weekend of the football season in October to be my wedding date because none of my cheerleader teammates would be out of town then since there wasn't an away game and there are no weddings on weekends of home games," she said.
"By the time Andrew made it through the phone line, after about 500 attempts, we were given the 9 a.m. slot because that's all there was left for that day."
According to the Basilica's Web site, available weddings times are Fridays at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. and Saturdays at 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
