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

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

Olivia + Jackson | Heirloom-Inspired Interfaith Wedding

Pink hues and pearl-dotted details create a simple, vintage aesthetic with a modern twist. Placing an emphasis on personal touches, this wedding and reception became a true family affair.

When Olivia first met Jackson, he checked all of the boxes except one: Catholic. 

While she prepared herself for the day when it would become clear that things could never work out between them—even thinking that he might pull the trigger himself when her overwhelming Catholicism got the best of him—that day never came.

This thing that she used to think of as a full-stop dealbreaker was turning out to not break the deal at all. 

As she fell more and more in love with Jackson, marriage made its way to the very front of her mind. 

From the Bride:

I hadn’t thought much about my future wedding before, but the one thing that I always wanted was that moment when my beloved and I would both receive the Eucharist—our first meal shared together as one would be the very body and blood of Jesus! 

How could this be if the man I loved didn’t share my faith?

I eventually talked to my paternal grandmother—lovingly called Oma—whose nearly 60 years of marriage to my late Opa had always been an inspiration to me. Their marriage, like the one I would one day enter into, was a mixed-faith marriage. 

A very happy life, 12 children, and 46 grandchildren came from their marriage, so I knew it wasn’t “bad” to marry a Protestant. I just thought I’d never do it. 

Oma’s words resonated with me: “Does he love you? And more importantly, does he love God?”

My dream of receiving communion with my husband had to be altered, but I also found great beauty and humility in my husband when we both knelt at the altar on that day and received different blessings—the body and blood of Christ for me, and the prayer of spiritual communion for him.

Our wedding day was more lovely than I ever could have imagined. During the planning process, I found that there were very few things I cared about, so I ended up letting other people make decisions, unless I was forced. 

There was only one detail that I was absolutely sure I wanted to handle: Jackson’s wedding band.

When Opa died a couple years prior, he left everything to my Oma—except one thing, which was for me. 

A few days after his funeral, my Oma handed me a green jewelry box with a golden clasp. Inside was his wedding ring, which he had worn proudly his whole life. 

I’d been known by all as Opa’s favorite, so I wasn’t surprised to receive a gift from him, but I had no idea what I was supposed to do with a man’s ring. So, I tucked it away and waited until its purpose was clear.

Little did I know that less than a month after I received Opa’s ring, Jackson would come into my life. He was a smart, interesting, hard-working Christian, and he really seemed to like me! 

Not long after we began dating, he started to say to me, “You’re my favorite,” with the sweetest smile, and I started to understand what Opa’s ring had been for all along.

When Jackson proposed to me, he gifted me a ring that had been worn by his great-grandmother, which made it even more fitting that he would one day wear Opa’s ring. 

Together, we took it to a jeweler and had it refurbished into the wedding band that I placed on his finger on our wedding day. The new version of the ring is more modern and suits Jackson’s style better, but is still recognizable to me as the ring that symbolized Opa’s vow. 

This has helped me to associate our interfaith marriage with another that had been such a shining example in my life.

I should mention here that I am lucky. Though my husband is not Catholic, he has embraced the Catholic tradition in many ways: he willingly attends Mass with me weekly; has promised to help me raise our children Catholic one day; and agreed to a full Mass on our wedding day, knowing that he and his family would not get to receive Communion. 

Not every interfaith marriage is so blessed. But to the brides out there who have fallen in love with a non-Catholic man, I say that not only is a Christ-centered, interfaith marriage possible, but it is beautiful.

My marriage to a Protestant man has broken down many of the uncharitable prejudices that I used to have about our non-Catholic brothers and sisters. My husband’s family has been the most welcoming force in my life, and I now strive to share that virtue, while still living my Catholic faith. 

My husband’s scrupulous research about the teachings of the Church and the questions that he’s asked me have forced me to dive into the traditions of my faith. 

My faith is no longer passive, but active. I seek the reasons behind the truths of our faith, and I actively pray that what we both learn leads him to heaven.

When we set out to plan our wedding, we didn’t have much of a “vision” in mind. The perfect wedding for both of us would be simple, down-to-earth, and would be well-attended by our families and close friends. 

We came up with a concept for an heirloom-inspired, modern wedding based on what was most important to us, including being married in the same church as my grandparents.

Wanting to include our family and friends in our wedding day, we realized that the people who are close to us all had unique gifts to share, so we began to ask for help, turning our vintage, heirloom wedding into an all-hands-on-deck experience.

My mother used her talents honed as a graphic designer to create a lovely design for our wedding invitations, which we decided to engrave on lightweight wood for a classic feel. 

For the liturgy, we enlisted my aunt and uncle to organize the music and asked some other well-spoken relatives to proclaim the Word. Some cousins were recruited as altar servers, and our siblings and friends were secured as the wedding party. 

We then chose our readings and music selections. Both of us were drawn to the stories of creation, and found them very fitting for celebrating the creation of our new family. 

With this in mind, I chose to process down the aisle to the hymn, “All Creatures of Our God and King.” While I walked down the aisle with my dad, I heard the congregation praising God in song as I approached Jackson, the man who was created by God for me.

For us, wearing the rings of each other’s relatives was an important symbolic joining of our families.

We can now look to the long and happy marriages of those who wore our rings as an example and inspiration for our marriage.

The aesthetic of our wedding was simple and classic, with a modern twist. I wore the simplest gown I could find, which was altered by a seamstress to match the pearl details that we’d chosen for the reception. 

I chose vintage-inspired, pearl-dotted shoes, pearl earrings, and a long veil that had been worn by two of my bridesmaids at their own weddings. The bridesmaids wore dresses in shades of pink, and we all carried blush and cream flowers surrounded by lush greenery that had been arranged by the florist shop housed inside my father’s pharmacy.

The reception venue we chose was owned by a family friend. It was a historic newspaper office that had been converted into an event space. 

The building itself featured built-in bookcases and large wooden columns that played into our vintage-meets-modern theme very nicely. We added pearl accents where we could, including sheer curtains with pearl details lining the windows. 

Twinkle lights were placed on top of shelves, and the built-in bookcases were repurposed as glassware cabinets. The original newspaper front desk became our bar, where we served beers and seltzers brewed at my uncle’s brewery in Tennessee.

Wooden tables were arranged around a dance floor, and we served heavy hors d'oeuvres in a tent outside. A jazz band played a mix of standard tunes and more modern hits for our guests to enjoy. 

We were also treated to a vocal rendition of “Under the Boardwalk” performed by my dad and his brothers, a tradition at all of our family gatherings.

When the time came to cut the cake, we sliced into a beautiful two-tier masterpiece made by my younger sister and maid of honor. It was both beautiful and delicious!

The personal touches that came from our friends and family made our wedding truly unique.

Our families celebrated the first day of our life as a new family in the most fitting way: by being a family! Time, talents, and treasures were contributed by all to make our day reflect the joy of the sacrament that we received. 

We feel so blessed to be a part of a family that steps up and takes on the roles that they are most suited to—in the same way that we now fulfill our unique roles as husband and wife. 

Leading up to our wedding, I heard from so many people that the wedding day isn't that important. Though this is absolutely true when comparing the wedding to the marriage, I saw something unexpected and deep in the way our wedding day came together. 

What I saw was a microcosm of the Church herself. By giving to the Lord the fruits of our unique abilities, we can create a beautiful thing—a community that lives like a family. 

Our friends and family who attended our wedding and helped us make the day special not only shared in our joy; they gave us joy! And there's no better gift to give to a bride and groom.

