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

Olivia + Jackson | Heirloom-Inspired Interfaith Wedding

September 08, 2021/ Editor Spoken Bride

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

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

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

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

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

From the Bride:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

August 19, 2020

Caitlin + Jake | Blush and Lace Vow Renewal

August 19, 2020/ Editor Spoken Bride

A soft, light-filled ceremony with vintage details, and a reminder that we hear the Father’s voice most clearly in the quiet and stillness.

When Caitlin and Jake agreed to participate in marketing materials for their parish’s marriage ministry, they desired to do more than pose for a styled shoot. With the bride in a vintage lace gown and bridegroom in gray and white, they took the opportunity to renew their marriage vows.

From the Photographers:

Though this was a styled shoot for St. Luke's wedding marketing, Jake and Caitlin chose to renew their wedding vows for real at the same time. It was so beautiful.

They were both excited to see each other, just like on their wedding day. Jake was actually a little nervous again—it was adorable! The renewal was just the two of them and Father. It was soft, sweet and deeply faith-filled. Both Caitlin and Jake have been youth ministers most of their adult lives and have a little one of their own, so this moment of stillness—a renewal of their sacrament with just the two of them—offered a quiet and tranquillity they hadn’t experienced in a while.

We were reminded life can be very full, in a very good way: full of family, friends, helping and taking care of others, work; the list goes on.

But just like Christ, there are times when we need to just be still.

And sometimes that stillness, that quiet is with just your spouse in prayer.

Photographer: Horn Photography & Design | Venue: St. Luke the Evangelist Catholic Church, Dahlonega GA | Artistic Florist: Cleveland Florist

June 10, 2020

Emily + Luke | Vintage Lavender Chapel Wedding

June 10, 2020/ Editor Spoken Bride

A vintage-inspired evening, from the heirloom pearls around the bride’s neck to the 150-year-old chapel. This couple’s lavender-bestrewn Indiana wedding held at their alma mater was the fruit of their friendship and strong foundation of faith.

Emily and Luke credit their relationship to their parents, who raised them both to know and love the Lord. Emily explains that making their faith a priority set the stage to help them live their lives to be the hands and feet of Christ, both before and after the wedding.

From the Bride

Wise people expressed to me that a couple's friendship before a romantic relationship is the secret to a lifelong marriage. For Luke and I, this has been true. We shared a few college classes together and were in the same bible study. At first, we talked about our childhood. Luke and I were both raised in Christ-centered homes, and we both attended Catholic schools from kindergarten through high school. Then we both chose to attend a Catholic university. My faith is an integral piece of my life, and I was hopeful that my future husband would embody the same quality.

Eventually, Luke and I began attending Mass together and would go on a date afterwards. These were special, intimate times for us that inspired growth, learning, and trust. We also loved road trips. I believe that being stuck in a car with someone helps you learn a great deal about them. These were moments when we were able to reflect, relax, laugh, and be spontaneous. And those important conversations allowed us to open up to one another about our life and beliefs.

From chatting in a car, our relationship eventually progressed and grew stronger. During one of our road trips, Luke proposed to me!

It was almost unspoken that we would get married in the Church. This was a true testament to the dedication our parents exhibited to instill the faith in us as children, and they grinned ear-to-ear with gratitude.

Many moving parts must be planned to help the wedding day reflect what the couple desires. Luke and I talked about what we wanted our day to look like, and I believe we achieved it! We met at Marian University, so our nuptial Mass was celebrated in the campus chapel where we began our relationship. Luke and I did not have a “first look,” so walking down the aisle with my father on my arm was a breathtaking moment. We were beginning our life together as husband and wife in the very space we met for the first time. My eyes were flowing with tears of joy.

Luke and I love antique and vintage style. From the baby’s breath flowers to the chapel that was over 150 years old, the “old-fashioned” look was well represented. When I looked at veils to choose from, I couldn’t make up my mind. So my cousin reached out and asked if I would like to borrow hers. After I agreed, she explained that my grandmother made her veil for her wedding ten years ago. It was sentimental to wear something handmade from my grandmother.

My grandfather passed away three months before our wedding. My grandmother (who made my veil) and grandfather were married fifty-six wonderful years. They were a true example of committed marriage. Upon his passing, my grandmother asked if I would like to wear her pearl necklace with my dress. I learned that my grandfather had given her this pearl necklace at their wedding more than fifty years ago. I felt as though a little part of my grandfather was with me each step of my special day, since my necklace had been a part of his wedding.

Oh the dress! As a young girl, I dreamed about my future prince charming, the flowers, and the dress.

The gown I chose fit my personality perfectly: it had lace, pearls, and a sash which gave the dress a vintage charm. There were a couple special women who joined me in the search. And after the dress reveal, all of us shared a laugh and mimosas.

I am a nurse. This has been my calling since high school. I was inspired by my grandmother who was a nurse for many years, and I feel God placed me in this profession to help the less fortunate and to be a light for others. My husband coached high school football. He was inspired by his father who coached high school football for over thirty years. He says he doesn’t coach for money or fame, but to inspire the kids to become real men of Christ. Through the work we do at our jobs, Luke and I continue to walk on our spiritual journeys with Christ and strive to become a stronger couple that serves God.

Many of the teachings and religious practices of our faith are based on traditions from long ago. For Luke and I, our parents paved the way for us. Standing hand-in-hand with Luke before the altar was an incredible experience, and the Church, our family, and friends witnessed us profess our vows to one another with God as our witness. As the two of us become one, we are guided to live a life pleasing to God.

They say the wedding is just for a day, but marriage is for a lifetime.

I learned that during tough times, we must remain in love. Love never fails. In each moment, one thing remains constant: Christ is at the center, first in our friendship, and now in our marriage.

February 12, 2020

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

February 12, 2020/ Editor Spoken Bride

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

September 25, 2019

Flora + Joseph | Blush and Lace Garden Party Wedding

September 25, 2019/ Editor Spoken Bride

Flora and Joseph made it their mission as a couple “to make the invisible love of God visible and tangible” to everyone they encountered. Their vintage wedding, inspired by both the Garden of Eden and Queen Elizabeth II’s garden parties, reflected this desire.

Their story begins a few years before that joyful day, at Joseph’s sister’s wedding. That was where Joe first noticed Flora, the woman who would become his future bride.

From the Groom: Flora and I met through my sister Katherine, who at one time was Flora’s teacher and mentor. At my sister’s wedding, Flora and her friends came to celebrate a new life forged in marriage. She didn’t know that at that very time, the Lord was preparing her for her own.

