Adelae + Joe | Eclectic Coffeehouse Wedding

A chic, boho style wedding with quaint coffee shop vibes on the plains of the Lonestar State. An international love story with Christ as the architect and the attentive care of Our Lady of Victory.

After meeting at a young adult event hosted by the Capuchin friars in Washington, D.C., Adelae and Joe dated long distance for a couple months, with marathon Skype calls and Joe driving from Toronto to Baltimore to take Adelae on dates. 

But after a few months of dating, it became clear that God was calling them out of the relationship and to go their separate ways. Adelae needed to go on a healing journey after having been very wounded from a prior dating relationship. 

The hardest decision was to say goodbye, but they did so leaving no expectations for a future relationship in order to honor one another's heart and leave each other in freedom. 

They seemingly closed that chapter, losing touch soon after.

From the Bride:

Later that summer after discerning to end our relationship, Joe wrote and recorded an album named "Love Is." In the Fall, I moved down to TX to respond to a call to work in ministry. 

Within weeks of taking the job in a suburban Catholic parish in Dallas, I learned that Joe had booked a stop on his album release tour in my new parish community. 

Unaware that I had moved to Dallas, Joe had avoided MD altogether when booking his shows to help guard our hearts. 

Unbeknownst to either of us, our paths crossed a year later in a state that neither of us called home.

On Pentecost Sunday, I attended Joe’s concert. Of the more than 50 tour dates Joe had scheduled, there were only three free days. 

Though Joe had tried over and over again to book the date after his Dallas concert, he never could. We came to find out that the Lord had a plan for it. 

We spent that free day following the concert together. By the end of the day, we were dating once more. And three months later, we were engaged.

Joe's immigration visa was approved only three weeks before our wedding day, which means we only finalized all the details three weeks before our actual wedding date.

Invitations went out, the venue and vendors were solidified, and flights were booked merely weeks before because nothing was certain before! 

The visa only allowed 90 days for us to get married. He arrived in town in Dallas a week and a half before the big day.

We were married on a Sunday, so our wedding Mass took place between Sunday Masses at the parish. We chose to do our photos before our wedding at the Dallas Arboretum.

Joe and I chose to process into the Church together, as a sign of our free-will choice before the Lord to enter into this covenant with Him and one another. Since my dad didn't walk me down the aisle, he escorted me to Joe for our first look.

Immediately after our first look, Joe's brother gave us a blessing as we embarked on the day together.

During our dating and engagement season, we had begun to notice key saints that we felt drawn to and felt their prayerful support over our journey together. We incorporated these saints into a personalized Litany of the Saints that was prayed right before we exchanged vows.

Our marriage vows were received by Joe's brother, who is a diocesan priest in Canada. His brother, Fr. Francis, gifted us a beautiful crucifix that we placed our right hands on to say our vows. 

The crucifix now hangs over our bed as a sign to us of our fidelity and the source from where our love stems.

Joe, his uncle, and his brother worked together to build a couple's prayer kneeler, which Joe brought down when he immigrated. The kneeler was the place we received the Eucharist together for the first time as husband and wife. 

Today, that prayer kneeler is a formidable part of our family prayer life, where we pray with our son every night.

My pastor and spiritual director gifted us with a gold chalice as a wedding gift. This chalice was used for the first time during our nuptial liturgy. 

The gold chalice remains in our home and is used as a blessing cup for special occasions; namely, it was used once more during the baptismal Mass of our son.

Since our wedding day was a Marian feast day, we felt led to consecrate our marriage to Our Lady. We did a 33-day consecration preparation and prayed our consecration prayer to Our Lady of the Rosary during the Marian dedication after Communion.

For our reception, we rented out a local coffee house that was special to us. It was near the international airport, where we had many reunions during our dating and engagement season. 

We would often find ourselves frequenting this coffee shop to catch-up after time apart, dream about the future, and enjoy a coffee. We became friends with the owners and the baristas, and they were the ones that put on our celebration. (Some even attended our wedding Mass!) 

We are avid coffee enthusiasts; so not only was the cafe itself special to us, but coffee was something we appreciated together—so it seemed fitting.

Joe and I chose an eclectic spread: a taco food truck (fitting for yummy TexMex), a popsicle bar, a charcuterie spread, and coffees on tap—all of our favorite foods thrown together.

Our first dance song was written and recorded by Joe, titled "Rib to My Heart." (It can be found on Spotify, iTunes, etc.)

The title was inspired by a reflection on how Eve is formed from the rib of Adam and how she is meant to protect his heart just as the rib would. 

The lyric, "I'll be your shoulder," was inspired by a reflection on the shoulder wound Christ received from carrying the cross. St. Simon of Cyrene came alongside to shoulder the cross and help bear the burden—so spouses do for one another in bearing one another's sufferings and coming alongside each other to walk through the pain.

Our wedding felt like such a day of victory and triumph! After a 13-month immigration process that was four times longer than estimated, and the third planned wedding date, we walked into our nuptial Mass feeling absolutely surrounded by the grace that had moved mountains, demolishing obstacles for us to be together. 

There wasn't a moment's second guess that this was the Lord's plan for our life and our union. And Our Lady's mantle was all around us.

Our visa was approved while our family was praying the novena to Our Lady Undoer of Knots (to untie the knots of our immigration application process); our clearance to schedule his immigration interview took place the week of the Assumption, after we'd prayed for her intercession during the Assumption Novena; the first immigration interview date available was on the Feast of the Most Holy Name of the Blessed Virgin Mary; and Joe was approved that day for his visa. 

Joe received his visa in the mail on the Feast of Our Lady of Ransom, giving him permission to cross the border. (We joke that Our Lady helped ransom him from Canada.) 

We were married on the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary (formerly celebrated in the Church as Our Lady of VICTORY!). 

I mean, you just can't make this stuff up. Our Blessed Mother’s presence was so evident to us.