Photography: Angela Brearton Photography | Nuptial Mass Location: Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Fulton, IL | Reception Location: The Old Fulton Journal Building, Fulton, IL | Appetizers & Desserts: Krumpets Bakery Cafe | Late Night Snack: Candlelight Inn | Beer & Seltzer: Red Silo Brewing | Bride's Dress: BHLDN | Bride's Shoes: Etsy | Bride's Jewelry: Etsy | Bridesmaid Dresses: Azazie | Groom's Attire: State & Liberty | Cake: Tessa Vander Bleek | Stationary: KAST Laser Creations | Music: Chicago Diamond Trio | Flowers: Fitzgerald's Flowers

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

Kathryn + Pedro | A Surreal Spanish Celebration

A long-distance love story seemingly lifted from a Hollywood film culminates in a romantic wedding abroad. A nuptial Mass in an ornate Spanish church followed by a starlit reception overlooking historic Granada.

Kathryn was living with a family in Madrid, working as an au pair while learning Spanish. After three months in Spain, she met Pedro, and they became good friends instantly. 

Pedro’s English was better than Kathryn’s Spanish, so he would sometimes help her with errands around town. He also introduced her to some of his friends to help her practice her language skills. 

Kathryn and Pedro continued to grow in friendship for months before beginning a dating relationship spanning countries and continents.

From the Bride:

The reality is, I went to Spain without any thought of finding my life partner. Really, I just wanted the cultural experience of living in another country and to truly learn how to speak Spanish once and for all. 

I left the rest up to God and His plan for me.

Pedro and I remained close friends for months before we actually started dating. Our courtship began right before I headed back to the United States.

Despite the distance, we continued our courtship for a full year following my return. We video chatted daily, but only saw each other once when Pedro visited me during Christmas. 

At that time, he met my entire family. My mother is one of 13 and my father is one of eight, so you can imagine how big my family gets! 

During his visit, we even made a trip to Niagara Falls and saw its beauty in mid-winter. It was cold, but amazing! We attended midnight Mass with my family and truly enjoyed the holiday together.

After Pedro's visit, I knew I would marry him. It was just a matter of when. 

The entire time I kept thinking about how surreal our entire courtship felt. It seemed like something straight out of a movie. 

Six months after his Christmas visit, Pedro came back to Michigan and ended up staying. He proposed three months later, and we started planning our wedding.

We had a long engagement and ended up getting married in Granada, Spain—Pedro's hometown and a popular tourist destination. We did our Catholic marriage preparation in the U.S. and had everything sent over to the church he grew up in, Iglesia de san Pedro y san Pablo.

During our marriage preparation, Pedro and I prayed together and spoke about our future plans to have children and the importance our marriage would be as the foundation to build our family. 

Due to VISA requirements in the United States, and to make it easier to get married out of the country, we completed the civil marriage license and paperwork in the U.S. long before our actual wedding. 

However, it was important for us to get married in the Church with God as our witness because that is the marital foundation we wanted to build our family on.

On our wedding day, Pedro wore a pin showing he is a costalero with the Iglesia de san Pedro y san Pablo. A costalero is one of the boys/men who carry the statue of the Virgin of that church during Semana Santa (Holy Week). 

The traditional processions of Semana Santa in Andalusia, Spain date back to the fithteeth century and are still very important today. People from all over Spain, and the world, visit the south of Spain during Semana Santa to witness the elaborate displays of the holy figures.

Taking part in the processions is considered to be a big honor in representing the Catholic faith and the Church. 

Many other Spanish traditions were incorporated into the wedding ceremony. My suegra (mother-in-law) wore the traditional black peineta and mantilla in her hair. This is something formally worn during special occasions such as bullfights, during Holy Week, and at weddings. 

The peineta and mantilla are used as a sign of respect and to cover a woman's shoulders. The mantilla is a way to emulate Mary, our mother, who is archetypically pure and humble, a symbol of modesty. It also veils a woman's beauty so the beauty of God can be venerated instead.

We also had a traditional Spanish choir at the church called a Rociero Choir.

Finally, once Mass had finished, all the Spaniards ran outside with bags of rice to throw at the new bride and groom as we exited from the church. This custom represents abundance and symbolizes fertility and prosperity for the new couple. 

Of course, all the Americans remained in the church, as they did not get the memo and are accustomed to allowing the bride and groom to exit first as a sign of respect. This was just one of many cultural differences we discovered.

The service at the church was exquisite. I still feel truly blessed to have had the opportunity to participate in the sacrament of marriage with the love of my life in such a beautiful setting. Some tourists even came into the church to witness our commitment to God and to one another. 

After the Mass, everyone gathered in the courtyard outside the front of the church and began a nice walk along the Carrera del Darro up to the Carmen de los Chapiteles for the reception.

The Carmen de los Chapiteles dates back to the fourteenth century and was given by the Catholic Monarchs to the General who commanded their armies when they won back Spain. It sits up on a hill under the gardens of La Alhambra overlooking one of the oldest parts of the city, Albaicín and El Sacromonte.

Jamon Serrano (a Spanish dry cured ham) was served during the cocktail hour on the terrace while guests visited with one another. Dinner and entertainment followed. 

As is Spanish tradition for the bride and groom, we passed out small gifts and visited with all the guests during dinner. We also cut our wedding cake using a sword, another Spanish tradition. We had around 80 guests total, 23 of whom traveled from the United States for the occasion.

To say our wedding was from a dream would be an understatement. Just like our entire relationship, our wedding was well beyond anything I could have imagined. 

Finding the person who was right for me and for my future family was something I prayed for. 

The fact that I met the man I would later marry thousands of miles from home, in another country, makes me think there was truly divine intervention. 

God has a plan for us all and blesses us with His love and generosity daily. I thank Him every day for these blessings. 

My wedding day reminded me of how fortunate I am to have loving family and friends and Christ our Lord guiding us along our life journey.

God truly blessed us with a gorgeous day and the perfect celebration to start our life together as husband and wife.

Photography: Mazintosh Fotografia | Nuptial Mass Location: Iglesia Parroquial de san Pedro y san Pablo, Granada, Spain | Reception Location: Carmen de los Chapiteles, Granada, Spain | Music: Dry N Wet | Floral Design: Floristeria Armiflor | Hair and Makeup: Peluqueria & Estetica Manuela Dote

Emily + Jon | Rustic Seaside Wedding

A quaint white chapel set in the coastal countryside of southern Maryland, with the bride wearing her mother’s wedding gown. Bouquets of bright sunflowers and hydrangeas, the bridal party in cornflower blue, and a waterfront locale combine to create a portrait of summer nuptials.

Jon and Emily met at a friend’s birthday party while studying abroad in Europe together. They ended up on the same trip together traveling to Lourdes, France for Easter that same year. 

From the very beginning, the Blessed Mother played an important role, and answered prayers gave them confidence that the Lord was calling them into a relationship.

From the Bride:

When discerning whether to take the next steps in pursuing a deeper relationship with Jon, I decided to pray a special novena of prayers to St. Therese. I was very specific and asked St. Therese, with the intercession of Our Lady, to pray and ask Jesus for purity in mine and Jon’s heart and for a physical rose to be handed to me by the end of the novena.

After nine very intentional days of praying and discerning, Jon and I were at a classical music concert. That evening, a girl named Mary (who had no idea about the novena) came up to me and handed me a rose simply because she knew I liked them. 

That same night, a girl named Theresa also gave Jon a rose. God has such a sense of humor!

After a lot of worrying and trusting and discerning and worrying some more, God had prompted two women (named after the very saints that I was praying to!), to present roses separately to Jon and I, inviting us to embark on a serious and romantic journey together!

Just over two years after that rose-filled night, we were married in a little white chapel in the farm country of southern Maryland.

The night before our wedding, we had a special Holy Hour prior to the rehearsal dinner. We asked our family and wedding party to be there to pray with us. Jon's sister and his friend led praise and worship and confessions were available.

