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

Evelyn + John Paul | Downtown Mountain Wedding

A nuptial Mass saturated with profound symbolism in the center of Denver, followed by a mountain reception surrounded by the incomparable beauty of God’s creation.

Evelyn and John Paul wanted every detail of their Colorado wedding day to draw them more deeply into the truth and reality of the marriage covenant.

Each of their selections, from colors to flowers, was made with intentionality. 

In their wedding program they shared the meaning of each symbol with their wedding guests, providing an authentic witness to the nature and beauty of the sacrament of holy matrimony. 

From the Bride and Groom:

Like every other Catholic sacrament, weddings serve to make visible an invisible reality. In the sacrament of marriage, the invisible covenantal union of the couple is made visible though observable actions and signs. 

Thus, every detail of our wedding day was planned with intentionality to reflect this reality. 

First, the Church. We wanted to get married in a place that reflected the beauty and grandeur of the sacrament of marriage. 

Next, the wedding attire. John Paul and our bridal party were dressed in black, whereas Evelyn and the priest were dressed in white. 

The black reminds us that marriage is a death to self, while white—the color of Easter time—speaks of the resurrection of our new life together as one. 

The flowers Evelyn carried were white roses and white lilies. These are the flowers associated with Mary (who is often called the Mystical Rose) and St. Joseph. We hope to model our new family after the Holy Family. 

Among the white flowers were lots of greenery. Green is the liturgical color for ordinary time. Although on our wedding day we feasted, most of our married days will be very ordinary, and the green reminds us that even in those times we still remain faithful to Christ. 

On the altar we were surrounded by six bridesmaids and six groomsmen. Together they equal 12, the same number as the tribes of Israel, the apostles, and the number of diamonds in Evelyn’s engagement ring. 

The number 12 in scripture symbolizes a covenant, just like the covenant we entered into on our wedding day. 

Our wedding bands of gold called to mind the gold the Magi brought to Christ and reminded us that we too are a precious gift to Christ. 

After our nuptial Mass, we went into the mountains, just like Christ did so often when He wanted to hear the voice of the Father. The beauty of creation draws the mind and heart to God, and we think that nowhere is that more evident than in the beauty of the mountains. 

Above all, each detail of our wedding day—from the Church, to the music played, to the centerpieces at the reception—was chosen specifically to reflect the beauty and majesty, permeance and fruitfulness, faithfulness and totality of the gift of holy matrimony.

From the Photographer:

Evelyn and John Paul were united in a gorgeous, reverent nuptial Mass with transcendent music. The couple included the Hispanic tradition of the exchange of arras. 

They prayed to the Blessed Virgin Mary after their vows and had a grand send-off with all their guests upon exiting the church.

As a photographer, I experience a lot of different weddings throughout the year. This was one of the most beautiful Catholic weddings I have ever seen. 

Evelyn and John Paul were incredibly intentional with every aspect of their wedding, from the flowers to the music to the fabric of their clothes. 

You could tell that they had really prepared their minds, hearts, and souls to join together as one under Christ. It was a gift to work with them to capture their wedding day.

Photography: Madeira Creative Photography | Nuptial Mass Location: Holy Ghost Catholic Church, Denver, CO | Reception Venue & Catering: Mount Vernon Country Club, Golden, CO | Floral Design: Mae Flowers | Videography: Andrew Nease Video | Bridal Boutique: Dani West Bridal | Groom & Groomsmen Attire: Jos. A. Bank | DJ: Mobile Beatz of Colorado

Deborah + Mike | Romantic Backyard Wedding

Sweet blue floral details, thoughtfully accented with touches of ribbon and tulle, elevate a simple backyard setting on a sunlit, Ohio summer day.

Deborah and Mike met at Franciscan University of Steubenville and were friends for two years before they began to see each other in a whole new way. They relied on the guidance of Our Lady throughout their relationship and were engaged on the Feast of the Assumption. 

In planning their wedding, Deborah and Mike joined the ranks of brides and grooms who had their original hopes turned upside down by COVID-19. 

Yet at every twist, turn, and bend in the road on their journey to marriage, Our Lady continued to guide them.

From the Bride:

I had always just thought of Mike as my friend's older brother who was always very kind to me (and everyone) and a Marine Corps Veteran with a good sense of humor and some sweet tattoos. Our relationship deepened gradually and unexpectedly, and neither of us wanted to make things awkward in our friend group. 

It started with being at the library at the same time and unplanned study dates. Then suddenly we were hanging out one-on-one and going out to eat, and we found ourselves catching feelings for one another. 

Neither of us really admitted to it, and I think all of our friends around us picked up on it first. 

Before I knew it, Mike had asked all our friends for their blessing to ask me out on a date. He took me to Chick-Fil-A and then to a live action Marvel show. It was the best date I ever had, and it only went uphill from there. 

Our relationship has always been filled with the presence of Our Lady. Once, as friends, we were walking together, and Mike came with me to go pray at the Marian grotto at Franciscan, diverging from "another commitment." 

As we prayed individually to see what God wanted from us and from what was growing between us, we asked Our Lady for her guidance. 

Dating was new and exciting, but having known each other as friends took some of the nerves away. We didn't know how to be anything other than our true selves around one another. 

We felt comfortable and confident in our relationship, we learned early on how to communicate well with one another. As always, we clung to Our Lady and to the rosary along the way. 

So many rosaries and memorares were prayed at the grotto, where a beautiful image of Our Lady of Fatima stands up high against the stones. 

We both knew that without God and Mary as the foundation of our relationship, things would crumble quickly. We would often find ourselves at the adoration chapel and grotto at crazy hours throughout some difficult moments. 

Mary was always there, patiently and sweetly waiting for our arrival to shower us with love. 

Mike asked me to be his wife in the presence of Mary and Jesus, at the same grotto where it all began, and it was absolutely beautiful. 

I prayed often to Our Lady Undoer of Knots as we battled through many difficult moments that arose, and we were challenged to re-plan our wedding during a pandemic. 

Once again, Mary was there, and I clung to her more than ever as I asked for the graces to be the wife and mother that Mike and our future children deserve.

There is no greater role model than she, our sweet mother—a beacon of joy, love, and hope.

From the Photographer:

During an exceptionally gorgeous afternoon on the last day of July, Deborah and Mike were married in St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Steubenville, OH. They had originally planned on having a May wedding in Georgia, but—like most couples getting married in a pandemic—their plans had to change. 

Although both the location and date had to shift, Deborah still had a beautiful vision for her wedding. She has such a gift for decorating, planning, and putting together such pretty details, which elevated the whole day.

Surrounded by family and friends, and the prayers of those who watched via livestream, Deborah and Mike promised to be faithful to each other through all of life’s ups and downs. 

The nuptial Mass was stunning, and it was such a joy to photograph a wedding in our home parish! Their reception was in Mike’s family’s backyard, and it was the perfect setting for a joy-filled evening. 

One of my favorite details at the reception was a little table filled with images of Deborah and Mike including a watercolor painting of them. Guests signed it, and it will hang in their home as a reminder of their wedding day.

Planning a wedding in a pandemic is certainly not for the faint of heart, and couples are tested in so many ways. Through it all, Deborah and Mike kept their eyes on what mattered most: the sacrament. 

As long as they were married in the presence of God and His Church, they were happy.

Photography: Laura and Matthew | Nuptial Mass: St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Steubenville, Ohio | Bride’s Dress: Hayley Paige | Bridal Salon: Wedding Angels Bridal Boutique | Floral Design: Ed McCauslen’s Florist | Videography: Alyssa Dombrowski | Stationery: Zazzle | Cake: Emily’s Flower Garden | Catering: Federico’s | Bridesmaid Dresses: BHLDN and Azazie | Groomsmen Attire: Men’s Wearhouse and Dazi

Sadie + Aaron | Traditional English Garden-Inspired Wedding

From the Bride

I was ready to give up on my foray into online dating when I received a message in my Catholic Match inbox. A man was asking about my favorite C.S. Lewis book and football in Texas. Unable to resist explaining my Texan love for football to a Northerner, I began corresponding with Aaron from Buffalo, NY. Unfortunately, he was a 5-hour drive from my home in Hershey, PA. 

Aaron claims that when he saw me, he knew he was looking at the smartest and prettiest young lady he had ever seen, and that our budding romance was too good to be true. 

The following week Aaron asked for a phone call, during which I recounted an embarrassing childhood story involving cats and bar charts. Luckily, this didn’t deter him from wanting to meet in person (in fact, that quirkiness is what Aaron loved most about me). 

After a month of messages, phone calls, and texts, Aaron drove to Hershey and took me out to Chocolate World for our first date. Later, our attraction to each other was solidified when we discovered we were both drawn to traditional practices. And most of all to the mystery and beauty of the Mass of the Ages.

When I invited Aaron to my niece’s 1st birthday party in Texas, I was under the impression he was going to ask my dad for my hand in marriage. But he had other plans. After my niece’s party, I went with my mom to a chocolate bonbon-making class. Aaron and the rest of my family were left watching March Madness. While I was gone, he let everyone in on the secret that he was planning to propose that weekend. 

Upon my return, Aaron led me to a private part of the house, read a poem he had written himself, and asked me to be his wife. In his thoughtfulness, he had ensured we were surrounded by family I didn’t see very often. And in my excitement, I also managed to spill wine on my poem—you can still see the stain to this day!

Looking back, Divine Providence was beautifully woven throughout our meeting and courtship. The first day Aaron messaged me was December 7, the feast of St. Ambrose—the patron of my childhood parish. After that, and before we met in person, he prayed the rosary every day, humbly asking Our Lady for her intercession in our new relationship. 

At the time, I was regularly attending the traditional Latin Mass (TLM), and Aaron happily accompanied me. We consecrated ourselves to Mary, and in the nine months preceding what we thought would be our wedding date, we completed the First Friday devotion in honor of the Sacred Heart of Our Lord. 

Devotion to the Sacred Heart was prominent throughout our engagement. We even had a Sacred Heart cake at our betrothal and engagement party. And little did we know, the Sacred Heart would soon play an even bigger role as the pandemic wreaked havoc on our wedding plans.

