"Beauty pierces her heart and draws her into the sacred. She wants not only her wedding, but her marriage to reflect this in every way: through awe-inspiring liturgy, decor, and photographs, each infused, above all, with the radiant beauty only made manifest in sincere holiness. No matter her past, she has a love for all that is pure. She desires nothing more or less than to make a complete gift of herself. She chases fearlessly after virtue, knowing excellence is the path to true freedom, and freedom is for love. Deeply, profoundly, she is in love..."

Anna + Trent | Whimsical Springtime Memphis Wedding

October 21, 2020/ Editor Spoken Bride

Bridesmaids adorned in elegant neutrals accompanied the bride into the historic St. Mary’s in Memphis. The ornate chapel was a beautiful backdrop to the Tennessee nuptials, while a stone lodge decorated with voluminous floral arrangements at the nearby zoo housed the reception.

Anna and Trent’s wedding day was a tribute to their love and the love of their families. Heirloom items and hand-sewn details were fondly included in the wedding attire of the bride. At the reception, photographs of past generations of married couples smiled on the newlyweds, who thanked God for the abundant graces of the sacrament.

From the Bride

When Trent and I first met, our personalities clicked on an emotional and spiritual level. By the end of our first date, I knew he was who I had been praying for. Trent was respectful and sophisticated, and as time went on, I learned that he was also compassionate, patient, understanding, righteous, and infinitely supportive--a truly good man.

Growing up, I always knew I would get married in the Catholic Church. My faith has always been of the utmost importance to my family and me, and I knew I could not enter into marriage without God's blessing and the guidance of the Church. And yet nothing could have prepared me for the sacredness of that day.

It began with thunderstorm warnings across the greater Memphis area. But by evening the skies were clear and the sun was out. It may sound cheesy, but I felt as though, through God's grace, our loved ones that had passed away were showing up for our big day.

My dress came from Low's Bridal and Formal, a store in Arkansas that has been around for ages. My aunts, cousins, friends (their mothers), and a sister have all bought their wedding dresses there. Because my bridesmaids lived all across the U.S., they wore dresses from Azazie, a bridal website, and the groomsmen donned classic tuxedos. I got ready that morning with my mother, my five bridesmaids, and our flower girl.

We selected our readings and hymns based on what best reflected our relationship through the eyes of the Lord. Our songs included “Amazing Grace,” “Canon in D” by Pachelbel, “Trumpet Voluntary” by Clarke, and “Arrival of the Queen of Sheba” by Handel. With the guidance of our dear priest, Fr. Gary Lamb, we choose the following scriptures: Genesis 1:26-28, 31; Psalm 145:8-9, 10, and 15, 17-18; 1 Corinthians 12:31-13:8; and John 17:20-26.

During our nuptial Mass, Fr. Lamb's homily was inspirational and humbling, reminding us that although this was a joyous day, Christ's love alone is what makes a marriage successful.

My grandmother, my last living grandparent, passed away a month before our wedding. So my mother purchased two lockets, each holding a photo of my grandparents, and sewed them into my bouquet as a way to hold them closely. The Phi Mu pin of my sorority sister and bridesmaid, Katie, was also attached to my bouquet.

The pillow carried by the ring bearer was sewn by my grandmother, and my veil was borrowed from my sister’s wedding day. My mom sewed my wedding date in blue thread into the inside of my dress, and a sixpence was taped to my shoe. My garter was embroidered with my monogram--as well as the initials of my sister, friends, and cousin who each wore it before me. A special table at our reception was lined with photos of our parents and grandparents, most on their wedding days, as a way to honor each couple and the legacy they’d created.

Oversized golf carts took our guests from the parking lot of the Memphis Zoo to our venue at Teton Trek, and champagne was served on the ride. When guests arrived at the site, a large water display greeted them. And upon entering the building, florals and votives decorated the ceilings, tables, and fireplace mantle. We even hosted a live band from Memphis named Almost Famous.

Food was served at stations rather than sit down or buffet-style and included ham sliders, burger sliders, mac and cheese, spinach and artichoke dip, fruit and dip, Memphis skewers, Mediterranean skewers (since Trent is Lebanese), and a French fry bar. Trent and I dined privately atop a waterfall up the hill from the reception.