But later that evening, everything that could go wrong did go wrong—including frozen flowers and stranded family members. At midnight, my maid of honor forced me to go to sleep and said that everything would be perfect in the morning. Sure enough, it was!

The morning of the wedding, the bridesmaids all got ready at my parents’ house. Hair and makeup were all homemade. I had my mother’s wedding dress specially altered to remove the puff and frills of the early 90’s and added little lacy cap sleeves.

My veil had been declared unusable just days before the wedding, but Amazon came to the rescue with a replacement. Free two-day shipping was a lifesaver!

While I and the girls were getting ready, Jon was leading his special hand-picked choir in the music rehearsal for the Mass. Music has always been a big part of both our lives, and Jon asked early on if he could take the reins on the music for Mass.

He carefully chose singers and musicians from both our families and dear friends. Jon formed a choir, emailed out music ahead of time, and held a special rehearsal to make sure the music would glorify God on our wedding day.

He picked a selection of favorite hymns, a friend’s original composition for our hymn to the Blessed Mother, and a favorite contemporary piece for the offertory song.

Looking back, one of the most striking parts of our wedding day was the gift of peace in my heart. I went to bed feeling all the anxious butterflies in my stomach. Yet, I woke up with an incredible sense of peace and joy. 

I was getting married.

That was all. I was going to the one “whom my soul loves," as the repeating anthem in the Song of Songs goes.

Getting ready, traveling to the church, and putting on my dress were all moments of joy. Before the Mass, I prayed the rosary with my bridesmaids. 

Both mine and Jon’s many siblings were employed in all different roles during the ceremony: bridesmaids, groomsmen, flower girls, ring bearers, altar servers and musicians. I could hear all of my friends and relatives entering the church and greeting one another.

We lined up as a wedding party and each paired bridesmaid and groomsman entered one by one, until it was just my dad and I waiting in the church vestibule.

The music changed. I grabbed my dad's arm. I remember only then did I really start to get the butterflies again. 

However, once the church doors opened, I immediately locked eyes with my beloved, and I felt myself beaming with joy.

My eyes were glued to Jon’s the entire way down the aisle. I was aware of everyone watching, snapping a picture or video as I went, but I did not look at any of them. 

The Holy Spirit's gift of peace radiated through every pore in my body and soul as I walked down to my Love.

During our wedding vows, we held together a special nuptial crucifix gifted to us by Jon’s parents.

The ever-present themes of our relationship were highlighted in the details of our wedding day, including entrustment to the Blessed Mother, roses, and a wanderlust desire for travel.

The bridal bouquets were made of white roses, blue hydrangeas, and sunflowers. The bridesmaids were all dressed in Mama Mary blue and carried similar bouquets.

Each of our centerpieces consisted of a specially made slab of wood topped with a bucket of flowers, an empty wine bottle filled with a small string of lights, and a little sign with a quote or Bible verse.

In addition to traditional table numbers, we placed the name of a city that we had traveled to together on each table. Each card also had a handwritten story of our adventures in that particular city.

For our “guestbook,” we bought a world map and had everyone who attended sign it. The map is currently hanging in our home today!

Jon and I were both in households at Franciscan University. (A household could be considered equivalent to a Catholic fraternity/sorority.) Members from each of our households were able to make it to the wedding, and each group had a special little ceremony to “induct” the spouse with a special song and a presentation of household “gear” (sweatshirt).

This little piece of symbolism was a beautiful acknowledgement of the Christian belief that the two truly become one!

Early on in our engagement, Jon asked me if he could wash my feet at the wedding reception in lieu of the garter toss. Jon had a special silver bucket made with the words “Abide with Me” inscribed on it.

In his first act as husband, He knelt down and washed and kissed my feet. That moment was nothing less than sacred.

While Jon and I were dating and engaged, we had a fun little tradition. Whenever we were on a road trip we would stop at a new restaurant and test out their French fries. We decided to have various types of meat sliders served buffet style and a French fry bar complete with toppings!

My sister is an amateur baker and created a simple, small wedding cake decorated with actual sunflowers. The rest of the desserts included bite-sized cupcakes and cake pops made by various family members.

To finish off the night, Jon had one more surprise for me. He brought together his barbershop quartet from college and had them sing two songs as our last dance of the night.

One location that Jon and I had desperately wanted to visit before our wedding was Lisieux, France. We tried twice to get there while we studied abroad, but both times there were issues with the transportation system, and we were literally turned around on the train mid-trip. 

St. Therese clearly was not ready for us to come visit.

However, two months before our wedding, I was browsing plane flights and saw the cheapest international tickets I had ever seen, and they happened to be from Baltimore to Paris. We were going to Lisieux for our honeymoon!

St. Therese clearly knew what she was doing, and God’s perfect timing ultimately allowed Jon and I to visit Lisieux in the first week of our married lives. The trip also included a visit to Notre Dame, and we were able to dedicate our marriage to Mama Mary, as well as St. Therese and her parents, Saints Louis and Zelie Martin.

Our wedding was rooted in faith, our love of the sacraments and Our Lady, and our love for each other. Every detail was carefully planned and curated to truly be a celebration of our new family.

Photography: Ren Crespo Photography | Nuptial Mass Location: Rustic Chapel at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church, Solomons, MD | Reception Location: Parish Hall at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church, Solomons, MD

The Living is Easy | Summer Wedding Roundup

While there isn’t a bad season to get married, summer has traditionally been one of the most popular times for couples to tie the knot. And that doesn’t come as much of a surprise.

The days are long and warm. There seems to be greater freedom in our schedules and fewer claims on our time.

Students and parents have a reprieve from the demands of the academic year. Families schedule reunions and extended vacations.  

We hop in the car for road trips and weekend getaways and find ourselves lingering in the backyard after leisurely dinners and holiday celebrations, fully enjoying the late sunset glow.

Overall, we tend to make more time to relax, recharge, and soak up the sunshine with friends and family.

And what better way to enjoy the season than with wedding?! 

After the challenges of 2020, it’s safe to say that we’re all looking forward to the summer months even more than usual.

As we head into these lazy, hazy, crazy days, we’ve rounded up a handful of summertime nuptials to help inspire your own fun in the sun.

Sabrina + Nick | Handcrafted Jersey Shore Wedding

Their love story encompasses conversion, Padre Pio, the Jersey Shore, and beehives—all part of their extraordinary, summertime wedding bathed in sunflowers and God’s grace. And it all began in a college architecture class.

Photography: Kevin and Aly Photography as seen in Sabrina and Nick’s handcrafted jersey shore wedding

Kelsey + Jacob | Missouri Summer Wedding

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

Photography: ImageClairity As Seen in Kelsey + Jacob’s Missouri Summer wedding

Janae + Ryan | Texan Summer Wedding

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

PhotographY: J. Violet photography As seen in janae and ryan’s texan summer wedding

Fatima + Jonathan | Tuscan-Inspired Summer Wedding

Fatima and Jonathan met as teens on a youth retreat--but they were from two different states. They maintained a long-distance relationship for three years, only seeing each other at various retreats and youth conferences. Before college, Fatima broke off their relationship; through the pain of their breakup, they both felt God asking them to trust him and grow on their own. Fatima had no idea the Father was preparing their hearts to reconnect, but Jon sensed otherwise.

Photography: Cynthia Shipp Photography as seen in Fatima and jonathan’s Tuscan-inspired summer wedding

We’d love to feature your wedding or engagement, no matter what the season! Spoken Bride is now accepting submissions. Share your love story with our community!

Catholic Symbolism for your Summer Wedding Bouquet

For centuries, flowers were often used as religious or spiritual symbols particularly in visual art to point the viewer toward eternal truths. 

Including flowers with Christian meaning to your wedding bouquet can be a unique way to invite you, your spouse, and your guests of your loving Creator.