We wanted to be intentional with the details of our wedding, in a way that reflected the intentionality of the traditional Latin Mass. This started in the design of our wedding crest:

We included lilacs—the state flower of New York—to represent Aaron, and cotton bolls to represent my family background in cotton farming. We chose the Latin phrase “Semper Veritas et Amor” which means “love and truth forever” to reflect the initials of our monogram. Finally, we decided to have the Sacred Heart burning at the top. 

This was a reminder that our marriage was called to reflect God’s boundless love and passionate heart, set ablaze for all of mankind.

My childhood dream was to plan a May wedding full of beautiful spring blooms. COVID, unfortunately, prevented that dream from coming completely true. We were planning on marrying in Texas, but both Aaron and I were in New York when government-mandated lockdowns took effect. To make matters worse, Texas instituted a 14-day quarantine on travelers from New York. 

Even if we had a small wedding, it would be nearly impossible for Aaron’s parents to make it. Meanwhile, members of my family were urging us to consider postponing. But Aaron and I had already spent our engagement long distance, and we were eager to enter the sacrament of matrimony. Juggling competing interests began to take its toll. 

After many heartfelt conversations, Aaron and I decided that no matter the outcome of the pandemic, we would marry on June 20, the Saturday after the feast of the Sacred Heart.

Postponing for six weeks was a gamble, but Texas began steadily re-opening in May. Bad news struck, however, when we were informed we couldn’t use the parish hall for our reception. In a small town, the parish hall was the only wedding venue available. Luckily, my aunt knew of a large venue in a neighboring small town: a barn where livestock shows were held.

Although we secured a new venue, the uncertainty of the pandemic still left us feeling like our plans could crumble at any moment. Many meat-packing plants in Texas were experiencing COVID outbreaks, resulting in a meat shortage. There probably wouldn’t be any meat to serve our wedding guests. For barbecue-loving Texans, this was quite the blow. But we kept reminding ourselves that our day was about the sacrament, not the celebration. 

While visiting the parish we were to marry in, I noticed that instead of the traditional St. Joseph statue on the left side altar, there was a statue commemorating the Sacred Heart of Jesus. This small sign from heaven was all it took for Aaron and I to decide to entrust all of our worries to His most Sacred Heart.

Finding a church with a high altar and communion rail suitable for the TLM led us to St. Boniface, the parish home of my father’s grandparents. They even have a stained-glass window dedicated in their honor! 

Honoring our familial heritage was important to us; both Aaron and I are of German descent. Marrying at a church under the patronage of St. Boniface, the saint credited for converting the Germanic tribes of Europe, seemed a perfect way to honor the faith and traditions our ancestors had passed down through generations.

While planning wedding details, I came across a medieval tradition of using flowers as symbols of the Blessed Virgin. I wanted our wedding flowers to stem from this tradition. The bouquet we presented to Mary at our nuptial Mass included roses to represent the Mystical Rose herself, as well as “lily of the valley.” Legend says lily of the valley sprung up at the foot of the cross as Mary’s tears fell to the ground as she witnessed the crucifixion. 

It was important to me to include symbols of both joy and sorrow in our wedding day. I wanted a reminder to humbly bear the crosses of this life, to one day revel in the glory of the next. And to remind us that God can always turn our sorrow into something beautiful.

Although it was a hard decision to make, we were so grateful to have an event in which all of our family (including our five nieces and nephews!) could witness our union before God. 

Postponing allowed my nephews to be ring bearers and my young cousins to ring dainty silver bells down the aisle to signal the entrance of the bride. They were followed by my two flower girl nieces, who were gently coaxed down the aisle by their mothers, my matrons of honor, and their fathers, who were groomsmen. 

Postponing our marriage to June, the month devoted to the most Sacred Heart, seemed to be part of our story from the start.

For our reception, I was inspired by the beauty of traditional English gardens. An entire team of people (commanded by my warrior mother who planned and re-planned our wedding twice) worked tirelessly to transform a livestock barn into a secret garden oasis. 

Flowers adorned as many surfaces as possible (even the ceiling), and we rented greenery common in English gardens to surround our sweetheart table. A display of wedding photographs of our ancestors was decorated with lace and vintage wedding veils. And as a nod to our Victorian inspiration, we included a tea bar complete with tea, honey, sugar cubes, cinnamon sticks, and shortbread cookies. 

Vintage teacups planted with miniature ivies graced the tabletops and served as favors to our guests. We also gave away aprons emblazoned with either the Sacred Heart of Jesus or the Immaculate Heart of Mary, made for the men and women who helped serve at our reception.

We kicked off dancing with the German tradition of the Grand March. Then our guests danced the night away two-stepping and celebrating our new marriage—something we had doubted would ever happen!

I want other brides to know that no matter the circumstances, at the end of your wedding day, you and your beloved have still received a beautiful sacrament. Despite many setbacks, tears, and anxieties, Divine Providence (as always) reigned supreme, and the result was a beautiful, grace-filled day. It was a day in which Aaron and I ceased to be two single individuals and were united as one. 

The love, support, and commitment from our closest family and friends to make our wedding happen during such a trying time was a testament to true Christian charity. It was the love and generosity of a community formed by a shared love of God, and our wedding was just one beautiful fruit.

Photography: Kristin Bednarz, Kristin + Camera | Nuptial Mass Location: St. Boniface Catholic Church, Olfen, Texas | Wedding Reception Venue: Miles Young Farmer Show Complex, Miles, Texas | Rentals: Celebraciones Bellas and Joyce Wilde, family friend | Rings: Jared | Stationery: Papel Custom Design | Wedding Crest: Blush and Bloom Art | Florals: Stemmed and Lana Hirt, family friend | Cake: Betty Lehr, family friend | Hair: Janie Rodriguez, NoCo Salon, and Tami Schwartz, family friend | Makeup: Danielle Bradshaw, Posh Salon | Bride’s Gown: Lulu’s Bridal | Bride’s Headpiece: Lena Rom | Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Molly’s Bridal Closet | Bridesmaids’ Veils: Rutt Shop | Tuxedos: Jos. A. Bank | Videography: Molina Media

Sam + Michael | Turquoise & Gold Country Club Wedding

Roses in light pastel shades and bridesmaids in soft teal dresses brought romance to this Georgia wedding. The reception was decorated with teal, gold, and glass accents, with muted greenery that added a touch of earthy elegance to the grand country club ballroom.

For Sam and Michael, their love for the Blessed Mother, which began during their relationship, carried through to their wedding day; a celebration with grace abundantly present in both the grand and intimate moments. 

Their photographer describes the experience of photographing their wedding, capturing all the intentional details lovingly planned by the bride and groom.

From the Photographer

Sam and Michael's August wedding was beautiful in so many ways. One example was their love for Mary and their consistent devotion to her throughout their relationship. 

While discerning marriage, Sam and Michael prayed a novena to Mary Undoer of Knots. Then, in 2019, Michael proposed to Sam on the feast of the Assumption, and they were married on the feast of the Queenship of Mary. During their nuptial Mass, they included a beautiful prayer to the Blessed Mother as well. 

From the prayers that Sam’s bridesmaids prayed over her, to the foot washing ceremony, to the lavender toss exit, Sam and Michael’s wedding was full of joy and celebration. 

The bride was married in a gorgeous dress from J. Andrews Bridal and a veil made by Michael's mother. While getting ready, Sam gifted each of her bridesmaids an elegant Stamped and Finch gold bracelet, customized with a specific word for each person. 

They were married in Peachtree City, Georgia, where both Sam and Michael grew up, in a sanctuary just steps from the room where they first met. Their reception featured the sweetest foot washing ceremony and plenty of dancing. Then they departed with a fun (and sweet-smelling) lavender toss exit. 

Sam and Michael are a testament of devotion to each other and their shared faith, and it shone through in every moment of their wedding day. As their photographer, it was a gift to see all the moments that unfolded—each a witness to the holiness of the couple and their families. 

To see God working in the grand, beautiful moments and the small, intimate glances was powerful. I believe every wedding can reflect this divine beauty, if only you invite the Lord in.

Photographer: Maggie Dunn Photography | Nuptial Mass: Holy Trinity in Peachtree City, GA | Wedding Reception Venue + Catering: Flat Creek Country Club | Florals: Arthur Murphey Florist | Invitations: Minted | Hairstylist: Anna Kemp | Dress Shop: J Andrews Bridal | Bridesmaids Dresses: Birdy Grey | Bridesmaids Bracelets: Stamped and Finch

Madison + AJ | 1920s Railway Station Wedding

A summertime Texas wedding celebrated in the historic St. Mary’s of the Assumption Catholic Church, lined with stunning stained glass architecture that brightened a spacious cream interior. Bridesmaids in blush gowns held joyful bouquets of yellow, purple, and pink florals. And the reception, decorated with gold accents, was held in a landmark 1920s era train-station-turned-ballroom. 

Madison and AJ share a special devotion to the Holy Family, their example of perfect married love and faithful family life. Their wedding was a beautiful tribute to this devotion, and even the unexpected appearance of a pandemic couldn’t steal the joy of their celebration.

From the Photographer

Madison and AJ both served as FOCUS missionaries and met at James Madison University in Virginia at a Catholic ministries event. 

Madison had recently transferred to JMU from Texas A&M. One day, AJ spotted her in the quad and introduced himself. He noticed she was wearing an A&M T-shirt, so he mentioned he had completed some missionary work with students there. Coincidentally, Madison knew those students! And so their friendship began.

Over the next few weeks, AJ wanted to help Madison feel welcome in her new school. Their interactions soon blossomed into a loving relationship. Meanwhile, Madison was praying for her future spouse on the rosary her brother brought her from World Youth Day.

During homecoming weekend, Madison and AJ were praying in the chapel. Sick to his stomach from nerves, AJ wrote her a letter. He wrote how God had given him opportunity after opportunity to trust in him through the process of getting engaged. He wrote that he hoped to imitate St. Joseph in their relationship. St. Joseph had loved Mary with the gifts of security, gentleness, masculinity, obedience to God, and by allowing Mary to be who God was calling her to be. 

He knew Madison would allow him the opportunity to love her like St. Joseph loved Mary. And so, AJ asked Madison to marry him. She said yes!

