Everyone knows that for good luck on her wedding day, a bride needs something new, something old, something borrowed, and something black and gold.

Okay, maybe that’s not quite the original phrase, but for devoted University of Iowa fans and alumni, it might be more accurate.

Each year between 80 and 100 couples celebrate their nuptials with a wedding reception in one of the University’s event spaces at the Iowa Memorial Union, the Athletic Club (formerly known as the University Club), or the Brechler Press Box at Kinnick Stadium. Countless more visit scenic spots on campus for wedding photos.

“Any given Saturday you can see photographers and brides and grooms on the Pentacrest, taking pictures in front of Old Capitol,” says Bobbi Houselog, head wedding coordinator and sales and catering manager at the Iowa Memorial Union.

Plus, Danforth Chapel, which can accommodate events with fewer than 75 attendees, hosts between 30 and 40 ceremonies each year. Houselog notes that many couples hold rehearsal dinners or post-wedding brunches on campus, too.

Most couples that choose to get married or hold their reception on campus are alums, Houselog says.

“I often get asked if we offer a discount for alums. If we did, everybody holding events here would be getting a discount!” she jokes.

Lindsey Koele Schmidt and Tom Schmidt are among the alums who had their wedding reception at The University of Iowa last summer. The Iowa natives are 2009 graduates of the Carver College of Medicine and now live in San Antonio, Texas.

“The University is where we met, and where both of our parents met, so it’s a place that’s very special to us and our families,” Lindsey says.

Photographs on the Pentacrest were a must. And after their first dance, the couple opened up the dance floor with a recording of the “Iowa Fight Song.”

“A lot of people sang along,” Lindsey remembers. “It was a lot of fun.”

Other Iowa touches that campus coordinators have seen include using black and gold as signature wedding colors, hosting a tailgate-themed dinner, including an appearance by Herky, and having a University-themed groom’s cake.

But nothing they’ve seen has topped the Hawkeye spirit they witnessed in the September 2010 wedding reception of Fallon (Greer) and Matt Stefani. Fallon graduated from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences in 2007; Matt earned a degree in finance from the Tippie College of Business in 2001.

“I guess you could say my husband is Hawkeye-obsessed,” says Fallon. “I knew that as soon as he found out we could have our reception at Kinnick, Matt wouldn’t want to go anywhere else. I loved the space, too. It’s a beautiful space with huge windows that overlook the field. Plus, it’s just the coolest thing ever to have a party at Kinnick. Everyone wants their wedding to be memorable and different, and our venue was perfect for that.”

Fallon and Matt chose to have their “first look” photos taken on the press boxes’ outdoor lounge area and used stadium’s Jumbotron to display a photo slide show, but the other big Hawkeye elements of their wedding were gifts.

One of those gifts came from Fallon’s maid of honor; she booked the Iowa Pep Band to come to the reception and play the “Iowa Fight Song” and “In Heaven There Is No Beer.”

“So many of our friends went to Iowa. We had more than 300 people at our reception, and everyone was singing along. It was awesome. Everyone just loved it,” Fallon says.

The other Iowa gift? One of Matt’s well-connected relatives surprised them with a video toast from head football coach Kirk Ferentz.

“We saw it at the rehearsal dinner first,” Fallon says, “People gave beautiful speeches and my husband didn’t shed a tear, but the minute Ferentz went up, he started crying.”

Did you give a nod to your alma mater in your wedding celebration? Share your photos on the University of Iowa Facebook page.

—Anne Kapler
photos courtesy Tim Dodd Photography (above, Lindsey Koele and Tom Schmidt's wedding) and Michael Kreiser Photography (on Spectator home page, Fallon Greer and Matt Stefani's wedding)