Photography: Du Castel Photography | Nuptial Mass Location: Mary Immaculate Church, Farmers Branch, TX | Reception Location: GEORGE Coffee + Provisions | Photography Location: Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens | Bride's Dress: BHLDN | Hair & Make-Up: Pretty on Premises | Music: Dave + Lauren Moore | Videography: Jonathan Hilsden

Simberly + Reese | Houston Wedding with Hispanic Traditions

An interfaith Texas wedding showered with roses and brimming with family, cultural customs, and the presence of Our Lady.

On the anniversary of her dad’s passing, hearing his fatherly voice in her ear, Simberly finally agreed to take a leap of faith and go on a date with the cute guy she met online.

While Reese did not share Simberly’s Catholic faith, she could quickly see the Blessed Mother working in his life.

Once engaged, Simberly and Reese were able to find a Catholic parish that filled both their spiritual needs.

Their wedding day incorporated beautiful cultural traditions and even a surprise performance from the bride herself.

From the Bride:

I wanted to try out online dating but was hesitant about actually going out with any of the guys. Reese stood out to me from the beginning, and we went back and forth through messages and phone calls. 

After a few weeks, I kept making excuses as to why I could not meet him in person, just out of nerves. On July 17, 2015 he texted me to see if we could go out for drinks, but the day happened to fall on my father’s death anniversary. 

As I was getting ready to make up another excuse, a recollection came to mind. A few months before my father passed, I asked to go out with friends, and he said I could go as long as I promised that there would be boys present. 

I laughed it off and thought how sad that my dad was pushing me to go out and date. Looking back, I wondered: If dad knew this cute guy wanted to go out with me tonight, what would he say? 

He would probably look at me and say, “What are you still doing at home? Go.” I then responded, “yes,'' and went out on my first date with Reese that day, and a few years later he proposed to me on the same date. 

I felt like my father played huge a part in our meeting, and God found a way to turn such a tragic date into a bittersweet date. 

Reese grew up non-denominational, but has always respected my Catholic faith. So during our engagement, I prayed for us to find a parish that would meet both our needs. I was so worried he would never feel comfortable attending a Catholic church. 

After trying out a few, I thought we could try out a charismatic parish and halfway through the homily he leaned over and whispered that he wouldn’t mind making this our parish. I was so ecstatic and just remember praising Our Lord for working through him. 

Since then, he’s started picking up the Sign of the Cross and other little practices in the Catholic faith. Our Lady has been the biggest intercessor and she’s been present in our relationship since before we even met.

When Reese and I were first dating, he showed me a rosary that he kept. I was intrigued, but also confused because I knew he was not Catholic. 

I asked him about it and he told me that he found it on the side of the road one day while riding his bike. He picked it up and saw the cross at the end of the rosary and knew he couldn’t leave it there. 

It was a beautiful black wooden rosary with a heart in the middle. It was a little tattered and withered, but I had never seen a rosary like it. I smiled to myself and thought, wow. She’s already close to him, and he has no idea. 

I knew then that there was hope. His heart was so good that he personally chose to hold onto that rosary. Although the rosary didn’t align with his faith, it meant his faith was strong, and I could see myself with someone like that. 

There were of course times when we ran into rough patches, but I always tucked him and our relationship into my rosaries and our relationship strengthened year after year. 

Many of my close friends and family members that have been with us from the beginning have said that he’s changed so much since the day we met, and they are certain that the sacrament we received on our wedding day has only increased that. 

Reese has gifted me with rosaries, candles, and a painting of Our Lady of Guadalupe. To this day, her images can be found throughout our home, and I look forward to the day when I can tell my children all about her and how she played a huge role in our lives. 

The day of our wedding went by so fast it felt like a blur. The morning of, I got ready with my bridesmaids in the hotel room that was down the street from the church. 

Thirty minutes before the service, we all went over to change into our dresses, but after getting ready I realized I forgot my veil. I was so nervous, but luckily my mom was able to turn around and pick it up from the house. 

I was worried she wasn’t going to make it in time, that I was getting ready to walk down the aisle without my veil, but right before I was supposed to head out they called and said she just arrived. 

At the end of the ceremony, I was expecting the traditional, “You may now kiss the bride,” but it never came. I then realized that the service was over and that was the moment, so I quietly had to whisper to Reese that he could kiss me. It was definitely not how I expected that moment, but we were able to laugh about it after the fact. 

I was also very fortunate enough to have my great grandmother present at my wedding at 99 years old. She flew in from Mexico City and had never been on a plane before. 

When they were applying for her visa, the consulate asked why a woman of her age was requesting a visa. My aunts pulled out my save-the-date and said, “to see her great granddaughter get married in Houston.” 

The night before my wedding, she gifted me a beautiful white shawl known as a rebozo. She said it is customary for the bride to wear this on her wedding day and to use it as a swaddle when she has her first baby. 

When she placed it around me, she kissed me, and blessed me. It was one of the most beautiful and thoughtful gifts I had ever received. I was so grateful to have her there on my special day and will always treasure that memory. 

At the reception we had Mariachis, which is the norm at Hispanic weddings. I took classes when I was younger and used to sing at events, but stopped as I got older.

The last time I sang with Mariachis was actually at my father’s funeral, so I wasn’t certain if I would sing to my husband that day. 

After thinking about it, I decided to sing one song so that I wouldn’t look back at that moment and regret it. He had never heard me sing before, so he was completely surprised when he saw me go up with the Mariachis. It was definitely one of my favorite moments. 

After the Mariachis, we shared our first dance. When Reese and I met, he was not a dancer. My family and I are avid dancers, so throughout the years I took the time to practice with him. 

We started with salsa and worked our way backwards, so our first dance was a simple waltz, and he was absolutely perfect. After our first dance, I spent the majority of the night dancing with him and our guests. 