Over a year after Kat’s wedding, I found Flora on social media and added her as a friend. I didn’t want to push a relationship; I could tell from the way Kat talked about her and how involved she seemed with her faith that just knowing this woman would bring me joy and a greater peace of mind in Christ.

From the Bride: I was not interested in a relationship when Joe messaged me. I was seriously discerning the single life and focusing on my relationship with God. The summer before Joe and I met, my friend and mentor, Kathy, was travelling to World Youth Day in Krakow, Poland. She asked if any of us had intentions for her to pray for during the pilgrimage. I asked her to pray for my vocation.

Later, Joe and I met in person at St. Rita’s church in New Orleans for a night of adoration and socializing with other young adults. He asked if I wanted to “grow in our relationship with Jesus together” (be his girlfriend) at a Dave & Busters in San Antonio, at the end of the SEEK 2017 conference. After SEEK, we consecrated ourselves and our relationship to Jesus through Mary on the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes on February 11th.

It wasn’t until after we made this decision that I found out Kathy had prayed for my vocation in Lourdes, France. Early on in the relationship, the vocation of married life was very much on our hearts and in our prayers.

I was studying abroad in Amsterdam, the Netherlands when Joe decided to propose.

Our shared love language is quality time, so we FaceTimed any chance we got while long-distance. His mom texted one day and asked what my address was because she was going to send an “Easter surprise.” I thought nothing of it because she makes Easter baskets every year for her grandchildren.

The day before Joseph proposed, he woke up, got dressed for work, and FaceTimed me. Later in the day, when we usually talked during his lunch break, he told me the principal wanted to meet with him about lesson plans, so we wouldn’t be able to chat. That night, he planned to meet up with friends.

I found out later he was actually on a flight from New Orleans to Amsterdam. I woke up to a call from the “mail woman” the next morning, claiming that a package for me was downstairs. I put my shoes on (still in my pajamas) and headed downstairs. She told me my package was outside, and I became very confused. I stepped out onto the street, and there was Joe with flowers in one hand and an acoustic guitar in the other. That’s where he asked me to be his wife.

Engagement Photography: Rudenko Photography

My bridesmaids and I got ready the morning of the wedding at a gorgeous Airbnb on Magazine Street in New Orleans. Joe and his groomsmen got ready at his parent’s house. I didn’t particularly enjoy planning the wedding, so creating a peaceful environment on the wedding day was important to help me enter into the sacrament with Joe.

I had begun writing “letters to my future husband” three weeks after we started dating. I wrote about small and big events in our relationship, my thoughts when we were long-distance, and many thanks for his selfless acts. Joe wrote me a sweet note the morning of the wedding, and we both read our letters in the church as we waited to see each other at the altar.

Divine Mercy parish in Louisiana is where we started going to Mass as a couple, and it’s where we were married on our wedding day.

Joe and I love a particular quote by St. John Paul II. He said, “It is the God-given purpose of our lives to make the invisible love of God visible and tangible in our material world.” It has become part of our mission as a couple to share God’s love in the world. We wanted our guests to feel and know his love through the readings, songs, vows, and intentional time with our friends and family.

I walked down the aisle to a song called “Closer” by Steffany Gretzinger. The bridal party walked out to the instrumental of the song, and when the doors opened, the cantor started singing the verses. I heard the song for the first time during adoration when Joe and I were on a retreat together. It’s about the beauty of God’s love, and it reminded me of how beautiful Joe’s love is as well.

I was already crying before the doors opened. Joe and I dealt with hardships throughout our engagement, and in this moment I was shown how victorious love is.

We chose the “washing of the feet” as our Gospel reading because Jesus showed the Apostles how to be servant leaders. Marriage is a sacrament of service, and it is our mission to share God’s love with those we encounter every day. As we were kneeling in front of the altar, I thought about how it is a place where sacrifice occurs (think Abraham and Isaac, the moment of transubstantiation, etc.), and how Joe and I were sacrificing our own lives, wants, and needs to be joined as one.

Our main celebrant, Fr. Abraham, is a spiritual father figure to me. He has known me since I was 15 and watched me grow as a leader and a woman in the years before the wedding. His homily is one I still think about often because he emphasized God’s gift of love and how important it is to seek Jesus in the Eucharist throughout our marriage.

Joe’s maternal grandfather and namesake was his best friend growing up and would have been the best man at our wedding. He was given his grandfather’s wedding ring after he sadly passed away in 2017. During the exchange of rings, when I put Nanu’s (his grandfather’s) ring on Joe’s finger, we both felt Nanu’s presence in the moment.

We placed flowers and prayed in front of a statue of Mary in honor of our patron saint, Our Lady of Lourdes. We prayed in front of St. Joseph, who has worked overtime in intercessory prayers for us. Joe and I are so grateful to have them as role models as we strive to be a holy family.

The wedding was attended by an intimate group of family and friends. The blush and greenery aesthetic we chose was inspired by the Garden of Eden. The story of Adam and Eve was the first reading, and it is a beautiful example of living in communion with God in a paradise like the Garden.

When I imagined our wedding, I pictured long tables with our loved ones and enjoying a celebration of love and mission, like the Wedding at Cana. We asked our female guests to wear fascinators: a small, vintage headpiece. The idea stemmed from Queen Elizabeth II’s famous garden parties she hosted at the palace with people who were recognized for their public service. Since it was an intimate celebration, these were the people we recognized as our loved ones and role models in our lives.

We have so many talented loved ones that helped contribute to the beauty of our wedding day. My sorority sister, Ariel, designed our wedding invitation and luncheon menu. Joe’s sister, Genevieve, designed the wedding crest that we used on invitations, song sheets, menus, and the seating chart. Joe’s aunt Gina baked our elderflower-flavored wedding cake. My sister, Vi, arranged all the flowers for the bridal party, groomsmen, mothers (including Mary), and the reception. Each person’s contribution made the day even more special and personal for us.

Love is victorious. As the verse goes, “Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful; it is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends” (1 Corinthians 13: 4-7).

When it comes to wedding planning or planning for the future, it may seem like there is no light at the end of the tunnel. But when you finally come into the light, all the graces are so sweet and well worth it.

September 11, 2019

Steffani + Dominick | Autumnal Southern Charm Wedding

September 11, 2019/ Editor Spoken Bride

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.