The entire night was a testament to the love Trent and I have been surrounded by our entire lives. God has blessed us with the most amazing and supportive families and friends, and it was incredible witnessing the many people who have shaped us both, celebrating together.

To hear our loved ones praying for our marriage and singing praises to God for blessing Trent and me with each other--the feeling remains indescribable. Simply put, God is so good.

We've now been married for over a year, and Trent continues to better me everyday. Time after time, his moral compass has put daily struggles into perspective. It is truly a blessing that God led us into each other's lives. We cannot wait for what he has in store for our marriage and the ways he will work through our sacramental bond in the years to come.

August 05, 2020

Stephanie + Geoffrey | Military Elegance and the Lord's Abundance

August 05, 2020/ Editor Spoken Bride

Spoken Bride’s Associate Editor shares her and her husband’s journey of radical trust, healing gifts from Therese and other saints, and their Nashville destination wedding--an embodiment of community and life-giving love, planned in less than four months.

Stephanie and Geoffrey met during a college summer, spending hours together and with friends between Washington, D.C. and Annapolis, Maryland. After Geoff graduated, work transplanted him from place to place, and their relationship echoed the theme of constant change, uncertainty, and transition. Yet the Lord is eager to to pour out his gifts, with rock-solid, constant, and unchanging love.

From the Bride:

We were dating. Then we weren’t. I quit my job and moved to California. We dated again. Then we got engaged, married, moved to Japan and started a family. And now we’re here!

In between those facts from start to present, we were both diving deeper into our own hearts to understand Who am I? and Where is God calling me? We couldn’t articulate those questions then, but retrospect offers wisdom into where we’ve been and how far we’ve come.

I am a cradle Catholic. I grew up aware of right versus wrong, especially in regards to intimacy with a romantic partner. That knowledge came with a lot of fear. For most of my life, I made decisions to avoid punishment rather than in pursuit of love. Logic and reason kept me safe from emotion.

Dating Geoff tapped into a new area of my heart; all of a sudden, something rustled the desires and passions which had been suppressed for so long.

Without a real prayer life to know myself and discern all the confusing and overwhelming movements of my heart, I broke up with Geoff. I feared that maybe I was being called to religious life. I heard a lot of voices in my head, had a lot of feelings in my heart and had no idea what was right.

After we broke up, I was lost until St. Therese came to the rescue. Through a monthly novena and spiritual reading, my heart softened. It was a whirlwind season and I grew a lot. Commitment to Adoration, daily Mass, and continued novenas yielded healing and peace.

I learned to trust the pure, passionate desires of my heart because God placed them there! I discerned that my love for Geoff, though immature in its origin, was rooted in purity and goodness.

I was finally consoled when my will aligned with God’s and I took steps to pursue a relationship with Geoff again.

In the depth of his own sorrow and heartbreak, Geoff also leaned on God in new ways. Eventually, through a number of factors that are still mysterious to me, he discerned his desire to enter the Catholic Church.

I reached back out to Geoff and told him I was prepared to move wherever the Navy was taking him next. He was (rightfully) cautious, but eventually we both packed our bags for California.

Our second start was awkward and slow; our friendship picked up where it left off but our dating life was more vulnerable and thoughtful than before. Surrounded again by a strong community of friends, our hearts were thriving and it was time to talk about marriage.

Once our relationship was solid, talk of marriage was expedited by the military’s timeline--a move to Japan was in our near future. Geoff was clear he would not propose until after he entered the Catholic Church. I was restless, but desired to trust both Geoff and God’s timing.

In less than 4 months, we planned a wedding, got married, and moved. Fortunately, my sister has an extensive background as a luxury event planner in Tennessee. Since she had the expertise and our family and friends were spread around the country, we planned a destination wedding in Nashville.

Two weeks after Geoff proposed, we were civilly married to process military paperwork for our international move (we didn’t live as a married couple until after our subsequent Church wedding). Later that day, ironically, I bought my wedding dress. The thought of wedding dress shopping was not exciting to me; it was dramatically overwhelming.

My roommate surprised me with an appointment at a local bridal shop. I tried on a handful of dresses available to take away that day and found one that felt simple yet special. The low-key dress-shopping process was a perfect fit for me.