At one point we paused the dancing for the maid-of-honor and best-man speeches. We also took a moment to say a prayer for deceased family members, especially the recent passing of my grandparents. We had a table set up with photos of them to know that they would be there with us if they could. 

Three days before my wedding, both of my grandparents passed away. My grandfather had passed first, and my grandmother followed shortly after. 

It came so suddenly, and since it was in El Salvador, they scheduled the funeral right away which fell on the same day as my wedding. Throughout the entire day I was receiving messages of consolation from some and congratulations from others on my marriage. 

I really did not know how to react to it happening so suddenly. Unfortunately, many of my family members from my father’s side were so heartbroken with their passing and some flew out to El Salvador for the funeral. 

Others just couldn’t muster up the energy to attend my wedding because they were in mourning, and I had to respect that decision. I know some people actually expected me to cancel or postpone the wedding, but it was too late. 

Everything had been finalized so we had to move forward knowing that half of my family would not be present that day.

Despite the tragic news, it was comforting to know that my grandparents love for one another was strong and that they were both resting in peace. 

My spiritual takeaway from the day was the more you let go and let God, the less disappointments you will have.

Photography: Best Moments Productions | Nuptial Mass Location: St. Anne Catholic Church, Houston, TX | Reception Location: Pine Forest Country Club | Groomsmen Attire: Al's Formal Wear | Bridal Attire: Brickhouse Bridal | Rings: Jared | Floral Design: 2Cool Flowers | Cake: Susie’s Cakes

Sadie + Aaron | Traditional English Garden-Inspired Wedding

From the Bride

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Madison + AJ | 1920s Railway Station Wedding

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

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

From the Photographer

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Shelby + Allan | Candlelight and Greenery Wedding

A journey of discernment and Divine Mercy, and a celebration invoking the purity and natural beauty of the Garden.

Shelby and Allan first met at their parish during Shelby’s middle school years, bonding over a shared love of board games, Boy Meets World, and their Catholic faith. Game nights often stretched into long conversations, and their friendship progressed to a dating relationship.

While on a group pilgrimage to Krakow, Poland for World Youth Day, Allan heard the Lord prompting him to consider the priesthood. When he and Shelby arrived home, he ended their relationship to discern his vocation. 

“In the time spent apart,” says Shelby, “we were both given the space to bring wounds to Jesus and ask for healing. We consider this time apart the most fruitful period in our relationship though it was accompanied by great trial and sacrifice. Through prayer and discernment, we ultimately heard the Lord call us towards the vocation of marriage. We were further convicted that entering into this vocation together would both sanctify us and fill us with great joy.”

Allan proposed on the weekend of Divine Mercy Sunday after reading Shelby a poem he’d written on the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary. As they drove home, overwhelmed with joy, Allan said he needed to drop something off at their home parish--the one where they’d met years before. In the church were their family and friends, singing “Lord Prepare Me.” Alongside their loved ones, Shelby and Allan knelt before the tabernacle to pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet, and celebrated with a potluck dinner. 

From the Bride:

As Christ’s love with his church is a gift extended to all, Allan and I also hope that our marital love will not only be a gift to each other but to the whole world. 

There was a special sweetness in so many of our friends and family participating in the liturgical and wedding traditions of the day. The cantor of our wedding liturgy was our dear friend Erika, whose voice lifts all people up to heaven. Our celebrant, Fr. Raymond Cook, was a priest who accompanied us on our pilgrimage to Poland. Another dear friend graciously served as our DJ and emcee, and our spiritual mentees Kaitlyn and Kevin served as our lectors. Our cakes were baked by our favorite local baker--and close friend--Marissa. 

Our wedding theme was garden-inspired, full of greenery to symbolize the original unity of Adam and Eve with God in the Garden of Eden.

Our friend Madeline Hill of Full of Grace Designs graciously brought this vision to life with dozens of eucalyptus bunches, golden votive candles, and hints of dark wood in the décor and centerpieces. The greenery and wood, combined with the golden candlelight, created the most beautiful reception space. The surroundings recalled how in the garden, light from the Lord poured out on the world’s first union of man and woman. 

Our wedding attire was focused on details. My engagement ring was custom-made with blue and red side stones representing our devotion to the Divine Mercy, 55 small diamond stones to represent the beads on a Rosary, and an image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. My wedding band is thin and covered in diamonds, with Mary’s Most Immaculate Heart engraved on the side. 

My bridesmaids’ bouquets featured a handmade rosary with a particular saint pendant chosen for each woman’s personality and devotions. My bridal bouquet was wrapped with a silver rosary from Italy, gifted to me by our friend and lector Kaitlyn.

My wedding dress was beautifully crafted, covered in floral lace that fit with our garden theme and made me like I was entering into something new, beautiful, and abundant. 

As we consecrated our marriage to Divine Mercy, we hoped to invite others into the Lord’s great mercy. Prior to the nuptial Mass, the lectors led our guests in a Divine Mercy Chaplet. I also made Divine Mercy prayer cards that were available to guests at the reception. 

Deepening the prayerful tone of the day was a journal Allan gave to me: a collection of letters he had written every day as he journeyed through Exodus 90. This journal, plus the most radiant beauty my bridesmaids emitted, and the appearance of my spiritual director during college, Sister Celestina of the Apostles of the Interior Life, led to many tears throughout the day

Our Liturgy was celebrated at St. John Vianney Catholic Church in Houston, Texas. We chose this church as it is stunning, grandiose, filled with natural light, and has a beautiful surrounding campus. It truly invites others into the glory and magnificence of the Lord. 

Our reception began with our first dance to the song “Bones” by Penny & Sparrow. The song speaks of the growing love of a man and woman and has been special to us for several years. 

While I wanted a garden-inspired cake, Allan wanted St. Michael’s image to be the featured on his. St. Michael is Allan’s confirmation saint, and we also have a fun story we like to tell about him: Allan once gifted Chance the Rapper a St. Michael prayer card and he has now referenced the prayer card in three of his songs, as well as on Instagram. This was a tidbit we added to the “Fun Fact” napkins we had printed!

