Wedding photography and videography in South Bend and Elkhart, Indiana, from VIDART — a Madison, Wisconsin studio that works across Michiana, from South Bend and Notre Dame to Elkhart and Goshen with no travel fee anywhere in our service area. Half-day and full-day rates, digital delivery included, no hourly surprises.
Local knowledge. The 18 South Bend-area venues listed below are places we know well or have scouted; we plan your timeline around their light, not a generic one.
Simple pricing. $1,500 for a half day (up to 5 hours) or $3,000 for a full day (up to 10 hours), delivered as edited high-resolution JPGs in an online gallery and on a USB flash drive, with a print release. Albums, prints and archive drives are optional add-ons.
Photo and video from one team. Add videography at the same rate: one crew, one timeline, one contract.
South Bend wedding venues we photograph
These are the South Bend-area venues couples ask us about most. The notes are the things that matter when we plan a wedding day there — where the light is, whether the ceremony is indoors or out, what the room looks like once the dancing starts.
Downtown, hotels, historic and industrial spaces
- Palais Royale (downtown South Bend, up to 600 guests) — 1922 ballroom attached to the Morris Performing Arts Center; 8,800 sq ft, polished hardwood floor, 35-ft ceiling, ornate interiors; dark/warm indoor light, bring lighting.
- The Armory (South Bend – riverside, up to 500 guests) — Former munitions depot turned ballroom beside the river; hardwood floors, timber ceiling, exposed brick, period chandeliers.
- The Brick (South Bend, up to 250 guests) — Renovated warehouse with a modern industrial look and an outdoor space.
- The Hall at Saint Peter’s (South Bend, up to 150 guests) — Restored church with separate ceremony and reception spaces under one roof.
- The Blue Heron at Blackthorn (South Bend – Blackthorn golf course, up to 300 guests) — Upscale event venue on a golf-course setting for weddings and corporate events; open green views.
- The Morris Inn (Notre Dame campus, up to 300 guests) — University inn and conference center on the Notre Dame campus; minutes from the Basilica, Golden Dome and Grotto for portraits.
- Saint Mary’s College (Notre Dame, up to 1000 guests) — Campus with indoor and outdoor spaces; LeMans Hall architecture and the footbridge to the island on Lake Marion are strong portrait spots.
- St. Joseph Conference Center (Mishawaka, up to 420 guests) — Modern conference-center ballroom minutes from Notre Dame; flat, even indoor light.
- Beiger Mansion Inn (Mishawaka, up to 80 guests) — National Register mansion and B&B; connected main-floor rooms with lavish period interiors plus grounds.
- Crystal Ballroom at the Lerner Theatre (downtown Elkhart, up to 400 guests) — Historic theatre ballroom with crystal chandeliers, draperies and a balcony overlooking downtown; modern AV on site.
- Hotel Elkhart (downtown Elkhart, up to 170 guests) — Restored 1923 hotel with jazz-age styling and event spaces; walkable to the Lerner.
- Ruthmere Museum (Elkhart – Beardsley Historic District, up to 200 guests) — Historic estate campus overlooking the confluence of the St. Joseph and Elkhart rivers; garden weddings with three ceremony settings.
- The Spohn (Goshen, up to 265 guests) — Restored 1909 ballroom blending historic and contemporary finishes.
- Coppes Commons (Nappanee, up to 400 guests) — Restored 19th-century Hoosier Cabinet factory; exposed brick and beams, several room options.
- The Blue Teal (Wakarusa, up to 350 guests) — Newer event center with stone fireplace, vaulted ceiling and a courtyard.
Barns, gardens, country clubs and wineries
- South Bend Country Club (South Bend – Chain O’Lakes, up to 200 guests) — Lakeside club since 1916; willow trees, rolling greens and outdoor ceremony space with water backdrop.
- St Joe Farm (Granger, up to 275 guests) — Restored 1852 barn on a 1,200-acre farm; wooden beams, high ceilings, chandeliers, air-conditioned, outdoor ceremony sites, deck and a loft get-ready space.
- Rock Run Creek Barn (Goshen, up to 250 guests) — 1850s barn with hand-hewn timbers and crystal chandeliers; outdoor space in Amish country.
If your venue is not listed, it is almost certainly somewhere we can scout before your date — ask when you check availability.
Getting married in the South Bend area: licenses and civil ceremonies
Marriage licenses for South Bend weddings come from the county, not the city. In St. Joseph County, IN the office is the St. Joseph County Clerk’s Office at County-City Building, 227 W. Jefferson Blvd., South Bend, IN 46601. The license fee is $25 if either applicant is an Indiana resident; $65 out-of-state (cash; some offices add $4 document fee). Waiting period: none; can marry the same day; license valid 60 days. Rules and fees change, so confirm on the official page before you book a date. If you are planning a courthouse or civil ceremony, our half-day coverage ($1,500) covers the ceremony, a celebration meal and portraits nearby.
| County | License fee | Waiting period | Courthouse / civil ceremony | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Joseph County, IN St. Joseph County Clerk’s Office | $25 if either applicant is an Indiana resident; $65 out-of-state (cash; some offices add $4 document fee) | none; can marry the same day; license valid 60 days | n/a | official page |
| Elkhart County, IN Elkhart County Clerk | $25 if either applicant is an Indiana resident; $65 out-of-state (cash; some offices add $4 document fee) | none; can marry the same day; license valid 60 days | n/a | official page |
| Berrien County, MI Berrien County Clerk | n/a | n/a | n/a | official page |
Where South Bend couples take their portraits
Portrait and engagement-session locations we recommend around South Bend. Where a park or garden requires a photography permit, we arrange it as part of the day.