They were married on August 15th, on the Feast of the Assumption of Mary, at St. Mary's of the Assumption Catholic Church in Fort Worth, Texas. It was a beautiful confirmation that the Blessed Mother had heard Madison’s rosary petitions. 

At their nuptial Mass, Madison and AJ were surrounded by their loved ones and some who watched via livestream because of COVID-related travel limitations. Despite the hiccups that came with planning a COVID wedding, the day was faith-filled, reverent, and joyful--just like the bride and groom.

In fact, every detail of their wedding expressed Madison and AJ’s love of God, Our Lady, and their families. 

The church's bright and airy feel was mirrored by the wedding party’s attire and pastel florals. Bridesmaids wore blush-pink chiffon gowns in different but complementary styles. The groomsmen wore matching pink bow ties, masks, and light gray suits that complemented the bright altar backdrop.

The bouquets and boutonnieres were arranged by Madison's grandfather with bright yellow, pink, and purple flowers. The bridesmaids held yellow roses, and when Madison and AJ spent a moment in prayer with Our Lady, they gifted her yellow roses as well.

Madison’s bridal gown was elegant and playful in all the perfect ways. The dress featured a classic boat neck, balanced by a low v-shaped back and illusion sides. The full circle skirt was dramatic but lightweight and moved gracefully on the dance floor--which Madison hardly left the entire evening. 

She also wore her grandmother's pearl ring, which each of her cousins had worn before her, as "something borrowed." She also had her mother's earrings and held the rosary from her brother around her bouquet. 

Finally, she chose a miraculous medal necklace as a tribute to Our Lady, whose Feast of the Assumption was celebrated on their wedding day.

The readings were those for the Feast of the Holy Family. This was providential, because AJ had called upon the Holy Family in his proposal to Madison, when he had asked for the grace to imitate St. Joseph's love for Mary in his love for his bride.

During the ceremony, the couple was covered with a rosary lasso by Madison’s grandparents, representing their families’ love and their lifelong union before God. Then they received the Precious Blood of Jesus for the first time as a married couple, bowing their heads in reverence for the living Christ in the Eucharist.

The reception was held in the main waiting room at T&P Station, a historic Texas landmark built in the 1930's. The interior is an extravagant example of 1920's Zigzag Moderne architecture and features stunning chandeliers and intricate gold and blue-trimmed wall and ceiling detail. 

The white stone floors were the perfect place for the bridal party and guests to dance the night away, which they did. It was also the perfect place to witness AJ wash his bride’s feet as a symbol of the loving service he vowed to provide her as her husband.

The dinner tables were set with gold plates and gold-rimmed wine glasses to match the striking details of the 1920’s era train-station-turned-ballroom. Muted greenery lined the centerpieces with white baby’s breath as the final touch to the elegant table settings.

Madison and AJ are the epitome of a Christ-centered couple. They served together as FOCUS missionaries on several campuses and participated in many mission trips. Throughout it all, they prayed together and grew together in faith toward a holy, sacramental union. They served one another while serving the Church. 

And their wedding was the perfect start to a married life lived in imitation of the Holy Family.

Photographer: Chelsea Sliwa Photography | Nuptial Mass Location: St. Mary's of the Assumption Catholic Church | Reception Venue : T&P Station | Videographer: @joshulmerfilms | Florist: Flowers with Love | Cake: Stephens Sweet Sensations | Catering: Angelo’s BBQ | Wedding Rentals: @partyessentialsfw | The Bar: DFW Bartending | Hair and Makeup: Kiss and Makeup | DJ: TeeJay from Be Entertained Events | Dress: Ashton Gown by Jenny Yoo | Dress Boutique: BHLDN | Suit: Express Men

Ashley + Luke | Light and Airy Romance

Romantic, muted tones and love in every detail: a testament to the Lord’s delight in revealing his gifts of providence.

Ashley, an Oncology nurse, and Luke, a pharmacist, met the summer they worked together in the same Louisville hospital. They developed a slow friendship, and the following spring, Luke asked Ashley to be his girlfriend.

From the Groom:

When I got to know Ashley, it became more and more apparent that this girl was an answered prayer in my life. God had provided what I hoped for most in a woman: that she would be as faith-filled as my sister, and as selfless and loving as the other most important woman in my life--my mom.

The Lord continued to surprise us with the providential similarities and coincidences he’d willed in our lives. For instance, Ashley drove the same car as my mom. Her parents drove the same Honda CRV as my parents. We had even both traveled to Tena, Ecuador with Timmy Global Health at different times in college. On our separate mission trips, we’d stayed in the same huts in the same village. We had met the same yellow shaggy dog and had many of the same experiences nearly 3,000 miles away in South America.

God is a God of love. He always hears us and provides. Mother Angelica once said, “Patience is adjusting our timing to God’s timing.” This is what I’ve learned.

Looking back, he gifted us so many signs. He painted the path to marriage in providence for me, and held my hand all along the way. In reality, he holds all of our hands.

Some of us are running, and not walking with him. Some of us don’t realize he is holding us. But he is there.

He is always there. He is listening; he is ready for us. And he will embrace us and run to us, if we just turn to him.

From the Wedding Coordinators:

Ashley and Luke’s every decision and touch for their wedding was viewed through the eyes of two people who live out the joy of their faith and want to share it with the world. 

They chose November 16th as their wedding date to honor, remember, and most importantly, pray for those who have passed. This day is the feast of the St Gertrude the Great, a 13th-century Benedictine nun with a great love for the Holy Souls. It was only fitting, then, that Ashley and Luke offered their Nuptial Mass for the souls of their departed loved ones.

They created their own wedding website to reflect their Catholic beliefs, complete with a page to submit prayer requests, and they chose a Catholic photographer and wedding coordinators from Spoken’s Bride’s preferred vendor list.

The Nuptial Mass took place at Luke’s vibrant family parish where his close friend, Father Richard Doerr is the pastor.

Having a Holy Hour of Adoration the evening before the wedding was very important to the couple, as was being able to pray the Rosary together prior to the ceremony. They planned to see one another for the first time that day as Ashley was walking down the aisle in the procession.

With a little creativity thanks to a screen and back-to-back chairs in the parish library, they were able to pray the Rosary hand in hand before the Mass.

Later, their guests would take home blessed Rosary bracelets as favors.

Instead of an instrumental piece for a processional song, Ashley and Luke opted for a gathering hymn of “God Who Created Hearts to Love”, which allowed the guests to begin taking part in the liturgy from the very start.

The readings they selected highlighted the attributes of a godly wife and focused on the great mystery of marriage--the relationship of Christ and the Church. They also selected John’s Gospel account of the Wedding Feast at Cana, recalling Jesus’ first public miracle and the way our Blessed Mother’s direction leads us to her Son.

Choosing the Litany of Saints as the hymn during Holy Communion tied in beautifully with the feast of St Gertrude and the connection to the Holy Souls.

In a nod to social justice and the dignity of work, Ashley and Luke were very intentional in the wedding vendors they worked with, including locally sourced florals, ethically made goods, and support for another Catholic parish as their reception venue. 

The bridal party wore shades of blush and dusty blue, lending things a light, airy, and romantic feel. The bouquets and boutonnieres coordinated beautifully, featuring blush dahlias, peach, yellow, and blush roses, white anemone, blue thistle, eucalyptus, and and dusty blue succulent. The airy feel extended through the reception décor with gold accents and watercolor images of the saints atop each table. 

Ashley and Luke have a devotion to Saint Therese of Lisieux, the Little Flower, and brought their love for her into the little details: yellow petals thrown during their church exit, the socks on the groomsmen, and a statue at their sweetheart table. Everything was selected with love, care, and an intentional simplicity. As the sign by their exit stated, “If every tiny flower wanted to be a rose, spring would lose its loveliness.”

There were so many beautiful things about Ashley and Luke’s wedding day, but perhaps the most inspiring thing is that they didn’t minimize faith for fear of being “too Catholic.”

Instead, they treated theirs like a gift they could share with those they love.

It was so lovely to watch guests pick up their blessed Rosary favors or admire the saint centerpieces. If all of us emulated that attitude, and shared our faith with the same joy, the Catholic faith could spread like wildfire.

Photographer : Fiat Photography | Wedding Coordinators: Something Blue Catholic Weddings | Nuptial Mass Location: Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Carmel, Indiana | Venue : St. Alphonsus Liguori | Make-up: Jessica Winchell with J. Marie Professional Makeup Artistry | Hair: Tangled Up Salon | Florist: Eufloric Events | Catering: Big Hoffa’s BBQ | Cake: Annie May’s Sweet Cafe | Ice Cream: Graeter’s | Reception Music: Troy Miller with DJ Sound Solution | Linens: A Classic Party Rental | Table Decor: Saint Script by Ali Towle | Men’s Socks: Sock Religious

Melissa + Santiago | Intimate Maryland Pandemic Wedding

An intimate wedding garnished with red and white roses and a romantic simplicity that highlighted the love between husband and wife.

Melissa and Santiago’s wedding was not the grand affair they had originally envisioned. A couple months before their nuptials, an unforeseen global pandemic, and the social restrictions that followed, forced them into a place of discernment and uncertainty. 

In a tremendous act of trust, they placed their wedding into the hands of the Father, and in the end, Melissa says “we rejoiced in the simplicity of our small and intimate wedding day.” 

From the Bride: 

Growing up as a child of divorce, the vision I inherited of marriage was very different from that of the children I knew whose parents were married. I grew up in two separate households, seeing my dad on the weekends and having a full-time mom. 

Throughout the years I faced various obstacles and challenges, but I’m thankful my mom was faithful to her Catholic roots and instilled many Catholic values into my upbringing. One thing was certain, if I ever entered the sacrament of marriage, I knew I didn’t want to put myself or my children through a divorce.  

Related: Embracing Marriage as a Child of Divorce

I had long started my journey of healing past wounds when I met Santiago, and I actually thought I was doing pretty great. I realized, however, that God continually challenges us to grow and purify ourselves. A few months after our engagement, my mom encouraged me to attend a retreat for Adult Children of Divorce. The retreat was a huge blessing for Santiago and I. It was there, after more than a decade, that I was reunited with Fr. Dan Leary, a priest from my adolescent youth group. Fr. Dan quickly became an integral part of preparing Santiago and I for marriage. 