Along with the napkins we desired to reveal our individual and shared loves in other wedding details. At the reception, Allan changed into a barong, a traditional Filipino garment, and we served lumpia (Filipino eggrolls) as appetizers to celebrate his heritage. Our wedding favors were simple bags of hand-filled, local Texas coffee to represent our great dependence on caffeine! I also hand-lettered acrylic signs of our favorite quotes from Scripture and the saints. 

The idea of a guest book became a very important detail to us. This was the space where those we love most deeply would sign their names as witnesses to our marriage and companions along our journey. Mirroring Jesus’ first miracle the Wedding at Cana, we had guests sign burgundy strips of paper and drop them into “stone” jars. A sign explained how wine is a symbol of new life and expressed our excitement to share this new life with our beloved guests. 

The reception included a group of men tossing Allan up in the air, flipping guests, and the Aggie War Hymn. The night ended with us dancing in the middle of our guests to “Sunday Candy,” a favorite of ours and our friends, and running out to a petal toss to continue with our garden theme. Allan and I left in his own car and passed by Whataburger before journeying to our new apartment together, where Allan had lit Christmas lights lit and hung a “Welcome Home” sign.

Reflecting on our wedding day, we marvel and rejoice in the great providence of the Lord. He wove our paths together, provided us the grace to journey together in the dry and joyful seasons, and most generously gave us the most loving community to share this day with. 

The words community of love repeated in my head throughout the day. We pray that our marriage extends the same gifts we have received from our friends and family as they have shown us great hospitality, generosity, and pure love. As in the garden, we pray that the seeds sown in our hearts on our wedding day continue to bear fruit, and that everyday we strive to mirror Christ's love for his bride.

Photography: Kristin Manson Photography | Church: St. John Vianney Catholic Church (Houston, Texas) | Reception: Bridal Oaks (Cypress, Texas) | Groom's Ring: Chasing Victory Wooden Rings | Bride's Ring: Custom Made with Robson's Jewelers | Flowers: HEB Blooms Design Studio | Invitations & Signs: Handmade by the Bride | Bride's Dress & Veil: Ventura's Bridal Fashions  | Jewelry: BHLDN | Bridesmaids Attire: Tulle & Chantilly / Shawls from Etsy | Cake Baker - Marissa Martir  | Hairstylist & Makeup: Bespoken Beauty | Music: Cantor Erika Erwin (friend and cantor at Church of marriage) | Decorating: Madeline Hill (Full of Grace) 

Sally Ann + Alex | Wintry Texas Garden Wedding

Despite a light fall of early-morning snow flurries, Sally Ann and Alex’s January Texas wedding was sunny and green. It was a day of family, friends, garden scenery, and butterflies. It was also an occasion of grace and evangelization, as they celebrated the sacrament in the context of the Mass, a new and beautiful experience for many of their guests. 

From the Bride: Alex and I are converts to Catholicism. Both of us were baptized Catholic but grew up Protestant. Shortly after we started dating, we began attending Mass together and found peace in the liturgy. So we went through RCIA and joined the Church at the Easter Vigil in 2018. We were confirmed one week after we got engaged, and chose Sts. Zelie and Louis Martin, the first married couple to be canonized together, as our confirmation saints.

I had always dreamed of a January wedding; a reason for celebration after most Christmas lights have dimmed and all the leaves have fallen from the trees. 

In Texas, it is also a great excuse for relatives to come experience our mild winters. I was expecting a 70-degree sunny day, but we had rare snow flurries the morning of our wedding. 

Alex is originally from Honduras, and Spanish is his first language, so we incorporated his heritage into our ceremony. My father proclaimed the first reading in English, and his father read the second reading in Spanish, with translations in our wedding program. My godparents were the gift bearers, and our two oldest nephews were altar-servers.

We had many non-Catholics joining us for our ceremony, and we wanted to use our nuptial Mass as a chance to evangelize. In fact, it would be the first time some of our friends had ever attended any sort of Catholic Mass. As converts, Alex and I understood the foreign-feeling of the liturgy for those not familiar with it. So we worked with our priest to provide cues and explanations to help everyone feel comfortable and more fully experience the richness of the Mass. 

Alex has two children from a previous relationship, so we wanted to make them feel included in the ceremony as well. My stepdaughter was a junior bridesmaid, and we gave my stepson the title of junior groomsman. It was important for them to see not just Alex and I joining as one, but all of us becoming one family. 

I wore my mother's veil and late grandmother's pearls, which my mother also wore on her wedding day. We strove to make our wedding “child-friendly” so all families would feel welcome. This meant including lawn games in the outdoor gardens of our reception venue, which also included a playground. Inside, guests of all ages could enjoy the butterfly pavilion. And instead of the traditional bouquet toss, I did a "Baylor bear toss" for the children with a teddy bear from Baylor University, my alma mater and the place where Alex proposed.

Our priest's homily included a reminder never to take each other for granted. While the wedding is one day, marriage is for life, and it is important to recognize beauty in the daily grind of life. 

Alex and I are reminded of our wedding every time we receive the Eucharist together. We chose the Miracle at Cana as our Gospel reading for that same reminder: that we need to invite Jesus into our marriage every day.

Photography: Lightly Photography | Church: St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church (Dallas, Texas) | Wedding Reception Venue : Texas Discovery Gardens (Dallas, Texas) | Dress: Morilee from Mockingbird Bridal | Invitations/Stationery/Wedding Website: Minted.com | Veil: my mother's from 1986 | Shoes: Kate Spade for Keds | Jewelry: Kendra Scott | Bridesmaid Dresses: Tulle & Chantilly | Ring: Tiffany & Co (bride's) | Makeup artist: Before the Veil Beauty | Hair: Willie & Coote Salon Willie & Coote | Catering and Floral: Sugar City Celebrations | Groom's Tux and Groomsmen: Men's Wearhouse

Steffani + Dominick | Autumnal Southern Charm Wedding

Novenas, roses, and a fateful road trip to Wisconsin. Steffani knew, coming back from a trip in 2012, that Dominick would be her future husband. But they wouldn’t be married until six years later. 