I wasn’t the girl who dreamt about her wedding. Together, Geoff and I decided “classy backyard barbecue” encompassed our ideal aesthetic and environment: beautiful yet comfortable, reverent yet approachable. The bridesmaids wore black and our flowers added a beautiful pop of color.

While my sister organized wedding plans, we focused on our top priorities. Despite the short timeline, we committed to praying a 54-day Rosary Novena leading up to our wedding. Many evenings, the prayers were said with heavy eyelids, but it kept our hearts focused on surrendering our desires and offering our vows to God.

We found joy in bringing as much personalization and community into our day as possible by incorporating loved ones into different roles; we feel most alive while cultivating authentic relationships!

Friends in California helped create a Japan-themed paper crane backdrop for a photo booth at the reception. My grandmother embroidered our names and wedding date in blue that was sewn inside my wedding dress. My mother-in-law offered her mother’s vintage clutch to use throughout the day.

Our music and wedding program intended to unite our Catholic and non-Catholic guests. Included in the program was a prayer to Mary that Geoff and I wrote to offer a glimpse into our relationship with our spiritual mother. We created a Litany of the Saints to be sung during the Mass, which was probably the most profound moment for me--to be surrounded, spiritually and physically, by the communion of saints.

Countless friends and relatives shared their gifts of singing, altar serving, reading, dancing, driving, ice cream-making, hair-fixing, cooking, dress-buying and more throughout the weekend. One family friend even loaned us her all-American getaway car. We were surrounded by generosity and God-given talents!

My immediate family took initiative according to their personal strengths too. My sister’s eye for beauty and attention to detail is extraordinary. My mom created prayer cards as place settings at the reception. She and my dad had traveled to the Holy Land before our engagement, but came home with enough wine from Cana for the Eucharistic celebration during our wedding Mass. (Without knowing, Geoff and I had already selected the Miracle at Cana as our Gospel reading!) Finally, my dad and I had a very honest conversation about our wedding budget, which he had been preparing since I was a little girl.

Geoff and I share a love language of quality time. With all but two guests traveling from out-of-town, we made an effort to spend time with everyone. Both our families rented houses in Nashville, which allowed our extended families and bridal parties to enjoy meals, late-night chats, and morning coffee together.

After our wedding rehearsal, thoughtful toasts, and delicious dinner, we opened the restaurant patio for a “meet-and-greet happy hour” for all the wedding guests to visit; this was one of the greatest parts of our weekend.

By the ceremony, it felt like the guests from near and far already knew each other! It wasn’t just a crowd gathered to watch us get married, but a family united in love and authentic relationships.

In lieu of a First Look, Geoff and I started our wedding day with a coffee date. We were able to sit in the quiet of the morning, before the sun was up, to prepare for the day together.

We spent additional quality time with the bridal party between the wedding and reception at a bowling alley. We wore our fancy clothes, the photographers followed along, and we played together before being engulfed in the crowd again.

God showed up in big and small ways on our wedding day. He offered tangible waves of mercy, healing, joy and grace for everyone present, while simultaneously whispering intimate praises, just for me and Geoff.

For example, my absolute favorite thing in nature is clouds. When we saw the Church of the Assumption for the first time to go to confession the week of our wedding, I was awestruck by the relief behind the altar: an image of Mary being assumed into heaven against a backdrop of perfect clouds. In addition, when Geoff became Catholic months prior, he chose Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati as his Confirmation name. On that same day, Geoff noticed the only prayer card of a holy person in the church’s entryway was for Bl. Frassati.

During the time I was discerning my vocation and spending countless hours in an Adoration chapel back in Washington, DC, I was surrounded by several icons in the small prayer space. Each of them showed up on our wedding day: a statue of St. Therese by the church door; the infant Jesus of Prague and Divine Mercy image in the back of the church, and the pelican in piety image on the back of our priest’s chasuble (this was the most shocking as I’d only seen it once before on the altar under the tabernacle in the adoration chapel). The way God wove my experiences in Adoration into our wedding day is truly unbelievable.

To describe our wedding itself, pure, beautiful, intentional, reverent, inclusive, joyful, and wholehearted come to mind. Geoff and I have said we just showed up to our wedding day. In many ways, we did. We were constantly amazed that this was our wedding. Yet it would be foolish to deny our commitment to wedding planning--the months of individual preparation and countless acts of mercy that have allowed us to share the vocation to marriage with joy.