At the beginning of quarantine, we were hopeful things would get better. As we got closer to the wedding date, we realized our plans would have to change. The more we were stripped of the worldly desires we envisioned for our wedding, the closer we were drawn to surrender and trust. 

Those days were a purification process similar to the earlier stages of our marital preparation. Santiago and I grew even closer during this season as we discerned whether to postpone or keep our wedding date. I went through every stage of grief and was on a roller coaster of emotions, but these moments called me back to the sacrament of confession (thank God for drive-in confessions!) and to cling on to prayer. 

As we grappled with the idea of having to postpone, God redirected our focus to the core of what brought us together in the first place: keeping God at the center of our lives. Despite the circumstances and tremendous change of plans, we rejoiced in the simplicity of our small and intimate wedding day. 

In retrospect, attending that retreat was truly Divine Providence. The first time we asked Fr. Dan to officiate our wedding, he was already booked for May 16th. After the unexpected turn of events, we celebrated the sacrament of marriage at his parish with him as our officiant (he also  photobombed our pre-wedding prayer picture). 

As he said during our wedding homily, “It’s a perfect day to get married in the midst of a virus. Why? Because what overcomes the virus is love. What’s crippling so many people is fear. They’re afraid, but when you see love it reminds you that it is the only thing that lasts. God does not identify himself as fear. He identifies himself as Love, and the only emotion, the only virtue, the only reality that exists at the end of time, when you are before God, will be one thing: love. You’re injecting love into a culture that’s afraid. You’re injecting love into people that need to see it.”

We’re living in very heart-wrenching times. And yet God is present in our pain, in our sufferings, and in our brokenness. He calls us to seek and find him in these moments. He calls us to not lose faith and to trust in his plans, for they are far greater than ours. 

There is growth to be found in every season of life, and through it all God knows what he’s preparing us for.   

Michelle + Eric | “Love in the Time of Corona”

Simplicity and intention for an intimate Colorado celebration during the COVID-19 pandemic.

At exactly 1:00 AM on the Feast of the Epiphany, God woke Eric up.

“It’s not unusual for me to wake up briefly in the middle of the night,” he says. But usually he could fall right back to sleep. “This night was different.” After some time tossing and turning, Eric typed Catholic Match into his phone. 

Years earlier, he’d made the decision to quit online dating, yet he followed the prompting of the heart he was experiencing, and made a profile. Michelle appeared in his results, and he says, “I knew right then and there that she was the girl I was there to see.” A shooting star, seen as he was taking out the trash, caught Eric’s attention several days later.

Like for the Magi at Epiphany, the star brought the conviction that everything was about to change.

Michelle and Eric began dating soon after, and were engaged on the sandstone cliffs of Lory State Park in Fort Collins, Colorado. Michelle’s engagement ring, crafted by a Catholic jeweler, features the cross on one side, representing the sacrifice, suffering, and faith of married life, and the Tree of Life on the other, signifying growth, joy, and family.

They made plans, and then the COVID-19 pandemic began. Through prayer, Michelle and Eric decided to move up their wedding date and hold a small, intimate ceremony and reception.

From the Couple:

Once it was clear [most of our guests] wouldn't be coming--whether because of personal choice, the government's choice, or the Church's choice--we had no reason to wait! We were pumped to push our wedding up.

Planning a wedding in four days is the most incredible excuse not to sweat the small stuff and go into it for the right reasons. We were there to marry each other. In front of God. If everything else went up in smoke, that was fine. 

We were fully expecting all kinds of blunders. It was about the sacrament. And thanks to our amazing wedding planner, Emma Dolan, the only hiccups we had were getting a few lines out of order during the prayers of the faithful and a Facebook live stream that wasn't oriented properly.

It was a wedding like no other--on a Sunday in Lent, no less--and we feel incredibly blessed. We're so grateful to all the friends who made big sacrifices to help pull it together. It couldn't have felt more Catholic: if we’d already been living together or chosen not to have a sacramental wedding, the sense of urgency and gravity would’ve probably felt very different. 

We still plan on having a Mass with a special blessing and a reception at some point in the future. Our hearts go out to our vendors, in particular, and we don't want to abandon them.

For other couples holding “pandemic weddings,” these tips helped us:

Enjoy every moment.

Don't let pride get in the way! Ask for help when pivoting. Especially in these times, your few friends and family who can attend will be honored to lend a hand.

Keep a steward mentality and remember that God doesn't owe us anything, especially a big, picturesque ceremony and reception. He's already given you your future spouse's love! The rest can't compare.

Live streaming is awesome. We had tons of people tune in, including many whom we couldn't initially invites. Make sure to put your phone in landscape mode with Facebook Live!

Never panic. Never! There's never a good excuse. Healthy concern is fine, but fear is the root of all sin and is always from Satan. It also robs us of our reasoning at the moments we need it most.

We're not sure it's even possible to have a wedding with all the current restrictions, but as soon as the shelter in place orders are lifted and it's clear that hospitals are no longer overrun, we suggest going for it if it can be done safely.

Nothing is certain, but we can do our homework, pray, and do our best. Make it about the sacrament. You don't need to wait for a large audience.

From the Photographer:

I got a text from Eric that said, "So, what are you doing in four days? It looks like we are going to have to bump up the wedding."

I have always been told that my grandparents did things simply. They gathered for a simple wedding at their church, came back to the house, had cake and punch, and told good stories with their closest friends. Their priority was investing in their home and future, rather than throwing an extravagant party.

I have always wondered what it would be like to be a part of such a gathering. Little did I know that this global pandemic would afford me the ability. 

The mood of the day was hopeful even amidst great uncertainty in the world. There was a resounding joy that seemed to elevate every moment. 

Sure, they just had to effectively reduce a 200+ person wedding to just immediate family and a few good friends. 

Sure, they had their church and venue cancel on them and tell them there was nothing they could do. 

Sure, some of their closest friends could not make it.

But they had Christ and each other. And that was enough.

I always tell my couples I like to capture the day with their grandchildren in mind. Well, I'd wager that Michelle and Eric’s grandchildren will have more than a few stories to tell about this day. 

That's the good stuff.

Photography: Joshua Paul Photography | Church: Saint John XXIII Catholic Church · Fort Collins, Colorado | Wedding Reception Venue : Private residence | Dress: Unknown | Suit: Pre-Owned | Bridesmaids Dresses: Pre-owned or borrowed | Florals: Hobby Lobby & Palmer Flowers | Cake: Donated by local cake shop - @downrightsweettreats | DJ - Grooms Cell Phone, Spotify & A Google Home Max | Catering - Local Mexican Restaurant - Cafe Mex

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

Leah + Seth | Southern Indiana Chapel Wedding

Simplicity, intentionality, and authenticity. These are the virtues Leah and Seth pursued in their relationship after their lives crossed paths again. And after a mountaintop proposal, they carried these values into their wedding planning. 

Faith and family became their focus, and it shone through in the beauty of their wedding day.

From the Bride: It is amazing the way God works in our lives. Seth and I were friends all through high school, but lost touch after we left for college in different states. Years later, after I moved back to Indianapolis, I began seriously thinking and praying about God's plans for my future. 

My sister suggested we start a 54 day novena to St. Anne for the intention of our future spouses. Halfway through this novena, Seth and I ran into each other at Sunday Mass. As we caught up, we realized how much we had in common beyond our high school years, and we were eager to spend more time together. 

At one point, when we were going on dates but “not yet dating,” my sister said to me, "don't you think it's crazy that Seth came along right as we prayed this novena?" I waved her off as "reading too much into it," because I secretly thought the same thing and was afraid to hope too much. 

Seth had also been praying about his vocation the spring before we reconnected. He was determined that any relationship he entered into would be grounded in prayerful discernment of marriage and authenticity. It is easy in any new relationship to become caught up in a desire to impress the other person and hide aspects of yourself you dislike. We were both very committed to being as genuine as possible about the good and the bad. In this way, we slowly built a solid relationship based on friendship and honesty. 

Eighteen months later, Seth was attending graduate school in Virginia while I worked in a nearby city. One beautiful but cold December day, we hiked to a well-known mountainous overlook, praying the rosary and discussing our philosophies of marriage at Seth's suggestion. This discussion did not clue me in to Seth's plan to propose at the top of the overlook! 

His proposal was as simple and genuine as he is, and it was one of the happiest days of our lives. We knew that our prayers before and during our relationship as well as our commitment to being intentional and authentic brought us to that joyous day.

Seth and I were married in St. Agnes Catholic Church, a beautiful wooden chapel hidden away in the rolling hills of southern Indiana. We chose the music and readings to reflect the simple beauty and solemness of this little church. We made no plans to decorate the inside, as our concentration was on the liturgy itself. However, a thoughtful member of the parish gathered wild flowers to adorn the altar space for us. 

Our whole wedding day was characterized by small, thoughtful acts like these made by many of our loved ones. The day before our wedding, we invited family and friends to spend an hour in prayer with us. It was a powerful moment, seeing so many people praying for us in preparation for our marriage. 

These same family and friends showed us their support throughout our engagement by taking over many of the wedding duties. From liturgical music to flower arrangements to desserts at the reception, they pitched in to offer their talents to make our day special. 

A particularly special gift was made by my eldest sister, who was unable to travel to our wedding because she was nine months pregnant. She gave me the beautiful mantilla veil she had worn at her own wedding. When I put on the veil the morning of my wedding, I felt as if a small part of her was with me. 

One of the best pieces of advice we received was to talk on the phone before the wedding began. Since the end of the aisle would be the first time we saw each other that day, a normal conversation the morning of our wedding helped calm our nerves and made us that much more excited to get married. 

The nuptial Mass itself was incredibly special, not only because we chose the readings and the music, but because everyone partaking was someone dear to us. The best part of the Mass was kneeling so close to the altar during the consecration. 

Our reception after Mass was a joyous occasion. Rather than the usual sweetheart table, Seth and I chose to create a "king table" where both our immediate families could sit with us. This was yet another way we ensured family was the center of our celebration.

