Ariana + Craig | Romantic Woodland Basilica Wedding

Craig proposed to Ariana at the top of a tall tower at the Holy Hill Basilica in Wisconsin. The sunlit window overlooked acres of stunning green woodland and forest. After three years of dating, this was the moment the Lord had been leading them to.

In that time, they had weathered a medical scare and Craig’s conversion to the Catholic Church, teaching them profound lessons about trusting in God and his everlasting goodness. Their ceremony and reception was a romantic combination of rich emeralds and colorful flowers—a perfect accent to their scenic surroundings.

From the Bride: Craig and I met in college, away from home, but soon discovered we were from the same county. Neither of us were looking for a relationship at the time, but God had different plans. I had just come out of an unhealthy relationship I was pretty distraught about, and I was praying constantly for guidance and for God to find me a good Catholic man--one day, in the not-so-near future. 

Craig casually asked me to coffee his “super senior” year of college, with only a couple months left of school. After some coaxing, I accepted. And after a four-hour conversation, we shut the coffee shop down. Then we began to officially date. 

Craig was religious but didn't attend church regularly. I began inviting him to Mass, and he was very open to it. We had many long conversations about God, and we both came to believe the Lord was vital to our relationship. Later, after much thought and contemplation, Craig announced he would start the RCIA process. He become Catholic about two and a half years into our relationship, and I was his sponsor. 

A few months later, after more than three years of dating, Craig proposed to me at one of our favorite places: the Holy Hill Basilica and National Shrine of Mary Help of Christians.

He suggested visiting Holy Hill to hike some trails and to pray in the church. I agreed, not thinking anything of it. We frequently went there, and the beauty and peacefulness of the place never gets old.

That morning, once "Sub" (Craig's beloved Subaru Crosstrek) was parked in the lot of Holy Hill, he suggested going up to the "Scenic Tower." This was right as the church opened, so no one else was around. We began to climb the million-and-ten stairs to the top of the tower, causing Craig to almost collapse from the gradually mounting anxiety he was not prepared for! 

After enjoying the view and wiping away his sweat, he walked over to me and took my hand, asking if I would say a little prayer with him. Craig leaned back and got down on one knee. It was the biggest, most joyful surprise, and I said, “yes!”

Two weeks before Craig proposed, and after he received permission from my dad, I had a cancer scare. As I awaited test results screening for cancer, Craig and I prayed hard at Our Lady of Good Help chapel. They came back negative. That was a miracle in itself.

After finding out our home parish would be under renovation, we inquired about getting married at Holy Hill. At first we were turned down, but our friend and priest, Fr. Patrick Burns, inquired for us. He never heard back, but told us he would find a way. Three hours later, the priest from Holy Hill, Fr. Don Brick, called Fr. Patrick and said we could have our wedding there. Craig and I were married on the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus the next year, and we now have a very special devotion to the Sacred Heart.

Many of our friends and family gave us spiritual gifts of Mass offerings, prayers, and novenas during the weeks leading up to our wedding. The forecast predicted thunderstorms and heavy rain, and when my wedding day came, it poured all morning. But by one in the afternoon the rain cleared and blue sky came out, just in time for our 2PM ceremony. It didn't rain at all after that. 

Our nuptial Mass was filled with 225 guests, most of whom were not Catholic and some who were not Christian. Mine and Craig’s biggest prayer was to be tools for God to use in the conversion of our friends and family who either did not believe or were of another denomination. 

My dress had pieces of my godmother’s and grandma’s dresses in it. I custom-designed it with the help of a family friend who was also a seamstress. Originally, the dress was strapless, but I designed added sleeves, a gorgeous bodice, and the 22-foot veil I wore in the basilica and for photos.

One of the highlights of the ceremony was presenting the bouquet of flowers to Mary in the Marian side chapel. Much to our surprise, we saw adoration taking place. A close family friend of mine, whom I used to babysit, sang the “Ave Maria,” and it became a very special moment.

Throughout it all, Craig and I learned that God is so good! Always trust in him. If you and your beloved do your part, he will handle the rest.

Photography: Devon Rose Photography | Church: Nuptial Mass: Holy Hill Basilica and National Shrine of Mary, Help of Christians
Proposal: Holy Hill Basilica and National Shrine of Mary, Help of Christians bell tower | Wedding Reception Venue : Terrace 167 | Catering: Prime Minister Catering in Cedarburg, WI | Videgraphy: Aaron Moore Video (Moore Memories) | Rings: Kesslers Diamonds | Dress: "Snips" by Linda McCoy - wedding dress made by Linda McCoy and designed by the Bride and BHLDN