Brittney + Billy | Downtown Classic Wedding

Brittney and Bill met through the scholarship program at their university, and met their future wedding coordinators through another wedding they both participated in. They exchanged vows  in the presence of friends and family from a variety of vocations, in rich jewel tones and a timeless, classic setting.

From the Wedding Coordinators:

We were fortunate enough to have coordinated a past wedding where Brittney was a bridesmaid and Bill was a ceremony musician. We had a strong sense that at some point after their college graduation, an official engagement was likely to happen….and it did! 

The program through which Brittney and Bill met focuses on preparing students for leadership in the Church, whether their vocation is religious life or found within being part of the laity. It was no surprise, then, that both of them would go on to take positions working for the Archdiocese of Indianapolis: she as Coordinator of Evangelization and Discipleship at a local Indianapolis parish and he as Pastoral Associate in a nearby small town. 

As they planned their engagement, we were so impressed with how their wedding focused on the Church. Concelebrating the Mass were several priests: the Director of Vocations for the Archdiocese of Indianapolis (the groom’s employer), the Director of Seminarians (the bride’s employer), and a Benedictine monk and professor from St. Meinrad Seminary. The wedding party included a novice nun and a former seminary student, plus several recently married bridesmaids and groomsmen, rounding out a beautiful example of the different vocations to which God calls us!

The morning of the wedding was clear and beautiful! The church, St. John the Evangelist in downtown Covington Kentucky, is a beautiful example of German Gothic architecture. For the Mass, the couple opted for a full worship aid-style program to ensure their guests all felt comfortable with the liturgy. 

From the readings that focused on our relationship with God and His with us, to the classical musical pieces, the wedding spoke to the spirit of each guest. The Communion hymn had a very special significance for the bride--it was the theme song for the liturgical leadership conferences where she’d served as an intern in the past. 

The reception was a classic event at the Madison Event Center, a beautifully repurposed Art Deco building in downtown Covington. The ballroom looked like a marvelous supper club from the 1930s, bringing out the wedding colors of gray and raspberry, with white florals and greenery.

This wedding was such a testament to how much fun a wedding reception can be when the bride and groom bring their personalities into the event. Both Billy and Brittney are zealous fans of The Office! They walked into the reception to the show’s theme song, and each of the toasts featured a quote from the show (which was completely unplanned!). 

The best part was the toast from Brittney’s stepfather, with revealed a surprise he had been planning for a while; a hilarious and heartfelt Cameo video from an Office cast member! The dessert table was another big highlight, featuring colorful donuts and macaron towers, Brittney’s favorite. The dance floor was packed all night long--so much so that we broke out our emergency sewing kit more than we have at another wedding! Bill and Brittney also opted for one of our favorite reception traditions, a foot washing ceremony where the new husband washes his bride’s feet in a gesture of humility and care. They closed out the wedding with a bubble exit, on the streets of downtown Covington underneath the streetlights.

Bill and Brittney’s wedding held so many of the elements that make us proud to be Catholic wedding planners. It was so full of joy, representing the future ahead in marriage as they experience the things that will help them bring each other to heaven. The representation from so many different vocations was a testament to how the Catholic community is meant to function. Clergy, professed religious, married couples, and single laity, all there to support the union of new marriage and creation of a family!

This wedding meant so much to us: the celebrating clergy and their connection to St Meinrad Archabbey, the bride and groom having been part of a previous wedding of ours, the wedding party containing bridesmaids and groomsmen that have been in other weddings we coordinated, and of course, the main celebrant being the spiritual advisor of our very own Something Blue Weddings….it just doesn’t get any better than that.

Nuptial Mass Location: Saint John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Covington, Kentucky | Reception Venue: The Madison Event Center, Covington, Kentucky | Wedding Coordination: Something Blue Weddings | Photography: Adam and Keli Photography | Bridal Gown: David’s Bridal | Bridesmaid’s Dresses: Azazie | Men’s Formalwear: Louie’s Tux Shop | Florals: Swan Floral, Erlanger, Kentucky | Hair & Makeup: Refeyeance | Cake: Tina Turner Cakes, Union, Kentucky | DJ: Jeff Heidelberg of Party Pleasers, Cincinnati, Ohio

Rachel + Jeremy | Late Summer Roses

A love story that began in a second-grade classroom, anointed year after year by Our Lady’s grace and healing, fulfilled in a Christ-centered Mass and elegant, historic Midwest venue.

Rachel and Jeremy first met as children, in the same class at school for First Reconciliation and First Communion when Rachel transferred to the school. “The first memory I have of him is when he read for Mass in his tiny second-grader suit and tie during our First Reconciliation,” Rachel says. “I never imagined the Lord would make that moment the beginning of our love story.”

Flash forward to high school and college, when they became better acquainted through the teen ministry at their parish, each growing in individual relationship with the Lord as they passed by each other year after year. When Jeremy transferred to Franciscan University, where Rachel was attending, she invited him to dinner one night, knowing from her past experience of switching schools that the transition could be tough. “That one dinner turned into a weekly dinner, which turned into lunches, and movie nights, and game nights. By the end of the semester, we were closing out the dining halls and finding any excuse to spend time together,” says Rachel. 

Even before recognizing or admitting her feelings for Jeremy, she found herself drawn to his one-of-a-kind sense of humor, his intelligence and most of all, his utmost respect for the Lord and the desire for a relationship with Him.

From the Bride: 

When Jeremy first confessed his feelings for me, I was so surprised!

I had never been pursued by a man who willed my ultimate good. A man who loved me second because he loved God first.

I decided right then and there that before we took another step towards dating that I wanted to offer up our friendship to the Blessed Mother no matter what the outcome would be. Jeremy, being the man he is, supported this decision and we prayed together about what the Lord wanted for each of us.

Eventually, we received a green light from the Lord to begin a relationship. To say it's been a rollercoaster ever since is an understatement. We've experienced the highest of highs together, but have equally shared in the lowest of lows. We've had every adventure and can't wait for more. 

In the first year of our relationship, we consecrated ourselves to the Blessed Mother on her feast day as Queen of the Universe. We have such a love for her for all the ways she has interceded in our lives, and made it a practice to pray the Rosary often. 

We dated for four years before getting engaged and boy did the Lord bring us through ups and downs. But through it all, the Lord was good and faithful. He brought us together over and over, teaching us how to love like Him: how to apologize, and forgive, and laugh through the tears. He helped us grow year after year and nurtured our past wounds, bringing healing to each of us.

After four years that included long-distance dating, one break, and a lot of love, Jeremy popped the question. It might not sound romantic, but I’ll remember it forever!

We had booked an escape room with Jeremy’s sister and brother-in-law, Erica and Ben. About 50 minutes in, my competitive side was showing. To make it out of the room in time, one last question needed to be answered. “Rachel Marie,” Jeremy began, “Four years ago on this day was the first time I said I love you. Will you do the honor of letting me love you forever? Will you marry me?” Of course, I shouted my yes.

Thus began the exciting time of being engaged. We spent a lot of time preparing in different ways, mentally, emotionally but most importantly spiritually. We met with my Spiritual Director and our chosen Officiant, Deacon Tom Biegel, as well as with a mentor couple. Through all of those meetings Jeremy and I came to an even better understanding of and mutual respect for one another. We even made the decision to stop kissing 100 days out from the wedding, because--dang!--chastity is hard, especially when you’re so close to spending the rest of your lives together.

During our last month of engagement, we embarked on a novena I had always dreamed of incorporating into my wedding day. We prayed the 54-day Rosary Novena and chose to end it on August 22, the feast day of Our Lady Queen of the Universe--the day we had first consecrated ourselves to the Blessed Mother, and the day we had first chosen to one day get married. During the novena, the first 27 days are prayed in petition for a specific intention, and the last 27 days are prayed in thanksgiving.

This is what we prayed for:

For the binding, healing and forgiveness of all generational sin from the Fisher and Medina families and the sin we had brought into our relationship.

For our marriage and the building up of our souls as we were to become one with each other and one in Christ.

For our future children, for their sanctity and that they may follow the vocation God our Father calls them to.

On the 54th day, we prayed our final Rosary in a private Chapel just 30 minutes before saying our vows. It was such a precious moment to entrust the entirety of our relationship, our marriage, our future children and so much more into the arms of our Most Blessed Mother. She had done so much for us in our short lives and we were eager to invite her into the rest of what her Son was calling us to. Jeremy sat just one pew in front of me so that we could do a First Look--as I practically sprinted down the aisle to him.

Lastly, as we were about to say our vows, Jeremy picked up a beautiful San Damiano Crucifix. We had chosen a Franciscan crucifix because of how important of a role it had played in our lives at Franciscan University. We each placed our right hand over our Lord and made our vows to love one another as Christ had loved us.

When our officiant exclaimed the words you may now kiss the bride, Jeremy lowered his lips to Jesus on the Cross, and I followed suit. Then we shared our first kiss as husband and wife.

After the Mass had ended, we had requested that Deacon Tom set up the Chapel for a time of Adoration. For so long I had waited for this day, and I wanted Jesus to be the first person we spent our time with as husband and wife. It was absolutely perfect. 

As people filed out of the Church and made their way to the reception, Jeremy and I were in audience with Our King, thanking Him for bringing us to that very moment. After some alone time in Adoration, we opened the Chapel doors for any guests who wished to pray before Him. Afterwards, we hopped on our party bus and truly rejoiced in the rest of the day to follow. At each and every turn we wanted the Lord to be involved in our journey. 

