In 1987, Laurie McKeon ‘84, ‘87JD got ready for her wedding as an assistant rector at Lewis Hall. She put on her dress, makeup, and walked from Lewis Hall to the Basilica. The women of Lewis Hall lined the sidewalk and clapped as McKeon walked to meet her future husband, Dave. And, although not exactly like that special day for Laurie and Dave McKeon, the McKeon family has gone on to host four more weddings at Notre Dame, all with the same Experience Notre Dame Event Specialist, Cyndy Paliga, director of social and wedding events.
“Notre Dame is such a special place for us,” said McKeon, “All six of our kids went to Notre Dame, and three even stayed for Law School.” Between Laurie and her six children, there are 12 University of Notre Dame degrees. “Our Lady’s University has shaped our family in ways both big and small that have significantly transformed the trajectory of our lives,” said McKeon.
Annie ‘12, ‘15JD and the oldest McKeon child, was the first to host her wedding at Notre Dame. Laurie looked at Downes Club Ballroom with a hard hat on and locked it in before Corbett Family Hall was even completed. “When our guests came for Annie’s wedding they were blown away by Notre Dame, even my friends from undergrad who had spent time on campus. When our guests got off the elevator and saw that phenomenal space, people just stopped,” said McKeon. The family hosted their rehearsal dinner and farewell brunch at Morris Inn. ““The spirit of the University is infused in every piece of a Notre Dame wedding. You feel the Notre Dame ethos every minute of the weekend, from the rehearsal dinner, to the Mass, to the meals, and everything in between,” McKeon said.
McKeon’s next wedding on campus was with their son, Jack ‘15, and his new wife, Hailey ‘15. The wedding was during COVID in October 2021. The two met freshman year through a mutual friend group. Jack and Hailey didn’t want their wedding to be the same as Annie’s, so they put their own spin on it and used Three Leaf, the University’s full service caterer for their rehearsal dinner. The highlight of the evening was a deconstructed lobster bake that all of the guests raved about. Hailey is a pescatarian, and the couple worked closely with the culinary and event team to create a dish that Hailey could eat. “Everybody is so impressed with the job that Notre Dame does in terms of hospitality, service, look, feel, and culture. The spirit of Notre Dame is a part of every Notre Dame wedding and experience,” said McKeon. It was especially that night.
In September of 2023, the McKeons returned to campus for the wedding of their son, Nate ‘17, ‘22JD and his bride, Kristen ‘17. Kristen’s parents are both Notre Dame grads. The couple held their rehearsal dinner in Foley’s with a 5-course menu prepared by Chef Ryli Vissers, Three Leaf executive chef. Guests were awestruck by the views into Notre Dame Stadium as the couple opened up the landing into the Stadium for drinks during the party. Three Leaf Executive Pastry Chef Sinai Vespi even created a dessert that incorporated Nate’s love of cookie dough-filled beignets. “That sort of very personalized attention makes a Notre Dame wedding so special and unique. Every member of the Notre Dame team really got to know our families, each couple and created an incredible weekend unique to them.”
One thing that stuck out to Laurie and Dave about Nate’s wedding was the attention to detail and hospitality. “We had impeccable service during Nate and Kristin’s wedding weekend. From the valets to the front desk at Morris Inn, the servers at Rohr’s. There was never a minute where we didn’t get phenomenal service,” McKeon remarked, “and to have everyone you love in one place, and to be at the place you love the most, it just doesn’t get any better.
The McKeons will return to campus in June 2025 when the weekend comes full circle for their son Pete ‘18, ‘21JD, and his fiancee, Molly ‘20. The couple became friends after meeting at a Notre Dame wedding where they were both a part of the bridal party. Pete and Molly got engaged in front of the Fr. Sorin statue on a football weekend in 2023. Paliga is also the event specialist for Pete and Molly’s wedding weekend. "Cyndy is so instrumental in every piece of our wedding planning. She and her team are the real reason everything comes together and works so well."
To Laurie and Dave McKeon, it’s more than just a lot of time spent together at the University of Notre Dame. It’s the memories. “To see my children walk down the same aisle I walked down, it's just so moving, and Notre Dame goes above and beyond in ways that we have no right to expect,” said McKeon. “You certainly don't have to go to Notre Dame to feel it. It’s such a strength of place that moves people in ways that are hard to describe, but very easy to feel.”
When asked what advice she has for future Notre Dame couples, McKeon had three suggestions: to reserve your room block at Morris Inn early, tour all of the wedding spaces and meet with the culinary teams to make the weekend your own, and rely on the Experience Notre Dame wedding team for expert planning to really customize the experience.