Their love story is a beautiful reflection of patience, prayer, and deep friendship that poured over into marriage. At their gorgeous autumn wedding, in true southern style, they made their vows before God and joyfully waltzed the night away with family and friends. 

From the Bride: Dominick and I met in 2012 during my senior year of college. We were on a road trip with a group of friends to Wisconsin for a mutual friend's wedding. Dominick was an altar server and I was a bridesmaid. 

When we arrived in Wisconsin, we all spent an evening outdoors at a quaint house settled in the middle of acres of land and corn fields. Dominick gave me his shoes to sit on in the grass, and we immediately clicked over a mutual love of beauty in nature, books, music, art, and theology. 

We spent the rest of the trip like this: escaping to take nature walks to talk about life and each other, dancing, and star gazing. It all sounds so cliché, but it really was adventurous, romantic, and sweet. 

It was exactly what I had been praying for after a couple relationships that left me feeling hopeless. I had been writing letters to my future spouse since 2010 about how God was converting my heart. I said countless novenas to St. Joseph for the grace to prepare me and the husband I did not yet know. I also prayed the novena to St. Therese of Lisieux frequently, in which it is said she will deliver a rose as an affirmation of her intercession. 

When we returned from Wisconsin I knew, perhaps from intuition, that Dominick was the man I was going to marry. Perhaps it was Divine Providence that he asked me to be his girlfriend with a single rose he picked from the garden at the University of St. Thomas, Houston. I took it as a blessing delivered by St. Therese. 

I didn’t know it was the same garden where he would ask me to be his wife almost six years later, and I would present him with the letters I had been writing and holding on to for almost eight years. God and his saints have a way of planning things better than I ever can, and I kept this reality present and true while preparing for our wedding day. 

Preparation for the vocation of marriage and not just the wedding day was the heartbeat of our engagement. That was the most common advice shared with us by married couples, and we took that very seriously. We went to confession and Mass often, prayed together more, and read books like Three to Get Married by Venerable Fulton Sheen and By Love Refined by Alice von Hildebrand for discussion. We reminded each other often of the wise words from our sponsor couple: “marriage is not about you, it’s about God.” 

The highlight of our engagement was our betrothal ceremony, which we performed on the Nativity of Mary to dedicate our sacramental engagement to her Immaculate Conception. We did it with the prayer that Mary might help purify and perfect the “giving of our troth” to each other.

We wanted our nuptial Mass to be an expression of God’s gift of beauty. This was our goal, to give back to God what he had given abundantly to us. My husband is a liturgist, and I am a theology teacher and Catholic event planner, so liturgy is a common topic in our relationship. It would no doubt be our top priority and the longest part of our planning. 

Dominick and I spent much of our relationship going to Mass at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, a Dominican parish filled with gorgeous, detailed architecture, woodwork, and stained glass, so we knew we wanted to get married there. In fact, this was where Dominick would have proposed to me, but it took him too long to get the words out. And so we ended up at the rose garden instead. Coincidence? Not likely! 

We both love the Traditional Latin Mass, which Dominick grew up with. I was drawn into it during a major conversion through youth ministry and was more accustomed to the Novus Ordo (the most commonly used form of the Mass after Vatican II, usually spoken in the vernacular), as were many of our guests. After we considered doing the Traditional Latin Mass, we decided to use more traditional elements within the Ordinary Form such as chanting the Mass parts in Latin and singing the antiphons with more contemporary songs as the preludes. It was the perfect package of old and new. 

We wanted to pick readings that were truly expressive of our shared faith, so I picked the Old Testament reading, and he picked the New Testament reading. As a romantic, I chose lines from the Song of Songs which have always spoken to my heart. It is the story of the lover and the beloved, of God pursuing me and my relationship with Dominick being a delightful reflection of that. Dominick chose Ephesians 5, a tough passage, but a reading that we reflected and prayed with throughout our engagement with the help of the deacon who led our marriage prep. It is a reading we encouraged each other to live out, and one that we wanted our guests to hear and hold us accountable to. 

The highest point of the entire nuptial Mass was receiving the Eucharist with my husband. My soul experienced something in that moment that was beyond understanding. It was an elevation that brought me to tears, and I was fully aware that I was now united to this man in a way I would never be united to any other human being--by sharing Jesus’ Eucharistic sacrifice in an intimate way as husband and wife. 

My entrance song was “Eternal Source of Light Divine” composed by Handel. We coordinated a schola choir with our musically-talented friends who gifted us with their voices and sang the Ode, which was a heavenly piece as Dominick and I saw one another for the first time. We decided not to do a first look to preserve this moment, but had a private moment of prayer instead and said the last day of our St. Josemaria Escriva novena for a faithful and happy marriage. 

We were married in November, so we decided on an “autumnal southern charm” styled wedding. The décor was filled with deep, rich gem tones and mauve and gold accent colors. Being very much a southern girl, I knew I wanted a Gone with the Wind, antique, grand feel to our wedding and reception--but on a budget. We found a large plantation-style venue tucked away on a pecan orchard to capture the look we wanted. It was so dreamy. 

We were extremely fortunate that many of our friends and coworkers donated items we needed like printing, invitations, and decorations. I did a few DIY projects like floral lantern toppers, grand entrance bell wands, and “bride” and “groom” chair wreaths. We splurged here and there on antique pieces, like the mirror we used for our seating arrangement and frames. 

