As college students across the country start to head back to their respective campuses, there is a certain nostalgia floating through the air. For many, this time of year brings back memories of their college days: classes that opened their eyes and broadened their minds, endless late-night conversations with friends, and — perhaps most poignantly — the first time they lived on their own, navigating adulthood and beginning to craft their identities.
But, who says that this part of your life has to be over? The monumental years spent in college are worthy of being called upon for your next chapter: Marriage. “A wedding is a very special and personal event,” says Patricia Bermingham, Special Events and Catering Coordinator at the University of New Hampshire in Durham. “Couples are looking for authenticity, and I think returning to their alma mater to get married checks all the boxes. It feels like they are coming home.”
College campuses tend to be stunning oases laden with ornate and captivating buildings, tasty food (or catering services), and pristinely-kept grounds. “We are thrilled to welcome wedding couples to our campus and showcase our historic architecture, state of the art facilities, and have them experience the culinary creativity of our chefs,” says Patricia. UNH, for example, often holds weddings in the historic Huddleston Ballroom on campus, complete with a working fireplace, soaring ceilings, and stunning architectural details. Show your favorite college haunts to your friends and family, all while sharing the plethora of memories that accumulated here during your years at school.
The reminiscing doesn’t have to stop here; a wedding at your college can help you in choosing your wedding colors. Incorporate subtle traces of your school’s colors into your wedding decor like in the flower arrangements, the color’s of your invitations, or even in the shades of your background lighting. “Several couples have had UNH musicians play at their wedding venue or requested music favorites from a local DJ,” notes Patricia. “Our priority is to make each couple’s wedding a very personal, authentic and special day.”
The college experience usually has a four-year lifespan. Yet, the legacy lives on through the friendships you cultivated the memories you created, and the education you’ve absorbed. “It is such an honor for our alums to come back to have their wedding reception here,” says Patricia.
Written by Emma Kemp
Emma is a freelance writer at Seacoast Weddings. She is studying writing at Smith College. In her free time, she enjoys playing frisbee on the beach, cafe hopping and reading a good book.