Every moment we thought, how can we invite Him in even more?

Throughout our entire relationship, Jeremy and I have strived to keep our eyes on Christ. We haven’t been perfect by any means, yet each and every time we messed up, we helped the other run back to Him. It’s beautiful to see how the Lord had brought us from receiving our first sacraments together as children to receiving the Sacrament of Marriage. The Lord is a romantic! He had planned this from the beginning, and I am so excited to see how His story plays out in the rest our lives. He placed me here so that I could say yes to marrying my best friend, my love, my companion chosen for me on the journey home.

From the Photographer:

From the first phone call with Rachel and Jeremy, I could see how important their faith was to them. They spoke about all of the pivotal moments in their relationship where the Lord and Blessed Mother were so present, and how they were brought into their season of engagement.

When we met in person for their engagement session, they were close to starting their 54-day Rosary novena. It was the most beautiful thing to witness the final rosary of Rachel and Jeremy’s Novena on their wedding day and be a part of Adoration after their wedding mass. To see a couple so focused on getting each other to heaven was incredibly inspiring. They truly kept Christ the center of their entire wedding day from start to finish.

Ceremony Location: St. Gilbert Catholic Church, Grayslake, Illinois | Reception Venue: Upper East, Kenosha, Wisconsin | Photography: Colette M. Photography | Second Photographer: Annika Rose Photography | Videography: Rhys Ladhani Media | DJ: Silver Spoon Entertainment | Florals: Debbie’s Floral Shoppe, Mundelein, Illinois | Cake & Desserts: Culinary Infusion, Kenosha, Wisconsin | Bride’s Gown: Bon Bon Belle, Milwaukee, Wisconsin | Wedding Bands: Rolland’s Jewelers, Libertyville, Illinois | Makeup: Dina Forchione-Kloss of Embrace Your Face Artistry | Hairstylist: Tammie Retzke | Bridesmaids’ Attire: Azazie | Groom’s & Groomsmen’s Attire: Generation Tux

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

Megan + John

Megan and John became fast friends in college. John says he immediately knew Megan was the one for him, but was hesitant to risk their friendship. Once they started dating, it became evident the Lord was at work.

From the Videographer:

Absolute and utter joy. 

That’s the best way I could describe John and Megan’s wedding day.

Nothing says it better than when you see John’s face as his bride floats down the aisle toward him: laughter; tears; the sheer excitement and joy at the beauty of this moment.

Megan and John are a beautiful example of two people who are running together towards Christ, and their wedding film captures that story. I loved the words they wrote to each other beforehand--genuine, solid, and self-sacrificing. Their Catholic Nuptial Mass at the Newman Center in downtown Lincoln was an absolute blessing to capture, and I’m so thankful they asked me to witness and take part in their wedding day.

The entire was surrounded with prayer. I found John and his groomsmen sitting together and praying the Rosary before the ceremony. Megan and her bridesmaids shared a prayer together as well, followed by Megan and John’s own prayer time as a couple before the ceremony.. Seeing this couple and their friends take the time to pray in the middle of a hectic wedding day brought such joy and peace--this couple is supported by family and friends who are people of prayer.

One reception highlight was the mashup Megan’s dad, Dan, put together for their Father-Daughter dance, complete with the song “Dawn” from Pride and Prejudice (Megan’s favorite movie) and the theme from The Pink Panther.

One of my favorite moments was John’s reading a letter aloud that he wrote to Megan. Each and every part of both his and her letters was amazing, but the line I lose it at is this one. John said:

“As your husband, I promise to run with you towards Christ. And I know there will be times when that’s a challenge, but when those times come, I promise to put you on my shoulders and just keep running. We both know there will be times when I struggle, too, but I have no doubt in my mind that you’d carry me to heaven and back.”

And lastly, with the words, “It was through spending time with you that I learned so many things about myself,” I remember the exact reason I first fell in love with my husband! It’s a beautiful mark of a good relationship for so many couples, coming to better understand who they are and who God is.

I hope this film is a treasure for Megan and John in the years to come. To echo the words of John’s Best Man, “I can’t wait to see the love they’ve built be shared with the world!”

Nuptial Mass Location: St. Thomas Aquinas Newman Center, Lincoln, Nebraska | Wedding Reception Venue : Starlite Ballroom, Wahoo, Nebraska | Videography: Victory Media | Photography: Mel Watson Photography | Florals: Abloom, Lincoln, Nebraska | Catering: ChefauChef, Lincoln, Nebraska | Rings: Nebraska Diamond | Bridal Gown: Beloved by Casablanca, via Blush Bridal | Bride’s Jewelry: JamJewels via Etsy | Hair & Makeup: College of Hair Design, Lincoln, Nebraska | Signage: Maggie Gillis, Love and Letters Company | Wedding Cake: Hannah McQuay, Tiers of Joy, Wausa, Nebraska | Cookies: Eileen’s Cookies | Cupcakes: Truly Scrumptious Bakery, Juniata, Nebraska | DJ: ARC Music and Entertainment, Lincoln, Nebraska

Rachel + Seth | Summer Country Club Wedding

A love from which Our Lady never turned her gaze, and a summer celebration with bright shades, military dress & starry surroundings.

During Rachel’s study abroad semester at Franciscan University’s campus in Gaming, Austria, Seth came to campus to visit his brother. They met, and the rest is history.

Rachel has a devotion to Stella Maris, Our Lady as Star of the Sea--it’s appropriate, and providential, that she and Seth spent much of their relationship long-distance, first as students, and later during Seth’s career with the Marines. Rachel later chose Stella Maris holy cards as a wedding favor. Distance and travel played a role in their engagement, as well: Seth proposed to Rachel on a private flight as they flew over a field with the words, Marry Me?

From the Wedding Coordinators:

Rachel and Seth’s wedding was visually captivating, with so many vivid colors and mixes of texture. The church, St. Gertrude Catholic Church in Cincinnati, is a modern-style sanctuary full of glossy black and bright gold features. The bride opted for saturated florals in hues of bright purples, pinks, white, with the occasional pop of red or peach for the bridesmaids’ bouquets. Her own bouquet was a stunning creation of predominantly white flowers, with touches of blush among the greenery. 

Rachel’s parish is staffed by Dominicans. The reverent nuptial Mass was concelebrated by two friars, one being Rachel’s parish priest and the other a dear family friend from the East Coast. 

Along with the parish organist and vocalist, Rachel’s good friend from Franciscan, including the Communion hymn, “O Come to the Altar”, followed by “Hail Mary, Gentle Woman” for the Marian Devotion. Seth and several of his groomsmen were in full military dress, which made it all the more moving for the couple to have a grand exit from the church through a military arch. 

The reception was held at Hyde Park Country Club, nestled in a lovely residential area in Cincinnati. To us, a country club reception, especially in the full bloom of summer, says understated elegance. The lush greens of the golf course made a beautiful backdrop to the setting, which gave the entire event a classic, refined feeling. The gorgeous chandeliers were draped with fresh greenery, blooms, and hanging candles. Bold centerpieces of vibrant late summer flowers made a striking contrast to the ivory tablecloth and gold chargers. Tucked into the ivory napkins were menu cards, along with a commemorative Stella Maris prayer card, from Santa Clara Design. 

In keeping with Rachel’s Italian heritage, a dessert table offered dozens of different kinds of homemade cookies, alongside a traditional white wedding cake. Seth and Rachel cut the cake with his military issue saber, which made for smiles and great pictures. They finished out the night with dancing and--of course--a Cincinnati tradition, Skyline Chili!

With all of the personal, family-centered touches like the homemade Italian cookies, the devotional wedding favors, and the sword cake cutting, so many pieces of Rachel and Seth’s wedding show the rich history they have behind--and ahead--of them. 

One of their wedding readings, from Sirach 2:2-11, reads that “you fear the Lord, hope for good things, for lasting joy and mercy.” Seth and Rachel’s wedding testifies that centering your big milestones around the foundation of your family and the cornerstone of your faith will always yield great good things of lasting joy and mercy.

Nuptial Mass Location: St Gertrude Catholic Church, Cincinnati, Ohio | Reception Venue: Hyde Park Country Club, Cincinnati, Ohio | Photography: Laura and Matthew Photography | Wedding Coordination: Something Blue Weddings | Florals: Oakwood Floral | Videography: Sweet Basil Productions | Makeup: Gregorie Styles | Cake: Weiss Baking Company, Goshen, Ohio | DJ: Marc Madama | Transportation: Jimmy's Limousine Service

Amanda + Evan | Rustic Rose-Colored Wedding

Cathedral-style summer nuptials on the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, centered on Christ and the Cross.

Amanda and Evan met while on mission with FOCUS. Evan was assigned last minute to a medical mission trip to Peru that Amanda had already been working on for months. 

Despite not having any medical experience, Evan joined the trip full of enthusiasm!

During their time in Peru, they developed a new and life-giving friendship that continued for the next few months. 

During a FOCUS summer training, Evan decided to ask Amanda on a date, to which she happily said yes. Even though they were assigned to different mission locations, they invested in their long distance relationship wholeheartedly. 

Soon after discerning that Amanda was the woman for him, Evan asked for her parent's blessing.

They were thrilled and gifted him with some family diamonds to make a ring for their daughter. 

Over Thanksgiving break later that year, during a private holy hour, Evan proposed to Amanda, who joyfully agreed. Afterward, they prayed together in front of the Blessed Sacrament and celebrated with Mass.

From the Photographer:

Amanda and Evan’s wedding day was seriously one of the most joyful events I've ever been a part of!

