Joanna + Dan | TLM Vintage Floral Wedding

A Latin Mass celebration imbued with tradition and romantic, vintage-inspired elements on a Midwestern summer day.

Joanna and Dan met at school as teenagers. What started off as a high school romance--one that included a prom proposal in the Adoration chapel!--grew through years together at Notre Dame and even a long-distance spanning from Montana to Rome. 

With certainty and anticipation for the future ahead, Dan secretly found Joanna’s Pinterest boards to help him choose an engagement ring he thought she’d love. On a visit together to his home parish, he invited Joanna to “check out the Adoration chapel.” Once again, before the Blessed Sacrament, he got down on bended knee.

 From the Wedding Coordinators:

Joanna and Dan kept their priorities focused on a beautiful, Christ-centered celebration. A strong devotion to Our Lady made the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary the perfect day for their June wedding! Their invitation suite nodded to Our Lady with a vintage-inspired M symbol, crowned with 12 stars and white and blue flowers. 

Joanna and Dan went back and forth while trying to decide what ways they wanted to represent their faith during the Mass. They decided on a Schola choir from the parish for ceremony music, couldn’t decide if they preferred the Ordinary Form of the Mass (English) for their ceremony, or one in the Extraordinary Form. Eventually, with the encouragement of their celebrant, they decided to jump feet first into a traditional Latin Mass for their most special day.

In the presence of four priests, over half a dozen altar servers, and a church full of family and friends, they exchanged their vows. The bridesmaids dressed in soft sage, which complimented the white and blue accents of the floral and lent a beautiful, timeless early summer vibe. 

To make sure every guest knew what to expect if they weren’t familiar with this form of the liturgy, a customized worship aid in both English and Latin was given to guests as they arrived.

Joanna and Dan’s truly magnificent Mass contained an element we had never encountered before: a solemn blessing under a veil.

While most of our weddings have a Nuptial Blessing as part of the liturgy, we’ve never seen it done under a veil or special piece of material. The veil they used was a beautiful Irish tablecloth with a Celtic cross, leftover pearls and beads from Joanna’s wedding dress, and a St. Joseph medallion created for the couple by their Maid of Honor and Best Man. Talk about a treasure to last a lifetime! The couple recessed out as Mr. and Mrs. to one of the bride’s favorite hymns, “O God Beyond All Praising”. 

The reception was pure summer elegance! Cocktail hour took place on the veranda and moved inside for the remainder of the celebration. Fresh floral centerpieces and candles highlighted each table, while the place settings featured gold and glass chargers. The cake was exquisitely decorated in soft blue flowers. Also on the cake table was a beautiful Marian candle, again bringing in Joanna and Dan’s devotion to the Blessed Mother. 

Prayer before the meal was given by one of the concelebrating priests, a Benedictine monk who traveled from Pennsylvania.

In his prayer, he mentioned the vows often used in the Ordinary Form wedding ceremony, reminding Joanna and Dan that they would be faithful to each other in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health and would love and honor each other all the days of their lives. What a beautiful reminder to all married couples present. 

Both Joanna’s and Dan’s families have strong ties to Notre Dame; towards the end of the reception, all ND alumni were invited onto the dance floor for a group picture with a flag commemorating each of the graduation years of those present. 

When focusing so much time, energy, and money into an event, it can be easy to get lost in the minutiae of wedding planning. Assisting couples like Dan and Joanna, who center their nuptials around their faith and traditions is like pushing aside Pinterest images and Instagram reels to breathe in the scent of incense! A grand exit with sparklers closed out this incredibly special evening.

Nuptial Mass Location: Saint Joseph Catholic Church, Mishawaka, Indiana | Reception Venue: The Blue Heron at Blackthorn, South Bend, Indiana | Wedding Coordination: Something Blue Weddings | Photography: Stacey Harting Photography | Second Photographer: Courtney Rudicel Photography | Florals: Camille's Floral Shop, Bristol, Indiana | Hair: Nicholas J Salon and Spa, South Bend, Indiana | Makeup: Molly Sandler | Cake: Macri’s Italian Bakery, South Bend, Indiana | DJ: ProShow, Elkhart, Indiana | Transportation: Michiana Fun Tours

Jayme + Aaron | Multicultural Wedding with Mexican Traditions

Modern aesthetics meet old-world charm in this intimate celebration inspired by the colonial architecture of a city in the heart of Mexico. Sunshine fades to starlight as the bride and groom dine and dance beneath swaying palms, pampas grass, and soft string lights to the sounds of a mariachi band.

Jayme and Aaron knew their relationship was a result of God’s perfect timing. While Jayme was born in South Korea and raised in South Dakota, she eventually moved to Seattle in 2018 with stops in Los Angeles and San Francisco along the way. 

Aaron was born in Southern California, growing up both there and in Aguascalientes, Mexico, before also moving to Seattle.

Their modern fairytale began through an online dating match and flourished due to their mutual love for God.

Despite ever-changing wedding plans in the midst of a pandemic, Jayme and Aaron focused on remaining rooted in the sacrament.

From the Bride:

Aaron and I were a match made in God’s hands because God moved us across the continent to meet each other. 

When we met, Aaron was a practicing Catholic, and I was a non-denominational Christian. We prayed over the decision to date because we wanted to make sure we were a fit for marriage.

Through prayer, we both knew that we were meant to be. Our values, major life goals, and love for God aligned perfectly. Aaron proposed to me in April of 2019. 

During our engagement, I decided to convert to Catholicism. When we took our premarital courses, we scored highest in the areas of commitment to God, covenant, and teamwork. 

But these were not just scores. They were the very areas that we prayed over and practiced in order to root our love in God. 

As we prepared for our wedding, we were adamant about incorporating all of the Mexican wedding traditions into the Catholic ceremony. 

Our nuptial Mass was held in the historic Templo de San Marcos in Aguascalientes, Mexico. This was a Church Aaron grew up going to and took over 30 years to build. Its beautiful colonial architecture matches the downtown area of Aguascalientes where most of the buildings were built over 60 years ago. 

Aaron’s baptism madrina (godmother) was our madrina of the lasso, which was placed around us during our nuptial Mass. Aaron’s brothers and sister were our padrinos and madrinas (godparents in Latino communities) of the 13 arras, rings, and prayers during the wedding ceremony. 

Aaron’s sister and grandmother were the Madrinas de Peticiones (Godmoms of Prayer) and read four novenas relating to matrimony and the importance of two people serving one another for life in humility and compassion. 

A favorite part of our ceremony included the ofrendas and how each of the people carrying the ofrendas has made a lifelong commitment to Christ. Most of the people who carried the ofrendas to the altar were men that Aaron grew up with in Church. 

After the ceremony, we and our guests were greeted by a Mariachi!

While we had one of our first unofficial dances as a married couple, the mariachi followed us in a parade style from the Church to the reception area where crowds of people were saying “Felicidades!” (Congratulations). 

This is a tradition for many Mexican weddings, and it was Aaron’s top non-negotiable detail for the wedding.

Our reception was inspired by romance, Aguascalientes’ architecture, and our multicultural guest list. 

Stepping into our reception felt like stepping into a floral garden. Both Aaron and I love flowers.

When we were first dating, Aaron would drive every Sunday to drop off flowers for me for the week. We wanted to incorporate this into our reception decorations. 

We also wanted to make sure our guests were well fed. With different foods for different people, we decided to create a menu that was a range from spicy to non-spicy dishes and settled on lasagna, chicken poblano, and morrita chile. 

We wanted to accommodate our guests who celebrated with us during a global pandemic.

We both grew up with hearts for hospitality and wanted to make sure there was something for everyone. 