Our nostalgic invitations echoed our theme as well with mauve calligraphy and deckled edge paper. Our guest book was a poster of two characters made to look like us, and it now hangs nicely in our home. Since my husband is Italian-American, our sweets table was filled with some of our favorite treats made by my mother-in-law. We added Catholic touches by incorporating saints that played important parts in our lives on our table numbers. 

I got ready before the wedding at Link Lee Mansion, where we also had our rehearsal dinner. It is such a stunning location at our alma mater. I soaked in time with my best friends and listened to their stories about marriage and motherhood while drinking mimosas and being pampered by our hair and make up team. They also gifted me with a basket of wine; one bottle from each of them for a major moment in our marriage with handwritten cards fit to make a bride cry. 

My favorite moments after Mass were filled with dancing! Our first dance was a waltz to “La Vie En Rose.” My husband and I love to ballroom dance, so we showed each other off with our practiced waltz step. At every Aquila wedding his family circles up and sways back and forth, singing at the top of their lungs, and kicking their legs to the song “New York, New York.” My husband is one of eleven, so the evening was filled with lots of people, joy, and laughter. 

We also had a private last dance. I stole this idea from a wedding I had worked a couple years before. While people lined up to see us leave, we shared a dance alone in the ballroom to a Glen Hansard song that we sang to each other in our first year of dating. As the song goes, “maybe I was born to hold you in these arms.”

Our wedding day was the start of a journey I believe I was truly meant for. Taking time to spiritually prepare the way we did only made our transition into married life that much better. It's not always easy, but knowing that we set a strong foundation of prayer and receiving the sacraments together gives us the graces we need. 

Savoring all the joy-filled moments of the day and not getting caught up in details I could no longer change put the emphasis back on us, our vocation, and God. We were supported in every step of our engagement by our parish community, family, and friends who constantly poured love and laughter upon us. Dominick and I both believe a relationship is not meant to turn in on itself but is meant to be shared with the Christian community. My cup has run over from the many blessings this provided to us.

Photography: Ten23 Photography | Church: Holy Rosary Catholic Church Houston, TX | Reception: The Estates at Pecan Park | Flowers: Mary Tran | Invitations & Stationary- Pax Paper (Dominika Ramos) | Bride's Dress: Allure Bridal | Veil: Custom Cathedral Veil (Cindy Rose) | Bridal Shoes: Badgley Mischka | Hair and Makeup: BP Artistry | Rings: Helzberg Diamonds | Groom and Groomsmen Suits: Men's Wearhouse | Cake: Magical Memories Made Simple | DJ: Dave Clark Events

Emily + Jose | Romantic Candlelit Rose Wedding

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jenny + Sam | Summertime Texas Wedding

“Through desire, [God] enlarges our soul and by expanding it he increases its capacity for receiving him.” These words from Pope Benedict XVI echoed in Jenny’s heart as she prepared to marry her beloved Sam.

Jenny and Sam’s love story is one of virtuous patience and beautiful triumph, the rich fruits of Jenny’s trust while suffering a deep desire and longing to begin her vocation--for marriage.

Through their mutual devotion to their faith and love of Mother Mary, Jenny and Sam were married on a bright, summertime day in Texas.

From the Bride: It was a struggle for me to deeply desire marriage and not enter my vocation until I was 34 (and 1/2) years old. I had already watched many of my friends get engaged, married, and start a family. I did not know why God would have me suffer with such a deep desire for the vocation of marriage and not fulfill it.

I didn’t know it, but he was working out everything for the good--it just wasn't time yet. Through my suffering, my relationship with God became stronger and stronger. I even traveled to be a missionary teacher abroad for two years in the hope that maybe God wanted to work in me more before he revealed my husband to me.

When I returned from missionary work, I dated a little and put myself out there, going to young adult retreats and social functions at my church. But it seemed that many times, as most singles will complain, "the good guys are all gone."

Finally, after a summer of getting my heart broken and many unsuccessful dates, I decided to try one last round of online dating. I had joined an app when I came across Sam's profile. I thought he was cute, and he made some funny comments. He also said he was Catholic. What?! We connected and hit it off.

I quickly discovered that our morals and values as well as our devotion to our Catholic faith aligned perfectly. We also found out we had many common interests, like running. On our first date, he told me he was looking to get married. Wow, I thought. This was a first. I knew he was special, and we quickly prayed about the next steps. Before long, we knew the Lord was bringing us together for a purpose.

What I loved about Sam was his patience with me. Throughout our courtship he showed me the man he truly was. Although we lived across town from each other, we made it a point to attend Mass together every Sunday. We enjoyed attending confession and both had a devotion to Mary, Our Mother, and prayed the rosary often. We truly believe she helped guide us on our journey.

Sam planned the perfect proposal; it was just him and I. We had gotten coffee, and I was getting stressed with work and felt unsure where our future was heading. He told me that Mary would make it all better and show us the way, so we prayed the rosary together. In that moment I knew Sam was truly the one the Lord had planned for me. I prayed “not my will but your will, Lord, but I really like him!” When I opened my eyes, Sam was on his knees, and he asked me to be his wife. God's perfect plan was unfolding in front of me, and I was overjoyed to start the next chapter with this man.

Our engagement was a whirlwind since I was a teacher who was off work in the summer. We were eager to start our lives together, and we knew we wanted a summertime wedding.

But that meant we had only six months to plan a wedding for three hundred guests! Although it was stressful at times, Sam and I really enjoyed our Pre-Cana classes and preparing for marriage. We learned so much about each other and our faith, and we know it prepared us for the sacrament.

Our wedding day was the best day of our lives.

Pope Benedict XVI, said “Man was created for greatness–for God himself; he was created to be filled by God. But his heart is too small for the greatness to which it is destined. It must be stretched. By delaying his gift, God strengthens our desire; through desire, he enlarges our soul and by expanding it he increases its capacity for receiving him.”

