Catholic Wedding at St. Thomas Aquinas and Purdue Memorial Union | Jesse + Anu
Catholic Wedding Photography | St. Thomas Aquinas, West Lafayette, Indiana
Where Jesse and Anu's Story Began
Some places become meaningful because something important happened there and others become meaningful because through ordinary days they quietly shape who we become. With Jesse and Anu, St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in West Lafayette was both.
Their story all started on an ordinary Sunday evening. Purdue's dining halls close on Sunday nights, so St. Tom's welcomes students for Sunday Night Dinner. Over a plate of spaghetti, Jesse accidentally hit Anu with a ping pong ball. Neither of them had any idea that such an ordinary moment would become the beginning of an extraordinary story.
Sunday dinners turned into study sessions and study sessions became a friendship that grew stronger with each passing day. Somewhere along the way, Jesse realized he had fallen in love with his best friend. When he decided it was time to ask Anu to be his girlfriend, he knew the one place that felt right. He asked her in the chapel at St. Thomas Aquinas, which is just steps away from the sanctuary where they would stand five years later and promise their lives to one another.
When I asked Jesse and Anu what they were looking forward to most on their wedding day, they didn't mention the flowers, the reception, or even the incredible food waiting for their guests at the Purdue Memorial Union. They simply said they were looking forward to celebrating with their family and friends.
By the time the day came to an end, that answer made perfect sense.
They chose to get married at St. Thomas Aquinas even though Jesse has been living in Indianapolis and Anu is attending optometry school at Indiana University. There was never really another place they considered because this was where they met, where they became friends, and where they grew in their faith. This was where Father Ben walked alongside them during some of the most formative years of their relationship.
The Joy Beneath Everything
If I had to choose one word to describe Jesse and Anu's wedding day, it would be joy.
The joy of two people who were genuinely delighted to be marrying each other and celebrating their love with their family and friends.
I saw their joy all day and most clearly after the formal events were over. We stepped outside for sunset portraits, and while we snapped pictures, they were talking, laughing, and reliving everything they had experienced throughout the day. They talked about the ceremony, the dancing, their families, and how much fun everyone was having. They couldn't stop smiling because they were simply soaking in the reality that they were finally husband and wife.
Father Ben reflected that same joy. Having walked alongside Jesse and Anu during their years at St. Thomas Aquinas before moving to Indiana University, he returned to celebrate their marriage with obvious affection for both of them. I had the opportunity to chat with him before the ceremony, and I could hear how thankful he was to be a part of their journey. He wasn't only the priest who officiated their wedding; he was someone who had watched them grow in faith and had become their friend. Even after the ceremony, he remained at the reception for hours, enjoying the celebration right alongside their families and friends.
Honoring the Families Who Helped Shape Their Story
One of the themes that quietly wove its way through the entire wedding day was the love and respect Jesse and Anu have for their families.
Before the ceremony, Jesse's mother carefully pinned the boutonnières on each of her sons, the groom and groomsmen.
Anu wore a bracelet Jesse's father had given his mother on their twenty fifth wedding anniversary, a family heirloom that has become each bride's "something borrowed" and "something blue."
During the reception, Anu paused to dedicate her bouquet to her mother, thanking her publicly for a lifetime of love, sacrifice, and encouragement.
Later that evening, Jesse's parents, who had celebrated their forty fourth wedding anniversary the day before, were recognized during a reverse anniversary dance. As couples joined the dance floor year by year, it became a beautiful reminder that strong marriages are often shaped by the faithful examples of those who have gone before us.
Jesse and Anu intentionally created space throughout their wedding day to honor the people who had helped shape their lives long before they stood together at the altar.
A Father Daughter Dance No One Will Forget
One of the most memorable moments of the reception was the father daughter dance. They started off dancing, just like at every other wedding father-daughter dance, when, with perfect timing, the music changed. They quickly changed into light up sneakers and donned sunglasses. Anu and her dad stepped into a choreographed routine that had the entire room laughing, cheering, and clapping along. Their dance reflected the joy they clearly share and perfectly matched the atmosphere of the entire day. It also launched what became one of the most energetic dance floors I've ever photographed.
Two Families, Two Cultures, One Celebration
A wonderful part of Jesse and Anu's wedding was watching two families and two cultures celebrate each other so naturally. There never seemed to be a moment when one tradition took precedence over another. Instead, everything blended together in a way that felt welcoming, joyful, and completely authentic to who they are.
Before the reception began, Anu changed from her classic white wedding gown into a stunning traditional red Indian dress. Throughout the evening, American music and Indian music alternated on the dance floor, and it didn't seem to matter which one was playing. Grandparents, college friends, children, and guests from both families filled the dance floor together, embracing each other's traditions with enthusiasm and joy.
Earlier, when I asked Jesse and Anu what they were looking forward to most on their wedding day, their answer was wonderfully simple. They wanted to celebrate with their family and friends. Looking around the room that evening, I could see exactly what they meant. Every conversation, every laugh, every hug, and every crowded moment on the dance floor grew out of relationships they had been building for years.
Their wedding and reception were absolutely beautiful, but I have a feeling Jesse and Anu's wedding will be remembered because every person there felt like they belonged.
The Beginning of Their Next Chapter
I ask all my wedding couples some questions to prepare for their day. When I asked Jesse and Anu what they were looking forward to most about being married they didn't mention buying a home, building careers, or starting a family someday. They answered that they were looking forward to "learning to live in God's story together as husband and wife."
After spending the day with them, those words stayed with me.