July 03, 2019

Anna + Greg | Southern Vintage Hometown Wedding

July 03, 2019/ Editor Spoken Bride

From the Photographer: Anna Paige is a sweet, caring Southern lady from Arkansas, and Greg is a kind man who hails from way up north in Wisconsin! The two met while serving with Catholic Charities in the Archdiocese of Chicago.

From the Bride: Greg and I met during a year of service with Amate House through the Archdiocese of Chicago. Greg lived in a community of volunteers on the north side of Chicago, and I lived on the south side, but we would see each other during weekly volunteer meetings and other social gatherings.

From the Groom: Anna Paige and I were volunteers in the same AmeriCorps program. We first met at a block party where I tried really hard to be cool and interesting while I “chatted her up.”

Bride:One of my first memories with Greg happened over Labor Day weekend. Our community of volunteers from Amate House met up for the jazz festival in Millennium Park and afterwards planned to watch the fireworks on Navy Pier. On the way to the pier we “accidentally” got separated from the rest of the group and ended up watching the fireworks alone together from the shoreline. That whole year was full of special moments of excitement and growth together. We both knew from early on that we had found the person we wanted to spend our lives with.

Greg and I would go to Mass together almost every weekend in Chicago. There are so many beautiful churches to choose from, and it was always the highlight of my week. From Old St. Pat’s to St. Clement to St. Sabina, there were many great communities to worship with. Those Sunday mornings together really solidified our relationship, and Mass has remained an important part of our week.

After our year of service ended, Greg and I went back to our home states. I got a job back in Arkansas, and he planned to move back to Wisconsin.

However, that summer Greg sacrificed his plans of moving to Milwaukee to move to Arkansas to be closer to me. His selflessness has always been so amazing to me. He is accepting, encouraging, and loving. Greg always says, “You get to be the face of Christ to others.” I am thankful for his wisdom.

After a year of trying out new jobs and figuring out our career paths, Greg proposed to me. He asked me to go to a state park one Saturday morning, which was a totally normal thing for us to do. We walked around a lake in the park, and I noticed that Greg’s hands were ice cold despite the summer heat. I didn’t know that his hands were cold from nerves. At a certain point on the path, Greg bent down to look at a “cool rock,” and when he turned around he had the ring in his hands. It was simple and sweet, and I said yes!

We decided to get married in the small church where I grew up in the Arkansas delta. It is the same church where my sister, brother, and grandparents married, so it made the day even more special.

We felt so loved on our wedding day. So many of our family and friends from all over the country joined us for the ceremony. Greg’s family from Wisconsin, our friends from our year in Chicago, and my friends and family journeyed to my little hometown to celebrate with us.

The most important part of our wedding was that God would be honored through our vows and through the intimate gathering of our family and friends in his church. We sang “Lord of all Hopefulness” during the ceremony, and when the sound of the congregation filled the church I felt a profound peace.

Groom: Our life together is pure wonderment. She’s my best friend and partner-in-crime through thick and thin.

From the Photographer: The wedding was on a perfect fall day. St. John the Baptist Catholic Church is the bride's home parish where her family members have been united in marriage for years, so it was only fitting that her and Greg chose to be married there as well.

The church is on the National Register of Historic Places. It has old, squeaky floors that have been worn by decades of priests’ and parishioners’ prayers. The stained glass windows let in lovely light in the afternoon. The altar is center-stage once 5 PM hits, surrounded by a stunning sanctuary for Christ with beautiful representations of the Holy Family.

Greg and Anna Paige both wanted to honor their Catholic faith, choosing a full Mass, with organ and violin accompaniment. Guests were close family and friends, while more friends awaited them at their reception due to the occupancy limits of the church.

The bride's gown was purchased just around the corner from the church at Low's. It had beautiful ivory lace with beading throughout. The groom chose a simple black suit, allowing full attention to be on his precious bride.

What struck me throughout the entire wedding process with Greg and Anna Paige was how kind and sincere they both are. When anyone spoke to them, they listened with their full attention. While this may be part of their personality, some of this must come from their Catholic faith.

We also saw how valued they are by their friends and family. People were thrilled to see them wed and to celebrate this union with them! The entire process was very God-honoring, beautiful, and joyfully celebratory.

Photography: McDuff Photography | Church: St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Brinkley, Arkansas | Reception: Brinkley Convention Center| Dress: Low's Bridal

June 05, 2019

Meg + Tim | Vintage Italian-Inspired Wedding

June 05, 2019/ Editor Spoken Bride

Meg and Tim deeply desired that their wedding be a witness to the beauty of the sacrament and of their beloved Catholic faith. Incorporating their love for the Latin Mass into the Novus Ordo liturgy, they gave their guests an experience of grace, tradition, and God’s enduring love.

Their love story is one of online dating, adventure, and homemade limoncello.

From the Bride: Tim and I met on Catholic Match in late 2014, but we didn't meet in person until June 2015. We finally stood face to face on a softball field a few days before I left for a new adventure in Italy and Tim left for a camping trip in Quetico, Canada. But we didn’t know the biggest adventure of our lives was around the corner.

After Tim survived a canoe capsizing in Canadian waters (rough stuff), and I endured Italian wine and culture (even rougher), we returned to the U.S. and began forming a friendship founded upon a mutual love of good music, friendly sports competition, and our Catholic faith.

Our devotion to Our Lady, St. Therese of Lisieux, and St. John Paul the Great have been at the core of our relationship even into marriage. We just welcomed our first child, a daughter, on November 11 of last year. We named her Teresa "Tessa" Rose after the Little Flower.

Tim and I knew from the beginning that we wanted our wedding day to be about Christ and his Mother, our families, and being a beautiful witness for the Catholic faith. We had grown in our faith life separately and together, but we were excited to share the Father's love with our guests as well.

I grew up attending the Latin Mass, and knew I wanted our nuptial Mass to reflect many of the traditions from the Tridentine Mass. So we planned a Latin Novus Ordo Mass that was a beautiful mix of old and new traditions.

I will never forget what our priest, Father Nathan Caswell, said during his homily: “You don't know the beauty and mystery of the good times and the hard times that await.” It made me all the more excited for the vows we would be exchanging just moments later.

It was really important to us to include Psalm 34, "I will bless the Lord at all times" into the liturgy. It echoes how we want to live our marriage; through the good and the bad, we will bless the Lord. The gospel reading was equally important because we saw our nuptial Mass as an opportunity to evangelize. We chose John 5:12-16 to share Christ's message:

“This is my commandment: love one another as I love you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.You are my friends if you do what I command you. I no longer call you slaves, because a slave does not know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father. It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you.”