Three weeks before the wedding we had to change caterers, photographers, the DJ, and the venue. But leaving it all in God’s hands, God answered so many prayers through our wedding planner, who addressed these concerns and got us even better vendors than before.

We knew we were meant to be as emergencies popped up and God took care of each one with an even better option than we imagined. 

Due to COVID-19, we had to trim our 120-person guest list to 75, and then down to 30. It was the wedding party and family that ended up coming for the event, but every moment was better than we expected. 

From our sweet first look to dancing the night away under the stars, our wedding was a celebration of God’s perfect timing.

Since our love story began, Aaron’s grandmother suggested we regularly pray the Novena for the Nativity of Mary and it has stuck with us as a couple. We have been inspired to fulfil our duties in the Church we belong to, and although we plan to create our own family, we were recently asked to be madrina and padrino to our friend’s baby in the sacrament of baptism. 

We both feel a distinct calling to serve others—much like Mother Teresa and Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton—focusing on our local community in providing food resources to low-income families and educational resources to students where we both work at a tech school in Seattle. 

God has brought us together from different worlds and cultures and has blessed us with the sacrament of marriage where we serve together in our community and love fulfilling God’s teachings in giving to others.

Ultimately, it didn't matter if there was a crowd of people or only two witnesses on our wedding day. The most important aspect was honoring our marriage before God. The wedding itself is the easy and fun stuff, but marriage is both beautiful and challenging. 

We would rather enter holy matrimony with God at the center than worry about if the dresses were just the right color, or if we made sure to pick out someone's favorite song, and so forth. 

This approach was absolutely reflected during our wedding day. We didn't have a guest book, party favors, or a photo booth. I didn't have a maid of honor—only bridesmaids. 

We worried less about what our wedding “should” be like, and I am happy we were more focused on how we would stay rooted in God and prepare the foundations of our marriage. 

I am so happy that I prayed that I would be concerned with the important pieces of our marriage and not the event that fades with time. 

As a couple, we felt incredibly loved by all our family and friends near and far during that day. To me, as the bride, that made my heart so full after planning a wedding during a pandemic.

Photography: Fer Mur Foto | Nuptial Mass Location: Templo de San Marcos, Aguascalientes, Mexico | Reception Location: Palenque Patio, Aguascalientes, Mexico | Event Planning: LILA Event Planning | Floral Design: Casa Mokara | DJ Services: HRE Producciones | Catering: Chef Cesar Perez | Dessert: Sugar & Spice | Hair & Makeup: Ciara's Makeup and Hair | Bride’s Dress: David's Bridal | Groom’s Suit: Glamour Aguascalientes | Bridesmaid Dresses: AZAZIE | Groomsmen Attire: Glamour Aguascalientes | Stationary: Marry Me Paper Boutique

Grace + Hunter | Classic Christmas Wedding

A cozy and easygoing celebration filled with the colors, joy, and merriment of the Christmas season, with nods to the couple’s football fandom.

What started as a friendship based on a college-football connection, ultimately led Grace to the Catholic faith—and both she and Hunter to a Christ-centered marriage.

Grace and Hunter faced the challenge of preparing for their wedding during COVID-19, but they found comfort in God, the saints, and their beloved home parish.

Surrounded by their dearest family and friends, the couple made a point to incorporate meaningful details into their wedding in memory of loved ones who have passed to eternal life.

From the Bride:

Hunter and I met on Twitter, of all places, in 2016 through our mutual fandom of Tennessee football. We started out as friends and shared a deep love of Christ. 

We became engaged in December 2018. Hunter shared his Catholic faith with me, and I finalized my conversion to the Catholic faith in April 2021. 

I selected Saint Brigid as my patron because in learning about her life, I felt a kinship to her. And also because we both feel so blessed to be members of a wonderful parish that bears her name. 

Hunter is a cradle Catholic, and I have enjoyed learning so much about the faith with him. One of our favorite things to do together is review Franciscan Media's “Saint of The Day,” and we are always so inspired learning about these wonderful saints and their lives

God was definitely in the driver's seat for our wedding due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We learned quickly we were not in control. 

We ended up having a small, intimate ceremony with some of our closest family and friends. 

Deacon Tom, who celebrated our wedding, did a wonderful job getting to know us through our Pre-Cana marriage preparation process and made sure that the homily was personalized and filled with humor. 

Hunter and I are both members of Saint Brigid and absolutely adore our parish, so it was very special to get married there. 

My mom and my sister personalized my dress topper and made the sash I wore on my wedding day.

Unfortunately, both of my grandmothers have passed away, so I honored my maternal grandmother by carrying her rosary wrapped around my bouquet as my something borrowed, and I had my paternal grandmother's brooch pinned to my bouquet as my something old. 

Both my paternal grandmother and my beloved late step-grandmother were of Scottish heritage, so we honored both of them with the tartan accents at our wedding. 

I surprised Hunter with a memorial table and arrangement to his late mother including pictures of the two of them together and her favorite flowers. 

My maternal grandmother was from Ecuador, which is known for its roses, so I made sure my bridal bouquet featured Ecuadorian roses.

Our journey to our wedding day taught me to accept the things I could not change and to trust in God.

Photography: Cooper and Co Photography | Nuptial Mass: St Brigid Catholic Church, Johns Creek, GA | Reception Venue: Naylor Hall, Roswell, GA | Bride’s Dress: The Sample Shoppe by White Magnolia Bridal | Rings: Solomon Brothers | Caterer: Loyal Q Barbecue | Cakes: Henri's Bakery | Floral Design: The Flower Post | DJ & Photobooth: Club Rett | Rehearsal Dinner: Roswell Provisions | Stationery: Calligraphy with Style

Allie + Jake | Emerald Autumn Wedding

A rustic pandemic wedding, rich with the colors of fall and the love of family.

Jake proposed to Allie before an icon of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. Months later, they knelt before her in the same chapel, surrounded by a small group of family and friends and remembering the loved ones interceding from heaven.

From the Photographer:

Here’s to Jake & Allie! This couple had a huge wedding party filled with a supportive group of friends and siblings. The bridesmaids wore deep green and the leaves were at their peak autumn beauty. 

Allie and her girls got ready in a dreamy Airbnb after stopping at the St. Paul Farmers Market early in the morning for their bouquets. Yes, it was a beautiful day. Yes, it was aesthetically pleasing. Yes, it was even on time!

However, it was the simple things Jake and Allie did to attach themselves to Jesus that really made this day as special as it was to photograph and witness. There were three noteworthy and exceptional pieces I'd like to share:

First, I know most brides are super focused on making sure the day runs smoothly, but sometimes you just have to stop, breathe, pray in gratitude, and appreciate the day for what it is. Before their ceremony, having not spoken to or seen each other all morning, Jake and Allie met on opposite sides of a doorway in the church basement. Jake held his Bible and Allie's hand, and they both closed their eyes and quietly prayed, huge smiles on their faces. Then, Allie's bridesmaids prayed over her. The air was so rich. Hearts were full of love and the Holy Spirit.

Second, they venerated Mary with flowers at their ceremony. This, of course, isn't uncommon. But several months before, Jake proposed at this same church in front of a Marian icon. Not only was this a parish they both treasured and took part in, but it was where they were ultimately able to say their vows. This holy ground was where they were able to walk arm in arm, standing before Our Lady, happy tears in their eyes.

Third, after their first dance as husband and wife, Allie stayed on the dance floor. A subtle feeling of grief washed over the air. Allie's older brother stood in place of their father to dance with her, as their father passed away just a few years prior. Her dad was remembered beautifully through this moment.

There was a palpable sense of unity in the room, and a deep longing for heaven. 