All their years together, their faith had already shaped the way they loved each other. It had shaped the friendships they built through Sunday Night Dinners and countless study sessions. It had shaped the respect they showed their parents, the gratitude they expressed toward the people who had invested in them, and the joy they found in celebrating both of their families and cultures. By the time their wedding day arrived, those values were already woven into who they were. Their wedding simply reflected them.
Ashley Brost of Luva Events and the entire vendor team created a celebration that was both beautiful and seamless. From the soft pink flowers and glowing candlelight to the mix of green and floral linens, every detail felt intentional without taking away from the reason everyone was gathered. Their careful work behind the scenes allowed Jesse, Anu, and their families to be fully present and enjoy the celebration together at The Purdue Union Ballroom.
It was a very beautiful wedding day, but when I think back on Jesse and Anu's wedding, it isn't just the pretty details that first come to mind. I remember the conversations we shared during sunset portraits as they laughed about everything they had experienced that day. I will remember Father Ben celebrating not only as the priest who officiated their wedding, but as someone who had walked beside them during the years leading up to it. I remember parents who were honored, friendships that were celebrated, and a dance floor filled with people who genuinely delighted in being together.
Years from now, I don't imagine Jesse and Anu will remember every song that was played or every detail that decorated the reception. I think they'll remember Sunday Night Dinners at St. Tom's, the chapel where Jesse asked Anu to be his girlfriend, and standing before God in the church that had become home. They'll remember the overwhelming joy of beginning a marriage surrounded by the people who had helped shape it.
Their wedding wasn't the beginning of that story. It was a beautiful celebration of everything God had already been doing in their lives and the beginning of the next chapter He would continue to write.
A Personal Thank You
Dear Jesse and Anu,
Thank you for inviting me into one of the most meaningful days of your lives and for trusting me to preserve these memories. It has been an honor to witness the beginning of your marriage and to tell a small part of your story.
When I think back on your wedding day, I don't remember just one moment. I remember your laughter during sunset portraits, the way your families celebrated one another, the respect and gratitude you both showed your parents, the friendships that surrounded you, and the incredible sense of home that filled St. Thomas Aquinas from beginning to end.
More than anything, I will remember your joy.
I'm grateful our paths crossed, and I want you to know you'll always hold a special place in my heart. My prayer is that years from now, when you look back through these photographs and read this story again, you'll be reminded not only of what your wedding day looked like, but of the faith, the love, and the people who helped shape the beginning of your marriage.
May God richly bless your life together as you continue learning to live in His story, hand in hand, as husband and wife. Thank you for allowing me to be a small part of your story. I can't wait to see where God leads you next.
The Vendor Team
A wedding like Jesse and Anu's doesn't come together because of one person. It takes a team of people who quietly serve behind the scenes so a couple can simply enjoy one of the most important days of their lives. It was a privilege to work alongside each of these talented vendors.
Ceremony
St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, West Lafayette
Reception & Catering
Purdue Memorial Union
Wedding Planner
Ashley Brost | Luva Events
Hair & Makeup
212 Spa and Salon
Videography
Isaac Ross Video
Photography
Heather Corbin Photography
DJ
Epicenter Entertainment- Josh Caudill
Photo Booth
Photo N Go
A sincere thank you to each of you for the care you gave Jesse and Anu throughout their wedding day. It was a joy to work alongside you.
I'd Love to Tell Your Story
Every couple has a story that's uniquely their own.
Long before the wedding day arrives, I enjoy getting to know each couple through conversations and questionnaires that help me understand not only what is happening, but why it matters. By the time your wedding day arrives, I'm not simply looking for beautiful photographs. I'm watching for the relationships, the quiet interactions, and the moments that tell the story of who you are.
My hope is that years from now your photographs will do more than remind you what your wedding day looked like. I hope they'll take you back to what it felt like. I hope they'll remind you of the people who surrounded you, the promises you made, the faith that guided you, and the joy of celebrating with those you love most.
If you're planning a Christian or Catholic wedding in Indiana and you're looking for a photographer who values faith, family, meaningful relationships, and timeless storytelling, I'd love to hear your story.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you photograph Catholic weddings throughout Indiana?
Yes. I photograph Catholic weddings throughout Indiana, including West Lafayette, Lafayette, Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, South Bend, and the surrounding communities. Having photographed many Catholic weddings, I understand the beauty and reverence of the Mass and know how to document those moments respectfully while allowing you to remain fully present throughout your ceremony.
Do you also photograph Christian weddings?
Absolutely. Whether your ceremony takes place in a Catholic church, a Protestant church, or another Christian setting, my goal is always the same: to preserve your wedding day in a way that reflects your faith, your relationships, and the moments you'll treasure for years to come.
Will you help us plan our wedding day timeline?
Yes. Every couple I work with receives guidance throughout the planning process. From building a photography timeline to thinking through the flow of the day, my goal is to help you feel prepared, relaxed, and free to enjoy your wedding day.
What should we look for in a Catholic wedding photographer?
Look for someone who understands both the beauty of the Catholic Mass and the meaning behind it. Your photographer should respect the sacredness of the ceremony, know how to work within your parish's guidelines, and anticipate the meaningful moments that unfold throughout the day.
How far do you travel for weddings?
I photograph weddings throughout Indiana and am always happy to discuss travel for celebrations beyond central Indiana.
Continue Reading More Wedding Stories
Every wedding has its own story, and one of my favorite parts of this work is discovering what made each one meaningful. If you enjoyed Jesse and Anu's story, I invite you to spend a little more time with these wonderful couples and the stories that shaped their wedding days.
Maria & Steven | A Christ Centered Barn Wedding
Ben & Maddie | Christ Centered Wedding at Rustic Barn at Hopewell
Carrie & Paul | Catholic Wedding at St. Thomas, West Lafayette