I have since realized in a new way how God takes our desires and magnifies them into abundant gifts and graces beyond our imagining. When the desires of our hearts align with God’s desires for our lives, there is no stopping the powerful movements of the Holy Spirit.

A lot of people did a lot of work to make our wedding what it was, but the hand of God was the ultimate source of beauty and joy throughout the entire weekend. He provided abundant means as so many people utilized their gifts to create an extraordinary experience of the sacrament which, hopefully, revealed a glimpse of his glory.

Watching countless people do their “thing” brought us joy and increased the beauty of the day. In many ways, the multiplicity of gifts foreshadowed the fruitfulness of living a sacrament to marriage.

Our relationships with God have shifted in different seasons of life; truthfully, our shared unity with God is still in an infancy stage in our married lives. Almost two years in, and we’re definitely still figuring out how to pray together, how to define our values and how to make our faith visible on our lips, in our home, and in our relationships.

I am grateful we entered the sacrament of marriage when we were both at a point of spiritual highs. It’s a constant reminder and source of encouragement for what’s possible when we unite our hearts to God’s will.

July 10, 2019

Claire + Andrew | Silver-Gilded Winter Cottage Wedding

July 10, 2019/ Editor Spoken Bride

Claire and Andrew’s wedding was planned with profound excitement, the generosity of their family and friends, and a deep desire through it all to bring praise and glory to God.

This rooted purpose, to become a “praise of glory” for God, (a beloved quote from their favorite saint) helped guide them from their earlier days as FOCUS missionaries through an intentional relationship that would blossom into marriage.

From the Bride: Andrew and I met in college through mutual friends and cultivated a deeper friendship while serving on the same campus as missionaries with the Fellowship of Catholic University Students. Though attraction between us was obvious, dating between teammates is usually not a prudent decision in FOCUS, so waited until the end of the year before we pursued anything serious. To say this was difficult would be an understatement, but when we were finally able to go on a date, neither of us doubted this was much more than a simple attraction.

We dated long-distance during our second year with FOCUS. Andrew was in Gainesville, Florida, and I was in Nashville, Tennessee. Countless Face-times, phone calls, and airplane tickets got us through this time--not to mention a lot of intentionality.

In fact, Andrew was consistently clear, thoughtful, and intentional in his pursuit of me. He led our relationship by making regular conversations a priority while balancing our call as missionaries; we needed to make sure we were still being present to those around us. Prayer was also an important part of our relationship. Praying rosaries, intercessory prayer over the phone, and always making time to pray when we were together were priorities.

Though long-distance was difficult, it was such a gift to be able to pursue our relationship without becoming overly consumed in each other’s lives or codependent.

My father passed away on Easter Sunday my senior year, and Andrew knew this was very important to me. For months he planned an Easter weekend I would never forget. After going on retreat near Nashville, we spent Easter Vigil with my students and drove to Knoxville for Easter Sunday with my mom and sister. After Mass that morning, we went out to eat, and Andrew asked if I wanted to go to the cemetery and pray for the repose of my dad’s soul. After we prayed, we went on a walk.

At the top of the hill overlooking the beautiful Smoky Mountains, Andrew got down on one knee and proposed with my mother’s engagement diamond in a rose gold ring. Engraved in the ring were the words “Praise of Glory” after our favorite saint: St. Elizabeth of the Trinity.

St. Elizabeth of the Trinity played a curious part in our relationship since the beginning. I had been falling in love with her understanding of the indwelling of the Holy Trinity in our souls and was beginning to talk more and more about her. Andrew and I read a book about her while we were friends and missionaries to try and find out more--even though I never finished the book.

In an attempt to move slowly and intentionally in our dating process, I asked Andrew if we could date for six months before we talked about marriage and the far-off future. I didn’t know that exactly six months after we started dating was the feast day of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity. St. Elizabeth called herself “Laudem Gloriae” which means “Praise of Glory” because she believed her mission was to do just that: be a praise of God’s glory. And so, Andrew had “Praise of Glory” inscribed in my engagement ring.

He shared with me that he had been praying a 54-day rosary novena for our engagement. The graces of this were so present. We went to the cathedral to pray and thank God for this wonderful gift, and when we got back to my house our family and friends were waiting to surprise and congratulate us!