Seth and I have talked many times about our wedding day in the months since. We are happy that it reflected our priorities of God and family. The truth is, after your wedding, you realize how many of the small details you obsessed about simply do not matter in the grand scheme of your marriage. Your wedding should be a time to honor the serious commitment you are making and to celebrate it with the people you love.

Photography: Soul Creations Photography | Church: St. Agnes Catholic Church, Columbus, IN | Reception: Factory 12 Event Loft, Columbus, IN | Officiant: Fr. Eric Augenstein | DJ: Cade Grubbs (family member) | Caterer/Bartender: Factory 12 | Rings: Touch of Silver, Gold, and Old | Bridal Gown: David's Bridal | Dresses: David's Bridall

Emily + Jose | Romantic Candlelit Rose Wedding

There is something so beautiful about the nuptial Mass and the heavenly celebration of two lives becoming one. There are graces in engagement and the marriage sacrament that transform broken hearts. 

Emily didn’t know what would happen next. Recovering from a previous relationship and loss of a job, she fell back on prayer. Then, through the intercession of St. Joseph and the courage to jump into community, Emily met Jose. The rest is history.

From the Bride: I made one of the hardest decisions of my life when I called off my engagement to an emotionally abusive fiancé and moved back home with my parents at 27 years old. And despite having amazing colleagues at work, I was not feeling fulfilled at my job either, which made the transition harder. 

During the following fall, I prayed constant novenas to St. Joseph asking for a purposeful, meaningful job. A few months later in December, I found out I was being laid off, and my last day would be in January. Even though I wasn’t in love with my job, I knew I needed to work, but nothing piqued my interest. 

So I kept praying. My mom knew I was developing a special devotion to St. Joseph and gave me a special bracelet with his icon on it as a little gift to cheer me up.

Around the same time, I found a new parish and began attending their young adult group. I’m a natural introvert, but I knew I needed to be around other people my age for support. I decided to sign up as a volunteer for a new event held at a local, historic theatre that recurred monthly,  because I knew the accountability meant I wouldn’t bail last-minute (a bad habit of mine). After the event I left on “Jesus high.” I loved feeling like I was a part of a community, of something greater than myself.

I was surprised to get a phone call the next day from a guy I had talked to the night before, asking me out to dinner, and I accepted! I had enjoyed talking to him and figured it wouldn't hurt to get to know him a little better--and yet I did not want a boyfriend. It sounds cheesy, but I didn't think I could find anyone who would make me happy and feel loved without any hidden agenda.

Jose brought the smile back to my face and the sparkle back into my eyes. We were very open and honest with each other from the start, since I learned just how important communication was from my last relationship. Most importantly, I looked forward to going to Mass with him on Sundays, something that I never thought would be so meaningful to me. 

A few weeks after I started dating Jose, I realized that Jose means Joseph in Spanish. Coincidence?

Several months later, I was hired by the organization that put on the young adult ministry event and ironically became one of the main people in charge of running it. Since Jose and I met at the theatre and spent a lot of time there, he decided it would be the perfect place to propose.

He contacted one of my colleagues who put him in contact with the event manager at the theater. The event manager then contacted me to come in and go over event details on a Sunday afternoon. I arrived for the “meeting” at the adjoining restaurant, and my manager asked if I wanted to go inside to listen to a band while they were doing their sound check. I thought, “sure, but won’t it be a little loud to talk?” After a few minutes inside the theatre, we headed back out where Jose was anxiously waiting.

He nervously turned me around and showed me the marquee where “Emily, will you marry me?” was written and got down on one knee. His whole family and my parents (along with restaurant diners across the street) were there to witness the joyous occasion. A champagne toast at the restaurant’s rooftop followed, and then we all went to the restaurant where we had our first date to celebrate our engagement! 

As a former secular wedding coordinator, I hate to admit it, but I was hesitant to have a full Mass. Only about a third of our guests were Catholic and wouldn’t know what was going on. I also worried they would complain about the length of the ceremony. I spent twelve months of our fifteen-month engagement wrapped up in other details like most brides do: flowers, color palettes, catering, and on and on.

I felt like once I had my dress, the aesthetic details would fall into place. One of my old colleagues, Brittany, worked at a bridal boutique and told me about a trunk show they were having. I sent her pictures of dresses I liked and told her what I did not want. I wanted something not as “traditional” that reflected my personality, so when my guests saw me in my dress they would say, “that’s so Emily!” 

I have heard of people (or while watching too much “Say Yes to the Dress”) trying on twenty or more dresses, so I was expecting to visit several shops before I found “the one.” I must have been an exception, because it didn’t take me long to find my dress. In fact, it was the first one I tried on! The dress was not normally for sale, but it was brought in specifically for the trunk show that weekend. It had a crocheted lace top and a loose, chiffon bottom that had vertical panels of the same lace all around. It was meant to be. 

I never imagined wearing a long veil--I thought they were for royalty getting married in castles--but the church we were getting married in had the most beautiful, long aisle. I felt it would be a disservice not to have a long veil. The one I tried on when I bought my dress wasn’t long enough, so I chose to have it custom made to the cathedral length I wanted. It was an unexpected expense, but even my frugal mother felt it was worth it for my special day. 

One of my favorite details was the broach I pinned on my bouquet. It was given to my maternal grandmother from my grandfather on their wedding day and also worn by my mother when she married my father.

Then, a few months before the wedding, something unexpected happened. All of the superficial details and feelings of self-consciousness about the ceremony went on the back burner as Jose and I began planning our liturgy. We both became enamored with choosing the readings and music. We didn’t want it to feel “predictable,” and we wanted to make it our own, which I worried would be difficult with the pre-selected readings and music limitations to choose from. So we took our time, carefully studying each of the readings and psalms to decide which ones reflected our relationship with God as a couple.

Two weeks before the wedding I was at my parent’s house, and my mom, feeling nostalgic, pulled out a few things from her own wedding. As I scanned over the program, I thought the Gospel reading looked familiar. It turned out the Gospel reading we chose (John 15: 12-16) picked up from the verse where my parents had left off (John 15: 9-12). It was such a special surprise from the Holy Spirit.

I sprained my left wrist a week before the wedding. Other than the bruising, I worried how I was going to get everything done before the big day. No matter how prepared you are, there are some things you just can’t do in advance (like buying fresh popcorn for hotel welcome bags). 

I feel like God was telling me to slow down and ask for help, two things I am not good at. So instead of dwelling in pity, I made the situation as comical as I could. My dad and I joked about buying a brace to match my dress, and my mom told me I got all the “day-of mishaps” out of the way early. 

It was such a lesson in humility. Having your almost-husband tie your shoes and people open bottles for you really puts little things into perspective. As much as my naturally independent spirit wants to believe it, I can’t do everything alone. A beautiful representation of this was stated in our first reading, Genesis 2:18: “It is not good for man to be alone. I will make a helper suited to him.”

It also reminds me that marriage is not something I can do on my own. You need the love and support of others. You need God. You need to sit back and listen to him when the world is loud, and you want to give in to what is popular, which is often not from him.

When the big day finally arrived, we were married at the church where we met almost two years before. Jose and I opted out of a first look, but exchanged hand-written cards and prayed together before the ceremony. 

Though “Canon in D” is a very common bridal processional, I got chills when the organist first played it during our engagement. I was reminded of how I had always pictured myself walking down the aisle to that song, and I didn’t care how many other brides made it their grand entrance. Other pieces that added meaningful touches to our ceremony were “I am the Bread of Life,” “Oh God Beyond All Praising,” and “Ave Maria” when we offered roses and prayers to Mary.

Meanwhile, Jose was persistent that we would have the full sacrament, and for that I am forever grateful. I designed our programs to note when to sit, stand, and kneel, and our deacon helped explain different parts of the liturgy to our guests. 

Throughout the whole ceremony, I felt like it was just the two of us on the altar, and my last thought was what others were thinking.

One of the biggest blessings of the day was that Jose’s uncle, a bishop from Mexico, was able to celebrate our nuptial Mass. He spoke of his brother, Jose’s father, who passed away several years ago from cancer. His mother carried a rose in remembrance of him and placed it where he would have sat during the ceremony. Even though nothing could replace him being there physically, we felt his presence during the Mass and throughout the day.

Everyone says that weddings go by fast, and it did. It felt like an out-of-body experience. We were surrounded by family, friends, and most importantly, Jesus. The day was a true celebration of joining two vastly different lives and cultures into one. It wasn’t just the end of my countdown app, but the beginning of a beautiful, God-centered life together.

Photography: Megan Eidson | Church: St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church | Dallas, TX | Reception: Howell & Dragon | Dallas, TX | Videographer: Chevy Chey Photography  | Flowers: Lizzie Bee’s Flower Shoppe  | Caterer: CN Catering | Invitations: Vista | Bride’s Dress (Pronovias)/Veil (Bel Aire): Lulu’s Bridal Boutique  | Bride’s Earrings: PeonyandPearlWedding | Bridesmaid’s Attire (bill Levkoff): Molly’s Bridal  | Groom & Groomsmen Attire: Jos. A. Banks | Rings – engagement: Shapiro Diamonds  | Rings – wedding bands: Zales  | Cake Baker: Arielle Pastry Works | Hair: Brittainy Boggs | Music – Ceremony: Michael Conrady | Music – Reception: Vida Weddings and Events  | Coordination: Stacey Williams

Melissa + AJ | Romantic Marian Wedding

Melissa and AJ met in 2016 at the same church they would get married in two years later. During their courtship, it only took a couple months for them to both discern a call to marriage.

As they traveled the road to the altar, one constant remained in their relationship: the intercession of the Blessed Mother. They consecrated themselves and their relationship to Jesus through Mary the December after they met.

They consecrated themselves again on their wedding day.

And since then they have renewed that consecration a third time.

Their wedding day would be marked by abiding peace, the presence of the Holy Spirit, and a joy shared by everyone who attended.

From the Bride: I was introduced to AJ one night at church by a good friend who knew both of us well. A few weeks later on the solemnity of the Assumption of Mary, after a Latin Mass at the oldest and most beautiful Catholic church in Miami, he asked me on our first date.