Jake and Allie's entire day was so centered around Christ. It's incredible to witness these kinds of days. They last in our minds and change the world.

Photography: Nikayla & Co. | Nuptial Mass Location: Church of St. Peter, Mendota Heights, Minnesota | Wedding Reception Venue: Outdoor tent on the church grounds | Floral Design: Saint Paul Farmer’s Market | Hair: Catherine Stroh | Desserts: Muddy Paws Cheesecake, St. Louis Park, Minnesota

Tiana and AJ | Franciscan University Port Wedding

Wildflowers and lace for a pandemic wedding at the couple’s spiritual home, the site of their first steps together toward their heavenly one.

Tiana and AJ were in the same year at Franciscan University, with mutual friends, classes, and the same semester abroad together, yet didn’t talk often. Until the rainy Holy Thursday of their senior year. 

Tiana was eating a bagel in the student center when AJ came over and struck up a conversation. For the first time, they exchanged more than a “Hey! How are you?”, talking about their Easter plans. “Well, what are you doing on Monday?” AJ asked.

“And then it hit me like a ton of bricks,” Tiana says. This kid was asking me out. On a date. Once I figured out what was going on, I started to internally panic. Dating was in no way a part of my plan at Franciscan. I had severely overcommitted myself to too many different things senior year, and there was no way I had any time to date.” She hesitantly agreed. On their first date, they talked for three hours over pizza. “I guess you could say it went pretty well,” Tiana deadpans.

From the Bride: It’s so funny to look back. In some ways, I don’t think I would have ever believed anyone who would have told me, “[AJ] is the man you’re going to marry.” In other ways, I can look back and so clearly see God’s hand in all of it. I remember going hiking on one of our early dates, and there was this moment where we paused and sat down on this big rock. I (very boldly and uncharacteristically) leaned my head on AJ’s shoulder and held his hand.

I felt this overwhelming sense of peace and sense of “home.” I distinctively in that moment remember the Lord telling me, you can rest here. 

I don’t often hear him so clearly, and I am not one to rest. I am often busy and anxious and overwhelmed. I am uncertain and indecisive. But I knew that the Lord was inviting me in to trust him. To rest. And to let myself be loved by him, through this man he was placing before me.

Our relationship is far from perfect. Like any imperfect humans, we can both be stubborn and selfish. We argue. We make mistakes. But we are confident in God’s grace and mercy, especially through the sacrament of marriage. We are so excited and filled with joy to enter into this vocation that Lord has called us to, so that one day we can make it home to heaven, together.

From the Photographer: On a beautiful spring day, Tiana and AJ were wed. Their wedding date was moved up over a month earlier than planned due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This was not where, when or how they ever pictured their wedding day, but nonetheless, it was perfect and beautiful. Their small, intimate ceremony took place on the campus of Franciscan University of Steubenville in the simple, stunning and beloved Portiuncula Chapel.

They were surrounded by a small group of family and friends as they promised to be faithful to one another, in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health.

Being married in the midst of a pandemic, these vows took on an even deeper and more profound meaning. There was tangible joy felt by all who were present. 

One of the most unique and positive things that I've seen come from this pandemic is how family and friends rally around couples and find new ways to celebrate their love, all while social distancing. Tiana and AJ's friends gathered in their cars along the side of the road to surprise their newly married friends after their wedding Mass. It was so incredibly special. They held signs, threw confetti and played music to celebrate. There were even some friends on Facetime sharing virtual congratulations.

Even though their original wedding plans were good and beautiful, things had to change drastically. Tiana and AJ had to entrust our Lord and Our Lady with their new plans, knowing God is still in control, even in uncertain times. Their intimate ceremony put the focus on the sacrament taking place and allowed those present to really be immersed in the profundity of matrimony. Two lives, two souls were woven together and not even a pandemic could stop that. 

The popular saying in the wedding industry these days is "You can't cancel love." That is very much the truth--because God is Love.

Photography: Laura and Matthew | Church: The Portiuncula Chapel at Franciscan University of Steubenville | Dress: Anthropologie’s BHLDN, Portland Gown by Jenny Yoo | Bridal Bouquet: The “WhichGoose” Shop on Etsy | Rosary: West Coast Catholic | Shoes: Birkenstock’s | Bridesmaid Dresses: Azazie | AJ’s Suit: Ryan Seacrest’s Distinction Line from Macy’s | Tie: Dazi

Rosalie + Aaron | Traditional Scottsdale Wedding, Made Possible by St. Therese

Latin-inspired, elegant wedding filled with personal touches

Rosalie and Aaron had mutual connections throughout their time at Thomas Aquinas College, yet friendships and school work took priority over romantic endeavors. When Aaron was ready to start pursuing Rosalie, a friend encouraged him to pray a novena to St. Therese of Lisieux to receive a rose to guide his discernment.

Little did Aaron know, St. Therese is Rosalie’s confirmation saint and a dear friend. As Rosalie states, “St. Therese was the matchmaker of our relationship.”

Aaron prayed the novena while getting to know Rosalie in more casual ways; he was eager to see the “go-ahead” to follow his gut and ask Rosalie on a date.

From the Bride:

On the ninth day, when I walked into his line of sight, he was surprised to see I had several pins of roses in my hair that day! According to him, that was all the encouragement he needed. He asked me out not long after, but I wouldn't have said yes if it wasn't for St. Therese's influence in my life.

Long before I realized Aaron was interested in me, I started interviewing for teaching jobs after college. I was passionate about teaching, and I interviewed everywhere. Each time, there was something off about the job offer. The school itself wasn't right for me, the grade level wasn't my ideal, etc. Even interviewing for my top choice went hilariously wrong!

The very last school was so far off my radar, I forgot I even had an interview until the night before! Nevertheless, the interview was a dream. I fell in love with the school, the curriculum, the staff--and it was called St. Therese School! My patron! I knew it was meant to be.

This little fact was crucial to me when Aaron started showing interest, because I was not interested in a long distance relationship. (Although Aaron claims he would have moved anywhere for me...) St. Therese planted me in the perfect spot, so when Aaron asked me to date him, I was open-hearted, knowing our first few months of discernment would not be hindered by distance.

Two years later, we had the best day of our lives!

We wanted our wedding Mass to be traditional. It's the most important part of the day, after all! My cousin, Fr. Fernando Camou, was to be the celebrant, and he was a perfect fit. It was his idea to say the Mass ad orientum (facing the altar, not the congregation).

This form of the Mass reflects the sacraments of the Eucharist and Matrimony beautifully, we think. There is more of a sense of offering to God, sacrificing our own wills and giving them to Him through each other. I'm so glad Father suggested it to us. Aaron and I appreciate the value of the Latin Mass, attending the Tridentine Rite often while we were dating, but we knew many of the Catholics in attendance would be unfamiliar. Fr. Camou helped us reach a balance. We preserved some parts of the Mass in Latin, and used traditional music throughout, but the Mass was still in English in the familiar form, the novus ordo. 

I remember the music so distinctly. The makeshift choir of family and friends did an absolutely stunning job, and I was moved to tears more than once. I'm so glad Aaron and I share a love for traditional and Latin music. It echoed from the choir loft with an air of heavenliness, and the brightness of the church added to the effect.

The church itself is so gorgeous we didn't even feel the need to decorate with flowers! We let the mural speak for itself, and I'm very glad we did. At the last minute, my mom decided to tie the fake peonies from her decor at home on the pews with ribbon. It was a very sweet touch, since peonies are my favorite flower, and they are unavailable during the summer. With the path of peonies, the mural, the canopy, and the priest facing the crucifix, everything pointed to our Lord. It was perfect.

