Michigan State University Wedding | Aerin & Jack

There is something special about getting married in a place that already holds a piece of your story. For Aerin and Jack, that place was Michigan State University. In mid-October, they gathered their favorite people in East Lansing for a beautiful fall wedding that celebrated their love, their shared MSU roots, and the little details that made the day entirely their own.

From the iconic stained glass windows at Saint Thomas Aquinas to portraits beneath the campus pines and an evening reception at the University Club of Michigan State, every part of their wedding felt connected to a place they will always call home.

A wedding rooted in their MSU story

Michigan State University was more than a backdrop for Aerin and Jack’s wedding. As MSU alumni, they chose locations that connected their wedding day to a place that had already been part of their lives.

Their celebration took place during one of the busiest weekends on campus, with both a home football game and Parents Weekend bringing extra energy to East Lansing. Even with the added activity, the day was full of beautiful moments, thoughtful details, and time spent celebrating with the people who matter most.

One of my favorite things about photographing weddings is discovering the little connections that make a couple’s story unique. For Aerin and Jack, one of those connections was woven right into the campus landscape.

“Beneath the pines we’ll gather”

When Aerin and Jack shared their love of MSU Shadows, Michigan State’s official alma mater, I knew we had to find a way to memorialize this. Its lyrics, “Beneath the pines we’ll gather,” made the established pines between Dem Hall and Munn Ice Arena a particularly meaningful place to photograph their wedding rings.

Aerin and Jack's wedding rings beneath the pines at Michigan State University

I love when a wedding detail becomes more than something beautiful to photograph. These rings represented the beginning of their marriage, and the pines connected that moment to their shared history at Michigan State.

It was a small detail, but one that felt so personal to them. Years from now, I hope those photographs bring them right back to this season of their lives and the place where so many memories have already been made.

A beautiful ceremony at Saint Thomas Aquinas

Saint Thomas Aquinas provided a beautiful setting for Aerin and Jack’s wedding ceremony. The church’s iconic stained glass windows filled the space with color, creating a memorable backdrop as they gathered with family and friends to celebrate their marriage.

Aerin and Jack's wedding ceremony at Saint Thomas Aquinas in East Lansing

From the anticipation before the ceremony to the moments shared at the altar, the church offered a setting that felt both timeless and distinctly connected to their MSU story.

Some wedding photographs are about the grand scene, while others preserve the smaller moments within it. Together, they help tell the story of what it felt like to be there.

Wedding portraits around Michigan State University

After the ceremony, we made time for portraits around campus, taking advantage of the beautiful architecture, familiar MSU landmarks, and the natural spaces that make East Lansing such a meaningful place for alumni to return to.

- Aerin and Jack's fall wedding portraits at Michigan State University

The combination of university architecture and established greenery gave their portraits a sense of place without taking the focus away from the two of them. Their wedding party added plenty of personality, too, with a mix of classic portraits and moments that captured the joy of having everyone together.

Wedding party portraits on the Michigan State University campus

Of course, photographing a wedding on a football game day and during Parents Weekend takes some extra thought. With more people on campus and road closures affecting traffic, having a thoughtful plan and a team that knows how to adapt made a real difference.

Jeanenne with Intentionally Tabled helped coordinate the day’s logistics, while Justin with Affordable Limo did an incredible job navigating the traffic and road closures with a smile. I’m always grateful to work alongside vendors who care just as much about making the day feel smooth for the couple as I do.

Celebrating at the University Club of Michigan State

For their reception, Aerin and Jack returned to another classic MSU setting: the University Club of Michigan State.

Aerin and Jack's wedding reception at the University Club of Michigan State

With beautiful florals, thoughtful stationery, and a room ready to welcome their guests, the reception brought everyone together to continue the celebration. Their details carried the same personal feel as the rest of the day, creating a setting that was elegant without losing the warmth of a gathering with family and friends.

And then there were the moments that made the celebration unmistakably theirs. The laughter, the happy faces, the people who showed up to celebrate them, and the chance to pause and enjoy the beginning of this next chapter together.

Those are the parts of a wedding day I hope couples remember just as clearly as the beautiful details. The photographs preserve how everything looked, but they also help bring back the feeling of being surrounded by the people you love.

A Michigan State University wedding to remember

Aerin and Jack, thank you for inviting me to document such a meaningful day. From the stained glass at Saint Thomas Aquinas to the pines that inspired your ring photographs, your wedding was a beautiful reminder that the most memorable celebrations are often the ones that reflect the people at the heart of them.

I’m so happy you were able to celebrate your marriage in a place that already holds so much of your story. Congratulations to you both!

Planning a Michigan State University wedding?

If you’re planning a wedding at Michigan State University or another meaningful location in East Lansing, I’d love to hear what you’re dreaming up.

Your wedding photographs should do more than show what your day looked like. They should help you remember the people, places, and moments that made it yours.

Click here to inquire about wedding photography with Michelle Lippert Photography.