Kneeling together during the Eucharistic liturgy during that Mass, AJ says an image came to his mind of his cousin’s wedding, when she and her husband presented flowers to Mary. It was then he decided he better ask me out.

We began seeing each other regularly and from the very beginning prayed together each night.

Two months later we had already started talking about marriage and the good things the Lord might have in store for our future.

After that, on the days leading up to the feast of the Immaculate Conception, we made our first consecration to Jesus through Mary, using Fr. Michael Gaitley’s 33 Days to Morning Glory.

The next January, our first trip together was with friends from our community to Washington, D.C. for the March For Life; it was an incredible weekend to experience and passionately defend life in the womb together.

And following my graduation from my master’s program, we set off to explore the national parks and celebrate finishing school. AJ proposed at Arches National Park in Moab, Utah, on the feast day of Sts. Anne and Joachim: the parents of the Blessed Virgin, patrons of marriage, and now our personal patron saints.

It was time to plan a wedding.

While I was in charge of the logistics, aesthetics, and reception planning, AJ took the initiative planning our Mass. There were many precious aspects included in this, and he thought through each detail with love and care.

We had four priests concelebrate our wedding Mass: one from AJ’s dormitory at the University of Notre Dame, one who served AJ his first communion, another who has been his spiritual director over the years, and one involved with our young adult community.

We knew from the start that we would include the presentation of flowers to Mary in our Mass. In fact, it had been at that same church, in front of that same statue of Mary almost two years earlier that AJ and I received the Eucharist kneeling together before he asked me on a date.

I think back now to our wedding day, entrusting ourselves to Jesus through the intercession of our beautiful Blessed Mother, when we brought her flowers and consecrated ourselves for the second time.

Another addition we both felt strongly about was a foot washing ceremony. This was something we had never seen during a Catholic wedding Mass, but after getting the approval of our priests, we were thrilled to include it.  

For us, marriage is about a willful choice to love and serve the other by giving the gift of ourselves. In order to display that gift of self, service, and humility we each got down on our knees in front of the altar and washed each other’s feet.

This was just as Jesus said:“So if I, your Lord and teacher have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have set you an example that you also should do as I have done for you.”  

The two of us have also served as extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion in the past. We knew that in addition to serving each other throughout our marriage, we also desired to serve our family, friends, and community on our wedding day. Thus, we decided to serve as Eucharistic ministers at our nuptial Mass and distribute communion to our guests. This was a beautiful moment, getting to serve the Bread of Life to those that we loved most.

Our nuptial Mass was not only the best part of our wedding day; it was the most special event of our lives.

It meant so much to us to hear similar sentiments not only from those attending our wedding who were practicing Catholics, but also from those who did not regularly attend church or who may not even believe in God. Each person we spoke with shared that our Mass was special, deeply meaningful, and touched them in a unique way.

My sister-in-law sang two songs during our Mass. One of our lectors was the same friend who first introduced AJ and I. We were able to include so many loved ones, aunts, godparents, grandparents, cousins, nieces, nephews, and others in our wedding day.

The music was absolutely beautiful, the church was stunning, the flowers added a feeling of life, and our guests filled the place with joy. And yet, more than all that, the Holy Spirit was what illuminated our nuptial Mass and made it the divine event it was.

We both truly felt it was just the two of us there with Jesus, vowing ourselves to the other on the most important day of our lives.

Before the event, I was concerned I would be distracted with so many loved ones there to celebrate or by trying to remember what came next. I was afraid I would not be able to appreciate living in each moment during the wedding ceremony.

But that could not have been further from how I felt during those ninety minutes. I have never been so fully present to any event, Mass, or moment in my life.

I was filled with more peace than I have ever felt. On my way down the aisle, my eyes locked with AJ’s and did not wander away.

During the Mass the world seemed to become still and present with us, to allow us peace to soak in every second of this time. I was completely present in each moment, not paying attention to what anyone else was doing. It was such a gift.

The rest of the day absolutely flew by.

With so many family and friends visiting from out of town, and even out of the country, we tried to enjoy them all while remaining focused on each other.

Now, we are so thankful to live around the corner from Gesu Catholic Church, where it all began at that Latin Mass on the feast of the Assumption several years ago. We were married there, and it is currently our home parish where we serve as Eucharistic ministers and lectors.

This year, on August 15, 2018 we consecrated ourselves for the third time to Jesus through Mary during the Latin Mass of the Assumption at Gesu, now as a joyfully married couple in our home parish.

We have our families to thank for raising us to be who we are, supporting our decisions and desires, helping us plan our big day, and hosting the most wonderful wedding for us.

Looking back as a bride, planning a wedding can be extremely stressful and overwhelming. As a marriage and family therapist, I know the engagement period is typically the most difficult time in a couple’s lives. The pressure of such a big life event and the constant input they get from everyone around them can be overwhelming.

My takeaway is that it all would have been meaningless without Jesus.

He brought us together, made our relationship good, and helps us to love each other in a life-giving way. I am so thankful for my husband’s faith and dependence on God. Without that, our marriage would not be the good, selfless, sanctifying one that it is.

Although AJ and I have different interests and strengths, we use those differences to compliment one another, just as we did with our styles on our wedding day to create our perfect aesthetic.

When we experience difficulties, as every couple will, we have a greater understanding of how to handle those times and tackle them together because of our faith. I am so thankful our wedding day set us up for a lifetime grounded in the rock-solid foundation of Christ.

Photography: Tara McGovern | Church: Gesu Catholic Church, Miami, FL | Reception Venue: Club of Knights, Miami, FL | Videography: Creative Fox Films | DJ: Miami DJs | Vintage Furniture Rentals: Mi Vintage Rentals | Day-of Coordination: Le Blanc Events | Makeup: Cristal Allure | Dress: Belissima Bridal | Flowers: Simple Rustic | Hair: Styles by Renee

Danielle + Jeff | Latin Mass Fairy Tale Wedding

We are honored by the opportunity to walk alongside you in this marriage ministry, from Yes to I Do and beyond, and we love returning to our couples' stories as they continue to unfold. If we've featured your love story in our How He Asked engagement series and you now feel called to share your wedding with us, as well, submission details can be found here.

Read more here for the story of Danielle and Jeff’s engagement, a tale of patiently growing attraction after Jeff discerned out of the seminary during their time in grad school.

Shortly after celebrating their first anniversary as husband and wife, newlywed Danielle reflects back on her wedding day with her husband, Jeff.

She says, “The memory of that special day is never far from my mind. I still recall something that our priest said during the homily at our nuptial Mass, which was, "Take this early time, this time in which despite whatever fears and anxieties you have, most everything that you dream of seems possible. And cherish that time."

For Danielle, the whole day felt like a fairy tale come true.

From the Bride: It was finally here! Friday, August 4th 2017. The day I had prayed and waited for my whole life, and it was such a beautiful day, with sun rays beaming brightly through the windows.

The bridesmaids and I got ready in the basement of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, in Vermillion, Minnesota. The girls donned floor-length dresses in a rose-violet shade. My wedding dress was a pure white ballgown with a layered tulle skirt. It had a sweetheart neckline, overlaid with lace, and was cinched at the waist with a crystal belt. I had help fastening my cathedral-length veil and jeweled comb in my hair. The bridesmaids put on their veils and said a silent prayer over me.

Since Jeff and I were having a Solemn High Nuptial Mass, it was fitting for the ladies to also wear a veil, according to the reverence and tradition that we wanted to uphold.

The Extraordinary Form had become something special for Jeff and I throughout our relationship, and it was exceptionally meaningful for us to have it for our nuptial liturgy.

Throughout the morning, my soon-to-be-husband and I made sure we didn’t see each other before the wedding. We wanted to save that moment for the time I approached him walking down the aisle.

At 3 PM the choir chanted Atténde Dómine (Hear Us, O Lord) for the procession of the clergy, and the organist played Canon in D for the entrance of the wedding party. Just before my turn to walk down the aisle, the ushers closed the giant double doors that led into the church.

When the doors swung open again, I saw everyone. The church was incredibly grand and beautiful to behold. I stood there with my blusher draped over my face, holding onto my bouquet of white roses with Grandma Rother’s rosary wrapped around it.

This rosary was special because Jeff’s grandmother received it from her husband. She walked down the aisle with it on her wedding day, just like I was about to do.

My dad and I started walking down the nave of the church, and I saw Jeff standing at the end of the aisle. As we got closer, his smile turned into tears of joy. When we approached the end of the aisle, my dad lifted the veil from my face.

I took Jeff’s hand, and we ascended the stairs into the sanctuary to take our vows. In the tradition of the Latin Mass, the vows are said at the very beginning of the ceremony.

It was very special to be in the sanctuary. Traditionally the sanctuary is reserved for the clergy, but during the sacrament of holy matrimony the bride and groom are permitted to enter beyond the altar rail.

In that moment I felt so close to God.

Once we exchanged consent, Jeff and I joined our right hands, and he made his vow to me. We were asked to release our hands and then join them together again. Then I made my vow to him.

This act of joining, releasing, and joining hands again signified that our vows were made individually. We each had our own responsibility to the other.

At the completion of the sacrament, Fr. Byron Hagan, our celebrant, prayed over us and sprinkled us with holy water. The ceremony continued with the Mass after the Rite of Marriage, and it was absolutely breathtaking.

After the Gospel reading, Fr. Hagan gave an excellent homily and made powerful points about how society has made our generation fearful of marriage; that people today are not rising to the occasion to live out God’s calling in the sacrament of holy matrimony. They fear it is too much of a weight to bear.

“I want to tell you something today,” Fr. Hagan said.

“It is not too heavy for you.”

“Because you are Catholic, because you are confirmed, because you have been living your life with the Church’s faith, in penance, obeying the sacraments, and humbly confessing your sins before God.”

“You now have the power to do something which otherwise cannot be done: which in the deepest heart of hearts all of us desire, and increasingly in our time feel too weak to even approach...This power now is attached to you because of the sacrament.”

He continued, “Danielle, your task is to, in virtue of the priesthood of your baptism, help prepare your husband to see God...And Jeff, you have the responsibility, in a priestly way, by virtue of your baptism, to help prepare your wife to meet God. To help mediate the Lord Jesus Christ…This is your test for one another.”