The aesthetic of our wedding was meant to echo a vintage, summertime Italian day. We wanted it to be reminiscent of the summer Tim and I met. Only a few days after our meeting, we continued communicating while I was in Italy, a beautiful, romantic country where I couldn't help but think that Tim and I had a bright future together.

In keeping with our vintage theme, my dress had short sleeves, an ivory hue, delicate details, and many buttons. My shoes were a vintage heel and were my "something blue." My necklace had a gold chain that held an aquamarine heart and was my “something borrowed.” Just two months after they began dating, my dad had given it to my mom, which is also when they were engaged! More than thirty years later, they are still going strong.

As I was getting ready the morning of the wedding, I knew I'd have trouble bending down in my form-flattering dress to strap my shoes, but my younger brother was at the ready. He helped me strap them in a loving, organic moment that I will remember forever. His simple act of service started the day out right.

Our reception was held at the Old Towne Hall in Crystal Lake, Illinois. It was the place I had envisioned hosting a wedding reception at ever since I had been there for a swing dancing social years earlier. It was quaint and vintage-y in so many ways. The tin, scalloped ceiling especially was our favorite element.

To further include the Italian theme and my Italian heritage, Tim and I made our own limoncello, an Italian liqueur made from lemons, vodka, and sugar, as favors for our guests. I designed the label and wrote out tags that read "Grazie!" That’s Italian for "thank you!"

A few close family members brought homemade desserts to share as well, which added a special touch. A family favorite is “baklawa” (similar to the Greek dessert baklava). My husband has Iraqi roots, and this was a special nod to his mother's side of the family.

But perhaps the greatest surprise of the day was my two sisters' performance of the "Sisters" skit from White Christmas. They really kicked off the reception with a bang. I had no idea it was coming, and I laughed and laughed, all while singing along with them. My bouquet landing on one of the chandeliers during the toss is probably the second biggest surprise of the day--if not the most embarrassing! We still laugh about it!

In the days, and especially the night, before the wedding, I was praying for peace and to be fully present during my wedding day. I woke up on June 10 and felt absolutely at peace. I experienced incredible joy the whole day, and I knew my prayer had been answered by the Holy Spirit. Ask, and you shall receive.

I felt the closest I have ever felt to our Lord as I knelt with my husband in the sanctuary. Our guests were so thoughtful, and their support was so important to us on that day, but it seemed like everything melted away. In that moment, it was just God, Tim, and I on the altar.

December 19, 2018

Kimber + Stephen | Vintage American Baseball Wedding

December 19, 2018/ Editor Spoken Bride

Kimber and Stephen met through the invitation of a mutual friend. When they spent their first summer together in 2013, before Kimber went off to college, they began dating. Kimber had previously insisted on beginning school without a boyfriend, but something kept them together.

Looking back, Kimber and Stephen think this was the first “Jesus thing” in their history together.

Theirs is a beautiful story of heartbreak, conversion, and love. When they met, Kimber was not a religious person, and Stephen mourned this difference in their relationship. But distance, trust, prayer, and a semester in Ireland would change that.

Kimber and Stephen were married on a beautiful spring day in May 2018, grateful for the journey that had brought them to the altar.

From the Groom: On May 26, 2013, Kimber and I met for the first time; we were both invited to a mutual friend’s house for a bonfire. After that night, we got to know each other as the days of summer progressed and Kimber prepared to leave for college. In our short time together that summer, we started dating--even though she was adamant about starting school without a boyfriend.

But when the time came for Kimber to leave, we didn’t break up. We both believe this is what our best friend would call a “Jesus thing”.

Kimber was not a religious person when we first met. Early in our relationship, I asked her every week to come to church with me on Sunday, and she refused. As I began to imagine my future with someone not as faithful as I was, I was heartbroken, and I wasn’t sure how I could have a Catholic wedding.

I quietly held back on the topic of church around Kimber and prayed she would one day find her faith on her own. Nearly one year after we started dating, Kimber left for a semester abroad in Ireland. While she was there, she discovered the beauty of religion and changed her perspective on God.

She started going to Mass in Ireland, and when she came home she officially started her journey to become Catholic.

God has a plan for everyone. We just have to be patient.

Throughout our relationship—like any other—we had our ups and downs but never faltered. There was never a time when either of us considered breaking up because we knew we could work through anything with God’s help.

It was with this faith and love for each other that I decided to propose almost four years after our first summer together. With blessings from Kimber’s family, I secretly planned to propose on her capstone presentation day.

Knowing Kimber would be completely focused on preparing for an A+ presentation, I asked Kimber’s roommates to secretly get her “proposal-ready”. I wanted to pop the question on the “island” at Saint Mary’s College. Local legend says if you cross the bridge with the one you love, that is the person you will marry. I had walked Kimber across the bridge a few years before when I knew she was the one. Now I took her across to ask her to marry me.

On an April day, I asked Kimber to be my wife, and she was overcome with emotion. She had no idea how momenotus that day would be.

From the Bride: I became Catholic during my senior year of college, only a couple months before Stephen proposed. During the time leading up to my First Communion and Confirmation, we practiced our faith separately. We would go to church together on the weekends, but Stephen was much more comfortable in his relationship with God, while I was just in the beginning of mine.

I am so grateful Stephen didn’t push me during this time. He let me find the path to God on my own. When he proposed, we agreed it was important to both of us that we get married in the Catholic Church.

So on our wedding day, despite our different relationships with God, Stephen and I truly felt God’s presence together as we became one in flesh and in our faith.

Our wedding Mass was held at the church where Stephen and his family have been parishioners for years. In fact, the priest who gave Stephen his First Communion celebrated it. We were beyond excited when he agreed to officiate our wedding, and the planning truly began.

I went wedding dress shopping with my bridesmaids, mom, and college roommate, Maureen—I really hoped to find my dress that day, because Maureen would be in Ireland on our wedding day. Everyone knew trying to find the dress during the first outing was a large feat, but nearly seven try-ons later, by the grace of God I found the one.

We wanted a reception venue that was industrial and rustic, and the Armory fit our description perfectly. When we booked the place, it was still under construction, but we had faith the owner would finish in time and create a great atmosphere for the reception.

When selecting our vendors, we knew we wanted to provide a fun environment for everyone attending. We agreed that neither of us really wanted cake. So instead of having traditional wedding cake, we served a frozen yogurt bar that allowed guests to create their own desserts.