During the ceremony, my maid of honor and I carried a little baby bonnet gifted to me by my mother-in-law. It was the very bonnet Aaron wore at his baptism, which she had unstitched to turn into a small handkerchief for me. It dried happy tears that day, and was such a precious gift.

We wanted to tie traditional elegance into everything, while also keeping things simple and fun for the reception! I had always dreamed of a backyard reception, but in Phoenix in July, that just wasn't an option. Luckily, Grayhawk was very accommodating to my vision, and the bistro lights over the dance floor were perfect! My dress had an old fashioned boatneck neckline with lace, but the skirt was a modern tulle and so fun to twirl in.

Remember St. Therese? I pinned a little blue medal of her from my trip to Lisieux inside my dress, near my heart. She was my something blue.

Mostly everything at the reception was homemade: the centerpieces, floral arrangements, the cake, the favors, and even the menus! It's really fun to look back and say, "Oh so-and-so made that!" or "Remember how we slaved over those?" It just made the reception more truly ours.

Every aspect of that day was perfect, and the parts that weren't are perfect to us now!

From the Photographer:

 I have never photographed a more gracious couple, and was blown away by Rosalie and Aaron’s kindness and selflessness throughout the day. There was not a stressful moment, and all the focus was placed on the sacrament, rather than the less important details that often detract from the day. It was an honor to witness the start of such a beautiful vocation!

Photography: Sarah Wirth Photography | Ceremony: St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church | Reception: Grayhawk Golf Club | Dress: Rosa Clara via Panache Bridal | Hair: Maid of Honor | Cake: Teresa Grimm | Music: SKM Entertainment | Videographer: Robert Goldstein | Wedding Planner, Florist, Makeup: Bride

Mary-Kate + Faris | Emerald Christmastide Manor Wedding

The beauty and allure of music is a thread woven throughout the story of Mary-Kate and Faris, two musicians who fell in love after sharing in the gift of music and song. Through prayer, Mass, and the sacraments, the Lord accompanied them to their beautiful wedding day, another joyful celebration full of song and dance.

From the Bride: Our story begins as many things have in our lives--with a concert. A co-worker of Faris' invited him to a house concert where my band "Seasons" was performing, and he was captivated by the short-haired young woman playing the harp. That night we exchanged words briefly during the break. 

For much of the rest of the summer, Faris became a regular at Seasons concerts until he summoned the courage to ask me out to dinner and an outdoor viewing of Back To the Future. Faris and I instantly discovered we had a lot of interests in common: music (Faris is a trombonist and music director at a Catholic high school) reading, wine, spending time with friends, and a love of our Catholic faith. We began attending daily Mass and adoration together. 

One year after our first date, Faris proposed to me on the tiny island of Tybee off the coast of Georgia. I immediately said “yes!” Through much of our engagement, we prepared for our marriage by praying the rosary and asking St. Joseph for his intercession, as well as frequent Mass and confession. I also create icons and spent the year before our wedding prayerfully painting an icon of the wedding at Cana, which was blessed on the altar on our wedding day!

The wedding included a full Mass, featuring a variety of musicians and musical selections drawn from our friends and cultural traditions. Musical highlights included a Highland march for the processional (we chose a formal processional in which the clergy, groom, his parents, bridal party, and bride all walked in together), the chorale from Faris' school (conducted by the choir director, who was also his best man), cantoring by my cousin, a trombone solo by Faris' teacher from State College, a full brass quintet, and a special performance by my band, Seasons (a sibling celtic band). 

The reception kicked off with a traditional Irish session of music and dance, and I was unable to resist playing the harp and singing a song. The celebration also featured traditional Arabic and popular music. We served baklava and hummus to honor Faris' Palestinian roots, then surprised everyone with a choreographed first dance. 

From the Photographer: Music plays such an important role in Mary-Kate and Faris' lives, and their wedding Mass was one of the most glorious nuptial Masses I have ever been a part of. They put great care into planning the liturgy, especially the music. The bride and groom were both completely relaxed all day and overflowed with their love and joy for each other and for their family and friends. It was such an amazing gift to be a part of their wedding day!

Photography: Mary Katherine Photography | Church: St Patrick's Cathedral Harrisburg, PA | Wedding Reception Venue : Stock's Manor (https://www.stocksmanor.com) | DJ // Peter Winter Lee (brother of the bride - no website) | FLORIST // Becca Terrio (friend of the bride - no website) | CAKE // Raisin the Bar (https://squareup.com/store/raising-the-bar-hbg-llc) | DRESS // Taylored For You (https://tayloredforyoubridal.com) |
BRIDESMAID’S DRESSES // Azazie (https://www.azazie.com) | GROOMSMEN ATTIRE // Strictly Formal (http://www.strictlyformals.com)

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

Ada + Greg | Texas Vintage Wedding

Ada and Greg met at seventeen while attending an admissions event at a Catholic college, where neither of them ended up going. Ada recalls Greg ignoring her when she tried to talk to him. He doesn’t remember their first meeting at all. But when they found themselves together during freshman orientation at a different school that Fall, the Lord began revealing his plans for them.

Greg and Ada became friends--inseparable friends, but nothing more. They studied and spent time together, went to the same parties, and were there for each other during significantly difficult and happy moments.

One of the latter took place during a semester in Rome. Amidst seasons of individual personal discernment, Ada and Greg witnessed Pope Benedict’s last public Mass on Ash Wednesday and prayed a rosary outside Castel Gandolfo as the gates closed on the last day of his papacy. When Pope Francis was elected, they were both there in Saint Peter’s Square.

They began dating their last semester of college, approximately a week after Ada accepted a job in another city. From early, they knew dating would either make or break their friendship. Ada also knew she was serious about Greg, who rearranged his life to stay near her in Texas.

Shortly after graduation, however, their careers took them long-distance for two years. While apart between weekend visits, they wrote letters and made phone calls to stay connected.

From the Bride: In addition to our long-distance relationship, we were also undergoing the major transition of leaving college and moving into the workforce. We often questioned whether our relationship was worth the time, effort, and stress we put into it. But despite our doubts, we ultimately believed our relationship was growing into something bigger, and probably better, than anything we could build alone.

We decided to get married before we officially announced our engagement, and we spent a month in challenging discernment. We don’t make decisions lightly, so we needed time for honest introspection, discussion, and prayer before we were ready to share our news. On a cloudy February Sunday, Greg asked me to be his wife and presented me with a gorgeous antique ring. Our friends and families were overjoyed, and the enthusiasm that greeted us offered confirmation that we were making the right decision.

Because we had a short engagement, we knew we needed to spend our time of preparation wisely. We spent time reading and discussing books on the sacramental and relational aspects of marriage and even met with a Catholic marriage counselor, in addition to the required preparation at our parish. For us, engagement was a period of even deeper discernment, and there were still many doubts and struggles to be overcome before the wedding day.

Something I struggled with in wedding planning was a nagging doubt that my wedding wouldn’t be good enough. I felt discouraged even in the midst of all of the joy and excitement. My mom, however, put things in perspective, saying, “We are going to have Mass and a party. It’s just a Mass and a party.” Knowing my wedding day wasn’t about perfection or glamour allowed me to enjoy more of the planning process.

Although our families were on opposite coasts while we planned our Texas wedding, they were still intimately involved in the planning.

My dress had been worn twice before by my grandmother and her sister, who were married ten weeks apart in 1963.

My veil was new, but similar to the one they and my mother had all shared. The necklace I wore belonged to my great-grandmother. In many ways, these heirlooms set the overall theme for our vintage-inspired wedding.