PHOTOGRAPHY: TARA KNEISER PHOTOGRAPHY C/O THE LITTLE FLOWER COMPANY

Sunflower

Brightly-colored Sunflowers symbolize adoration because they continuously turn towards the sun as it moves throughout the sky. The rising sun in particular was associated with the Risen Christ and many churches were oriented towards the east, where the sun rises.

In many ways, the sunflower mirrors the disposition of the Blessed Mother as she never ceases to have God as the center of her gaze. 

Iris

Similar to the Lily, the iris is often used as a symbol of the Blessed Virgin Mary. 

Irises, particularly the “sword lily” (called such because of the shape of its leaves), was used by early Flemish artists to reference the seven swords that pierced the heart of Mary. Later, Spanish painters also adopted the iris as a symbol of the Queen of Heaven and the Immaculate Conception.

Iris also takes its name from the Greek word for rainbow, a sign of God’s faithfulness in the Old Testament. 

Related: 4 Marian Flower Ideas for Your Bridal Bouquet

Pansy

Pansies would make a unique addition to your bridal bouquet and come in a large variety of colors to fit with your color scheme. Because of its petals’ typical tri-coloring, the Pansy has also been called the "Trinity Flower” and was considered the symbol of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 

This meaning also holds special significance for a newly married couple as their love is meant to mirror that life-giving love of the Trinity. 

Cornflower

The Christian symbolism of the vibrantly blue or purple Cornflower seemed to come from a sort of baptism of a Greek myth. 

In the story, Achilles was wounded with an arrow poisoned with Hydra venom, and his wound was healed by applying cornflower plants. In Greek mythology the Hydra was usually depicted as a huge poisonous water snake. 

Among Christians, snakes were (and still are) associated with the devil so the remedy, cornflower, became a symbol of the one who crushed the head of the Serpent––the Queen of Heaven.

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

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

Tara + Sean | Elegant Extended-Celebration Wedding

While wedding planning during a pandemic brought countless challenges, Tara and Sean were determined to be married on the date they originally set, May 16.

These college sweethearts chose to celebrate their marriage on two distinct days, allowing them to fully focus on the different aspects of the celebration. After five years of dating and an 18-month engagement, God provided for them to be joined as husband and wife in the presence of their closest family members and bridal party.

On a sunny day later that summer, they gathered with the rest of their wedding guests to celebrate their union. With months between their nuptial Mass and reception, Tara and Sean learned firsthand that love is patient, and God is faithful.

From the Bride:

Our story is one of faithfulness. A story that stood the test of time and of doubt, fear, and uncertainty. The rainbow at the end of the storm.

Seven years ago, Sean began to pursue me in a way that no other man had ever sought to know me. We met our freshman year of college and were drawn to each other because of our similar beliefs. 

He’ll claim that it was my smile and my faith in God that he was first attracted to. I’d say it was his selflessness and sense of humor.

I knew we were on the right path when he asked my dad for permission to date me. After five years of growing closer to each other and closer to God, Sean proposed during a surprise photo shoot with my family. 

The next day, we felt God’s blessing over our engagement when the readings from the Mass reminded us that, “what God has joined together, no human being must separate.”

In 2020, not even the 18 months of wedding and marriage planning could prepare us for all of the uncertainty that came with the COVID-19 pandemic. 

We were forced to make unimaginable changes, but God prevailed in the end. He sent us the most compassionate priest and allowed us to celebrate our marriage on two days.

After many tears and lots of prayers, we were able to be joined in the sacrament of holy matrimony in the presence of our closest family members and wedding party. 

God protected us that day and allowed us to experience pure joy. A few months later, we finally got to celebrate our marriage at a reception with the rest of our wedding guests. 

Our faith was strengthened through the trials, and the final results were a testament to God’s faithfulness.

The blessing of having two days to celebrate our marriage was that I was able to focus on the two major parts of the wedding. For part one, the emphasis was on the nuptial Mass, and for part two, the emphasis was on the celebration. 

Thankfully, we had quality time with our wedding party to get ready together on both days. This time together meant the world to us after months of being apart. 

We shared gifts with our closest people, and they wrote letters to us. It was the perfect way to start the day with a walk down memory lane of some beautiful friendships and a reminder of our support system. 

Sean and I both come from large, Irish-Catholic families. Being the oldest girl cousin in my family, I knew I wanted some of my cousins to be involved in the wedding. We were so thankful that they were able to be there as our flower girls and ring bearers. 

Our parents received special gifts as well, since these days would not have been possible without them. I will forever treasure the moments of my mom helping me get into my dress and my dad seeing me as a bride for the first time. 

While Sean and I decided to go the traditional way of waiting to see each other until I walked down the aisle, we had a special moment together back-to-back as we read letters to each other. Sean also read a letter that I had written in 2013 to my future husband—just a few days before we officially started dating. 

Just moments before walking down the aisle, one of my bridesmaids offered to pray over me.

Her words of faith and encouragement were exactly what I needed in that moment. After a crazy morning of rushing to get ready, those moments to pause and take it all in were incredibly special. 

My dad and I joked about the first time he walked me down the aisle, which was actually about 20 years earlier when I was a flower girl in my aunt’s wedding. I wouldn’t walk alone because I had just busted my lip moments prior to the ceremony. 

I promised him this time I would be more careful, but he could still hold my hand as he walked with me. 

As the church doors opened, Sean turned around and started bawling. I couldn’t help but smile as I walked towards my soon-to-be husband—a moment that I honestly wasn’t sure would happen during the uncertainty of changed wedding plans. 

The beauty of the Catholic Mass put me at ease. It felt like a ceremony I had attended many times before, but this time God was uniting us in the most holy way possible.

Our family members read some of the same readings that we heard at Mass the day after our engagement. We were reminded of “a still more excellent way” and that He will “allow us to live together to a happy old age.”

During the homily, our priest talked about how our love is so resilient. As a part of our marriage preparation, he had us write letters about our hopes for our marriage in 10 years. 

We didn’t know until that moment that we would read those hopes aloud to our family and friends. We both talked about our commitment to each other, desiring a God-centered family, and growing together as we lead each other to heaven. 

Perhaps one of the best moments of our May ceremony was the opportunity to be extraordinary ministers of holy Communion. Because most churches were still closed due to the pandemic, this was the first time in months that many of our guests had physically received the Eucharist. 

We could feel the presence of the Holy Spirit as we offered the body of Christ to each of our loved ones. 

We left that Mass as husband and wife with celebratory “Mr. & Mrs.” balloons to show for it. 

In August, the rest of our guests came together to witness our final wedding moments. We finally got our first dance together, special dances with our parents, speeches from our loved ones, amazing food from our caterer, ice cream and cake for dessert, and a sparkler send-off as a grand finale. 

Although we had to wait a few more months, it was worth it to have most of our friends and family there to celebrate with us. 

During the planning, I remember focusing so much on the songs, timeline, decorations, and other little details of the day. But when the pandemic occurred, I was reminded that I am not in control. 

It was a lesson of giving over control to the One who is in control. Because in the end, both days came together beautifully. 

While it wasn’t the original plan we had imagined, the love and support that we received surpassed all of our expectations. It was a testimony to God’s plan for us and the ways that He has instilled our trust in Him as He continues to bless our marriage.