Our engagement included two new jobs, a new city and state, and a month serving with the Missionaries of Charity in Calcutta. Through all of this, the Lord was softening and preparing our hearts to make the radical “yes” to our vocation seven months later on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.

When we chose that date, we didn’t know the second reading for the feast was from Ephesians 1, the same verses where St. Elizabeth got the idea for her name “Laudem Gloriae.” This brought such consolation and was a clear sign of God’s blessing and sovereignty over our marriage.

From the beginning of our planning, Andrew and I wanted to throw a party that would serve the many people who meant so much to us. Every detail had one aim: to be a praise of God’s glory. We wanted people to have an encounter with the living God through the revelation of his beauty, love, and grace.

I chose the Marian color of blue in a winter combination with silvers and grays to run throughout the attire and decor. Each of the bridesmaids had a unique dress that, when seen with all the other dresses, showcased a uniquely beautiful winter look. The flowers were a combination of whites, grays, and greens with fun sparkly pine cones and faux fur-tailed stems of white fluff. Attached to my bouquet was my “something blue:” my dad’s wedding ring tied to a blue ribbon and a black-beaded rosary; a rosary made by the man who creates them for the Missionaries of Charity in Calcutta, India.

Our ceremony was held in the newly constructed Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. This absolutely gorgeous cathedral, finished in March 2018, featured countless symbols, rich colors, and the faces of some of the most beloved saints in our modern day. From the marble floors, to the rich blue ceiling tiles, to the towering dome, everything about this place of worship draws your eyes and heart to the God who loves us.

Our musicians, all friends of ours, played songs that resonated deep in our hearts. “O God Beyond All Praising” was the song we chose as our entrance hymn because the purpose of the day was to give glory to God. As the violin welcomed Andrew and I into the church, he couldn’t help but break down in tears as I stood beaming beside him. Because my dad had passed away years ago, we chose to have Andrew walk me up the aisle as we prepared to enter into this sacramental covenant together.

Incense filled the altar and the entrance antiphon directed our hearts and minds to the Blessed Virgin Mary on her special feast day. Our good friend, Fr. Victor Ingalls, reminded us in the homily of my bridesmaids that Andrew had previously dated, which brought a rather comic tone to an already joyful day. He also reminded us of our most important mission: to get one another to Heaven.

My favorite part of the ceremony, besides singing with Andrew to some of our most beloved hymns, was looking into the congregation and seeing all the people who had helped us become who we are today. This included our parents, siblings, family, our friends who saw us in our most awkward times, those who served with us in FOCUS, our mission partners who had supported us as FOCUS missionaries, and our students we had labored for on various campuses.

We were surrounded by such an incredible group of people who had given of themselves to help us try and become the saints God was calling us to be. As they witnessed to our promise of marriage, I couldn’t help but praise God for the gifts he had given us in each and every one of them.

Many people told us that the Mass was a spiritual experience, and I believe it was because God was being revealed so vividly through the beauty and liturgy of the Mass. It emanated from the building itself, through the music and community, and through the great “cloud of witnesses” who were there praying for us and united to us as we participated in the sacrifice of Christ on the altar. It was clear that the Lord greatly desired to come into the hearts of each person gathered there to celebrate.

Our reception was a blur, but from what I remember, my mom gave a long-winded speech that had people crying from laughing and crying from just plain crying. Because my dad couldn't be there, each of my ten uncles danced with me instead. We partied the rest of the night away with an amazing band that covered the classics and brought in some more modern music as well.

Greenery hung from chandeliers, glittering Christmas trees welcomed the guests, and blue, silver, and white candles caused the whole room to glow. Our cakes were almost too pretty to eat, except for the donut covered groom’s cake. And most importantly, the smiles and laughter and joy of our guests made my heart want to burst.

It’s okay to be excited about details when planning your wedding, but it’s also important to realize that the day is about so much more than that. You want everything to be beautiful, to be special, and to be unique to you and your husband. But in each detail you choose, remember what your purpose is for that day and who you're really celebrating.

We wanted good food, a band, a large guest list, and beautiful flowers. We wanted to serve our friends and family and give them an experience of beauty. But we also didn't want to get carried away with unnecessary excess.