My bridesmaids were Greg’s three sisters, as well as mine. We asked our parents to proclaim the readings at our Mass, which was particularly meaningful: Greg and I had both been homeschooled, so our parents had truly been the ones to teach us the word of God. I also carried a small Holy Family medal that my dad had given to me as a toddler after he attended a retreat at a Trappist monastery. It has gone nearly everywhere with me, and it was important to me to have it with me on the day Greg and I created a new family.

Beautiful music for our Mass was a major priority. Because the chapel where we were married didn’t have an organ, we chose to have a string trio, pianist, and vocalist. We wanted our wedding liturgy to be particularly beautiful because it was, after all, the main event. We were also very lucky that many of our friends are musically gifted; their singing supported many of the hymns we chose.

As I entered the church with my dad, the congregation sang “O God, Beyond All Praising.” This has been a favorite hymn of mine since I was a teenager, but the lines, “And whether our tomorrows be filled with good or ill / We’ll triumph through our sorrows and rise to bless You still” had stuck with me throughout our engagement as the perfect motto for married life. Greg and I pledged ourselves “for better or for worse,” and despite the difficulties that may arise, God will always be with us and guide us.

One of my favorite memories from the wedding is walking down the aisle towards Greg, passing so many friends from different phases of our lives, all gathered to celebrate and pray with us. At the altar I was met by Greg and Fr. Thomas Esposito, O. Cist., a dear friend and advisor whom we’d first met in Rome. In many ways, Fr. Thomas knows us a little too well, because his homily was full of friendly ribbing as well as good-natured advice.

Greg chose our offertory hymn, “What Wondrous Love is This?,” his personal favorite. The words were perfect, reminding us that love is a sacrifice. I had also engraved the words “stern as death is love,” from the Song of Songs, inside Greg’s wedding ring as a reminder to myself of what I was promising him. He had “the greatest of these is love,” engraved in my ring, taken from the Epistle to the Corinthians we had chosen for the second reading. Finally, during communion, we sang “Be Thou my Vision,” asking God to lead us through our marriage and the rest of our lives together.

Because we were so nervous during the Mass itself, we were surprised to find later that there hadn’t been a dry eye in the congregation. Many guests, both Catholic and non-Catholic, have told us since that they had never been to such a beautiful Mass.

We were so elated after the Mass, and all of our friends and family were ready to celebrate at the reception. Greg and I danced to a song he has always played to me on his guitar. One of the highlights of the evening was the toast Greg’s father had written for us, a particularly beautiful mediation on marriage:

One needs courage to uphold such honor as the years of life grow long. Such courage may seem to have grown rare, but God has not grown less generous in His grace. You must have faith in his generosity, and though the world press on you from dawn to dusk, you must not deem the world more formidable than yourselves.

We were blessed to celebrate into the night with all those who had come to wish us well, particularly those whose weddings we had attended in the past. We ended the night by forming a giant conga line out of the building, while our friends sent us off to the tune of “The Parting Glass,” a traditional Irish folk song.

Despite all the challenges we felt as we prepared for marriage, our wedding reminded us we are not alone. We have friends and family who support us and provide wonderful examples of loving marriages. We also felt strengthened by the sacrament of marriage, so that when hard times do come, we will have the courage to face them.

Photography: Red Fern Photography | Church: St. Ann Catholic Church, Coppell, TX | Reception: Las Colinas Country Club, Irving, TX | Bride shoes: DSW: dsw.com | Bride earrings: Anthropologie | Veil: Mariso lAparicio :Www.esty.com/ shop/marisolaparicio | Bridal hair & make up: Dear Clark | Salon: Dearclark.com | Gown: Vintage | Necklace: Vintage | Bridesmaids’ dresses: Azazie: azazie.com | Bridesmaids’ jewelry: Chole and Isabel: www.choleandisabel.com | Invitations: Basic | Invite: basicinvite.com | Engagement ring: Vintage | Groom wedding band:DiamondBoutiqueCo : Www.esty.com/ shop/diamondboutiqueco | Groom / groomsmen suits:Jos. A. Banks | Groom/ groomsmen ties: Jos. A. Banks | Cake: Loft22 Cakes: Loft22cakes.com | Flowers: Lizzie Bee’s | Flower Shoppe: Lizziebees.net | Catering: Las Colinas Country Club

Kelsey + Jacob | Missouri Summer Wedding

Kelsey and Jacob first met at a summer camp when they were 18. They became fast, close friends, but that remained the extent of their relationship for the next eight years. They went their separate ways, living in different states and cordially keeping in touch now and then. Until the Fall that everything changed.

In 2015, Jacob and Kelsey both found themselves back in their Missouri hometown over the holidays and reconnected. When Kelsey returned to her current home in Alabama, a three-page handwritten letter awaited her.

From the Bride: It was the most courageous and beautiful letter I’d ever received. It was from Jacob, basically asking if we could put the stuff in our past behind us, and saying he would like to fly to Birmingham, from Texas, and take me on a date.

I was shocked and still very hesitant, but with my sisters’ encouragement I said yes. We started talking every day on the phone and even before Jacob came to visit, I could tell something was different. We were both very confident from the beginning that this was the ‘thing’ people talk about when they are falling in love.

We dated long-distance--800 miles--for our whole courtship and engagement. On a September weekend in Birmingham, Jacob and I to St. Paul’s Cathedral for Sunday Mass. At the end of the liturgy he leaned over and asked if we could stay behind to pray. After ten minutes that felt like forever, he asked me if I was ready. I said ‘Yes.’ He said, ‘Are you sure?’

Instead of exiting the church, Jacob took me to the altar, got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. I thought the day couldn’t get any better. Then I walked out the doors. As he opened them, our family, friends, and loved ones from so many different states were standing out there, waiting for us. It was one of the most incredible gestures anyone had ever done for me: to bring all the people I love into one place. The long-distance wedding planning began from there, and I believe that the distance only strengthened us in preparing to enter into the holy sacrament of marriage.

One of our favorite parts of engagement was our mandatory preparation. Given our long-distance status, weekly meetings with a teaching couple weren’t really an option for us. We received permission to attend a one-day marriage preparation retreat in a diocese of our choice. The most convenient place for us meet ended up being Little Rock, Arkansas. A priest there and gave some of the best advice we’ve ever been given, and it truly has become a cornerstone for our marriage, and we pray it continues: he challenged us to individually sit down and write a prayer to God about our future spouse and our hopes for our marriage. He said after a few days of prayer, come together, combine the two, and write your marriage prayer.

We were encouraged to start praying it every night and to continue it as a nightly habit in our marriage. So, that’s what we did. And it was so enriching for us both. It was so nice having a uniting prayer that we could pray over FaceTime each night while we were engaged, and by the time we were married it became part of our nightly routine. Our prayer helps us keep a clear perspective on what our goals for each other and our marriage are, with God’s help.

One of the most meaningful parts of our Mass was after Communion. The hymn, “Ave Maria,” began to play, and Jacob and I took a lily to St. Joseph’s statue and a rose to the statue of the Blessed Mother. These two, along with the child Jesus as the Holy Family, have played a huge role in our lives and bringing us together as a couple. As we placed the lily at Saint Joseph’s feet, Jacob and I prayed our marriage prayer. We then went to the foot of Our Lady, placed the rose, said a Hail Mary, entrusted our marriage to her, and said an individual prayer of thanksgiving to the Holy Family.

Our priest paused afterward, before the final blessing. He said to the congregation that during the meditation hymn, something happened that he’d rarely seen before. He then turned back to us and said, “Correct me if I’m wrong, but it sounded like you were both praying the same prayer out loud. I have never heard this prayer before.”