They were united in a full nuptial Mass at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church in Woodstock, GA on the feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Since Amanda and Evan both have a devotion to our Lady, it was perfect for them

The church was spacious and designed in the cathedral style, which was important to the bride and groom. They wanted a space to celebrate their marriage that was big enough to hold all of their family and friends without it being crowded in COVID times.

Amanda looked absolutely elegant in her lace-backed dress and cathedral veil. Wearing earrings from her grandmother, she wrapped a rosary from Fatima around her bouquet, and wore a small embroidered icon of the crucifixion inside her wedding dress.

Evan wore an identical icon pinned inside his coat.

Amanda and Evan shared an emotional first look in the church’s adoration chapel. They prayed together and exchanged gifts. 

Amanda gave Evan a gold Sacred Heart case that contained letters from her and a prayer of consecration to the Blessed Mother. Evan gifted his bride a print of “The Wedding of Joseph and Mary.” 

Afterward, they had their close friends, family, and priest celebrant pray over them before their ceremony in the chapel.

The bridal party wore a dusty pink dress from Roolee, which complimented the white and green florals. The bouquets and boutonnieres coordinated beautifully with white roses, baby's breath, and eucalyptus leaves.

Amanda and Evan had many friends dear to their hearts, but logistically could not fit them all into the wedding party. 

They decided to honor these friends by making them "wedding party attendants," who wore the wedding colors and took photos with the bride and groom like a bridal party would. These friends also joined in the group prayer for the couple.

During their wedding Mass, Evan and Amanda incorporated traditional music and included the Croatian wedding crucifix tradition as part of their vows.

Their reception was at a beautiful, two-story, brick, all-inclusive venue in historic downtown Acworth. During the father-daughter dance, Amanda's sisters came out to join at the end as a tribute to their love for her and the closeness of their family. 

After dancing the night away on a packed dance floor, Amanda and Evan left their reception with a sparkler and bubble exit into a getaway car.

One thing I was consistently wowed by was how the Lord drew people to Himself through the witness of Amanda and Evan's relationship. 

Marriage is meant to be a living example of the domestic Church, and through two people who are absolutely in love with the Lord coming together, it can invite others into the knowledge of the intimacy Christ wants with us. 

I found myself convicted that my own marriage should be such a reflection.

Photography: Nicole Sandercock Photography | Nuptial Mass Location: St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, Woodstock, GA | Reception Location: The Conservatory at Waterstone, Acworth, GA | Bride’s Dress & Veil: A Formal Occasion | Groom’s Attire: Alaine DuPetit | Bridesmaid Dresses: Roolee | Floral Design: The Conservatory at Waterstone | Catering: The Conservatory at Waterstone | Stationary: Zola | Cake: Confection Perfection

Ana + Alex | Marian Shrine Wedding

Rich fall colors balanced with soft blush tones and gold accents create a portrait of elegance, exceeded only by the resplendence of the setting for their nuptial union.

When Ana and Alex first began to plan their wedding, they kept coming back to two things: their God and their people. 

They wanted their marriage celebration to mirror the wedding feast of the Lamb and witness to the true communion between heaven and earth. 

Under Our Lady’s tender gaze, the awe-inspiring atmosphere of their nuptial Mass fittingly pointed to the heavenly banquet to which each one of us is invited.

From the Bride:

Alex and I have friends and family all over the globe, and so we felt so honored and excited to bring so many of our favorite people together in joy. 

We wanted this day to serve that authentic communion as much as possible.

Even more so, we are so grateful to God for all that He is and all that He has made for and in us! 

God has worked so much in our relationship up until our wedding, and we cannot deny that our love is a gift straight from Him.

Reflecting back on our wedding day, my advice to other brides and grooms is to stay centered on each other and your love! Be gentle with yourself and trust God in the details and in the process. 

You do not have to have it all together before this big day. The flowers don't have to be perfect; you are probably going to break out a little bit (or like I did—a lot!); and our hearts do not have to be perfectly prepared in the way we think they should be. 

There is a wedding feast far greater than anything on this earth. Keep your eyes locked on Christ.

From the Photographers:

Did you know you could get married at a national shrine? We didn't until we had the honor of photographing Ana and Alex's wedding at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa! 

It was a day filled with family and friends, and the ever tender and watchful eye of Our Lady. The shrine was frequented by the brides' family who had a special devotion to this favorite Marian image of St. John Paul II.

Prayer was woven in every part of the day, from getting ready all the way through to the reception.

A significant host of priests concelebrated and bestowed blessings from both the bride's home parish and the couple's alma mater, Franciscan University.

Joy and elegance were in no short supply as the wedding party made their way to the reception.

Guests were met with details such as exquisite florals and—our personal favorite—an artist live-painting the reception space. 

With such a vibrant couple, it is no small surprise that this wedding ended with a massive celebration on the dance floor. It started with a Queen and ended with the Saints (Who Dat?).

Photography: An Endless Pursuit | Nuptial Mass Location: The National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa, Doylestown, PA | Whitemarsh Valley Country Club, Lafayette Hill, PA | Videography: Emmaus Films

Hannah + Josh | Prayer-Filled Fall Wedding

A celebration characterized by a spirit of prayer against a backdrop of late November foliage, a grand sanctuary, and an unrivaled sunset. Earthy, red-orange tones, soft blush accents, and simple white roses comprise an elegantly understated fall wedding.

As Hannah and Josh went about planning their wedding during a pandemic, there were more than a few hiccups. 

Yet they stayed steadfast in knowing that God would come through for them, as they continued to pray for peace. 

This depth and consistency in prayer lasted from the start of their engagement, until the end of their reception, and into their life as husband and wife. 

Despite all obstacles, Hannah and Josh never lost sight of what their wedding day was about; what life is about.

From the Photographer: 

Hannah and Josh are a beautiful and inspiring couple. Their holiness is evident in the way that they present themselves, in the way that they talk to you, and in the way that they look at each other. 

You can just tell when someone is totally in line with God's will; you can almost feel that in their presence. 

There were three specific prayerful instances on their wedding day that totally took my heart and reminded me that setting time aside to pray is not just important, but an absolute necessity—and the best way to draw others into Jesus' Most Sacred Heart!

The morning of their wedding, when I arrived at the house where the girls were getting ready, I spoke with Hannah and hugged her. She seemed totally calm and deeply joyful. 

I took some of her detail items, including her lovely gown, to the backyard to start taking some photos. When I came back in to look for an item that I had forgotten, I asked the bridesmaids where Hannah was. 

They quietly pointed to a closed bedroom door. Hannah was joyfully and dutifully praying in a room by herself. 

From the moment I witnessed this intentional time of prayer in the morning, I knew that Hannah and Josh's day would be even more reverent and perfect than I had imagined.

After Hannah had gotten fully ready, with a flower crown sweetly perched on her tight curls, I headed to the church to find the men. 

I walked inside the giant, gorgeous Saint Stanislaus doors and within minutes, all of Josh's family and friends had formed a circle around him with hands on his shoulders and even more hands raised in charismatic prayer. 

For several minutes, Josh‘s family, groomsmen, and friends took turns praying aloud for him and Hannah and their glorious wedding day to be dedicated to Christ.

The nuptial Mass was truly grand. The sheer size of St. Stanislaus and its arches, pillars, and windows made a space of deep reverence and silence. 

As Hannah walked down the aisle, Josh's smile was wide and his eyes were teary. As they met, the genuine love that they have for each other was felt by everyone present. 

Music for the Mass was led by a close friend and his acoustic guitar, sweetly singing hymns that directed us to Jesus on the crucifix, even amidst a wedding. 

The long walk to venerate Mary after receiving the Eucharist together was as beautiful as you could imagine. Hannah's train lingered behind her as she knelt and Josh put a bouquet into a vase at Our Lady of Guadalupe's feet.

After the ceremony, we visited an orchard that was unnaturally orange and truly one of the most beautiful autumn sights I've ever seen.

The peace of having been married swept over Hannah and Josh's faces as they held hands and walked beneath the orange boughs. 

Their peaceful stroll was interrupted when Hannah was stung by a bee, which she bravely walked off (and luckily wasn't allergic to!). Her elegance after that was astounding, and she seemed unaffected after a few minutes of cringey pain and irritation. 

We then went across the street to a field with a truly phenomenal sunset overhead, showing off yellow and pink streaks over the entire sky.

We then gathered at a family friend's property for the reception. We made our way to the tent, with lights strung all over the place and bottles of wine placed on each table. 

The dads of both bride and groom went up to the microphone to give an introduction to everyone and thank them for their presence. They then asked their guests to raise a hand to pray over the newly married couple. 

Everyone bowed their heads, smiling with closed eyes, and prayed for Hannah and Josh again before we all lined up for tacos, churros, and horchata.

As a party favor for each guest, a Miraculous Medal was pinned alongside a prayer. The night was filled with amazing food, dancing for hours, and close friends enjoying time together under the starlit tent.

This was a day more full of prayer than most I’ve seen, and not just by one or two people, but by everyone in attendance. And not just prayer, but deep, joyful, faithful, evangelistic prayer.

Prayer as a couple and at a wedding cannot be overdone. Similarly, God cannot be outdone in generosity. 

Any couple planning a pandemic wedding should have a heart ready to go with the flow of life and its changes, and trust in the Lord's timing.

The happiest couples I've seen this year haven't been the ones whose weddings were unscathed by the inconsistencies, cancellations, and troubles of COVID-19. 