After all, the first reason we ever ended up together was because Stephen asked me to be his girlfriend on a frozen yogurt cup.

Our DJ stole the show with an awesome set list, and no one wanted to leave at the end of the night. He is a relative of mine, which made the evening even more special.

In the end, our vendors created a wonderful atmosphere, and our guests loved the frozen yogurt bar and photo booth. The pictures from the booth are priceless, and our guests were able to leave with precious memories from the evening.

The following morning as we first awakened as a married couple, we attended Mass at Our Lady of Loretto on Saint Mary’s College campus. The Mass felt strange because although it was normal for us to go there together, were were husband and wife, instead of boyfriend and girlfriend or engaged! It was the perfect way to start our married life.

I am overall grateful that, in the midst of all the planning, Stephen and I participated in a Pre-Cana program with our priest, Father Bob. We were nervous and excited to attend these meetings because we felt so ready to express and live our love for each other.

After that first meeting, all our nerves turned to excitement and a desire to keep moving forward. We wanted to keep learning about ourselves and what marriage meant in the eyes of God.

We talked about the sacredness of the sacrament and how it truly embodies the love between God and his people and the power of prayer as a couple.

Even though these meetings were difficult to attend because we both lived over an hour away with competing schedules, every minute was worth it. We believe Pre-Cana made us a stronger couple, ready for a lifetime together.

As we sit back and think about all the people that were part of our journey and all the chaotic moving pieces of a wedding, we can’t help but think about all the little “Jesus things” that led to us meeting each other, staying together, my conversion, and our perfect wedding day.

October 10, 2018

Finding Your Wedding Style + Planning Your Liturgy: A Look Back on Spoken Bride Weddings

October 10, 2018/ Editor Spoken Bride

Are you recently engaged and just beginning to identify your wedding aesthetic? Did you know Spoken Bride weddings are indexed by color, style, and state?

Click the tags at the bottom of each wedding feature to see similar celebrations. It’s our honor to be invited into the unique, singular beauty of each of our couples’ special days and to share the distinctively Catholic elements that elevate their wedding days and point their guests’ senses heavenward.

Here, a collection of our past features. For our new brides, we hope they help you find your own style and introduce you to some of our incredible couples whom you might not have encountered before. For longtime readers, enjoy this look through the archives! Wherever you’re coming from we desire above all that like us, you’ll take in these stories and step back with nothing but awe, reverence, and gratitude for the Father’s fathomless love for his children.

Cultural traditions

Maria and Santi’s Buenos Aires wedding and bilingual nuptial Mass | Edith and Bomani’s Kenyan Catholic wedding | Elisabeth and Salvador’s El Salvadorian wedding | Lisa and Steve’s elegant resort wedding ,celebrating the bride’s Polish heritage

For the classic bride

Blair and Jordan’s fireside black-tie wedding | Jamie and Seth’s Baltimore wedding with astronomy-inspired details, designed by the bride | Sarah and Christopher’s Kate Spade-inspired wedding | Maggie and Ryan’s walk from literal blindness to true seeing, and their vineyard brunch wedding

Holiday weddings

Emily and Daniël’s Praise and Worship-filled Christmas season wedding | Christina and Kristian’s Austin wedding, with holiday colors and Christmas hymns | Genevieve and Dalton’s festive celebration at Rock ‘N Bowl | Caroline and Matt’s elegant cathedral wedding, rich with family heritage | Kaitlyn and John’s New Year’s wedding in blue, gold, and white | Becca and Phil’s Christmas picnic wedding

For the vintage-lover

Emma and Mark’s 1920s-inspired Arkansas wedding | Ada and Greg’s Texas celebration with her grandmother’s dress and other family heirlooms

Regional-inspired weddings

Fatima and John’s Tuscan-inspired celebration and Italian honeymoon | Brooke and Tim’s taste of Southern Virginia hospitality | Emily and Bradley’s & Katherine and Jonathan’s Louisiana weddings, inspired by French and New Orleans traditions | Erin and Andrew’s relationship guided by Our Lady of Perpetual Help, their Notre Dame Basilica wedding and reception football game | Cynthia and Chad’s Midwestern traditions and the beautiful significance of the Holy Land in their relationship | Sarah and Joseph’s Chesapeake Bay wedding with preppy and nautical details

For the rustic bride

Emily and Ben’s elegant evening on 40 acres of Nashville farmland | Chloe and Joseph’s winter farmhouse weddings and tips for spending as much of your wedding day together as possible | Jamaila and Andy’s NYC courtship and wedding filled with elements from nature

Ever ancient, ever new: unique Catholic devotions

Joan and Matt’s summer wedding, with original music composed by the bride | Kelsey and Jacob’s personal marriage prayer, and tips for writing your own | Susanna and Brad’s vineyard-inspired wedding and reflections on marriage, the priesthood, and religious life | Beth Anne and Tom’s beautiful alternative to a bouquet and garter toss | Robyn and Greg’s Divine Mercy weekend wedding and the role of this devotion in their relationship | Janae and Ryan’s foot-washing during their first look | Rosanna and Matthew’s Norbertine liturgy in English and Latin | Erica and Chris’s decision to say their vows over a crucifix | Laura and Alexandre’s fully sung Mass at a California mission | Bridget and David’s hometown Mass and decision to memorize their vows

For the DIY bride

Angela and Lucas’s farmhouse-chic Indiana wedding | Katherine and Ian’s handmade floral arrangements and reception catered by family | Amy and Jake’s Colorado Springs celebration with hand-lettered details, homemade centerpieces, and a custom crossword

City weddings

Anna and Mike’s Minneapolis nuptials | Maggie and Eric’s downtown Denver wedding | Chelsy and Ben’s portraits at the Washington, D.C. monuments during the Cherry Blossom Festival | Chelsea and Nick’s Pittsburgh black-tie evening

For the boho bride

Kelly and Peter’s high school sweethearts story and outdoor California reception | Heather and Jude’s transatlantic romance and bayside wedding day

Military weddings

Alana and Stephen’s conversion story and Air Force wedding | Hannah and Jared’s sophisticated Pittsburgh wedding, with the groom in Captain’s dress

Special circumstances and non-Roman rites

Andrea and David’s convalidation ceremony and powerful conversion story | Julia and Francis’s Byzantine liturgy | Dominika and Joseph’s & Gabrielle and Vince’s Ordinariate weddings | Victoria and David’s journey of discernment and conversion | Jenna and Michael’s Italian family-style wedding | Heather and Matthew’s witness to divine love’s healing power and their family-centered wedding with their daughters | Ashley and Ashbee’s black and white WVU wedding and advice for accommodating non-Catholic guests

For the romantic bride

Julie and Rudy’s elegant blush wedding and a love story that began in Fatima | Katherine and Dominic’s hometown wedding and rainy night reception | Elise and Hunter’s long-awaited celebration in the Maryland countryside

Feeling a call to share your proposal or wedding day with our community? Submission info can be found here.