We responded that yes, we were praying our marriage prayer. He asked, “Can we hear it?” It was absolutely unplanned, but now looking back it’s one of our favorite memories of our wedding day. The priest took his mic and placed it between us. We prayed the prayer out loud for all our guests to hear before the final blessing. To this day we have so many guests from our wedding come up to us, or tell our parents that they were so moved by the prayer and the idea of having a specific prayer with your spouse.

Before the wedding my mother-in-law offered to make us holy cards with our marriage prayer. On the front she printed a picture of the Holy Family, and on the back our names, date of the wedding, and our prayer. It was such a great way to commemorate our wedding, and we loved handing the cards out with the programs. Many people have asked for a copy, and this made it so convenient to have the holy cards to give them.

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for showing us the love we have for each other and the love you have for both of us. We ask that every day you remind us of the blessing we are to one another, and that every action of our marriage is a sincere gift back to you.

We pray our children will be healthy, that we may always show them our truest love, and that they may become pillars of your love. Always encourage us to see the best in each other; to laugh, cry, and lean on the other through all of life’s challenges. Empower us to be beacons of light for others and to help each other become saints. We ask this through the intercession of the Holy Family.

Amen.

For both of us, sharing our marriage prayer was probably one of our favorite and most cherished moments, but there were many other special times throughout the day. Jacob and I both wrote letters to each other before the ceremony, and I will cherish his words forever. My middle sister had just gotten married a month before, so it was a summer packed full of celebration for our family. The thing that made it so special, though, was I got to stand by her side and be a co-maid of honor, with my youngest sister, and she got to stand by my side and be my co-matron of honor.

Another special part of our ceremony was that two of my former students and a seminarian drove all the way from Alabama to serve at our Missouri wedding. I taught high school theology and was the Campus Minister for a high school in Birmingham for two years, and it meant so much seeing my students participating in our wedding Mass.

After the ceremony, the wedding party took a bus to a local ice cream shoppe, Andy’s Frozen Custard, which was such a fun addition to the day. Finally, the individual touch to top it off was my mother-in-law surprising Jacob during their dance together. Growing up, she always used to read him the story Love You Forever by Robert Munsch, and she would sing the song to him at the end of the book. Without Jacob knowing, she had a special recording of her singing the song made, and before their mother-son dance, her version of ‘Love You Forever’ came on over the sound system. It was a really special moment. Our wedding day was one of the best of our lives, but it was just the beginning. We are so thankful for the memories and for all who made it such a special beginning to our vocation.

Aside from getting to join my life with Jacob's, I think my biggest spiritual take-away from the day, was the feeling of, this must be a fraction of what Heaven feels like. And that fraction was amazing! Jacob and I have both separately moved around and lived away from our families for the past decade of our lives. We've met many people, and so many souls have impacted our lives greatly.

On our wedding day they were all there. They traveled thousands of miles. We even had a friend who lives in Austria come to celebrate this incredible sacrament with us. I still have trouble putting into words that feeling of looking around and seeing all the people who have loved, cared, and sacrificed for you throughout the years. It was a feeling of immense gratitude, joy, and longing for Heaven. I believe that is one of the greatest reasons people say they want their wedding day to last forever.

Videography: Claire Bira

Photography: ImageClairity | Nuptial Mass or Engagement Location: Guardian Angel Catholic Church in Oran, MO | Wedding Reception Venue : Knights of Columbus Hall in Jackson, MO | Rings: Buchroeders Jewelers | Bridesmaid Dresses: RenzRags Bridal on Etsy | Bride's Dress: Low's Bridal in Brinkley, AK

Amanda + Craig | Indianapolis Ballroom Wedding

The first day of the school year at Indiana University Purdue, Amanda--a brand-new freshman--and her roommate prepared to attend a speaker on campus, with her roommate’s high school friend and fellow student, Craig, along. Craig recalls the afternoon fondly, yet Amanda’s most vivid memory is that Craig made them late for the ice cream social that followed the event.

Amanda and Craig continued spending time together with mutual friends that semester, and spent much one-on-one time on unofficial dates. That spring, while swimming laps in the campus pool, Craig asked Amanda out.

Throughout their college years, Amanda and Craig’s faith grew, and strengthened their relationship in turn, through the Catholic Student Organization, Bible studies, and FOCUS discipleship at the university. They began weekly holy hours before the blessed sacrament in their beloved campus chapel, Saint John the Evangelist, where their discernment of marriage flourished in silence and where it became evident to Craig he would one day propose.

With the knowledge that he and Amanda desired to model their relationship after the Holy Family, Craig purchased a Miraculous Medal for Amanda and a Saint Joseph medal for himself. And an engagement ring.

Not long after asking their campus chaplain to bless these items, Amanda and Craig knelt before Our Lady during Adoration at Saint John’s. This time, unlike their many other hours in the chapel, Craig got down on one knee. After Amanda’s yes, they placed the medals around one another’s necks and lit two votive offerings, one at the feet of Mary and the other at the statue of Saint Joseph.

From the Bride: How special and beautiful that a little over a year later, we were united in the sacrament of Holy Matrimony in that same sacred place. And just as we spent the first moments of our engagement kneeling before the statues of Mary and Joseph, we spent the first moments of our marriage before those same statues, praying for our marriage as we placed flower offerings during our wedding Mass.

It was during the rehearsal the night before that everything hit me: I stood on the altar next to my husband-to-be and looked out over our closest family and friends gathered in the church. I felt so incredibly and deeply loved. Hardly any of my family had seen the church before. Saint John’s and its pastor, Fr. Rick, hold a dear place in our hearts; it filled me with joy to share them with my loved ones.

After the rehearsal Fr. Rick gave us time for the sacrament of reconciliation. Craig and I wanted to be completely clean and free for our wedding day. Receiving absolution from the priest who had meant so much to us through the years was perfect. Many of our family members also chose to go to confession, which filled our hearts with such joy. Our wedding was bringing those we love closer to our shared faith. Craig and I prayed in the parking lot before parting ways, our last prayer together before becoming husband and wife.

The morning of the wedding was a whirlwind, but I remained surprisingly calm. I knew without a doubt that this was God’s plan for my life, and I had no second thoughts. Before the ceremony, Craig and I had a first look, which was one of my favorite moments. Instead of seeing each other, we stood back-to-back at a door in the church and held hands. I got emotional and couldn’t stop the tears running down my face. I was absolutely certain this was what God wanted for us. As I started to pull away, Craig wouldn’t let go of my hand. This completely tugged at my heart.

I also did a first look with my dad. When he saw me for the first time he teared up. My dad is not usually very emotional, and it was so touching that he cried. During the father-daughter dance at the reception, my dad got emotional again, and it was so sweet! He pulled me in closer, trying to control his emotions. These moments with my dad on the wedding day meant a lot to me.

Minutes before the ceremony, my sister led the bridesmaids in a prayer for Craig and I and our new marriage. Then they processed up the aisle, and I was left alone with my dad. The back doors of the church were flung open, and I looked down the long aisle at my husband-to-be.

It’s such a long aisle, I could hardly tell Craig was crying. I walked down the aisle in the beautiful church that was home to us, seeing my husband-to-be in tears. I heard my dad sniffling beside me, saw Fr Rick and all my family and friends. I was wearing my mother’s veil, clutching the bouquet I’d made with my sister, mom, aunts, and grandma, feeling the antique rosary beads, a gift from my godmother, entwined in the flowers, and wiping my tears with a handkerchief embroidered with lace from my mom’s wedding dress.

I was completely, utterly surrounded by love. It was the most amazing feeling, knowing I was about to be united sacramentally with my husband, surrounded by a host of saints and angels.