At the end of the day, the whole point was that God had invited us into this beautiful sacrament to honor and glorify him. This was something that Andrew had to be constantly drawing me back to and reminding me of. This day wasn't for everyone else's approval or for our own vanity, it was for bringing glory to God.

As we started to plan and realized our budget didn't allow for certain things I wanted, it became clear that God wanted to provide in bigger ways than I could ever hope. Our venue provided incredible resources, we found lesser known, more affordable, high quality vendors, and we met people who “randomly” had connections with a band or wedding programs. Others offered to donate their time or resources to helping us make the event beautiful. Over and over again, God wanted to show his providence in every little detail of the day.

I have always struggled with trusting in God's goodness. Will he really provide? Is his plan good? Can I trust in his timing? These fears followed me throughout being single and even once Andrew and I started dating. I grasped for control every step of the way to make sure I wasn't going to be disappointed or hurt. But as wedding planning began and I had to let go of things I was grasping onto, God showed me that his plan for providing was so good. It would exceed so many of my expectations.

As Andrew and I walked down the aisle, I stood in awe of the beautiful day that God had created. It felt like so many things that day came together completely out of my control, and it's only because of God's grace to let go and let him do the work. The truth is that no matter what you think you might need on that day, God wants to be the one who makes it beautiful.

September 19, 2018

Sally + Matthew | Southern Elegance Wedding

September 19, 2018/ Editor Spoken Bride

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

Read more here for the story of Sally and Matt’s courtship and engagement, marked by total joy, certainty, and peace.

When Sally’s friend told her she knew a man who was tall, handsome, and serious about his Catholic faith, she jokingly suggested Sally marry him. Sally was intrigued, yet hesitant; her job required a significant time commitment, and Matt had just begun medical school. At the time, he had made a decision not to date until he was done with his studies. The Lord has a way of changing our plans for the better.

When they met, spending time together among their local Young Adult ministry, the attraction was mutual. Despite the other obligations in their lives, Sally had the boldness to ask Matt out! A sense of trust and certainty about their call to marriage was clear from the beginning, and Matt proposed, with Sally’s grandmother’s ring, the following year.

From the Bride: I was talking with a few girlfriends recently about how important, but also difficult, the season of engagement tends to be. At least in my experience, it was difficult to balance planning a wedding with preparing for marriage.

Matt and I had such a desire to be together--to be fully united as husband and wife, to live in the same house, to make all our decisions together--but the reality was that we weren't there yet.

We were also learning how to build our relationship with each other and Christ, alongside the very real and often overwhelming responsibility of planning a wedding. In all of it, we received great advice from another young couple and from dear priest friend that helped us tremendously during our year-long engagement: first, focus on planning the Mass. When we felt overwhelmed by cake flavor choices or dress colors, we remembered to keep our focus on the sacrament of marriage itself.

Second, a priest told us to be at peace, because ultimately, it was Jesus who would be there on the altar with us on our wedding day.

How could we be afraid, nervous, or overwhelmed knowing that the Lord of the universe loved us so much that he would be there to unite as husband and wife, and to accompany us in our married life?

The day before our wedding, Matt and I went to confession and then Mass, just the two of us, before a flurry of family and friends arrived. I remember walking out of Mass hand in hand with a sense of peace just washing over me. We had spent the last two years falling deeper in love with each other and with Christ. We had grown in patience and trust, practiced chastity even when it was difficult, learned to pray as a couple, and finally our wedding had arrived. From that moment on, the weekend was filled with joy.

We decided to take pictures before the Mass because we wanted to spend as much time as possible at the reception with our friends and family. We took pictures at a nearby park, first just the two of us, and then the bridal party joined for group pictures. I was a little apprehensive that seeing each other before the wedding would somehow ruin the big reveal as I walked down the aisle, but it ended up being the only real opportunity Matt and I had all day to just take a deep breath and be together.

We spent a lot of time thinking through the details of our Nuptial liturgy. We were blessed to have four priests concelebrate; all of them, along with the bridal party, processed in behind the raised Cross to the hymn "O God Beyond All Praising." An unexpected benefit of choosing hymns instead of more traditional instrumental pieces for the procession is that every time one of these hymns is played at a regular Sunday Mass, it brings back all the great memories from our wedding day.