Images by Spoken Bride Vendor Horn Photography & Design, seen in Melissa + Antonio | Springtime Ballroom Wedding

September 12, 2018

Victoria + David | Antique Glamour Wedding & a Conversion Story.

September 12, 2018/ Editor Spoken Bride

Victoria and David were a 100% match for religious values on an online dating site. And yet, she was a faithful Catholic who worked for the Church and had spent many years discerning religious life, while he was the minister of a Non-Denominational Evangelical community. Though each wondered if their differences could lead to a successful relationship, they were intrigued by their many similarities, and decided to at least go on a date.

“I thought it would be fascinating to talk about Jesus with a devout, joyful Protestant minister,” says Victoria. “I was right! We had incredible conversations, deep and very spiritually energizing, as one date led to another and another. David's theology seemed very close to Catholicism, and I was surprised how his own study and prayer had led him away from certain doctrines typically associated with Protestantism.

Hesitation took over, however, as their theological differences posed obvious barriers that would make marriage problematic. Victoria and David broke up as the difficulty of how they’d raise future children became increasingly evident.

“We both felt like martyrs,” Victoria says, “laying our growing love for each other at the Lord’s feet in order to be faithful to him.”

She continued to marvel, though, at how wonderfully paired they seemed in every other way. The Lord wasn’t finished working in their relationship.

From the Bride: A short time after our breakup, I contacted David with a high stakes invitation that seemed doomed to fail: perhaps we could date if David earnestly explored the possibility of becoming Catholic.

At first, David rejected the offer as impossible, but later agreed, believing that by seeking the truth we would land on the same page (he was convinced I would become Protestant). He also asked that I pray to see the beauty in Protestant communities. Over the next weeks and months, God did bring us to the same page, and answered both of our prayers!

David’s prayer and study, particularly of the Catechism and the Church Fathers, led him to the decision to enter full communion with the Catholic Church. God had also brought me to see beautiful workings of the Holy Spirit in Protestant communities, and to long even more for the unity of the Church.

We see our marriage as a sort of microcosm of the call to Christian unity. Our relationship is a source of great joy and growth as we are strengthened by the gifts we each bring.

Before meeting, John 17 was a favorite Scripture passage of each of us individually. It contains Christ's prayer to the Father for the unity of all who believe in him: “...that they may be brought to perfection as one…” This passage now has a double meaning for us in marriage as we allow the grace of Christ to make us more perfectly one, as husband and wife. We chose this passage the Gospel reading at our Mass, and David had ut sint consummati in unum engraved in his wedding ring.

David and I are both musicians, so the Nuptial Mass music was a high priority for us. We hired a professional choir and a few instrumentalists. Since David is not accustomed to Latin, we opted to seek out beautiful English settings and pieces. We chose a mixture of motets (including a beautiful Magnificat by Chris Mueller), the Heritage Mass sung in parts, a polyphonic introit, alleluia, and communion antiphon, and several congregational hymns. It turned out gloriously! David and I also made our vows over a crucifix that now hangs in our home.

We’d agreed early in our relationship to save our first kiss on the lips for our wedding day. This decision was always left open to discussion and revisiting if needed, but we continued to discern that we wanted to wait. To be clear, it’s not something we think is necessary for all couples, but it was something we prayerfully determined. Both of us had past relationships in which kissing was permitted, but we now desired to keep this special level of intimacy reserved for a lifelong commitment. We had a very affectionate relationship otherwise, and most people didn’t know this was a choice we had made.

Since some close friends were unable to attend the wedding, we decided to keep our bridal party simple, with one Matron of Honor (my sister) and one Best Man (David's brother). Our beloved nieces and nephews were the flower girls and ring bearers, and one nephew was an altar server.

We wanted the style of the wedding to be floral and antique-inspired, with burgundy, dusty rose, ivory, deep greens, and antique gold. The men’s vests and bow ties were burgundy, with David’s being champagne. My sister wore burgundy and gold.

As for my dress, I’d originally bought a more vintage-looking dress that needed substantial lace additions, but at the last minute, the wrong lace came in and I had to get a back-up dress! My second option was more of a princess style, which I had first avoided, but I couldn’t shake how beautiful I felt in it. By a providential turn of events, I was able to return the first dress and purchase the other for a discounted sample price. It turned out to be lovely and matched our flower girl dresses beautifully.

It was important to us that we honor my mother at the wedding, who passed away 9 years ago. I had a 10th anniversary ring of hers (from the year I was born) made into a cross necklace and into my wedding band. For the bridal procession my uncle (my mom’s brother) processed in holding a rose to represent my mother. At the reception, we also had an “in loving memory” table, and David and I sang a duet in her honor.

We wanted a reception venue with lots of light that was big enough for a larger number of guests. We found a lovely one, where the owner even had a small chapel on the premises with a crucifix and stained glass window of the Wedding at Cana. For our first dance, we had a friend choreograph a waltz to “Clair de Lune.” Other fun details included a singing flash mob David planned with many of his performer friends. It was a medley from Fiddler on the Roof ("Sunrise, Sunset," "Wonder of Wonders," and "To Life L'chaim")! David and his mother also sang Andrea Bocelli's "The Prayer." It was a joyful and entertaining evening.

I look back and reflect on how beautifully marriage is celebrated by the Church, and how even one couple’s marriage is a special blessing to the whole Body of Christ. I was so moved by the way the Church prayed for us in the prayers of our Nuptial Mass, and simply desiring us to be deep vessels to receive all the graces of the sacrament. We were also touched by how our wedding was a source of joy--not only for us but for our friends, family, and even the priests who celebrated the Mass. We now pray for the grace to live our vocation faithfully and grow continually in love for God and one another.