My entire life has been a process of God enlarging my soul and increasing my heart’s capacity to receive the gift of my marriage on July 21, 2018.

Through suffering, a lot of waiting, prayer, brokenness, redemption, and through the Eucharist, Christ was preparing me for Sam. He was preparing me to say my own “fiat” like Mary did (Luke 1:38) when he offered me the wonderful gift of my husband and our new journey together.

My mom was in charge of most of the planning for the reception, and Sam and I planned the ceremony. We wanted a beautiful, holy Mass and a joyful reception with all our family and friends. We were married in Sam's childhood church and included many Catholic traditions such as the lazo in the liturgy. We knew from the start we would also include the presentation of flowers to Mother Mary. After we prayed together and laid flowers at the foot of Mary, we gave a special rose to our mothers.

Sam and I found out during the wedding process that we have many of the same favorite Catholic hymns, like the communion hymn “Taste and See,” and incorporated them into the Mass. The priest gave a wonderful homily about the love of Jesus and the great sacrament of marriage.

When I saw Sam standing at the altar, all I remember is thanking Jesus. And as I walked with my father down the aisle, carrying my new mother-in-law’s rosary as my “something borrowed,” I smiled as I gazed at Sam, who was crying. It was a beautiful moment, and I felt so close to Christ.

The reception afterwards was a night to remember! We had delicious food and great entertainment. We did the Grand March (a German tradition) that got everyone out on the dance floor. Then came our first dance. Sam and I love to two-step to country music, and it was a special moment as all of our family and friends surrounded us to watch us have our first dance as husband and wife.

There was pure joy and peace the whole day of our wedding, and it remains even now in our marriage. Christ is so good and faithful!

Photography: Meeker Pictures | Church: Saint Mary Catholic Church-Plantersville, Texas | Bridal Portraits- Our Lady of Walsingham Catholic Church- Houston, TX | Reception: The Brownstone Reserve- Bryan, Texas | Food: City View Catering | Cake: Cakes by Gina | Gown: Stella York @ Whittington Bridal | DJ: DJ Mark Bobo | Florist: Trica Barksdale Designs | Hair/Make-up: Naturally Flawless | Bridesmaid Dresses: KFbridal | Flower girl dresses: Pink Princess | Men's suits: Men's wearhouse | Wedding planning: Ashley &Co. | Invitations: Dromgooles | Bridal portrait flowers: Lambrie Floral designs

Megan + Josh | Romantic Hacienda Wedding

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Mass was a sheer foretaste of Heaven.

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

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

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

Ada + Greg | Texas Vintage Wedding

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Gabrielle + Vince | Ordinariate Cathedral Wedding

Gabrielle and Vince first became friends at their small Catholic high school while planning a retreat together. At the time, Vince was preparing for Marian consecration and for Our Lady’s intercession in his life.

All along, Gabrielle just knew Vince was the George Bailey to her Mary, the man who would make her a wife. Patiently she waited, in friendship and in kindness, praying for Vince to realize the same. She asked him for guitar lessons, which led to a period of discernment and starlit walks, which led to Vince’s asking Gabrielle to make their relationship official.

By their senior year of college, Vince asked Gabrielle the same question--this time, for eternity. As they concluded St. Louis de Montfort’s Marian consecration a second time, he proposed on the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary.

From the Bride: Our wedding day was large and lovely. We decided to get married at noon, to have our Mass with the sun shining and an early night for guests who traveled. Our wedding did not intentionally revolve around a theme other than our express desire to have a beautiful liturgy. 

Everything was planned during our senior year of college. During exams I was trying on dresses; before class I was addressing invitations; in our college cafeteria we were choosing our wedding readings. It was chaotic and fun, and we enjoyed every minute of a very busy eight months.

Once I did find “the dress,” my Maid of Honor noticed it was made of alençon lace, which is a lace made mostly in Normandy, France. It’s a traditional material preserved in a large part by the craftsmanship work of Zelie Martin. Days after we were engaged, Zelie and her husband Louis were canonized in Rome. My Maid of honor attended the audience and prayed for us there. Throughout our engagement, and now our marriage, Vince and I often turn to Sts. Zelie and Louis as guides and patrons on this journey.

No amount of planning can prevent little hiccups. We had planned to have an hour of Adoration prior to our rehearsal, and only then did the stress and anticipation of what was happening the next day hit me. That evening, lightning and storms raged outside, flights were being cancelled, Vince was running late, and so were my parents and family. My bridesmaid and I stepped into the church at that point, where she comforted me and helped me practice walking down the aisle. This made the wedding appear a lot smaller: like something I could do, something I could accomplish with ease.

Inspired by our friends and college professors, we were married at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Walsingham in Houston, where we’d become parishioners long before our engagement. It was Vince planned most of our Nuptial Mass. We saw the Mass as an opportunity to beautifully and intentionally show our families the beauty of the Catholic faith.  

The liturgy was, for us, an intimate moment where as husband and wife we were welcomed into the sanctuary to consume the body of our Lord. We added a few personal touches to the Mass where we could: a small addition to the Commemoration of the Dead within the Liturgy of the Eucharist, for instance, helped us include all who were not present with us as part of the Liturgy. I carried my paternal great-grandmother’s rosary around my bouquet, and wore my maternal great-grandmother’s sapphire ring on my right hand. On the wedding day I didn’t get to spend much time with either of them, and these two pieces helped remind me they are by my side, maternally supporting me with the Blessed Mother. As a gift to us, Vince’s fellow altar servers from college served for our Mass. Our godparents were lectors.

The nuptial liturgy doesn't have a first kiss written in, and we hadn’t planned on what to do. Without thinking, during the Sign of Peace we kissed, as we do every Sunday. This was our first kiss as husband and wife.

My paternal family is Cajun Catholic, and slightly taken aback by the language, special prayers, and gestures within the Ordinariate Liturgy of Matrimony. Many of the prayers are said in Early Modern English (Elizabethan), and prayers from the Anglican Church are added to the liturgy to maintain tradition for those who have converted.