While he acknowledged that the married state would bring challenges for us, he reminded us we must always remember the Divine Third in our marital union: God Himself.

The Mass continued with chanting and incensing of the altar. During the consecration the priest faced the altar and said the words of consecration silently over the host and chalice.

It was completely silent now in the church except for the bells that were rung three times during the elevation of each of the sacred species.

In keeping with the tradition of the Latin Mass, the altar rail was used for the distribution of Holy Communion. The communion hymn we choose was Adóro Te Devóte (I Adore You Devoutly), written by St. Thomas Aquinas and used as his private prayer during Eucharistic adoration.

After Mass, we got in the car and drove to the reception venue, a golf club.

The day before, our family had gone to the venue and decorated the tables with mirror and bud vase centerpieces. All of our guests had a stick of bubbles by their place setting, which was a fun and interactive way for them to participate in the grand march and the rest of the evening.

The final moment of the night was our first dance. During our engagement, Jeff and I had practiced for hours to master the waltz. And even though we had done it many times before, I was nervous having all eyes on us.

Jeff and I looked at each other intensely, counting the beats of the music in our heads. All of a sudden, the music intensified, and we were off. It was like I was floating on air, even though I was just trying to stay balanced in my high heels. I had never danced in my wedding dress before either, so it was quite a new experience.

But it was magical. It twirled around me gracefully across the dance floor, and I truly felt like a princess.

After dancing for a few seconds, I realized we were actually doing it. All of those hours of practice had paid off. We were dancing a beautiful waltz, and everyone applauded. It only increased their desire to get out on the dance floor later that night.

Although there were a few things that could’ve gone better, the vast majority of our wedding was a fairytale-come-to-life. It was a dream come true!

To all single women out there, waiting for their prince charming, please remember that this story is a testimony of years and years of prayers finally answered. God hears your prayers and knows the desires of your heart. He will answer them in his, time in a better way than you could ever possibly imagine.

In our first year of marriage, we developed a special devotion to Blessed Emperor Karl of Austria and his holy wife, Servant of God, Empress Zita. We look to them for their intercession in our marriage and for all married couples.

A quote we both appreciate from Blessed Karl was when he told Zita on the day after their wedding, "Now, we must help each other to get to Heaven." I am very blessed and thankful to have found a husband who also desires to lead me closer to Christ each and every day.

Blessed Emperor Karl and Empress Zita, ora pro nobis!

Photographer: Amy K Photography | Church: St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Vermillion, Minnesota | Reception: Dakota Pines Golf Club in Hastings, Minnesota | Rings: Gittelson Jewelers in Minneapolis, Minnesota | Flowers: Flowers For All Occasions by Ginny Majeski in Hastings, Minnesota | Wedding Attire: Raffiné Bridal in Woodbury, Minnesota | Invitations / Save-the-Dates / Wedding Program: Created by the Bride, Danielle Rother | Caterer: Nicole Sindelar with Rudy’s Redeye Catering in Rosemount, Minnesota | Wedding Attire: Raffiné Bridal in Woodbury, Minnesota | Designer for Bride’s Dress: Stella York | Designer for Bridesmaid Dress: Kenneth Winston | Designer for Groom & Groomsmen Tuxedo Attire: Savvi Formal Wear | Bridesmaid Veil: The Veiled Woman | Cake / Cupcake Baker: Emily’s Bakery & Deli in Hastings, Minnesota | Hairstylist: Michelle Wilcox | Salon for Manicure and Pedicure: Spalon Montage in Woodbury, Minnesota | Disc Jockey: C & C Sound

Megan + Josh | Romantic Hacienda Wedding

Megan and Josh met at a Catholic grade school in Houston where both of them were teachers and coaches.

They initially met in the environment of other coworkers and friends, and over time they grew to mutually respect and appreciate each other’s morals and values. It became increasingly evident that they complemented each other well.

Megan describes their relationship as a fertile ground where virtue could flourish: “We pushed each other to be the people that God created us to be: sainthood-seeking, evangelizing disciples of Jesus Christ.”

Upon realizing that in each other, there was no turning back. It was love at first realization.

From the Bride: On our wedding day we had all of our loved ones, role models, and loyal friends by our side. All of my family either flew in or drove the long sixteen hours to Houston to celebrate with us.

We even flew in my grade school parish priest from Cleveland, Ohio. He was a role model to me and had been an integral part of my formation as a teen.

During the wedding planning process, the Mass was all we cared about. Our primary desire was to minister the sacrament of matrimony to each other, so that is where our focus remained.

Every reading, every song, every participant mattered more to us than the cake, flowers, food, and dancing combined.

For example, the Ave Maria was a must for our us. My uncle sang it beautifully while we honored Mary during the Mass and asked for her intercession.

Josh and I were also Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion that day. Despite planning this detail far in advance, ministering still brought us both to tears: how could we be any more blessed than to give the precious blood of Jesus Christ to our closest family and friends on our wedding day? I can't think of a more beautiful moment.

The Mass was a sheer foretaste of Heaven.

Josh and I know we are called to bring as many people as we can to Heaven. Through matrimony and all of the sacraments, we experience Jesus Christ in both a spiritual and tangible way, and we longed to share this with our guests.

We hoped that bringing as many people as we could to celebrate our marriage would inspire them to become disciples of Jesus Christ, just like my husband and I continue to inspire each other.

Photography: Cedar & Sage Studios | Church: Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Houston, TX | Wedding Reception Venue : La Tranquila Ranch in Tomball, TX | Bridal Bouquet: H.E.B. Floral | Wedding Dress: Radiant Bride | Wedding Dress Designer: Essense of Australia | Bridesmaid Dresses: Kennedy Blue | Groomsmen Tuxes: Men’s Wearhouse | Make-up & Hair: Amanda Hayley Hair Co. | Cake: Ashley Wetwiski

Alana + Stephen | California Air Force Wedding

Alana and Stephen met through a mutual friend during their college years in San Diego. They quickly fell in love, though with a major difference between them: Alana was a Non-Denominational Protestant, and Stephen was Catholic. The Lord was about to draw them into his heart.

From the Bride: Throughout our relationship, I prayed asking God what to do and--if Stephen was the one--how would our interfaith marriage work. I ended up finding a book written by a Catholic Priest, Robert J. Hater: When A Catholic Marries A Non-Catholic. It answered so many of my questions and I was even able to contact Fr. Hater! He became my spiritual counselor, and later that year I converted to Catholicism.

My faith has grown immensely since converting and having Stephen by my side to answer any questions and support me has only made our love for each other grow. We became engaged on December 23, 2016 and later found out Stephen's report date for pilot training moved up for the Air Force. We had a short engagement, yet God was looking out for us and provided us with a church and reception venue.

When we found an available church, we fell in love. Not only was it beautiful and in a great location, but we had a priest, Fr. Mark, who was a family friend of Stephen's. My mother-in-law is involved in Opus Dei and told us amazing things about Fr. Mark. We met with him once before the wedding and told him of my conversion story and more about our relationship. During our wedding liturgy, he gave an amazing homily that nodded to Stephen’s Air Force career, comparing flying to marriage.

For the readings, we wanted to include our family. Since I don't have grandparents, I asked Stephen's father's mother, and Stephen asked his mother's mother. It was such a lovely moment seeing both grandmothers holding hands up as they walked up to the altar. My only uncle and his family offered the gifts, and I loved including them even though they are not Catholic. Stephen's uncle, who had sung at each of Stephen’s sibling’s weddings, did the music.

We had decided early on that we would have a moment to thank the Virgin Mary during the Mass. I realized right before that I didn't have the flowers to offer her! Stephen, being the nice man he is, didn't want to go over there empty-handed. He squatted down and grabbed the large pot of flowers that were by the altar! Everyone got a little laugh out of that! He thankfully put them back down and we saw that the flowers were already there by Our Lady. I don't think anyone will ever forget that moment.

We wanted to start a tradition at our wedding. Stephen received a sword from his commissioning for being the top of his class, and we cut our cake with that sword. We hope to pass it down to our children.

It is also a family tradition that "Rain King" by the Counting Crows is played at weddings. I think you have to know all the words before becoming a part of Stephen’s family!

God always has a plan. When we started planning our wedding and Stephen’s report date changed, it really took us for a spin. But God provided for us with a church, venue, and priest. The day that I had to move out of my studio apartment was the day before our wedding--that's providence right there!

Early on, we struggled so much with being different faiths and spent so much time concentrating on the negatives. Little did I know that God brought us together to make us better Christians. Without Stephen, I would've never been exposed to Catholicism. I think for him, growing up Catholic was seen as a routine. Through my conversion, he was really brought to the basics and fell deeply in love with his faith all over again.

Photography: Kelli Seeley | Nuptial Mass or Engagement Location: Church of Santa Maria, Orinda, California | Reception: Orinda Country Club | Rings: Exclusive Diamonds by Carter  | Flowers: Clayton Sonset Flowers | Dress: BHLDN | Tux: The Black Tux | Cake: Susie Cakes | Catering: Orinda Country Club | Invitations and table signs: Minted |  Guest Sign In Book: Artifact Uprising

Julie + Rudy | New Jersey Trail Club Wedding

In 2011, Julie was a nursing student at Villanova University who’d just signed up for a summer in Europe, including World Youth Day in Madrid. Her neighbor, who’d attended a previous World Youth Day with the Salesians of Don Bosco, recommended she travel with the Salesians’ group for her trip. Rudy was living in community in Chicago, on mission with...the Salesians of Don Bosco. At the conclusion of his service, Rudy's parish gifted him with his own ticket to World Youth Day, one that would take him to Europe with the Salesians and, ultimately, to his future bride.

Before their first conversation during the flight, Julie assumed Rudy was a seminarian. The girl from New Jersey and the young man from Miami landed in Fatima, Portugal with their group shortly before the Feast of the Assumption, where they spent the next three days with pilgrims from the world over, joined in humble prayer to Our Lady.

On the second night, following candlelit prayer in the town square, Julie decided to partake in a practice common at the holy ground of Fatima: crawling on one’s knees, the length of a football field, to the sacred spot where Mary appeared in 1917, on the day the sun danced. Rudy asked if he could join her.