Photography: Catherine Rhodes Photography | Nuptial Mass Location: Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, O’Fallon, MO | Wedding Reception Venue: Stone House of St. Charles, St. Charles, MO | Rings: Diamonds Direct St. Louis | Floral Design: Petal Pushers STL | Stationery: Rock Paper Scissors | Caterer: Ces & Judy’s | Bride’s Dress: Cleo Bridal | Bride’s Jewelry: Olive & Piper | Bridesmaid Dresses: White Traditions Bridal | Suit Rentals: Savvi | Cake: Wedding Wonderland | Ice Cream: Clementine’s Creamery | Bar: Booze Brothers | Hair and Makeup: Belleza Salon | Videography: Pancho3

Sally + Brendan | Backyard Garden Party Pandemic Wedding

A simple but sacred summertime wedding. The bride walked down the aisle with flowers woven into her hair. Afterwards, guests flocked to an intimate celebration at a backyard garden party, where under a white canopy, mason jar florals on long wooden tables brightened the joyful brunch.

Despite pandemic conditions, Sally and Brendan planned a beautiful garden party wedding. In the months leading up to their nuptials, they turned their focus to the sacrament, creating the freedom to let go of unnecessary stresses surrounding their ceremony and reception.

From the Bride

Throughout our engagement, I tried to ensure Brendan and I spent more time preparing for the sacrament of marriage than the “party” of the day. We were very aware of this deeper purpose for our wedding, and that helped prevent stress over the material things.

Before the pandemic, I actually wanted a backyard wedding reception at my parents’ home, like a graduation party, but they wanted a more traditional reception. 

The church I grew up at, next door to my parents, built a reception space that was dedicated the same day as our wedding. We were supposed to have our first reception there, but then COVID happened and everything changed.

So we moved up our Mass to 11AM and planned a garden party brunch in my parent's backyard. After the liturgy, the bridal party took pictures at Ohio State University, where I and several of my bridesmaids went to school. 

I love brunch parties, so I was very excited about the idea of a brunch reception. I even bought a beautiful white, floral dress from LoveShackFancy to change into for the garden party. 

We placed some of my favorite saints and pictures of Our Lady on the tables. We didn't have assigned seating and allowed people to spread out as much as they wanted. I preferred to “float around” while I ate, especially as I greeted our guests. 

The music suggestions I gave our DJ to play during brunch included Vampire Weekend and Glass Animals, and they delivered. 

I loved being at my parents home. I was 100% comfortable and could simply walk inside if anyone needed anything. I hope everyone had as much fun as we did!

When I was trying on wedding dresses at my appointment, I looked for a gown that was easy to move around in and was modest. I did a lot of running around in my dress on the day of the wedding and even changed into something comfier for the reception.

It really was a lovely day. It included all my favorite things and just happened to also be our wedding.

Our nuptial Mass gave me a greater appreciation for the beauty of Ad Orientem liturgies, where the priest offers most of the Mass with his back to the liturgy (and facing God in the sanctuary). 

I probably won’t be the minister of a sacrament again (since the bride and groom are actually the ministers of the sacrament of marriage). But I frequently closed my eyes to fully participate and focus on Jesus instead of getting distracted by everyone behind us. I found myself turning to look at Jesus in the tabernacle too. 

In spite of all the changing plans, Brendan and I were still married in the presence of our Lord. And that was all that mattered.

Photographer: Judith Madrid Photography | Nuptial Mass: St. Catharine's Church in Columbus, OH | Wedding Reception Venue : Sally's Parents home in Columbus, OH | Catering: Mustard Seed Catering | DJ: Sonus Entertainment | Bride & Bridesmaid Hair: Blowout Bar | Rings: TIP Jewels | Flowers: Flowerman | Rentals: Metro Cuisine

Katie + Ted | Classic Southern Summer Wedding

A Georgia celebration expressing the joy of personal encounter, with specific nods to Christ and Our Lady...and to the sweetness of rereading your old texts.

The Father is never outdone in gifts and goodness.

Katie and Ted first met through their roommates, who began dating each other during the semester Ted studied abroad. After his return stateside to Washington, D.C., Katie’s friends tried to persuade her into a game of flag football. She jokingly replied that she would, if they set her up on a date with Ted.

Ted’s brother set the wheels in motion and Ted agreed, sending his brother a text that read, You owe me! The conversation that followed made it clear this was the start of something special. To Katie and Ted’s surprise and laughter, those texts between the brothers were read aloud during his brother’s reception toast. 

Surrounded by his bride, family, and friends, it was abundantly clear Ted had been more than repaid.

From the Photographers: 

Katie and Ted each got ready on their wedding morning alongside their siblings and closest friends, with the bride dressed in a draped bodice gown topped with a lace bolero and the bridesmaids in Marian blue. Katie and her father did a first look, and then it was time for a first prayer with Ted!

Related: a photographer shares 3 tips for your First Prayer

Ted stood facing the altar, his eyes fixed on Jesus, as Katie approached from behind. They exchanged letters, then prayed aloud with each other. And then it was time.

The Mass was beautiful; filled with faithful Catholic friends and family. Many of the guests knew Katie and Ted through LifeTeen and through their college campus ministry, with friends leading the worship as musicians.

Katie and Ted chose the Mass readings, and they also chose to serve as the Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist. As each guest came forward for holy communion, he or she received Jesus directly from the couple.

The reception was beyond joy-filed, with a packed dance floor all evening. As the celebration came to an end, guests lined up outside with bubbles to send these to amazing humans off on their new adventure!

What a life-giving witness this day was to us as vendors. Katie and Ted’s nuptial Mass was filled with holy hearts praising the Lord and praying for their marriage, and their reception with wedding was filled with joy and community. Each aspect of the day was thought out through the mindset of bringing honor and glory to God.

The Holy Spirit always writes the best love stories! Stories of freedom, adventure, and love that prevails in spite of life’s obstacles.

Photography: Horn Photography and Design | Ceremony Venue: St. Peter Chanel Catholic Church, Roswell, Georgia | Reception Venue: Taylor Lodge at St. Benedict Church, John’s Creek, Georgia | Catering: Zoës Kitchen | Reception Bar: Fire’s Bartending | DJ Entertainment: DJ Ron

Charlotte + Gabriel | Whimsical Blue-and-White Multinational Wedding

Charlotte, an American, and Gabriel, the boy from Brazil, crossed paths and fell in love during an exchange program in Belgium, before parting ways again. After that, they entrusted their long-distance relationship to the Lord, praying he would eventually provide a time and place for them to be united in marriage. Their love story spans more than four years, 4500 miles, and several countries, but no earthly obstacle is impossible for God.

From the Bride: When Gabriel and I decided to participate in a Rotary exchange program, we were not expecting to meet our future spouse. We left our families--mine in the US and his in Brazil--to spend a year in Belgium, immersing ourselves in the language and culture. We were hosted by the same Rotary club, so we got to know each other during monthly meetings. 

After an afternoon spent in the snow-covered Ardennes forest, a trip to the North Sea, and several guitar lessons, Gabriel asked me to be his girlfriend. 

When he asked to come to Mass with me a couple days later, I realized the Holy Spirit might be nudging me to take the relationship seriously. 

After that, our time left in Belgium together was short: a mere four months. As we spent weekends exploring gothic cathedrals and walked hand-in-hand along cobblestone streets, we revealed to one another the desires of our hearts and began to discern marriage. When it was time to return to our respective countries, we felt confident we had found our beloved. 

Anytime I was discouraged about the impending long distance, Gabriel reminded me that “God often calls us to be patient when it comes to the best things in life.” We were in a long-distance relationship for four years as I completed my undergraduate degree in Canada and Gabriel studied in Brazil. 

He visited me in the United States every Christmas, and I flew down to Brazil every July. Our relationship consisted of constant messages and Skype calls, forcing us to cultivate healthy communication habits. We learned to accept that our relationship was not in our control, and that Christ was calling us to trust in him and his perfect timing. 

Long distance was a source of many blessings, but it was often a heavy cross to bear as well. Gazing at our Lord on his cross at Mass every week strengthened me, and I was reminded I was not alone in carrying my temporary cross. I knew by God’s grace and through his divine will, Gabriel and I would one day be united as husband and wife.