From the Groom: Amanda and I had meticulously planned the liturgy for our wedding ceremony. Our first reading was Tobit 8:4b-8, where Tobiah and Sarah pray fervently to God on their wedding night, praising him and asking for his blessing. This reading spoke to us, as it exemplified a marriage built on prayer. First John 4:7-12 was our second reading: “...if we love one another, God remains in us, and his love is brought to perfection in us.” Our gospel reading, John 2:1-11, was the wedding feast at Cana. Amanda has always loved this reading, as it was Jesus’ first miracle, and we find it extremely meaningful that Jesus listened to his mother to perform it. With these readings, Amanda and I desire to pray to God before all things, to exemplify God’s love with our marriage, and to listen to Mary.

One of my favorite parts of the Mass was Communion. Amanda and I had been Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion at Saint John’s for a few years, and during our wedding prep Fr. Rick encouraged us to consider if we wanted to be ministers of communion during our wedding Mass. We prayed about it, and felt absolutely that this was what we should do.

So my new wife stood in front of the statue of Mary (where we had gotten engaged) and gave Jesus’ blood to her family and friends and I stood in front of the statue of Joseph to do the same for my family and friends, while the song “Let Me be Your Servant” played. We wanted this part of the Mass to convey we are called to always serve others, to be the hands and feet of Jesus, and to always point our lives to the Lord.    

Amanda: I was nothing but smiles the entire reception. Our first dance, “When I Say I Do” by Matthew West, was so special, and Craig and I got to show off some of the dance moves we had learned together in college. All of the flowers, décor, and centerpieces were handmade by the women in my family, including a frame my sister made, “I have found the one whom my soul loves,” from the Song of Songs. We cut our cake using the utensils my grandparents used at their wedding over 60 years ago. Instead of everyone dancing when the DJ called the last song of the night, our friends and family circled around Craig and me, beaming, as we danced.

Thinking back on our wedding day, we felt an immense power of overwhelming love the entire day. Family and friends traveled from afar to celebrate with us, and we felt blessed beyond belief. Our favorite gift was from Fr. Rick: a container of the holy water used during our wedding Mass, and we bless each other with it after our favorite prayer--Night Prayer. It fills our hearts with such peace and contentment to sing the last canticle together: “Protect us, Lord, as we lay awake; watch over us as we sleep, that awake, we may keep watch with Christ, and asleep, rest in his peace.” Our wedding was a beautiful day full of love, and we are abundantly, richly blessed.

From the Photographer: Amanda and Craig's first look was one of the most special I have ever witnessed. As we walked up to it, I prayed with Amanda--one of the most precious moments I can have with a bride on her wedding day. Instead of actually looking at one another, when they reached each other, they held hands.

She cried. He beamed. They looked off in the distance, and I could tell that not only were they ready, but the Lord was ready for them to be married. It’s like they had been waiting for each other their whole lives long, and finally, today was the day they were uniting. This shows in their photos, too, because both of them were all smiles throughout the whole day!

Photography: Souls Creation Photography | Church: Saint John the Evangelist Catholic Church, http://www.stjohnsindy.org/ | Reception: Grafton Peek Ballroom, http://www.graftonpeek.com/venues/grafton-peek-ballroom/ | Coordinator: Brittany Scher | Cake: Grafton Peek Catering, http://www.graftonpeek.com/ | DJ: David Malone | Rings: Distinctive Diamonds, https://diamondsdirect.com/indianapolis | Dress: Marie Gabriel Couture, https://mariegabrielcouture.com/ | Jewelry: Hair Piece from Amazon (https://www.amazon.com), Earrings from Versona (https://www.shopversona.com/) | Shoes: Amazon, https://www.amazon.com | Menswear: Joseph A. Bank, http://www.josbank.com/ | Bridesmaid Dresses: Alfred Angelo purchased at Siebert’s, http://www.siebertsclothing.com/

Emily + Aaron | College Memories Wedding

Aaron and Emily met in college, and after developing a solid friendship--through daily Mass, involvement in campus ministry, and Facebook messenger--they both began to desire a dating relationship. As they began their sophomore year, Emily knew that she was in love with Aaron. To her delight and surprise, the feeling was mutual. One evening shortly thereafter, Emily and Aaron began dating after praying together in the campus chapel. "It was in that moment that I knew this man was going to be my husband someday," Emily recalls. Three years later, Aaron proposed in the same chapel where they began dating, and the chapel where they eventually married. 

From the Bride: Our wedding was all about details: From draping my First Communion rosary through my bouquet and Aaron wearing cufflinks I’d given him during our first year to carefully selected Mass readings, and ditching cake for an ice cream sundae bar at the reception (and having cake pops as favors), our personality was stamped on everything. Instead of floral centerpieces, I put together four 3-sided picture frames for each table that had photos of Aaron and me during our childhood with the people sitting at the table. Watching everyone pass them around the table throughout the reception and reminisce was a scene I will always treasure.

One of my favorite parts of wedding planning (and one that all of the guests are still talking about!) was writing individual notes to each guest on the inside of his or her place card. Everyone still asks me how I had the time to write all of those notes by hand, but for me, it was the most calming and rewarding part of the whole planning process. In the midst of chaos, I had the opportunity to take a moment and think of each person attending our wedding in a deeply personal way.

One challenge I faced during the planning was struggling to word the section in our program on reception of Communion. We were going to have several non-Catholic family members and friends in attendance, and I realized that our wedding may be the one time in our entire lives that we could truly evangelize to our loved ones. 

With that idea in mind, I started writing, and what had originally begun as a sentence or two about who could receive Communion turned into a double-sided insert in our wedding program that talked about the Mass, the symbolism behind exchanging rings, the importance of the readings, why Catholics have to get married in a church, and offering flowers to Mary in a lighthearted tone that reflected our wedding style while also offering us a chance to lovingly share our faith with our family and friends.

Our wedding day brought about an uncharacteristic calm in me. I’d always imagined myself pacing up and down the house on the morning of my wedding, freaking out about last minute details and getting cold feet, but instead I slept in, went to confession, and prepared for the day with peace and joy in my heart. 

Instead of renting limousines, I has asked my parents to drive me to the chapel in our blue minivan, the same one they’d brought me to the school in for the first time. As is characteristic for Aaron and me, there was a torrential downpour by the time we arrived, but the rain only rattled my nerves for a moment before I regained a reigning sense of peace.

Our wedding Mass was beautiful and flew by in a whirlwind of emotions. My former pastor celebrated the Mass and offered a beautiful reflection on God’s presence in our relationship. At the end of the homily, I suddenly realized with a jolt the moment I’d been waiting all my life for was here, and it felt like the whole rest of the room melted away and it was just Aaron, me, and God. The best part was getting to giddily whisper “We’re married!” to Aaron afterward.

God’s extra wedding present to us was stopping the rain after Mass, allowing us to take pictures with the picturesque Hudson River in the background.

All my life, people had always told me that my parents’ wedding was the best they’d ever attended because of its simplicity and fun atmosphere. I had always desired that sort of wedding, so hearing everyone tell me that ours was the best wedding they’ve ever attended made me so proud. Despite all of my planning and worries, God made the day even better than I could have imagined, and we feel so grateful to have begun our marriage with such a blessed day.

Emily's Spiritual Takeaway: I saw God working through our wedding because everyone there was truly the best version of themselves. Aaron and I marveled as normally straight-laced family members partied on the dance floor and old friends smiled for the first time in years. Months later, everyone is still talking about how amazing it was and how ours was the best wedding they’ve ever been to. I believe that Aaron’s and my genuine love for one another and joy to finally be married simply spilled over to everyone else. Which leads me to believe that our mission as a couple did not end on our wedding day. Our marriage is not just about us; as we witnessed on our wedding day, the way we interact as a couple and love one another affects those around us for the better. After our wedding, I realized that, when I married Aaron, I not only signed up to work on getting him to heaven, but also took on the task of getting others to heaven through him. 