The happiest brides and grooms were the ones who looked up, even in the midst of a rocky experience planning their big days, and still held on to the joy of knowing that they were about to be united with the love of their life until “death do they part.”

Photography: Nikayla & Co. | Nuptial Mass Location: St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, Modesto, CA | Bride’s Dress and Veil: LaceMarry | Bridal Accessories: LaceMarry | Tuxes: Generation Tux

Brooke + Scott | Whirlwind Pandemic Wedding

When COVID-19 shuttered churches and threatened to delay the sacraments indefinitely, Brooke and Scott made the bold decision to get married almost a month early, with only hours notice, in the presence of only their immediate family members; but later that summer, they finally got their fairytale celebration.

Brooke met Scott on move-in day of her freshman year of college. Scott was a sophomore, and happened to be her RA. The two became fast friends.

A little over a year later—when they were no longer resident and RA—Brooke learned of Scott’s feelings for her after a weekend retreat with a Christian group on campus, and they began dating.

Over the years Brooke and Scott grew in their relationship together and in their individual relationships with Lord.

But when Scott experienced a reversion to the Catholic Church after graduating, Brooke was left feeling confused by a faith they no longer fully shared.

From the Bride:

While greatly troubled and conflicted by Scott’s return to the Catholic faith, I was so inspired by his reverence for the Lord. 

After fervent study of the Scriptures (as well as a vast variety of other writings and resources), mentorship from the priest who would later married us (plus a late-night ice cream trip with a professor and a great conversation with a seminarian), and lots of prayer, I made the decision to leave my Protestant background and join the Catholic Church. 

Before formally sharing this decision with Scott, but after recognizing it within myself, I felt something click between the two of us one day. It changed our relationship and our dispositions toward one another from that point forward and began to mold us into the model set by Christ and His Church.

Just before Christmas that year, Scott and I became engaged in our favorite spot—a string-lit gazebo in Baker Park in Downtown Frederick, following a horse-drawn carriage ride. Then, I was officially welcomed into the Church shortly before Easter. 

We continued to make our home at St. John Westminster, continuing to grow in our love for the Lord and His Church. We had a long engagement due to the processes required for me to complete my Master’s Degree program, acquire my license in occupational therapy, and start a job. 

Scott’s patron saint, St. Thomas More, was helpful to him during this time, inspiring Scott to work hard both at his profession as well as in his preparation to become a loving and devoted husband, centering his work, family, and entire life around his faith. 

Meanwhile my patron saint, St. Monica, inspired me as a patron saint of wives and mothers. She also inspired me to pray fervently for my loved ones and to never give up hope, clinging to my faith in God amidst life’s trials and tribulations.

Leading up to our wedding day of April 25th, from early March onward, there were new COVID restrictions every week. One day the bishop cancelled public Masses indefinitely, with churches open only for private prayer. 

On March 30th, we began texting with our priest to check in about our wedding plans. As I was leaving work, Fr. Andrew informed us that the Diocese of Baltimore had just announced it would be suspending everything beginning at 8:00 p.m. 

We began asking if we could have a private wedding that evening; meanwhile, Fr. Andrew was hearing confessions. By God’s providence, Scott had unknowingly gotten our civil license 48 hours before the courts closed indefinitely. 

Within a span of 30 minutes, we went from learning that churches would be closed to Fr. Andrew informing us, “We need two witnesses, can you bring two?”

We had to make sure we were at the church by 7:00, as it would have to close by 8:00. I had two hours to drive home where I was living with my parents and get ready.

I got dressed in what was supposed to be my rehearsal attire, put on my wedding shoes and jewelry, clipped up my hair, and painted a clear coat of nail polish over my otherwise-unpolished fingernails. 

Scott wore a plain black suit and a tie that one of our readers was supposed to wear in April. I held a bouquet of faux white flowers which were to be a part of the April decor, but cut off one single white rose to be used as Scott’s boutonniere.

We planned to get married in the chapel, but by God’s providence, a staff member unlocked the church, which had already been empty for weeks. Our videographer was able to get there quickly to capture the ceremony. 

My brother live-streamed the wedding on Facebook for friends and family, while Scott and I were married by Fr. Andrew in the presence of each of our parents, our brothers, and a seminarian. 

Our wedding occurred during Lent, with the church decorated with the humble decor of the season—an outward sign of the inner dispositions of our hearts at the time. Fr. Andrew read our previously selected readings and delivered a short homily. 

My father-in-law even held his phone up to the microphone on the ambo to play the processional and recessional songs we had previously chosen.

One reading in particular, a passage from Ephesians 5, was especially important to us. Scott and I had become deeply drawn to this passage during our engagement, and it has served as the crux of our marriage. 

Scott is the spiritual leader of our household, and I strive to submit to and honor him daily. However, all the more, Scott is a constant example of Christ’s sacrifice and servitude, laying himself down for me in big and small ways every single day.

Despite over a year of wedding planning, there was something so honest and humbling about walking down the aisle with my dad to an acoustic version of “Be Thou My Vision” without all the glamour, without having even rehearsed it; about wearing simple clothes amidst simple decorations; about being one of 10 people in a great, big, empty church filled with dried reeds and twigs; about leaving the church that evening and not knowing when we would be able to return inside. 

There was something so special about driving back to my parents’ house, receiving a small grocery-store bouquet of flowers, sharing chocolate cake from my in-laws, drinking ordinary red wine from champagne glasses my parents had kept from their own wedding, and then celebrating—just the eight of us—over oven pizza, strawberries, and carrot sticks. 

There was something so exciting about throwing clothes and essentials into a plastic bin so that I could move into the little townhouse with my now-husband that very night, only to go back into work at 7:00 the next morning, a married woman.

In August we were able to gather with family and friends for a renewal of vows and full reception. Due to continued COVID restrictions, we were unable to have our reception at our original location; however, by God’s providence, we instead celebrated at a golf course with miles of green grass, a big gazebo for our guests to enjoy cocktail hour, and a beautiful room with bright windows and a perfect dance floor. 

Scott and I are very traditional, and we incorporated all the classic details of a wedding. We’re also old souls, which was reflected from the entrance and closing hymns during the ceremony to the selection of old music at our reception. (And, of course, Nat King Cole for our first dance.) 

I wanted to feel like Cinderella, and I wore a big white dress and my hair in a twirly updo, and we had a big, white, swirly, three-tiered cake. Our reception was filled with white lanterns, emerald green ivy, white tulle, wooden accents, and string-lit trees. 

We finally got the celebration we hadn’t gotten in March, from walking down an aisle filled with loved ones on either side, to the special father-daughter and mother-son dances we had always dreamed about, and everything in between.

We are blessed, and we are humbled.

My biggest spiritual take-away from our wedding experience is that God is providential and His timing is not our timing; His plans are not our plans. 

As Isaiah writes, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways—oracle of the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, my thoughts higher than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8-9). 

As Scott likes to say, “God writes straight with crooked lines.” 

I spent so long trying to plan every detail of the day, and spent so much time feeling worried and tearful, fearing that Scott and I would not be able to be married for an indefinite period of time, after what was already a long engagement and dating relationship. However, the Lord provides and He takes care of us. 

Photography: I'm Mary Katherine, LLC | Nuptial Mass & Vow Renewal Location: St. John Roman Catholic Church, Westminster, MD | Reception Venue: Piney Branch Golf Club, Upperco, MD | Coordination: Stephanie Day | DJ: Digital Sounds Baltimore | Floral Design: Wendy Carol | Videography: Emmaus Films | Cake: Graul’s Market | Bridal Boutique: Cameo Bridal | Bride’s Dress: Stella York | Bridesmaid Dresses: Morilee | Groomsmen Attire: Tuxedo House

How He Asked | Annie + Jacob

Annie and Jacob were reading from the book of Exodus before praying the Liturgy of the Hours on a Monday evening. 

At the end of one of the chapters, Jacob stood up, took Annie by the hand, and lead her into the aisle. 

A few tender words were exchanged after which Jacob got down on one knee and asked Annie to marry him. And she said yes!

From the Bride:

Christ has been at the center of our relationship long before we were together or before Jacob decided that he wanted to enter the Catholic Church. 

We both had been waiting for the right person to come into our lives, and our friends, Sarah and Joseph, knew that we would be a good fit for each other and help lead one another towards Christ. 

We went on our first date just a week after we met, and quickly after that we were "official." 

It did not take long for us to realize we were with the person we wanted to be with for the rest of our lives. 

From the beginning, I was very open about my faith. Jacob would take interest in intellectual conversations and would come to Mass with me weekly. 

Over time we each became more attuned to the calling Christ was giving us to come together as husband and wife to help and love each other throughout this life.

Photography: Soul Creations Photography | Engagement Location: Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, Indianapolis, IN | Photography Location: Newfields, Indianapolis, IN | Ring: Pierce Jewelers

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

Jillian + Dalton | Stella Maris Styled Shoot

A Marian inspired styled-shoot, with elegantly combined celestial and nautical details, perfect for classic and coastal venues alike.

As Catholic wedding coordinators, Mary Dorhauer and Joy Foster of Something Blue Catholic Weddings always dreamed of creating a styled shoot with a Catholic theme. 

Their vision for a wedding dedicated to Our Lady, Star of the Sea, reflects the sacredness of marriage and the beauty the Lord has destined for us all in our eternal home.