We provided wedding programs since not everyone who attended was Catholic. By including the music and major Mass parts in the program, we hoped people would feel more comfortable participating in the liturgy. One of my bridesmaids and dear friends designed the front of the program. She did an ink drawing of the altar from our home parish, where the ceremony took place. She had the original print framed, and it now hangs in our home as a beautiful reminder of our wedding day.

We chose Matthew 22:35-40 for our Gospel reading, in which Jesus teaches that the greatest commandment is to love God with all your heart, soul, and mind. That really is what this whole Christian life is about. In marriage, God has given us the immense responsibility to help get our spouse and children to heaven, and we do this by learning to love God more perfectly.

After communion, we approached Mary and asked for her intercession in our marriage. While we spent a quiet moment at the foot of her altar, our family and friends sang the Salve Regina.

My favorite part of the whole Mass was getting to say our vows and slipping a ring over my husband's finger. I thought I would be nervous in that moment, but the Holy Spirit was so present to us. I'll never forget looking into Matt's eyes and being overwhelmed with gratitude for what God had done for us.

The reception passed by in a flash. We were lucky enough to have a wedding coordinator who snuck us into a back room of the venue for a bite to eat before we made our entrance on the dance floor. I can't recommend this enough to friends who are engaged!

Once we entered the reception, every moment was spent either dancing or hugging all of our dear friends and family who had traveled to be with us. We wouldn't have eaten anything if it weren't for those first 15 minutes in the back!

We knew that we wanted to have a fun, family-friendly reception. We decided to forego the bouquet toss, but did a traditional first dance as well as Father/Daughter and Mother/Son dances. We had a simple wedding cake from a local bakery we both love, and also offered two other passed desserts.

Matt felt really strongly about choosing to wash my feet at the reception in place of a garter toss. I still remember what he said before he knelt down to wash my feet:

"Tonight, I promised you, Sally, that I would spend every day of the rest of my life loving you and serving you. So as my first act of service to you as my wife, I would like to wash your feet."

The moment was brief, but so sincere and I think speaks volumes about the kind of man my husband desires to be.

As reception favors, we gave out 4x6 watercolor prints by the talented Katrina Harrington of Rose Harrington Art that read, "The human heart is always drawn by love." We hoped this quote by Saint Catherine of Siena would be a small reminder to our guests of how much we love them.

We also had a lot of fun planning the smaller details of our day. My engagement ring was originally my grandmother's ring, which she generously gave to Matt before he proposed. His wedding band was his grandfather's; I had it engraved on the inside with totus tuus, meaning “totally yours.” This phrase was Saint John Paul II's apostolic motto and referred to his total devotion to the Blessed Mother Mary. To us, the phrase reminds us to entrust ourselves fully to Mary and, ultimately, to Jesus--but also completely to one another.

Marriage is such a precious gift from God because it reveals--albeit inadequately--the mystery of God's love.

I marvel at the fact that in marriage, God invites me to love as he loves.

In our vows we promised "to be faithful to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, to love you and to honor you all the days of my life." It is our job to try to live that out each day since.

We love imperfectly because we're human, but the experience of Matt loving me completely and unconditionally is truly the biggest gift I have ever received. I cannot begin to comprehend how much more God must love me. Instead, I try to simply give thanks to God daily for his abundant blessings and to serve him unconditionally.

Photography: Kelly Ginn Photography kellyginnphotography.com | Church: St. Peter Catholic Church in Memphis, TN | Wedding Reception Venue : The Atrium at Overton Square | Wedding Coordination: Michael Doyle of Lynn Doyle Flowers
Flowers: Lynn Doyle Flowers (https://www.lynndoyleflowersandevents.com/) | Catering: CFY Catering (http://cfycatering.com/) | Make-up: Kasey Acuff | Hair: Salon 387 (http://salon387memphis.com/) | DJ: DeepBlu Entertainment (http://www.deepblu.net/) | Cake: | Muddy's Bake Shop (https://www.muddysbakeshop.com/) | Wedding Favors: Rose Harrington Art (https://roseharrington.com/) | Wedding Dress & Veil: BHLDN (https://www.bhldn.com/) | Bridesmaid Dresses: Bella Bridesmaids (https://bellabridesmaids.com/) | Tuxes: American Tuxedo (http://www.americantuxedomemphis.com/) | Invitations: Shine Wedding Invitations (https://www.shineweddinginvitations.com/)

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