Photography: Stephanie Messick Photography | Church: Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Gainesville, VA | Wedding Reception Venue : Morais Vineyards in Bealeton, VA | Day-of wedding coordinator: MayJune events ; Rings and cross necklace: Yas & Co. Jewelers in Fairfax, VA | Flowers: Bella Floral in Front Royal, VA | Catering: Caroline Street Catering in Fredricksburg, VA | Hair and makeup: Yiselle Santos in Bristow, VA | Cakes: Gateau cakes in Warrenton, VA | DJ: Voss Weddings | Music Conductor/Organist: James Senson from St. John the Beloved in McLean, VA

September 05, 2018

Coleen + Matt | Airy Elegance Wedding

September 05, 2018/ Editor Spoken Bride

Coleen and Matt were friends for a year at Franciscan University before their first date at a coffee shop. After six years of dating that included hours spent at Mass and reading spiritual literature on marriage, Matt invited Coleen on a walk one Sunday morning. On a hilltop, he got down on his knees and asked her to spend forever with him.

From the Photographer: Coleen and Matt’s springtime wedding day was warm and gorgeous, set for three in the afternoon--the hour of mercy--at the Historic St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

They looked so in love and overjoyed during the Mass! Coleen's brother, who is a priest, was the celebrant and delivered a beautiful homily that left us all wanting to hear more--myself included. The bride and groom welcomed their guests to the reception at Mulberry Art Studios in downtown Lancaster. They chose a book theme, with centerpieces that showcased their mutual love for reading. Everything was so intentionally chosen to reflect their personalities.

Instead of a garter toss, Coleen and Matt opted to wash each other's feet as a sign of service to each other. And they got it right. A wedding lasts one day, but a marriage lasts forever; that's only possible when we serve each other.

After the foot washing, all their guests, from kids to elders, got up and danced.

I was emotional countless times throughout the day--it was entirely centered on God. When I saw Matt and Coleen washing each other's feet I could no longer fight back my tears, and I let them stream down. That touched me so deeply, as I had never before seen a bride and groom perform this ritual in person. Such a sign of service and love for the other. A reminder that to have a strong marriage we have to put the other first; serve and love first. Then God himself fulfills our hearts.

June 27, 2018

Ada + Greg | Texas Vintage Wedding

June 27, 2018/ Editor Spoken Bride

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.

April 13, 2018

Vendor Spotlight | Mili's Sweets

April 13, 2018/ Editor Spoken Bride

It’s no small matter that earthly nuptials are likened to the heavenly wedding feast. Like the Mass itself, so many aspects of a couple’s wedding day have a sensory element intended to remind us of the singular, sacred nature of the day: candlelight, your best dress, beautiful music, a delicious meal. Including cake! The bride and groom’s sharing of something indulgent and artfully presented conveys the elevated nature of the day and, if they choose to save a piece for their anniversary, invites remembrance in a tangible way.

Milissa “Mili” Takashima’s son had a severe peanut allergy. Where, in 2010--before the boom of now-ubiquitous allergy-friendly food service--could one find peanut and tree nut-free treats? With the support of friends and family, Mili's amateur love of baking became a professional pursuit in the form of a dessert catering business, and Mili’s Sweets was established.

A former vice president of marketing and public relations for an apparel company and a San Diego State University journalism graduate, Mili’s business savvy and gift for storytelling found their perfect outlet in the wedding industry--a field dedicated to helping couples express their love stories.

Her first year in business, Mili’s Sweets won a Best of San Diego award for its cupcakes, and her orders and client list grew. It’s her Catholic clients whom Mili bonds with in the deepest way, enjoying the opportunity to speak candidly about the beauty and goodness of marriage during their consultations. Some of her brides and grooms have stayed in touch long beyond their wedding days, referring Mili to family and friends and placing orders for baby showers and First Communions.

Starting from day one, all of Mili’s cakes, cupcakes, pastries, and other offerings to her native San Diego area have been peanut and tree-nut free, competitively priced, and crafted in small batches. Today, alongside traditional recipes, Mili offers gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan selections. In addition to baked goods, Mili’s Sweets also provides custom styling and settings for dessert tables.

From Mili: When I consult with my clients, I let them share with me what they are looking for. I don't hold back on my own personal experiences and recommendations too. I don't judge the people I make desserts for--we are all loved and cherished. However, when my clients are Catholic, they tend to know that I am and they make that known in our conversation. When I do retain a wedding client, I hope they think to come to me for their baby shower, their friend's wedding, anniversary, and any of their family's special occasions in the years to come. I've been blessed to make desserts with people throughout their family journeys, and even on through parents and grandparents. Providing such a service to my community is an absolute treasure for me.

Over the years, my hands have made thousands of cupcakes, hundreds of cakes, and many assorted desserts. My most fulfilling work accomplishments have been fundraising for several organizations and charities via my sweets. I do some public fundraising work, as well as other donations at my home parish. One of my greatest joys is making and donating birthday cakes for my friends who are priests. I think of my son possibly becoming a priest one day, and that motherly love for them pours out. They deserve a handmade treat, especially when they give so much for us every day.

Any gifts I have are given by God, and I find fulfillment in using my time to share those gifts.

My favorite place to be is with my husband and our kids at the beach. Our family life is a total team effort, and my own parents have influenced where I am. I loved my dear dad, who recently lost his battle to cancer and was raised as a first-generation American with influence from my mom and her big Italian family. I share my mom’s love of faith, family, food and all things homemade. One day I hope write my parents’ life stories and a cookbook or two.

What I'm offering through my business was given to me as a gift, and I acknowledge that every time I finish a cake. I literally thank our Blessed Mother for helping me when I'm done.

Even after all the experience I have, I still get nervous, because I want everything to be as perfect as possible. The only thing that truly calms me is prayer while I work. I'll pray at least two Rosaries while decorating a cake.

If I know my customer, they will probably be my friend. With that, I try to think of them and their intentions while I work. It calms me and focuses my hand. Non-Catholics would think I was absolutely crazy, and that's all right! I guess it is a little crazy, but prayer works for me and I believe it shines through in my work, which I totally take personally and to heart.

Mili provided desserts and styled the tables in the following images, from Meaghann and Fawaz’s Catholic wedding. Her take on these vintage-inspired details:

Throughout my eight years of professional wedding dessert catering, this reception is one of my all-time favorites. I think it’s because I know and love the bride and groom and their families so dearly. Meghann and Fawaz have been happily married since day one, and their family has since grown to include two beautiful sons. This match is like a dream come true in the eyes of their parents and friends. Their first official date was going to Adoration! Their devoted Catholic parents, on both sides, were just gushing about how true and beautiful this sacred union is, and it’s all so easy to love since they hold a special place in my heart. The reception was truly special , filled with hand-crafted and vintage details.