From the Stylists and Coordinators:

As a Catholic wedding professionals, we occasionally straddle an unusual line between trendy pinterest/instagram wedding culture, and the dignified, spiritual side of wedding planning that is the sacrament of marriage. As wedding coordinators, we aspire to help Catholic brides and grooms to make sure they strike the right balance of both. 

Beauty is of heaven, and the Lord is the ultimate beauty, therefore, there is nothing wrong with a desire to have your wedding and photos reflect beautiful things! 

And of course, marriage is a heavenly rite and a mirroring of the Blessed Trinity, and should be treated with the utmost respect. 

It was truly a blessing to be able to create photos that reflect both aspects of a wedding, and to be joined by professionals who share a similar passion to ours; to help couples have the happiest, holiest, and most fulfilling wedding experience that they can create!

We love styled shoots because they’re such a wonderful opportunity for vendors to practice their craft and show off their creativity, without having to worry about the typical boundaries of what is practical for a wedding.

One of the first things we did for this shoot was to select models. We knew right away that we wanted to feature a married couple because there is no substitute for the love between a husband and wife, and we wanted that tenderness to read on camera. 

Jillian and Dalton, a local couple who were married in October of last year, were such an accommodating and charming pair, and really captured the romantic spirit we envisioned for the shoot. 

The theme we chose for our shoot was “Stella Maris—Star of the Sea.” We knew we wanted a Marian theme so that our shoot was automatically dedicated to the Blessed Mother, and chose “Star of The Sea” after reading a prayer penned by Pope St. John Paul II:

“Pray that we will never fail on life’s journey, that in heart and mind, in word and deed, in days of turmoil and in days of calm, we will always look to Christ and say, ‘Who is this that even wind and sea obey him?’ Our Lady Star of the Sea, pray for us.” 

Working from our theme, we crafted a palette that was neither celestial nor nautical, but an elegant combination of both; gold and cream (inspired by the celestial heavens) with accents of rich deep teal and navy (inspired by the sea). 

Our goal for the shoot was to subtly weave in both the sea and sky into every aspect of the shoot, while still creating a luxurious and classic aesthetic. 

The bridal bouquet, created by Eufloric Events, was a vibrant and rich confection of whites, blues, and greenery, with a hint of ocean foam brought in through dusty miller leaves. The gown, provided by Rouge Bridal Boutique, has a simple, flowy silhouette that highlights the grace and poise of our bride. 

For hair, provided by Laura Snyder, and makeup provided by Abby Prather, we opted for a soft and romantic look in order to reflect the natural glow of the night sky.

For our detail shots, we selected a few carefully curated items including a pair of pale seafoam blue bridal heels, a star-inspired perfume bottle, and pearl jewelry (provided by Rouge Bridal boutique). 

Our bride’s rosary, a pale green and pearl, is made from reclaimed seaglass, while our groom’s rosary, silver, is crafted from recycled fishing materials. We also wanted to support small Catholic businesses as much as possible, and featured a Stella Maris print from artist Jen Olson, and a candle from Stella Maris and Co. in their Matrimony scent.

We brainstormed for several weeks while we looked for the perfect location for this shoot, and in the end, we settled on The Allison Mansion on the west side of Indianapolis. It’s a beautiful and historic manor house on the grounds of Marian University. 

We loved the Allison Mansion because of its affiliation with a Catholic university, and—perhaps more importantly for a photo shoot—it’s opulent architecture! Built around 1911, this venue features cream colored marble, a grand staircase, hand carved leather walls, and a beautiful stained glass skylight. 

We were also fortunate enough to be able to shoot at the beautiful St. Mary’s in downtown Indianapolis, the very church in which our models were actually married last year!

The invitation suite and programs, provided by Eileen Adams (owner of Noteworthy Expressions), were a bold and upscale addition to our shoot. Eileen worked with us to craft a custom invitation suite featuring that deep teal we love so much, celestial touches, and an image of St. Mary’s that tied our two locations together beautifully. 

The menu card featuring the traditional meal prayer added a definitive Catholic touch to the formal table, which we styled with an ivory cloth and teal napkins, white and gold china, crystal wine glasses, and champagne hued flatware. 

The table was graced with a natural garland that coordinated with the bridal bouquet, incorporating blue candles and standing gold stars amidst the greenery to complement the elegant place settings. 

The vibrant cake, a small round creation by Taylor Made Cakery, was painted with swatches of blue and gold… and tasted as good as it looked!

Perhaps the most important part of the entire project was selecting our photography team. We were so excited to team up with not just one, but two talented photographers with extensive experience in Catholic weddings. 

Simple Heart Photography features a vibrant and bright style that tastefully captured the autumn colors of our outdoor portraits. Colette M Photography, a new addition to the Indianapolis area, produces a light and airy style perfect for the natural light and marble surroundings of The Allison Mansion’s aviary. 

Additionally, we were thrilled to be joined by Dylan Lee Videography, a husband and wife team who helped us capture the highlights of our shoot on film.

Overall, the shoot was exactly as we envisioned. While the vision of the shoot evolved as we added vendors and details, the final product fit in exactly with our company’s tagline; timeless, romantic, and thoroughly Catholic!

Photography: Colette M Photography

Photography: Simple Heart

Styling & Coordinators: Something Blue Catholic Weddings | Photography: Simple Heart Photography and Colette M Photography | Church: St. Mary's Catholic Church, Indianapolis, Indiana | Reception Venue: The Allison Mansion at Riverdale, Marian University | Gown & Jewelry: Rouge Bridal Boutique | Hairstyling: Laura Snyder | Makeup: Abby Prather | Floral Design: Eufloric Events | Rentals: A Classic Party Rentals | Cake: Taylor Made Cakery | Stationery: Noteworthy Expressions | Videography: Dylan Lee Videography | Models: Jillian Conrad and Dalton Kloeker

Sierra + Patrick | Family-Centered TLM Wedding

A classic summer wedding in shades of blue, filled with faith, tradition, and big band swing dancing.

Sierra and Patrick met at Czech Hall, through mutual friends from the Newman Center, where Patrick asked her to swing dance.

They courted for a year before getting engaged on their one year anniversary.

Throughout their courtship, engagement, and the start of their life as husband and wife, Sierra and Patrick kept their faith in Christ as the firm foundation of their life together.

From the Bride:

Patrick proposed on our courting anniversary after Saturday morning Mass in the church where we would eventually get married.

He went down to genuflect and didn’t get back up. 

We had a betrothal ceremony two weeks later and an eight-month engagement. Patrick and I decided to celebrate our wedding in the tradition of the Solemn High Latin Mass, and said our vows on the crucifix we now have in the center of our home.

There is no better way to start off your lifelong journey with your best friend when you have God as the center of your life. Patrick and I tried to emphasize that throughout our wedding day and relationship.

From the Photographer:

I met Sierra through going to Church at Saint Benedict. We have been friends for over 10 years and have attended various mission trips and retreats together. 

After their engagement, Sierra and Patrick had a betrothal ceremony, during which the couple solemnly pledges to marry one another and becomes officially engaged in the eyes of the Church. 

They received a priestly blessing for their engagement and Sierra’s engagement ring was also blessed! It brought the couple many graces and started their marriage on a solid foundation.

Sierra and Patrick celebrated the sacrament of marriage with a Traditional Latin Mass. In this tradition, the Rite of Marriage happens at the beginning, and is followed by the Mass.

They intentionally planned their wedding to honor God, bless their loved ones, and to make their day memorable. They brought the crucifix that would hang in their new home and said their vows over it. 

They shared their first kiss ever right after their ceremony. It was the perfect way for them to celebrate their new life as husband and wife! 

Appropriately enough, the reception was held in the place Sierra and Patrick first met, with a big band, where they had originally enjoyed swing dancing together. 

While they started their first dance slowly, the band then went crazy and the newlyweds quickly transitioned to a choreographed number. They enjoyed seeing the reactions of their parents and guests to this epic first dance.

The foundation of their marriage and the most important part of their day was incorporating their faith. It was incredibly special to them to be able to truly focus on what mattered most to them for their wedding day!

Photography: Constance Photography | Nuptial Mass Location: St. Damien Catholic Church, Edmond, OK | Reception Venue: Czech Hall, Yukon, OK | Catering: Interurban | Cake: You Need a Cake | Floral Design: Kristy’s Flowers & Gifts and the Center of Family Love | Bride’s Dress: Bella Rose Bridal

Natasha + George | Bridge Between Two Hearts

A love story beginning on the streets of NYC finds fulfillment in a Cincinnati summer wedding filled with military flair.

Natasha and George met for their first date at the Canal Street Station in New York; they walked around the city, chatting easily about life. From the start, Natasha noticed that George would acknowledge each person he walked by, rather than ignoring various passersby as she was accustomed to doing on busy NYC streets. 

What was supposed to be a lunch date, turned into an all-day event, traversing the city and the Brooklyn Bridge, grabbing gelato, and heading to a local restaurant to top off the evening where Natasha eagerly agreed to a second date.

While navigating career moves, long distance, shuttered churches, and a pandemic, Natasha and George held on to the hope of being married in July, before George would be subject to deploy at any time.

God faithfully answered their prayers as they entered the Sacrament of marriage in a beautiful Church surrounded by navy blue hues and bright white florals. They then celebrated their union with their bridal party at the base of another very special bridge.

From the Bride:

I was a journalist at Bloomberg News, and George was a senior at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. On our first date we dove into our faith lives, talking about growing up Catholic, attending Mass with the Pope, and participating in various young adult groups.

I could barely believe it: George was a devoted Catholic, a gentleman, a motivated learner—and not to mention, very good looking!