For the next 45 minutes of pain and anguish, Julie and Rudy experienced the love of Jesus and Mary, through each other, in a profound way. This love between the Sacred and Immaculate Hearts became the foundation for a friendship, then romantic love, and, seven years later, for a lifetime of marriage.

From the Bride:

Little did I know that what started as my European summer vacation would turn into a life-changing pilgrimage where I not only would experience the love of Christ and Mary amid millions of college students from all over the world, but also meet the man God had been preparing my heart for. My husband.

Having Fr. Steve, the priest who led our trip to World Youth Day where we met all those years ago, celebrate our wedding Mass meant the world. He has been our spiritual mentor and support from the very beginning of our relationship, encouraging us to lean on each other--but most of all, to lean on God and on the Blessed Mother.

Getting married in Our Lady of Victories, the church where I grew up, brought me such joy. Our house was two blocks away, so each Sunday, for as long as I can remember, my family would walk to church. Our Lady of Victories, being the size of a small chapel, is known as "the little church with a big heart." Having over 200 guests crammed in the pews made the church feel so full and joyful.

Inside our wedding bands are the words "Totus Tuus," which translates from Latin to "Totally Yours." Rudy and I both have a great love for Pope Saint John Paul II, who inspired this idea. JPII, through his great love for Mary, often had his crucifixes inscribed with "Totus Tuus Maria."

Before our wedding day, we promised to write to each other the morning of. The idea of elaborate wedding gifts was silly to Rudy and I, for we felt we were already receiving the greatest gift of all that day: the gift of each other, through Christ. Despite this agreement, we did exchange small homemade gifts.

Rudy finished his letter to me with the words, "You are my home now," and gave me an inscribed key to our first home.

I gave him a small wooden box, with a gift inside that I'd been preparing long before I knew him. It held close to one hundred letters to my future husband that I had been writing since I was a freshman in high school, when I decided I wanted to practice chastity and give the gift of myself to my future husband alone. The wooden box was inscribed with a quote from an E. E. Cummings poem: "I carry your heart. I carry it in my heart."

For the communion hymn at our Mass, we chose our favorite song, "Lord I Need You" by Matt Maher. We prayed together on the altar as husband and wife, both looking at each other and then staring up at the giant crucifix. As we heard the entire church belt out these beautiful lyrics, we were reminded that as we began to take our first steps of marriage, we would need God throughout the entire journey. We continue to pursue him as husband and wife, even more so than before, as we carry out the mission he has laid before us: to get each other to heaven.

We had certain statues placed on the altar, signifying that as we begin our vocation of marriage we ask the saints to intercede for us, pray for us, and help us. We chose Teresa of Calcutta for our love and dedication to service, St. Martin de Porres for my grandfather's presence, St. John Bosco in thanks for our meeting through the Salesians, St. Padre Pio, and especially Our Lady of Fatima, for our eternal devotion to Mary. It was in Fatima that we experienced love in its purest, most humble form. We experienced the love of Christ and Mary through each other.

As part of a Cuban wedding tradition, our godmothers placed a mantilla--a lace shawl--over our shoulders before the consecration. The mantilla symbolizes the indissoluble union that has been established before God, through marriage. Just as we were wrapped in a lace gown the days of our baptisms, we are now wrapped in this lace shawl as a reminder of the promises our parents and godparents made for us at baptism to dedicate ourselves to Christ. At the altar on our wedding day, the bride and groom renew their baptismal vows and make them as one, together dedicating their lives to Christ.

When I think back to our wedding day, the beloved quote by Fr. Pedro Arrupe, which we shared on the back of our Mass programs, comes to mind:

Nothing is more practical than finding God, than falling in Love in a quite absolute, final way. What you are in love with, what seizes your imagination, will affect everything. It will decide what will get you out of bed in the morning, what you do with your evenings, how you spend your weekends, what you read, whom you know, what breaks your heart, and what amazes you with joy and gratitude. Fall in Love, stay in love, and it will decide everything.

Photography: Curtis Smith Photography | Church: Our Lady of Victories, Harrington Park, NJ | Reception: Indian Trail Club, Franklin Lakes, NJ | Rings: Diamonds Direct, St. Petersburg, FL | Flowers: Flora Gallery, Chester, NJ | Invitations: Shine Wedding Invitations | Church Programs: Morgan E. Moore | Bridal Gown & Veil: I Do I Do, Morristown, NJ | Bride's Shoes: BHLDN | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Nordstrom | Tuxedos: Biltmore Tuxedo, Ridgewood, NJ | Cake Topper: Willow Tree | Cake Baker: A Little Cake, Park Ridge, NJ | Music: Hank Lane Music | Hair and Makeup: Michelle's Salon, Woodcliff Lake, NJ | Mini Ice Cream Cone Dessert: Milk Sugar Love, Jersey City, NJ | Trolley: New York Trolley Company

Elise's Wedding | The Big Day!

Our Social Media Coordinator, Elise Crawford, married her college sweetheart Hunter, on August 12! We're overjoyed for them and are thrilled to share their wedding day with you today as Elise concludes her series of wedding reflections. Join us in congratulating and praying for Elise and Hunter as they begin their life together!

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I know it seems cliche, but Hunter's and my wedding day was a taste of heaven! As stressful as the weeks and days leading up to the wedding were, I was so blessed to feel calm and present on our big day. There was so much preparation and effort on both sides of our family to make this day happen: we had an aunt who hosted family from out of town, my mom and sister were with me running errands and ticking of my to-do list and friends flew in to town early to help with preparations. We felt so completely surrounded with love and support!

We were told in the months leading up to our wedding that the day goes by in a blur and that it's easy to let it go by without taking a moment to soak it all in. With that in mind, Hunter and I made sure to take small moments during our wedding day to pause, pray and just be with one another. I remember several times throughout the day taking in the scene in front of me and committing it to memory thinking, "Lord, You are SO good!". After so many years of waiting, I can not describe the joy that comes with being united with your love in the Holy Sacrament of Marriage in front of your family and friends. Our wedding day is truly a testament to the fact that the Lord provides and is faithful to His promises. 

I hope you enjoy the photographs below taken by the beautiful Sarah Price. Thank you for journeying with Hunter and I over the last year as we prepared for this moment in our lives. Your prayers have been fruitful and meant so much to us! I will leave you with the quote that we placed in our wedding mass program:

"Beloved, you do not know how deeply you are mine, how much you belong to my love and my suffering-because to love means to give life through death; to love means to let gush a spring of water of life into the depths of the soul, which burns and smolders, and cannot burn out." -Karol Wojtyla (Pope Saint John Paul II), "The Jeweler's Shop"

Photography: Sarah Price Photography | Church: St. Augustine- Elkridge, MD | Wedding Reception Venue: Cattail Creek Country Club | Florist: Corner Florist | Signs + Table Numbers: Custom Crafted Calligraphy  | Caterer: Cattail Creek Country Club | Bridal Gown: BHLDN | Bridesmaid Dresses: Global Bridal Gallery | Partial Wedding Planner: Cedar and Lime Co | Cake: Graul's Market | Hairstylist + Make Up Artists: Up-Dos for I-Dos | Music: Chris Laich Music Services | Groomsmen Tuxes: Cys

Katherine + Dominic | Fourth of July Wedding

Dominic and Katherine met in chemistry class during their sophomore year of high school. Dominic would always make Katherine laugh during class, and they would run into each other at church every Sunday. Their friendship blossomed into a romance during their senior year of high school, and they dated for a few months before going to separate colleges. While in college, their relationship continued to grow, and so did their faith. Katherine would often pray for their relationship at Seton Hall's Chapel of the Immaculate Conception. Dominic proposed to Katherine in that very same chapel where she had prayed for their relationship so many times before, following a homily comparing the facets of a diamond to the community of believers within the Catholic Church. Both Dominic and Katherine felt through these details that God's hand was truly on them as they took another step towards their vocation of marriage.

The nuptial mass took place in Katherine and Dominic's home parish, Immaculate Conception Church in Annandale, New Jersey. Dominic's uncle is a deacon and he preached a beautiful homily tying Dominic and Katherine's relationship to the readings they had chosen. As Dominic and Katherine made their grand exit following the nuptial mass, the guests had blush, gold, and lace ribbons as well as American flags to wave at the couple. Katherine's father is in the Navy, and the wedding took place on 4th of July weekend, so they thought it was fitting to mix in their American pride into the elegance of their wedding.

The reception took place at David's Country Inn, a charming old mansion that made the fairly large wedding feel quite intimate. At the cocktail hour, there were photos of the bride and groom's parents and grandparents on their wedding days, as well as photos of loved ones who had passed away, accompanied by Bible verses. Instead of a traditional guest book, Dominic and Katherine asked guests to sign their first family Bible. The couple decorated the tables with photos of their various stages of life and their relationship. The dance floor was crowded all night long as family and friends danced and laughed the night away!

From the Bride: Our spiritual takeaway from our wedding day was that God is in all of the details of our lives. God has made his presence known to us throughout our relationship, and our wedding day was no exception. We felt the presence of the Holy Spirit so deeply in all of the details of the day. We felt God's presence in the gifts we gave to each other (Dominic gave me a crucifix ring, I gave Dominic my purity ring and a miraculous medal, since he has a special devotion to Our Lady), in the mass through the readings and music we had so carefully chosen together, and in the joy and love shown to us by family and friends at both the ceremony and reception. We prayed for our wedding day for so long, and on that day it was clear that God had heard our prayers, and that He would be faithful to us as we began our vocation of marriage together.

Photography: Anne Molnar Photography | Church: Immaculate Conception Church - Annandale NJ | Wedding Reception Venue: David's Country Inn | Floralist: Elegant Wedding Florals | Reception Florist: Fleurs Divine |  Hair & Make-Up: Artiste Salon • Jewelry: Trezar Fine Jewelry • Groom & Groomsmen Attire: Calvin Kline, Men's Wareshouse • Bride's Shoes: Kate Spade • Bride's Gown: David's Bridal Collection • Bridesmaids Dresses: David's Bridal | DJ: Paul Anthony Entertainment • Cake: Palermo's Bakery