At the reception we featured a table with family wedding mementos, both from those still living and those no longer with us, celebrating the idea that Vince and I have now joined their ranks as members of a married tradition.

We chose to have a live band, which I can affirm was the greatest decision. The band, Danny Ray and the Acoustic Production, was versatile, talented, and fun. They easily filled up the dance floor moments after the meal.

Prior to our wedding, Vince was a best man at our close friends wedding. He concluded his toast with a Celtic Blessing toward the married couple. My father, unknowingly, spoke the same words on our wedding day in his the last and final toast as he asked friends and family to extend a blessing over us:

May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face and the rains fall soft upon your fields. And until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of his hand.

Thank you for everything, Dad.

The story of every wedding is the same story of salvation history: we have made one another family. This encourages daily sacrifice and patience, but also produces the greatest moments of joy and love I have ever felt. Do not be afraid of young marriage! God does provide.

Photographer's Business Name : Meagan McLendon Photography  | Nupital Mass or Engagement Location: The Cathedral of Our Lady of Walsingham, Houston, Texas | Wedding Reception Venue : Sugar Creek Country Club - Sugar Land, Texas | Band: Danny Ray and the Acoustic Production | Wedding Party Flowers: Nora Anne's Flower Shoppe | Wedding Gown: Ivory Bridal Atelier

Kate + Adam | Winter Garden-Inspired Wedding

Unknown to each other at first, Kate and Adam lived a block apart in Washington, D.C. They each lived in community, respectively, with six other women and six other men. The night their roommates planned a Cinco de Mayo party with fajitas and a fire pit, they met for the first time and talked all night next to the fire.

A few years prior, Adam had attended his good friends' wedding at St. Ann's Catholic Church near Dallas. During the Nuptial Mass, he was deeply touched by his friends' witness and prayed his relationship with is future wife would reflect the same beautiful, holy love. As he realized Kate was the answer to that prayer, he made plans to propose in the chapel at St. Ann's, which, incidentally, is close by Kate's hometown. Right after she said Yes, her family was there to celebrate.

From the Bride:
I like simple elegance. We were going for a winter garden theme and incorporated lots of creams, whites, pale pink and greenery for the flowers, with touches of gray and silver throughout the palette.

Adam and I focused our preparation for marriage on the ceremony. As Catholics, we believe the sacrament of marriage is our participation in the love of God, so planning the Mass was the most important element for us. We chose our favorite hymns and Scripture passages—including a reading from the Book of Tobit that my parents, Adam's parents, and my sister each used in their own weddings. My uncle, who is a priest, celebrated the Mass and gave a beautiful, heartfelt homily. 

We chose the Westin Riverwalk in San Antonio for our reception venue--my older sister, Maria, celebrated her wedding over two years prior, and wee knew it was a beautiful location, two blocks away from the cathedral where the ceremony would be, and we already knew and felt comfortable with the staff there.

We wanted a simple and elegant wedding cake. Our good friends at Delice made their famous almond cake infused with Amaretto and topped with buttercream frosting and fondant. Delice's head baker, Susana Mijares is a graduate of Le Cordon Bleu and was recently featured on the second season of Food Network's Spring Baking Championship. We also served the bakery's carmelitas–-bars made of oatmeal, caramel, milk, dark, and white Belgian chocolate, and pecans--one of my favorite desserts.

For favors, we assembled boxes of Irish Cream Lindt truffles that said “Love is sweet,” a flavor that reflected our upcoming Ireland honeymoon. We also made wands with bells and streamers, with a passage from the wedding readings: "Beloved, let us love one another, because love is of God; everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God" (1 Jn 4:7-14).

Seeing the reception room with Adam and my parents before opening the doors to our guests was one of my favorite memories of the night. It was so humbling to see the hard work of our families and friends come together. Getting to eat, dance, and celebrate with our our loved ones is what made our reception so special--it was such a gift to be surrounded by so many people we love from various parts of our lives.

Another favorite memory from reception was the Father-Daughter dance with my dad. We had practiced diligently for over a month, and I so fondly remember dancing around our house together before the big day. Seeing that come together was also beautiful and so special! 

From the Photographer: Kate and Adam are an amazing witness to the love God intended for marriage. With every fiber of their being they radiated his grace on their wedding day, and still do in their married life. It was a true honor to be present; to witness and to capture their sacrament of love. Everyone in attendance was filled with the joy of the Holy Sprit and day was wrapped in the protection and love of our Mother Mary. If you could look into my husband and I that night, you'd have seen our hearts aglow with awe for this blessed and holy sacrament. 

By the way, Kate and Adam they had a life-size cutout of the Pope Francis at the reception! They both love him so much, and decided to include him!

Photography: Horn Photography + Design | Church: San Fernando Cathedral, San Antonio, TX | Reception Venue: Westin Riverwalk, San Antonio, TX | Celebrant: Reverend Pablo Rodriguez, LC | Bride's Dress: Rosa Clara Two | Bride's Shoes: Antonio Melani | Groom's Tux: Men’s Warehouse | Hair+ Makeup: Madame Make-Up & Hair, San Antonio, TX | Floral: Danny Cuellar of Trinity Flowers and Events, San Antonio, TX | Cake: Délice Chocolatier & Patisserie, San Antonio, TX | Wedding Coordinator: Audrey Eichelberger of Timeless Beginnings Wedding Coordinators, San Antonio, TX | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Bella Bride Boutique | Invitations: Moon Mippy Stationary and Invitations, San Antonio, TX | Band: Oh So Good! Band, San Antonio, TX

Janae + Ryan | Texan Summer Wedding

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

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

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

From the Bride + Groom

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

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

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

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

July 2012
To my future husband,

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

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

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

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

Praying for you.
Janae Warren

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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