Falling in love in New York City was a dream. We strolled through Central Park, attended Sunday Mass in the Lower East Side, visited the Met, had a rooftop picnic, saw a Broadway play, and cheered on the home team at Yankee Stadium. I was even able to see George’s graduation from West Point and his commissioning as an officer. 

George helped me move to North Dakota for a short-term job, and he moved to Oklahoma for his first duty station. Neither of us enjoyed long distance, but we tried to make the best of it as we watched movies over FaceTime, cooked new recipes for dinner dates, and prayed together each night before bed.

It didn’t take long for the two of us to realize we wanted our relationship to last forever; in fact, it only took a few months. George asked me to marry him during our first Thanksgiving holiday as a couple. He gave the sweetest speech, ending it with, “Will you marry me?” 

Leading up to Christmas, we prayed a Novena to the Holy Family and began an intensive marriage preparation program. We learned more about our faith, our roles as man and woman, and our responsibilities to each other and the Church through marriage. 

We were able to talk more deeply with each other. I felt very lucky that contraception was not on the table for either of us. 

Although George was worried that would mean we would have 11 kids and counting, I reassured him that through Natural Family Planning we could faithfully plan our family together with God. The actual NFP course reassured us even more that we were doing the right thing for our marriage, future family, Catholic community, and God.

However, planning a wedding during the COVID-19 pandemic really put us to the test. George was quarantined at his duty station in Kentucky for months, and I was an emotional wreck at my parents’ home in Ohio. 

We faced uncertainty and a lot of changed plans surrounding our July 11 wedding date, but we felt this was our one shot, as George could get deployed at any time in the months following. We prayed more, but it was often a struggle, as we both felt distant from God because churches were shut down.

In preparation for our wedding day, we prayed a second Novena to the Holy Family, begging Jesus to keep us and everyone else from getting sick and to bless our marriage. To our surprise, when the day rolled around, everything fell into place.

When George saw me for the first time, walking down the aisle, he cried, and I felt even more assured in that moment that God had led me to the right man. During our wedding Mass, we together sang our hearts out, held hands and prayed, received Communion, and laid flowers before Mary. 

After Mass, in a small room by ourselves, we washed each other’s feet as a symbol of service to one another.

Even with all the uncertainty of wedding planning during the pandemic, I would do it a thousand times over, as long as I’d get to spend forever with my sweet husband, George.

From the photographer:

Natasha and George’s wedding day had so many special moments. During Natasha’s first look with her father, I was privileged to witness firsthand the joy and admiration on his face. The love of a father for his daughter is so tender and special, and this moment was truly priceless.

The couple chose to exchange letters and pray together before Mass. This was such an intimate moment between them, right before they became husband and wife. 

We took bridal party photos at Smale Riverfront Park beside the Roebling Suspension Bridge. This bridge held special meaning for the couple as it connects Ohio and Kentucky—where they each grew up. 

It also happens to have been designed by John A. Roebling, who went on to design the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City, the setting of George and Natasha’s first date! 

Despite the pandemic and all of the restrictions, the Lord blessed this couple abundantly. It was so evident how much they loved the Lord and each other. 

Their wedding Mass was the center of their day, and it was clear how seriously they took sacrament. It is always so life-giving to encounter faithful Catholics whose witness provides me with so much hope for the future.

Photography: Laura and Matthew | Nuptial Mass Location: St. Boniface Catholic Church, Cincinnati, OH | Reception Venue: Receptions Fairfield, Cincinnati, OH | Bride’s Gown: Wendy’s Bridal, Morilee by Madeline Gardner | Floral Design: Swan Floral | DJ: Absolute DJs | Cake: Cakes By Mindy At Receptions | Bride’s Hair: Heidi Rogers | Bridesmaid Hair: Kentucky Updos | Bridesmaid Dresses: David’s Bridal, Vera Wang | Invitation Suite: Posh Paper

Sarah + Jacob | Flawless Fall Wedding Amidst Pandemic

A marriage celebration among the rolling hills of a country farm, awash with golden autumn sunshine and a kaleidoscope of colorful blooms.

After attending the wedding of a close friend, Sarah began praying for, and writing to, her future spouse. However, she never expected to meet her husband, Jacob, due to a home improvement project gone wrong.

While an Ohio wedding was not what the couple originally had in mind, their chapel ceremony and outdoor reception provided the perfect beginning to their new life together. 

The dusty blue hues of the bridal party’s attire supplied a stunning backdrop for the brightly colored florals to truly shine—and not even a pandemic could darken their joyful rays.

From the Bride: 

It was a brisk summer day in a small Oregon mountain town. My best friends were getting married there that weekend. 

As we began the rehearsal, the bridal party lined up to practice their walk down the aisle; however, my groomsman counterpart had yet to arrive. 

I would need to make the 100-yard trek alone. At the end of the aisle stood my spiritual father, Fr. Nathan, smiling as I made my way. 

As the rehearsal progressed, and the bridal party began to exit our rows, I was still partnerless. Fr. Nathan looked at me, took my arm and started walking with me down the aisle. 

He whispered, “You will find your St. Joseph one day.” Thus, I began praying to find my St. Joseph.

Three short months later, I sat frustrated in my room journaling to my “future St. Joseph” about my failed attempt at hanging new shelving. 

My unsuccessful efforts had left numerous holes in the wall. I dreamed of the day I would have the man I wrote to there, helping me to hang those shelves just as St. Joseph the carpenter would have done.

Defeated, my roommate kindly asked her brother to help.

Little did I know that as I watched this man help hang those shelves and patch the holes, my St. Joseph was standing before me.

Jacob and I were married on September 26th in Christ the King Chapel with a smiling Fr. Nathan standing at the altar.

Now, Jake and I are currently remodeling our 120-year-old home. Some joke that he is the “Chip” to my “Joanna”. 

I do not see it this way. Because each day I am reminded more and more of the words whispered to me in a small church in Oregon: “You will find your St. Joseph one day.”

From the Photographer: 

Imagine the most perfect early fall day, the warm sun shining, some passing clouds and ending the day with a cool breeze. Now, picture a beautiful farm in the country, a large white tent lit with string lights, filled with your dearest friends and family. 

The sounds of laughter, music, and dancing filling the air as the sun sets over the rolling hills. That is just a taste of the beauty of Sarah and Jacob’s wedding day in Steubenville, Ohio.

Though they were originally planning on a west-coast wedding, their plans changed due to the COVID restrictions in California. They decided to keep their wedding date, but move the location.

They were married in Christ the King Chapel on the campus of Franciscan University. Sarah and Jacob originally met in Steubenville and plan to continue living there, so it was fitting that they were married in the place it all began.

Everything about their day was picture perfect, from the gorgeous details at the beginning of the day, to the stunning BHLDN gown and veil. But the detail that stole the show were the florals; everyone was talking about them! 

Flowers have the ability to elevate a wedding in a way that no other detail can. The bright pinks, lush greens, and happy oranges provided stunning pops of color throughout the bouquets, centerpieces, and even the cake! 

Even though Sarah and Jacob’s plans for their wedding day had to change drastically and many beloved family members watched via livestream, God blessed them with a joyful and beautiful wedding. Their focus was on the Lord, the sacrament, and the beginning of a lifelong marriage together.

Photography: Laura and Matthew | Nuptial Mass Location: Christ the King Chapel, Franciscan University, Steubenville, OH | Wedding Reception Venue: The Sunnyside Country Retreat, Amsterdam, OH | Bride’s Dress: BHLDN | Wedding Planner: Jeannene Lillie Events | DJ: Brandon Michael | Videography: Meredith Munro | Floral Design: Rachel Lash | Cookie Table and Cake: Family and friends of the couple | Hair and Makeup: Legal Hair | Catering: Cooked Goose Catering | Bridesmaids Dresses: Lulu’s + Called To Surf | Groomsmen Attire: Macy’s + The Tie Bar | Stationery: Minted | Rentals: All Events Rental

Vendor Week 2021 | What is Your Relationship Founded On? Scriptures to Ground You Throughout Engagement & Marriage

KRISTEN McGAUGHEY & SINIKKA ROHRER

If 2020 taught us anything, surely it is that life is unpredictable and uncontrollable. Reflecting on the year that passed, and sitting in the tension of these current tumultuous days, I have found myself frequently running back to consider three questions:

1. Where does my hope lie?

2. What am I trusting in?

3. Do I really believe that God is good?

Photography: Soul Creations Photography

This may seem like a weird way to begin a blog post on marriage. But I've found it to be so true that what I believe, trust in, rely upon, and adhere to affects my entire life, and moreover my marriage. We must be anchored to truth and have a firm foundation on which to stand!

Jesus tells us in Matthew 7:24-25 that Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock.r 25 The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house.s But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock.

When the foundation was solid, the house stood. What does that mean for us today?

If you look closely at this verse, you'll see that Jesus gives us a few key instructions.

First, we must 'hear his words'.

God has given us a treasure by giving us his Word, the Bible. We see the heart of our Father in these pages. We see the life and teachings of Jesus. We see the power of the Holy Spirit.

Hebrews 4:12 tells us that Indeed, the word of God is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating even between soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart. Scripture changes us! We must be women of the Word to establish our lives and our marriages on a solid foundation.

Secondly, in the verse, Jesus tells us that we not only need to hear his words, but also to do them.

The book of James echoes that same instruction, Be doers of the word and not hearers only... (James 1:22).

Thirdly, Jesus warns us that the storms will come.