During one trip to Brazil, on top of a waterfall as the sun set along the horizon, Gabriel asked me to be his wife. One year later, he immigrated to the United States, and we closed the distance after four years and five days of living over 4,500 miles apart.

We knew our wedding would be an international affair. Gabriel is Brazilian, and I come from a multi-national household. My mother is half-French, half-Italian and my father is American. We wanted to embrace the reality that we would have guests coming from five different countries, speaking four different languages. So we incorporated elements into our nuptial Mass and reception to reflect our mixed backgrounds.

Having family in various parts of the world also proved to be a challenge. Gabriel’s mother, father, stepfather, and sister were all denied their tourist visas to the United States, so they were unable to attend the wedding. It was difficult to adjust to the idea that Gabriel’s immediate family would not be there on the big day. This was particularly heartbreaking for my husband, who had already uprooted his life in Brazil to move to an entirely new country. 

In spite of this, he looked at the situation as an opportunity to focus on what really mattered about our wedding: entering into the beautiful sacrament of marriage and beginning our vocations as husband and wife. As much as we wanted to share the moment with family and friends, the sacredness of the day rested on our vows to one another, the priest as our witness, and the pouring out of God’s grace and eternal love.

July 20th, the day of our wedding, was the hottest day of the year. Waking up that morning, I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude. Gratitude that God was calling me into the vocation of marriage, gratitude that I found the man who would lead me to Heaven, and gratitude that Christ’s abundant grace made it possible to patiently wait for this day. My heart leapt for joy when I saw Gabriel waiting for me at the end of the aisle. 

We were blessed to have Father Gerry, the chaplain of my undergraduate Newman center, celebrate our nuptial Mass. He allowed us to set up a YouTube live stream during the liturgy, so Gabriel’s family in Brazil could be virtually present. 

Something my husband and I find so special within the Catholic Church is its universality. To demonstrate this, we had each scriptural reading read in a different language. The first reading was read in French, the psalm was sung in Italian, the second reading was in Portuguese, and the Gospel was read in English. Quite the polyglot himself, Fr. Gerry was also able to pray several prayers in the various languages.

Gabriel and I recited our vows in English and then in Portuguese while holding a crucifix, a beautiful Croatian tradition we stumbled upon while preparing for marriage. 

The crucifix is a reminder that we are each bound to Christ and his cross, and that within the vocation of marriage we are called to die to ourselves to rise in a new life together. This crucifix now hangs above our bed, a visible sign of our wedding vows.

Seated at the foot of the altar, Gabriel and I often forgot we were in the presence of so many others. We felt the love exuding from our families and friends, but our focus was on each other and Christ the king. It was a blessing to share our love with our guests and to remind them, including those who were not Catholic, that our love was an infinitesimal fraction of God’s love for everyone. 

The inspiration for our reception came from blue and white delftware, the typical ceramic “style” of the Netherlands. The pairing of deep cobalt and white was elegant, while also fun and whimsical. To follow the blue and white theme, my mom made runners from toile fabric, crocheted doilies for tables, and I cross-stitched our table numbers. We spent the two years of our engagement collecting blue and white décor and candlesticks to use as centerpieces, as well as mis-matched vintage china and glassware for the place settings. 

Gabriel and I wanted to include multi-cultural aspects in our celebration, so we offered our guests cocktails from every country represented. Gabriel and my uncle constructed a directional signpost to display the various locations from which people traveled. 

Our reception was incredibly joy-filled. Gabriel’s aunts had his family on Facetime so they could catch glimpses of the festivities. I dearly wanted to include them in some special way, so we surprised Gabriel with a Skype call projected on a big screen. Our family and friends animated the evening with frequent cheering and napkin twirling. And during our first dance to “Hallelujah” by Jeff Buckley, a song we played together at the beginning of our relationship, our guests sang along to the chorus. 

We wanted our cultures reflected in the music, so our playlist included a mix of songs from the US, Brazil, France, and Italy. It was fun to see my family from Europe dancing with Gabriel’s Brazilian family and our American friends. 

As the night came to an end, I shed tears of happiness and gratitude. It was touching to realize how many people traveled great distances to support us and share in our wedding day. Looking at my husband that night, my heart swelled as I remembered the boy I met years before in Belgium. Gabriel and I will always cherish those memories.

As beautiful and joy-filled as our wedding day was, the most exciting part was embarking on our journey as husband and wife. 

To live out our vocation of marriage doesn’t mean seeking fulfillment in the other’s love, but looking to God to satisfy the innermost desires of our hearts. Then, through God’s grace, we can pour ourselves out selflessly for the good of the other.

Photography: Dapper Dewey Photography | Church: St Luke the Evangelist Catholic Church | Wedding Reception Venue : Highgate Carriage House | Engagement Ring: Poesie | Wedding Band: OroSpot (https://www.orospot.com/) | Flowers: Coombs Flowers (https://www.coombsflowers.com/) | Invitations: Greetings Island (https://www.greetingsisland.com/invitations) | Caterer: Fish Hawk Acres (http://www.fishhawkacreswv.com/) | Bride’s Dress: Coni and Franc (https://www.coniandfranc.net/) | Bride’s Shoes: Franco Sarto (https://www.francosarto.com/) | Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Dressystar (https://www.dressystar.com/) | Groom’s Suit: Jos A Bank (https://www.josbank.com/) | Groomsmen ties: Jos A Bank (https://www.josbank.com/) | Hairstylist and Makeup Artist: Kreations by Kylelee (https://www.facebook.com/kreationsbykylelee/) | Bartender: Tin 202 (http://www.tin202.com/) | Videographer: Jeffrey Boggess (no website)

Sabrina + Nick | Handcrafted Jersey Shore Wedding

Sabrina and Nick have always been “adventure buddies.”

During one of their many adventures, volunteering to rebuild historic cottages in the Grand Tetons, Nick asked the love of his life to accompany him on their greatest adventure yet: marriage and family.

Their love story encompasses conversion, Padre Pio, the Jersey Shore, and beehives--all part of their extraordinary, summertime wedding bathed in sunflowers and God’s grace. And it all began in a college architecture class.

From the Bride: Our Catholic relationship was not a typical one. I am a cradle Catholic who started to grow deeper in my faith only after college. Nick's mother is Lutheran, and his dad is Catholic. He was raised primarily in his father’s faith, but he did not receive any of his sacraments beyond baptism before dating me.

Nick and I met during our first year of college at the New Jersey Institute of Technology in 2010. He had transferred from Hartford, and I had just graduated from high school. Looking back, I almost attended a different college.

God’s plan is perfect, though, and we both chose to attend NJIT in 2010. We were placed in the same studio room for our architecture class and quickly became good friends, especially since we were both commuters. Nick would wait for my dad to pick me up on his way home from work. He would even miss his train ride home to wait with me.

We supported each other through late nights in studio, and he always kept me laughing. We became good friends but didn’t start dating until our fourth year of college because I had been in a previous relationship until then. Nick was quick to seize the opportunity.

Three and a half years later in August 2017, Nick and I found ourselves in the Grand Tetons National Park. For the past three years, we had volunteered a week of our time annually with the National Park Service in the Grand Tetons to stabilize historic log cabins in the park. Nick proposed in the barn we were working on for the week in front of all the volunteers. It was like a dream.

We decided to get married a year later on the anniversary of our engagement. As we prepped for the wedding, Nick went through RCIA with me as his sponsor. He would come to my bible study group, and our faith grew deeper. We attended holy hours together, and I knew I was growing in my faith along with him.