- University of Notre Dame campus (Golden Dome, Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Grotto) (Notre Dame) — Golden Dome is the most-photographed landmark in the area; Grotto glows with candles at dusk; fall color peaks mid-to-late October; avoid football Saturdays. Permit: n/a (check university photography policy before booking).
- Howard Park (downtown South Bend / East Bank) — Riverside park on the St. Joseph River with fountains, event rooms, a year-round restaurant and a winter ice trail; city skyline and bridge backdrops.
- South Bend River Lights (Colfax Bridge, Jefferson Bridge, Island Park) (downtown South Bend) — Color-changing interactive lights over the river come alive after dark; park downtown and walk between viewpoints.
- Shiojiri Niwa Japanese Garden (Mishawaka – 450 N. Niles Ave.) — Traditional Japanese strolling garden; most vibrant in spring bloom.
- Beutter Park and Mishawaka Riverwalk (Mishawaka) — Water feature, public art and sweeping river views; trees along the water in full fall color.
- Potato Creek State Park (North Liberty) — 3,840 acres with 327-acre Worster Lake, beach, boardwalks and wooded trails about 12 miles southwest of South Bend. Permit: state park entrance fee applies (see DNR rates).
- St. Patrick’s County Park (South Bend – north) — 398-acre park with miles of trails; tree-lined stretches along the St. Joseph River.
- Rum Village Park (South Bend – south side) — 160 acres of woodland with hiking trails and a nature center; shaded forest light.
- Wellfield Botanic Gardens (Elkhart – 1011 N. Main St.) — Water features and pollinator gardens; Winter Wonderland holiday lights late Nov through early Jan with photo spots. Permit: photography policy posted on site; fee n/a.
Good to know. South Bend’s population was 103,453 at the 2020 census, and the metro area had 324,501 residents. The University of Notre Dame was founded in 1842 by Father Edward Sorin just north of the town. South Bend has a humid continental climate: June through August average above 69 F, January is the coldest month with a 24.1 F daily mean, and Lake Michigan lake-effect snow pushes average snowfall to 64.5 inches a year.
Wedding videography in South Bend
Our video coverage is filmed by a second shooter working alongside the photographer, so neither one is in the other’s frame. You receive an edited highlight film plus the full ceremony and toasts, with clean audio from wireless lavaliers and the DJ board.
Looking for film only? See South Bend wedding videography, or watch recent work in the video portfolio.
Pricing
Same rates for photography and videography. Book one, or add the second for the same price.
| Coverage | Photography | Videography | Both |
|---|---|---|---|
| Half day — up to 5 hours | $1,500 | $1,500 | $3,000 |
| Full day — up to 10 hours | $3,000 | $3,000 | $6,000 |
Every booking includes professional editing, an online gallery, a USB flash drive with the edited high-resolution JPGs (or the finished films), and a print release so you can print anywhere. Videography includes an edited highlight film plus the full ceremony and toasts.
Albums, parent albums, prints, canvases, archive drives with the RAW files and discs are available as add-ons — see the pricing page for the full list. A $300 non-refundable deposit holds your date; the balance is due on the day. Destination weddings are the full-day rate plus travel.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a wedding photographer cost in South Bend?
Wedding photography in the South Bend area typically runs from about $1,500 to $4,500 for a full day. VIDART charges $1,500 for a half day or $3,000 for a full day, and videography is available at the same rates on its own or as an add-on.
Do you charge travel fees to South Bend?
No. South Bend is inside our service area, which covers Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Indiana, Missouri and Michigan with no travel fees. Destination weddings outside the Midwest are the full-day rate plus travel.
Can you photograph a courthouse or elopement wedding in South Bend?
Yes. Our $1,500 half day covers a civil ceremony, a celebration meal and portraits nearby. Check the county page for current rules.
How far in advance should we book?
Popular Saturdays from May through October in the South Bend area book 9-12 months ahead. Off-season and weekday dates are often available on shorter notice.
How long until we get our photos and video?
Finished files take 2-12 weeks depending on the season and our editing backlog: edited photos usually arrive in 2-6 weeks and finished films in 4-12 weeks. If you need something right away, we can deliver the unedited JPGs – or raw footage on request – within 72 hours of the wedding.
Do we need a permit for photos at University of Notre Dame campus (Golden Dome, Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Grotto)?
N/a (check university photography policy before booking). We arrange permits as part of the day wherever they are required.
Do we get the raw files?
You receive every edited high-resolution JPG in your gallery and on a USB drive with a print release. An archive hard drive with all the RAW files is available as a $250 add-on.
Beyond South Bend
We photograph weddings across the Midwest with no travel fee inside our service area: Milwaukee, Chicago, Green Bay, Rockford, Dubuque, Davenport and the Quad Cities, Cedar Rapids, Appleton and Oshkosh, Iowa City, La Crosse, Minneapolis and St. Paul, St. Louis, Indianapolis, Des Moines and Omaha, Wausau, the Driftless Area (Dodgeville–Platteville), Madison, Lake Geneva, Wisconsin Dells and Baraboo, Door County, Galena, Kenosha and Racine, Janesville and Beloit, Waukesha County and Lake Country, Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls, Sheboygan, Kohler and Fond du Lac, Peoria and Bloomington-Normal, Rochester and Winona, Grand Rapids and Holland. We also produce corporate video and film production.
Check your date
Peak Saturdays in the South Bend area book 9–12 months out. Send your date and venue and we will confirm availability within a day.