He tells us in John 16:33 that in the world we will  have trouble (emphasis mine), but to take heart, for He has overcome the world. It is this that gives us reason to have hope, firm and secure (Hebrews 6:19).

We do not have to worry about tomorrow (Matthew 6:34) for he will never leave or forsake us (Joshua 1:9), as he is with us always. (Matthew 28:20). What beautiful promises we have to cling to, whatever life may throw our way throughout our marital journey.

I don't know how 2020 shook out for you and your groom, or how the forecast for 2021 is looking. Maybe you're currently still trying to figure out rescheduled wedding plans. Maybe you had a quarantine wedding where most attended via Zoom. Maybe you're newly married and trying to figure out this new season of life as a wife. Maybe you're five, ten, or fifteen years married with a crew of babies underfoot.

Whatever your season may be, these things are vital to consider. We will never outgrow our need to center ourselves on Truth. We will never arrive at a place where we don't need to be in the Word, in prayer, and in fellowship. 

We will never escape our desperate need for Christ.

Jesus tells us in John 15:5, I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing. A branch will wither apart from the vine, and so it goes with us; we must cling to Him, building our days, our marriages, and our lives on the solid rock of Jesus Christ.

As you consider these things, I'd like to encourage you to spend some time reading the following Scriptures this week:

Philipians 2:1-18

John 15:1-27

Ask the Lord to show you how these truths can be applied to your life right now:What does it look like to love your fiancé? How can you demonstrate the love of Christ in your daily living? What does obedience to his Word look like right now?

I am praying that you will be rooted and grounded in love, that you may be able to comprehend the width, length, depth, and height of Christ’s love. My team and I  pray you may truly know the love of Christ which surpasses all knowledge, and be filled with all the fullness of God (Ephesians 3:17-19).

We are praying that your marriage be blessed, and that you will continue to build your marriage on the firm foundation of Jesus, and always abide in him, being hearers and doers of the Word. May you feel the Lord’s presence around you as we lift you up!

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About the Authors: Kristen McGaughey and Sinikka Rohrer of Soul Creations Photography are part of an Indiana-based photography team offering a unique client experience centered on spiritual and practical support for Christian and Catholic brides on their way to the aisle and all throughout their marital journey.

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Vendor Week 2021 | Navigating Catholic Dating & Engagement With Confidence

SARA FEOLINO

This February 20-27  is our annual Vendor Week: days dedicated to showcasing the best of the Catholic wedding industry through Spoken Bride’s blog content, podcast interviews, and social media. Everyday this week, we will share wisdom and expertise of some of our talented Vendors to help you in your wedding planning.

If you are recently engaged, we invite you to browse the Spoken Bride Vendor Guide, specifically designed to connect brides and grooms with planners, photographers, florists, artisans, and more who share the same faith and bring a distinctively Catholic outlook to their client experience.

PHOTOGRAPHY: BRANDON SMITH PHOTOGRAPHY AS SEEN IN SARA AND RAPHY’S HAWAIIAN PARADISE WEDDING

My parent’s divorce set me up for failure in my relationships.

I was raised by my single mother because my parents separated when I was still an infant. I didn’t have my dad around all the time to show me how a man should love and so I learned the hard way...

I’ve experienced both ends of the relationship spectrum. Possessive, demanding, manipulating boyfriend to having a boyfriend who didn’t really try to be in our relationship.

In my worst relationship, we fought so often that I would go out of my way to avoid rocking the boat, only to have accidentally rocked it in some other way. Instead of having healthy boundaries and healthy communication, I was faced with demands and ultimatums and being yelled at for things I didn’t know would upset him.

My husband also had his fair share of toxic relationships in the past. He struggled to communicate his needs and emotions and would end up bottling it all up until the dam would burst.

He struggled with things that many couples face like lust, chastity, and pornography. He was actually engaged to another woman that he was with for over five years. But by the grace of God and the help of his spiritual director, he started recognizing these unhealthy habits and behaviors, which led him to make the hard decision of ending the engagement.

I remember him sharing his story openly with me early in our friendship and saw the similarities of experiences we both had.

We realized that no one really taught us how to be in a healthy relationship which resulted in our challenging past.

When we started courting, we decided to do things differently so we wouldn’t repeat what happened in our other relationships.

The most important thing that was missing in all of our past relationships with Christ. We knew that in order for things to change in our relationship, we would have to keep Him in the center. 

We made it a priority to attend daily Mass on most days together, went to Confession often, started a weekly Eucharistic adoration devotion, plugged into a Catholic young adult ministry, and served in our parish together doing youth ministry. We needed His grace to experience healing of our past and find clarity in our discernment together.

We also decided to invest in our own personal and relationship growth. We studied & learned from experts in the areas of relationships, marriage, finances, and so much more and found ways to implement them. We invested in different conferences, events, and courses. We didn’t want to rely on our pre-Cana three day weekend retreat to prepare us for a lifelong marriage. 

We knew that if it took a seminarian nearly a decade to prepare for the priesthood, we had to invest more in our relationship if we wanted our marriage to last a lifetime.

This whole journey of creating a more Christ-centered and growth-focused relationship helped us avoid hurting each other the way our past relationships had. We learned how to communicate our wants and needs, discuss the hard questions and concerns, without fear or tension building between each other.

By developing our skills in our relationship before the wedding day, we confidently entered into our marriage. We were able to work through “tough” situations and take care of it as a team. We are now more proactive in our marriage, not reactive.

In our ministry as premarital relationship coaches, we have seen firsthand the importance of couples intentionally growing in their faith and relationship as they discern marriage. Building the skills of communication, conflict resolution, finances, dating, and more help them have clearer vocational discernment, and enter their marriage with momentum.

See, entering marriage is like entering a battlefield. You don’t win battles by just “winging it” and trying to figure it out while you’re in the heat of things. There needs to be intentional planning & strategizing prior to entering the battle to increase chances of victory. This intentionality before marriage allows couples to be more proactive, rather than reactive, when they experience challenges in their relationship.

The devil despises marriage and divorce is his victory;I’m sure you’ve seen the saddening divorce statistics. However, this can be avoided if we keep Christ in the center, master key relationship skills, live with intention, and never fall complacent!

If you’re reading this right now, whether you’re dating, engaged, or newly married, there is hope for a lifelong marriage.

It doesn’t matter what challenges and struggles you may have experienced in the past, you can create a holy & thriving marriage by the grace of God. His mercy and power is abundant and He is with you always.

Whatever you do, stay proactive in your relationship. Don’t sweep issues under the rug or wait until your relationship is filled with unhealthy habits & behaviors to start working on it. It’s like how you sustain your spiritual life– you receive the sacraments by going to Mass, spend time in Adoration, go to confession, and read spiritual books, all to be proactive with nurturing your faith. You must implement this same type of intention, tenacity & persistence with your relationship if you want it to thrive.

We are praying for all you holy couples on your journey to marriage. God be with you. Stay hopeful, my friends!

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About the Author: Sara Feolino & her husband, Raphy, are the founders of Journey to Marriage, a ministry that empowers Catholic couples to create holy and healthy relationships before marriage. She is a Certified Relationship Coach & Wedding Planner. They are hosts of the podcast, Journey to Marriage - For Catholic Brides & Grooms, which reaches couples worldwide, sharing practical spiritual, relationship, & wedding advice. They hosted the first ever virtual conference for couples preparing for marriage, the Catholic Engaged Summit, a virtual event featuring over 60+ married Catholic speakers sharing their marriage secrets & expertise to Catholics around the world. They live in Las Vegas, Nevada and are huge foodies, enjoy jammin’ to Disney & worship songs, burning up the dance floor, and loving on their newborn daughter.

WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | PODCAST | FREE GUIDE "21 Questions Catholic Couples Must Discuss Before Marriage"

One Moment in Time: Why Every Moment of Your Wedding Day is Worthy of Being Documented.

MARIA CARPENTER

Whether you have been dreaming about your wedding since you were little or the excitement began once you got engaged, it is one of the greatest days of your life to enter the sacrament of marriage with your soulmate. 

PHOTOGRAPHY: FENIX PHOTOGRAPHY, DESIGN, & EVENTS LLC

You’ve probably been told to enjoy your wedding day as much as you can because “it goes by so fast.”

Why then has the wedding industry normalized giving couples the choice of cramming their day into a 6 or 8-hour window or having their photographer miss important wedding day moments?

We have all been there. You begin the search for your wedding photographer, find some that you love, and then your heart sinks when you see on the investment page that you can only afford the shortest amount of time.

You start to wonder:  Well maybe they don’t need to capture everything. Maybe we can just shorten the day so that they can be there for all of the big moments. Before you know it, you are making compromises to change a day that you have spent countless hours planning and investing a lot of money in to make it perfect.

As photographers, we believe that all-day coverage is the best  way to capture a wedding  day as authentically as possible. In order to stay true to that belief, we always include all-day coverage for our couples.

It allows you to have a more peaceful and relaxing day, and will help you remember all of the special moments from it–big and small–for the rest of your life. 

All-day coverage offers a more flexible wedding day timeline, allowing for some extra wiggle room in case something happens to throw off the schedule. It also gives you a chance to mentally and emotionally prepare before the ceremony. If you wanted to have that downtime but was hiring a photographer for a shorter number of hours, then you would feel like you were “wasting an hour” to not have them photographing some of the posed group photos since you have them there for less time.

Limited hours often lead couples to choose between the “getting ready” photos or most of their reception photos, but those are the two best  times to have captured. 