We planned to get married at the church by his family’s shore house that we attended all the years we dated: St. Pio’s. After our engagement, my friend Gabriella found a St. Pio rosary and gave it to me. I prayed on it every week at adoration leading up to the wedding. I even wrapped it around the stem on my bouquet with a miraculous medal.

Nick and I developed a strong devotion to Padre Pio. We prayed his novena and asked him to adopt us as his spiritual children and be the patron saint of our marriage. We also prayed St. Josemaria Escriva’s novena in the days leading up to the wedding, which we loved.

Throughout it all, I petitioned God for Nick’s full and deep conversion to the Catholic Church. And although we both have more room to grow, I’m so proud of how far we have come, especially Nick.

The night before the wedding we went to confession with the priest who would be celebrating our nuptial Mass. We wanted to receive the marital sacrament with pure hearts, and I’m so happy Nick and I made sure we did that. Before going to sleep we called each other and said the last day of the St. Josemaria novena. It was such a beautiful way to countdown to the wedding.

The weather on the big day was hot but not too humid, and I felt like God was smiling on us the whole time. My friend Gabriella said a quick prayer as we walked into the church, but I told her it had to be a quick one because I would be too emotional. I’m such a happy crier!

I kept asking God and Padre Pio to be with me because I was so nervous to walk down the aisle. When they opened the doors, I tripped a little on my dress. This helped me focus on not falling, but I also think it was God’s way of giving me something to think about instead of becoming a crying mess. When I looked up at the end of the aisle, Nick was crying hard. He was so happy, and I felt such peace knowing I was marrying him.

As the ceremony went on, I strongly felt Padre Pio was with us as well as our guardian angels. Nick and I had picked all of the music and readings for the Mass, so it was very meaningful to both of us. When we presented flowers to the Blessed Mother, we prayed a couple of Hail Mary’s and then a prayer we had written together. It was such an intimate and special moment.

Our wedding programs included all the parts in the Mass and a beautiful quote by St. Thomas Aquinas: “The Eucharist is the sacrament of love; it signifies love, it produces love. The Eucharist is the consummation of the whole spiritual life.”

With that in mind, we received the Body and Blood of Christ together for the first time as a married couple. All I could do was look at Nick and thank God for giving me the man of my dreams and allowing me to lead him closer to Christ.

We had worked so hard on planning the wedding, but the work we put into our faith life was worth more than anything else that day.

After the ceremony we left on a trolley to Smithville to party! The theme of the wedding was “adventure” because Nick and I always say that we are adventure buddies. And we handmade everything for the wedding. We are both architects, so we knew we could do it.

Our invitations, made by hand, included a map of the Jersey Shore with all the significant places to the wedding and to us. Our favors were honey jars made from our own honey that we harvested the weekend before the wedding from our beehive. The table that displayed the honey also displayed birdhouses that Nick had made for me when we were dating.

I wrote all the table assignments on panes of glass from old windows, and the tables were named after different national parks. Nick and his dad built wooden crates for the centerpieces,  and we filled them with flowers and fresh peaches. We told everyone to take home a peach with their honey.

Our sweetheart table had handcrafted signs that I painted as well as more crates. Nick’s mom and I made a quilt together that had Disney’s Up house on it. That became our “guest quilt,” where everyone signed in on a balloon. And finally, we painted a mailbox like the one from Up where guests placed their cards.

My favorite flowers are sunflowers and succulents, so there were plenty throughout the whole wedding. We took photos all over Smithville, a cute, historic town with many photo opportunities. And our wedding band kept everyone dancing all night.

In short, our wedding day was amazing, and I thank God everyday for it. I couldn’t wait to live life with Nick and build on the foundation we built on Christ.

For our honeymoon a month later, we travelled to Rome and Switzerland after my friend Gabriella’s wedding with her and her new husband. In Rome, we attended the Sposi Novelli blessing at the Pope’s general audience. Again, I was praying to Padre Pio that we would get to meet the Pope, but there were so many couples there that it seemed unlikely.

They started gathering all of the couples, and we found ourselves in the wrong spot. It seemed like we wouldn’t get to meet him. I told Gabriella and our husbands that we should stand on a shorter rail that I spotted. I thought even if we wouldn’t meet him, we could at least get a better view.

That short rail ended up being the gate to let all the couples into the main area for everyone to gather. So we were the first ones through! When we got our spot, I realized I had lost my Padre Pio rosary. Gabriella told me not to worry, that Padre Pio was with us anyway. But when we looked down, I saw the rosary had somehow landed in the spot we were going to stand in!

When we met the Pope, we told him we were praying for him and that he needed to rebuild the church. Gabriella and I got pretty emotional about this, so he spent a long time with us saying that he would, and that we needed to keep praying too.

It was one of the most special experiences of our lives to receive the Pope’s blessing. Nick and I have had the most incredible year, and it is all because of God and his perfect plan.

Without a Christ-centered relationship, our entire wedding day and our marriage would've been completely different. It would never have been as fulfilling. You could feel our love for each other and for God that day. Everyone said that is what made the wedding so special.

Photography: Maryanne Photography, Kevin and Aly Photography, Meyer Photo and Video Group | Mass: St. Pio of Pietrelcina, Lavellette, NJ | Reception: The Smithville Inn, Absecon, NJ | Engagement Ring: designed by the groom, via Salt and Stone

Emily + Nathan | Rainy Day Marian Wedding

“In the end, beauty triumphed.”

Emily’s words echo back from her wedding day throughout her courtship, dating relationship, and friendship with Nathan.

From the very beginning, Emily and Nathan kept Beauty himself at the center of their relationship. Their trust in God and peaceful, intentional discernment eventually led to a garden proposal--which included a beautiful rosary as an engagement gift and a ring pop.

But perhaps the most inspiring part of Emily and Nathan’s story is their confident, consistent awareness of the Lord’s presence in even the smallest details of their wedding day. And not just his presence, but also the joyful presence of his loving mother, the Blessed Virgin.  

From the Groom: Emily and I met through church in college and became part of the same group of friends, but we didn’t get to know each other very well at first. Not until we landed full-time jobs in the same city after graduating in 2016. Both of us were coming out of some broken relationships and were looking to “find ourselves” out in the real world.

From the Bride: Shortly after graduation, I started attending a young adult small group through my parish and invited Nathan to join as well. Seeing each other at these weekly meetings helped us learn more about each other and become closer friends.

Nathan: That fall, we went with a group of friends to a Catholic dating seminar. The speaker, John Antonio, was a former seminarian who presented a more intentional approach to relationships. It was similar to the progressive stages of increasing commitment he made while in seminary. Dating Emily wasn’t on my radar at the time, but we received the same mental framework for dating that would help guide us later on.

Emily: My relationship tumult continued, and I was confused by my strong interest in several guys, including Nathan. I wanted my next relationship to be different. It needed to be different. So I prayed more fervently and made a stronger, more conscious effort to entrust my relationship decisions to God.

Soon afterwards, I prayed the 30 day novena to St. Joseph with the intention that I would meet my future husband sometime during the year. We didn’t have to get married that year, but I wanted to know who. The whole idea was a longshot, but this was a good opportunity to practice trusting in God more fully. And St. Joseph is not known for letting people down!

Nathan: I had my first inkling that I might end up with Emily in September 2016, but life circumstances at the time prevented our relationship from blossoming. In January 2017, I signed up for a Catholic young adult volleyball league and sent a message out to recruit teammates. It sounded fun, but in the back of my head I knew that my parents met in a young adult volleyball league, and I was hoping I’d find somebody there too.

Emily was the only one to accept my invitation. Over the next couple months, I became more certain that I should take a chance with her.

Emily: About a week after I completed my novena, Nathan approached me and said he’d like to talk to me about “some stuff” soon and then walked away. I freaked out a little. So after our small group meeting the next day, I pulled him aside to ask what “stuff” was.