Photography: Newman Photos and E-Von Photography | Church: Founders Chapel-Mount Saint Mary College| Reception - Poughkeepsie Grand Hotel | Wedding Dress, Bridesmaids' Dresses, Veil, and Accessories: David's Bridal| Bride's Shoes: Elegant Park | Groom and Groomsmen's Tuxes: Men's Wearhouse | DJ: Soundsational Party | Flowers: Lucille's Floral | Videographer: Best of Times Video | Rings: Kinston Fine Jewelry and Michael's Jewelers | Cake Pops: Busy Bee Cake Pops

Janae + Ryan | Texan Summer Wedding

Back in 2012, Janae was a high school senior applying to schools, while Ryan was a college sophomore discerning a transfer to a different university. Both ended up at The University of Texas at Tyler, where they met on the tennis team. Neither had a firm reason as to why they were supposed to attend Tyler, but knew it was where the Lord had called them.

During Janae's freshmen year and Ryan's junior year, the Lord drew them both into deeper relationship with him. No longer surrounded by her parents and friends, Janae had to take ownership for her faith. At times she felt alone, but it was in times of loneliness that she discovered her helpmate in God. That same year, the Lord was working in Ryan's heart, as well. He began to follow Christ with his whole heart and felt his life transform. Their individual faith journeys landed them in the same Bible study.

After two years of pursuing the Lord and of countless tennis matches later, Ryan asked Janae to be his teammate for a lifetime through the vocation of marriage. 

From the Bride + Groom

In Janae's Words: Ryan and I chose to do a first look before the Mass so we could still get all the photos we hoped for with our tight timeline. It gave us a chance to break away from the craziness of the day and just be together. During that time, we washed each other’s feet to reflect on Christ’s example. Jesus exemplified humble service by washing the Apostles' feet. He showed us that true love looks like dirty feet: we have to bend down, bear burdens, forgive, love, and serve. It is our hope and prayer that our marriage reflects this call to serve, and that we daily embrace the messiness and beauty hidden in the vocation of marriage. 

We got married in the parish where I grew up. It's where Ryan was confirmed into the Catholic Church and where I received all of my sacraments. I thought the church itself looked beautiful, so we didn’t do much to decorate; we just wanted it filled with as many as of our family and friends as possible. Because many of our guests were not Catholic, we provided a guide explaining the Mass. Ryan learned a lot during his time in RCIA and wanted to help others understand there is so much beauty and deeper meaning behind what may seem like repetition and rituals. Our hope was that all our brothers and sisters, no matter their denomination, could have a wonderful worship experience during the ceremony. 

One of my favorite moments of the day accompanied the readings. We chose Tobit 8, the story of St. Raphael, Sarah, and Tobias. A few weeks before the wedding I stumbled upon an old letter I'd written before college. It hit home with this reading.

When I decided on UT Tyler, I joined their Catholic Campus Community Facebook page and saw a prayer that really resonated with me. After reading it I felt a huge sense of peace about my decision to attend, and I wrote this letter:

July 2012
To my future husband,

I pray about you and for you all the time. You are important to me, and I’m learning the value of prayer for the big things and the small things. One of the really big things I have been praying about lately is UT Tyler. I leave next month to college and I’m looking for a strong Christian support group. In doing that, I joined Tyler’s Catholic Campus Community page on Facebook. This is the first post I saw:

"Saint Raphael, in all confidence I ask your guidance in the task of planning my future. Obtain for me through your intercession the light of God’s grace so that I may decide wisely concerning the person who is to be my partner through life… Find for me a helpmate in life, the person whose character may reflect some of the traits of Jesus. May he be upright, loyal, pure, sincere, and noble…

Saint Raphael, friend of the young, be my friend, for I shall always be yours. To your special care I entrust the decision I am to make as to my future spouse. Direct me as you did with young Tobias and Sarah to the person with whom I can best cooperate in doing God’s holy will, with whom I can live in peace, love and harmony in this life and attain eternal joy in the next. Amen.”

I love that prayer. The words are exactly what I want to say and the prayer was reassurance that Tyler is where God wants me to be.

Praying for you.
Janae Warren

At the end of his homily, our deacon read my letter aloud. I had tears in my eyes as I heard those words I wrote exactly four years prior and was able to see so clearly God’s providence. 

I am all about the details so I had so much fun planning a wedding. Before the rehearsal dinner we had an open Adoration hour for anyone who was in town. This was a special time for us to slow down, reflect, and invite Jesus into the center of all we were doing. 

I love to DIY, so I did the calligraphy for the seating chart, made the invitations, and created a photo booth back drop. I used the sleeve of my mom’s wedding dress to wrap my bouquet, wore my grandmother’s earrings, and used a box my grandfather carved to hold our rings. My cousin made us a custom kneeler that we will use to pray together for years to come. Our flower girl wore her mom’s flower girl dress.

Since Ryan and I are both tennis players and a lot of our wedding party was from the tennis team, we exited the church through a tunnel of our wedding party holding vintage tennis racquets. I love peaches, so we had peach-themed wedding reception.

Our guest book was my parents' family Bible that they gave us as a gift. We had our guests highlight a verse that was meaningful to them and leave a note or advice for us as newlyweds. Our moms made a lot of the desserts. Ryan and I are both Texas kids, so our first dance was to a good two steppin’ song, "She's Like Texas." We had a last dance, “God Gave Me You,” with just the two of us on the dance floor while our guests headed outside for our exit.

In Ryan's Words: Our wedding ceremony had so much meaning thanks to my bride. Janae is more creative than I am, and can come up with wonderful ideas, including ones for our Mass. Of course, the Mass is always special because we receive the Body and Blood of Jesus. One of my favorite parts of the Mass, and a moment that was very special to me, was communion. Janae came up with the idea of us being the extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist. It was special because our first act as a married couple was an act of service to those who love and support us, and we were able to give them the best gift--the body of Christ! We pray that we continue to bring Jesus to those around us every day.

The biggest piece of advice I can give is to communicate! This is person is going to be your best friend through life and it is important to establish that open line of communication. We are only a few months into marriage, and we are already seeing the joy and intimacy that came as a fruit of these conversations. It may not always be pretty or easy, but it is important to talk about the good, the bad, and the ugly! Also have those completely weird and random conversations. Express your hearts to each other often! Jesus works in those words.

Janae has been supportive and loving to me. She forgives me right away every time I make a mistake and acts like it never happened. Through this, I realized every time I sin I hurt God and the world. Yet he always forgives me. I always thought I couldn’t make it up to him or work for it to be right. But for some reason, Janae’s love has helped me truly start to understand God's forgiveness. I cannot pay God for all the wrong I have done. It’s pure love and mercy. Marriage has helped me understand this love. 

Photographer: J. Violet Photography | Videography: Ryan Barry Productions | Church: Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, New Braunfels, TX | Reception Venue: The Springs, New Braunfels, TX | Cake: Sweet Dreams Bakery | Bartender: Margarita Madness | Hair + Make Up: Meaghan Pavuk, Style by Meaghan | Stationary + Invitations: DIY | Caterer: River City Catering | Rings: Ernesto's Jewelry  | Photobooth: DIY | Groom's and Groosmen's Tuxes: San Anthony Jewelry & Formal  | Bride's Dress: Ventura's Bridal | Bridesmaids Dresses: RenzRags