So many of our brides have told us that their favorite pictures of them and their mom or other close female figures are the “getting ready” photos. 

Yes, the pretty posed pictures outdoors are beautiful and important, but there is something so sentimental about documenting the woman who put your first dress on you now helping you into your wedding dress. That is when the emotions of the day start to flood in and become a reality; you aren’t trying your dress on at the bridal store, alteration shop, or your home, this is when you are finally preparing to meet your beloved.  

If you choose to have the photographer there for those important getting ready moments but then leave early before the reception is over, then you are missing out on some of the most fun candid shots of the day. 

There are the heartwarming moments like the first dance, family dances, and toasts but there are also all the fun pictures once the dance floor opens that totally exude marital bliss. 

All your favorite people in one room, singing and dancing to celebrate their love for you two as a couple, which is why they tend to be some of the favorite and most shared pictures for our couples. 

We have photographed the bride giving the maid of honor a piggyback ride, a groom and his groomsmen serenading the bride with an acappella song, a group of sisters recreating their childhood dance to their favorite song, and so many more incredible moments during the celebration. 

The reception is when the  stress and expectations for the day are over and couples are free to act like their truest selves. They have such a carefree spirit about them and the joy they radiate as they leave their reception to begin the rest of their married lives together cannot be posed or prompted.

Wedding photography certainly is not “one size fits all,” but when considering the best fit for you, make sure you are not compromising and shortening the happiest day of your life to fit the time frame of an average workday. 

You have been preparing your whole life to marry the person that God made for you, and you should cherish every moment of the day that you become one in spirit.

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About the Authors: Maria and ayton are the faces behind Fenix Photography, Design, and Events. They both have pursued numerous creative outlets but fell in love with photography: they loved that they could bring the best emotive moments out of couples, and then edit them in a vibrant and colorful way. The motto of Fenix Photography, Design, and Events is "God writes the story... we just document it." As photographers, Maria and Dayton believe their job is to capture the deepest form of love that God can bestow on two people. They desire to build friendships with their clients through the wedding planning process and help them fully enjoy their special day. 

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Vendor Week 2021 | Evangelizing Through Your Wedding Mass

JOY FOSTER & MARY DORHAUER

This February 20-27  is our annual Vendor Week: days dedicated to showcasing the best of the Catholic wedding industry through Spoken Bride’s blog content, podcast interviews, and social media. Everyday this week, we will share wisdom and expertise of some of our talented Vendors to help you in your wedding planning.

If you are recently engaged, we invite you to browse the Spoken Bride Vendor Guide, specifically designed to connect brides and grooms with planners, photographers, florists, artisans, and more who share the same faith and bring a distinctively Catholic outlook to their client experience.

PHOTOGRAPHY: BEAUTY OF THE SOUL STUDIO

Your wedding liturgy offers a wonderful opportunity to witness not just the love you and your fiancé share, but also the beauty of the Catholic Church’s teaching on marriage and sacrificial love. There are subtle but profound ways you can evangelize to your wedding guests, all within the guidelines the Church has for liturgy. 

Your guest list likely includes not just practicing Catholics, but also fallen-away Catholics, confused Catholics, Protestant and Orthodox Christians, and those of other beliefs, or even no beliefs at all. 

In fact, your wedding may be the first time someone has set foot in a Catholic Church or their first return in decades, and yet, they are there out of love for you and your fiancé!

With this consideration, make your ceremony a beautiful and welcoming exposure to the Catholic Faith.

Even for a small wedding, having greeters in the vestibule to hand out programs (or direct to a table or stand where the programs or worship aids are) is a nice touch and offers a place in the wedding party for a young teen or a friend that offers to help. Ushers are also a helpful escort, even for a smaller wedding, because some guests may not know where they should appropriately sit in a Catholic Church (many of our weddings utilize the groomsmen to help seat the arriving guests).

For those getting married in the Ordinary Form of the Mass (or having a liturgy of the Word ceremony), you are able to select readings from the Old Testament, Psalms, New Testament, and the Gospel. 

Those selections can vary from country to country, the liturgical season may alter a few options, and if you are getting married on a solemnity, the readings for that day will be your ceremony or Mass readings. 

When it comes to selecting your readings, take time with your fiancé to carefully read over the options. Be intentional with it!

This is a great time to practice some Lectio Divina, as each reading will give you some insight into marriage and your overall Christian life.

Check with your priest or deacon to see how he typically prefers to address the homily. Some priests will write one based on your readings and customize it to you and your fiancé. Others tend to have a “set homily” for weddings, and while they will of course, customize it to be fitting for you and your beloved, it may not specifically address your selected readings. 

This is important to know if you have chosen a reading such as Ephesians 5:22 or 1 Peter 3, as both are often misunderstood or misinterpreted, even among Catholics, and can sound uncomfortable to non-Catholic ears. If you choose either of these beautiful readings, we highly recommend asking your priest to explain and expand on them from a Catholic viewpoint during his homily. 

If one or both of you are recent converts to Catholicism and your conversion caused some serious contention with a beloved immediate family, know that it is perfectly okay to go with some of the more well known and easily interpreted readings like Genesis or Song of Songs, instead of Tobit or Sirach (which are more difficult for a layperson to understand). You know your family the best and a ceremony where the readings are common to both Catholics and Protestants may be the best option for harmony. 

For those marrying in the Extraordinary Form of the Mass or on a Solemnity, we still encourage you to practice Lectio Divina over the Sacred Scripture options for the Ordinary Form Nuptial Mass and include a favorite verse or two on your wedding program or worship aid, just as you would with a message to your guests or a “thank you for being part of our special day.”

Another custom that can be confusing to those outside the Church is a Marian Devotion or the practice of bringing flowers to an altar or statue of the Blessed Mother. 

Asking your priest to give a brief explanation as you prepare may help guests understand the significance of the moment which usually takes place right after the vows or after everyone is seated after Holy Communion. If your priest prefers not to give an explanation on this custom, have it in your program so non-Catholic guests understand that we aren’t “worshiping Mary,” but asking for her heavenly, intercessory prayers.

Pope Saint John Paul II tells us that “All men and women are entrusted with the task of creating their own life; in a certain sense, they are to make of it a work of art, a masterpiece!” Similarly, your wedding may be seen as a work of art to others. 

The church building, with its art and architecture, the beauty of the hymns, and the solemn tradition of Catholic worship, are all a witness to your guests about the dignity and glory found in the Catholic Church. 

Strive to make your wedding Mass as touching, beautiful, and welcoming to your guests as possible. We aren’t always privileged to know what parts of our lives God has used to affect a change in someone else, and it’s a wonderful thought that your wedding ceremony might not just bring you and your fiance together, but might also bring another person back into the fold of the Church!

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About the Author: Joy Foster and Mary Dorhauer are co-owners and wedding planners of Something Blue, a company dedicated to Catholic Weddings.

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Vendor Week 2021 | Stress-Free Catholic Wedding Programs

EMILY CONSTANCE

This February 20-27  is our annual Vendor Week: days dedicated to showcasing the best of the Catholic wedding industry through Spoken Bride’s blog content, podcast interviews, and social media. Everyday this week, we will share wisdom and expertise of some of our talented Vendors to help you in your wedding planning.

If you are recently engaged, we invite you to browse the Spoken Bride Vendor Guide, specifically designed to connect brides and grooms with planners, photographers, florists, artisans, and more who share the same faith and bring a distinctively Catholic outlook to their client experience.

PHOTOGRAPHY: EMILY CONSTANCE PHOTOGRAPHY

There are so many little details when it comes to planning a wedding. 

As a wedding photographer, I had some idea what to expect, but it was so different being on the ‘bride’ side of things instead of ‘vendor’ side of things. 

One of the often overlooked, but important pieces for a Catholic wedding is the program. Here are some tips I learned during my own wedding planning experience to ensure that this is one detail you won’t stress about!

Start Early

When it came to my wedding programs, I had planned to create them in Photoshop with gorgeous metallic fonts and floral designs printed on special paper to really create that WOW factor. But in reality, I waited until the last minute so I thought I was going to have to  just eliminate the programs all together. 

With the stress around planning a wedding, wedding programs might not be on the top of your to-do list. But since they are so important, especially with helping non-Catholic wedding guests understand and follow your ceremony, I’d recommend not leaving them until the last minute.

Enlist the help of family and friends

Instead of forgoing a program, my mom came to the rescue! She designed and assembled all 200 of my wedding programs with the help of my dad. I couldn’t have done it without them!

You can easily delegate the task of designing, printing, and/or assembling wedding programs to family members and friends. 

Design first, print later

If I were to plan a wedding again today, I would start the design process for my programs earlier to give myself time to create something beautiful and beneficial to my guests. Then I would print the programs closer to the wedding to allow for any last minute changes.

Find the right template

One of the roadblocks I ran into to was - What exactly do you put in a Catholic wedding ceremony program? There are plenty of non-religious program templates on Etsy and Pinterest. But I wanted our program to reflect our faith and be easy to follow for all of our non-Catholic guests. 

My mom purchased blank wedding programs and designed them in the word editor on her computer.  You can also buy Catholic-specific wedding program templates to make sure that your program has everything your guests need to enter into the beauty of your wedding mass. 

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About the Author: Emily Constance is a Catholic wedding photographer serving Tulsa, OK and surrounding areas with 10 years of experience. She loves her faith and uses her knowledge to help guide Catholic couples both professionally and personally through their special day. She loves capturing the joy that radiates from couples, as well as the timelessness and beauty of the Sacrament of Marriage.

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