Turns out we had been thinking about each other quite a lot. Wanting to set a more intentional course, we agreed on a “mutual discernment period” that ran through the end of the volleyball season to see if our friendship would blossom into something more.

Nathan: Things progressed nicely over those two and a half months, so while on a date in June 2017—after a strange sequence of events that led to hiking along a mosquito-infested pond behind a grocery store—we decided to make it official. As boyfriend and girlfriend, we wanted to “step it up” and set a more lasting spiritual foundation for our relationship.

Emily and I started some spiritual traditions together: Mass, weekly adoration, and nightly prayer. We grew to love God and each other more in the process, and it didn’t take us long to realize we wanted this relationship to continue for the rest of our lives.

Emily: On October 7, 2017, I met Nathan early in the morning in our church’s rosary garden. I had a feeling that day would be “the day,” but I tried to quiet my heart and focus on praying with him. After finishing our rosary, we stopped in front of the statue of Our Lady, and Nathan proposed.

But he didn’t ask me with a ring. He didn’t ask with anything but himself, and I said yes! Afterwards, he gave me a beautiful rosary as an engagement gift…and a ring pop.

We wanted the wedding to reflect our vision for marriage: Christ-centered, and therefore, full of beauty. However, we knew this beauty wasn’t just for us, but for everyone witnessing it as well, so we would all be drawn closer to Beauty himself. We also knew we couldn’t do it alone, so we asked the Holy Spirit to guide us every step of the way.

To honor the Blessed Virgin Mary, we chose to have our wedding on September 8, the feast of her nativity. I half-joked with a friend that our wedding cake was actually Mary’s birthday cake. It wasn’t until after the wedding that we noticed how much she made herself quietly, humbly present in every detail of the day.

So many little things pointed to her. Even the decorations behind the head table at the reception seemed to form the Auspice Maria symbol, which we recently discovered is Latin for “under the protection of Mary.” Really, we didn’t plan this! And yet, she made it so clear she wanted to be part of our celebration.

I am also a believer that God works through Pinterest. We found some gorgeous color palettes that included light blues, greens, and a dash of red. After reflecting on our choice, I realized that light blue could point to Mary, the red to the Precious Blood and sacrifice, and the greens to new life.

Our flowers--lilies, roses, and light blue hydrangeas amidst eucalyptus and baby’s breath--also held a special significance for us. Lilies are my favorite flower, mainly due to their association with Mary and St. Joseph, and roses are significant for both Nathan and me. My patron saint is St. Therese the Little Flower, and roses became special for Nathan after he gave a talk on a retreat that used a rose to symbolize the sacrificial nature of love.

Much of our wedding also reflected our desire to be creative and share that creativity. From our homemade save-the-dates and invitations to the crayons we placed at every reception table (so everyone could doodle, of course), we shared our love of creativity with our guests. After all, it is one of the most profound ways we reflect God, the Creator himself.

My ring was also born of this God-given creativity.

One reason Nathan didn’t propose with a ring was because he wanted me to choose one, and I elected to do a custom design. After many ideas and unsatisfying sketches, I decided to simply ask the Holy Spirit to guide my hand.

The end result was astounding. My design incorporated all the elements I wanted: lilies, thorns, and sapphires, but the significance and symbolism of their arrangement didn’t sink in until I looked closer at the sketch.

Around the central diamond is a “crown” of thorns, which radiates outward and touches the blue sapphires. Beyond the sapphires lie the lilies, from which leafy vines emanate. This is what I interpreted these elements to mean: Christ, the light of the world, suffered and died for our sins. Through Mary’s fiat, allowing Christ to come through her and humbly suffering alongside him, the resurrection was possible. And from Christ’s resurrection, we have new life.

Surrendering to the Holy Spirit can be difficult, but the end result is always more beautiful.

Planning the liturgy involved the most prayer and discernment. We have many friends and family members who are not Catholic, so we wanted to make the liturgy as beautiful and elevating as possible to draw everyone deeper into the mystery of the Mass and marriage.

Nathan and I opted to walk down the aisle together at the beginning of Mass in lieu of my dad escorting me. While this is an uncommon choice at contemporary Catholic weddings, it is a richly symbolic approach that visibly communicates the covenant we are making with each other and with God (see Genesis 15 for how God seals His covenant with Abraham).

It also makes it clear that no one was “giving me away” to Nathan. We were freely choosing this and hopeful of God’s blessing. To spend a few special moments with my dad, I had a first look with him in the bride’s room.

We chose Tobit 8:4b-8, Psalm 34, Romans 12:1-2, 9-18, and John 2:1-11 for our readings. St. Raphael is a key figure in the book of Tobit, and we credit him for helping us find each other through his prayer for the wise choice of a marriage partner.

We invited everyone to glorify and praise God for his goodness during the psalm. In the passage from Romans, St. Paul describes the life of a Christian in bold, resounding phrases, reminding us to serve others through our marriage in the most beautiful way possible: the Way itself. In the Gospel, Mary, our greatest intercessor, tells Jesus, “They have no wine.” Wine is a symbol of joy. She wants us to have joy and asks her son--whom she knows can provide everlasting joy--to give it to us. In her humility and wisdom, she charges us with the command, “Do whatever he tells you.”

Continuing to honor and thank Mary, we offered her flowers as some of our dear college friends sang the ancient Carmelite hymn “Salve Mater Misericordiae.” It has been a tradition in our friend group to sing Marian hymns at each other’s weddings, so this was very special for us. It was our hope that this and the other music chosen would draw people closer to the beauty of God.

In keeping with our desire to show our guests the beauty of the Catholic faith, we invited everyone to pray the Liturgy of the Hours with us as the last “event” of the reception. The Dominicans at our college taught us these prayers and a beautiful version of the Salve Regina. This became part of our daily prayer while we were dating, so this was another way to share our spiritual life with our guests.

In the end, beauty triumphed.

The word we heard most as we spoke with family and friends about the wedding was “beautiful,” and that's exactly what we wanted. We wanted the whole day to be beautiful. We hoped to draw people into the beauty of the Mass and the sacrament of marriage, into the beauty of fellowship, and ultimately into the beauty of God.

But our wedding day was not just beautiful; it was authentic. By allowing God to work through our perspectives, talents, and desires, we were able to carry out his will in a way that was very distinctively us. Each one of us has a unique way of pointing towards God. Our way just so happened to include crayons, Night Prayer, SpongeBob references, classic rock, and Latin hymns.

A strong theme in our relationship, wedding planning, and now our marriage, has been surrender: handing everything over to God, because he writes the best love stories. He knows the most beautiful way to do things. Ask him, and he will guide you to the beauty you seek in the present moment.

It blows our minds that the astounding beauty we experienced that day isn’t even a fraction of what is waiting for us in Heaven, where we will finally, intimately, and fully encounter Beauty himself.

Photography: Soul Creations Photography | Church: Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church | Reception:St. Alphonsus Liguori Catholic Church Parish Hall | DJ / Band / Live Music: DJ Connection, Billy Kinsey | Cake Vendor: Becky’s Bake Shop and Floral (main cake) | Caterer: The Putnam Inn | Rentals: A Classic Party Rental | Bartender: The Putnam Inn | Dessert / Appetizer Bars: The Putnam Inn | Rings: Master Jewelers | Shoes: DSW | Bridal Gown: Blue House Bridal | Reception Venue: St. Alphonsus Liguori Catholic Church Parish Hall | Ceremony Venue: Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church | Groom’s Suit/Tux: Haggar | Bridesmaid Dresses: Azazie | Stationary / Invitations: Pretty Little Papers

Elise's Wedding | The Big Day!

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

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

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

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

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

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

Katherine + Dominic | Fourth of July Wedding

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

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

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

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

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