I set three large dessert tables with plating and vintage linens and tea cups from my personal collection. The wedding cake stood at the center, surrounded by the bride’s vintage glass bottles. All of these pieces were filled with beautiful arrangements by Meghann and Fawaz's florist and friend, Danniel.

The cake was covered in vanilla buttercream and each cake layer was a different combination of cake to include fresh fruit flavors. I arranged flowers to cascade down the cake, along with real lace. My favorite part was the floral and gold cross design I made at the back, where Meghann and Fawaz would be standing for the cake-cutting ceremony.

I had the honor of working with my dear friend Anna of Anna’s Fruit Carvings, a true artist who makes the most gorgeous carved fruits and melons. Her hand-carved watermelon and cantaloupe were the centerpieces for the side table, and made the fresh fruit buffet absolutely stunning.

To the sides of the center cake table were my creme brûlée cupcakes, garnished with fresh raspberries. I styled the additional items, including fresh-cut fruits and family desserts.

Meghann’s mom collected all of the different tea cups and matching saucers and they made planters out of them for the succulent wedding favors. I think what I love about this entire reception is that vintage elements are relevant, classic, and timely all at once.

Photography: Milissa Takashima and George Street Photography | Nuptial Mass or Engagement Location: St. Stephen Roman Catholic Church, Valley Center, California | Reception: Keys Creek Lavender Farm, Valley Center, California | Dessert table catering, setting, styling, + plating: Mili's Sweets | Fruit: Anna's Fruit Carvings, El Cajon, California | Florals: Danniel Cunningham (friend of the bride and groom) | Succulents: The Succulent Source, Valley Center, California

March 14, 2018

Genevieve + Dalton | Holiday Rock 'n' Bowl Wedding

March 14, 2018/ Editor Spoken Bride

Genevieve and Dalton met through mutual friends, in a van on a group trip to Disney World. After a bathroom break, the group members chose new seats. A copy of C.S. Lewis’ The Great Divorce sat on Gen’s new seat and she asked who it belonged to. “This is a great book,” she said.

Dalton’s deep voice answered form the front: “Mine.”

From the Bride: I knew right then that I was in trouble.

Dalton and I were the only two on the trip who drank coffee in the morning. Each day, we walked to the food court alone before going out to the parks with everyone else. One morning, after making small talk while pouring the coffee, I looked at him and impulsively said, “You’re a good human being.” It was a very out-of-character move for my normally introverted self. He looked surprised and embarrassed. I just made this awkward, I thought to myself.

Things were indeed awkward for a while. We got home from the trip and began communicating in typical millennial fashion: over text and Facebook. Our first date was to see a production of The Screwtape Letters.

I learned over time that Dalton was indeed a good human being, perhaps the best I had ever met. He was kind and thoughtful. I never had to wonder if he liked me, or if I might do something to make him suddenly lose interest in me. From the beginning, he made it clear that he dated with the intention of finding someone to marry. I found his openness to be highly attractive, very masculine, and utterly refreshing. We started dating on March 19th, St. Joseph’s feast day. Dalton proposed on my birthday at St. Joseph’s Church, the place we would be married about one year later.

From the Groom: For me, I think it was the Boba Fett headphones Gen was wearing on the way to Disney World that had me smitten when we first met. There's a whole canyon between that first feeling and getting engaged, but in the interest of brevity, I'll just say we had lots of coffee dates and stargazing in my red truck, making it the best seven months of my life to that point.

I was so nervous the day I proposed. My brother was helping me orchestrate everything, and he went to the wrong church. St. Joseph really came through for me. I proposed in front of a statue of him, and the basket of petitions at the statue’s feet gave me a great segue into the proposal. All of my nerves quickly went away after she said yes. (continued below)

Videography: Reed Between the Lens Films

Genevieve: At our rehearsal dinner, I looked around at our family and friends laughing, eating, and talking with one another. Jesus' comparison of the kingdom of God with a wedding banquet suddenly became so real to me, and I was overcome with a desire for heaven.

That joy and peace continued into the day of our wedding. I wore my godmother's Juliet cap, which my grandmother had carefully saved. My mom gave me a pair of opal and blue topaz earrings--my birthstone and Dalton's, respectively. After a beautiful morning spent getting ready with most of the closest women in my life, I arrived at St. Joseph's Church and walked down the aisle to "The King of Love," a song which has been special to me in moments of great joy and of great sadness.

I tried to sing, but I got teary. On my arm, I saw that my dad was teary too (which, of course, made me even weepier.) I also didn't know where to look: at the tabernacle or at Dalton? There was just so much love coming from both places.

Our wedding Mass was a small taste of eternity. We chose familiar, simple Mass parts to encourage our guests to sing. The priests and altar servers were all dear to us, including Fr. Brent Maher, who had been with us on that group Disney trip. Surrounded by our family and friends and in front of God, we said our vows and became husband and wife. Receiving the Eucharist at our wedding Mass was a moment I hope to remember forever. We placed flowers in front of the statues of both Mary and St. Joseph, in the same place Dalton proposed.

Our reception flew by. It was a whirl of dancing, toasting, and red roses. We chose to have our reception at Rock N' Bowl, a New Orleans favorite combining a bowling alley with a live music venue, primarily because we knew how fun it would be. But also because Dalton is a great bowler. Our wedding colors were red, navy, and copper in anticipation of the upcoming holiday season.

I was especially happy with a few particular reception details. The first was a vintage cake topper I found online and re-painted to look like us, Juliet cap and all. The second was a selection of our favorite poems and songs, used as table centerpieces. After our wedding, I arranged all of the papers into a large frame which now hangs over our fireplace.

Our "guestbook" was a Christmas tree covered with wooden ornaments that our guests signed. We now place them on our family tree and pray for our guests as we do so. The cake pulls--a Southern tradition--were small lockets shaped like books. Inside each locket was a quotation about marriage, travel, babies, or friendship.

Dalton's groom's cake was a pile of Mr. Ronnie's Famous Hot Donuts, another Louisiana tradition. Several people confessed to me that they ate one before we did the cake cutting, which, in my opinion, was exactly the right thing to don. The toppers for that "cake" were Superman and Belle, our wannabe alter-egos.

The morning after our wedding, Dalton and I went to Mass and then hopped in the car for another road trip to Disney World. This time was better--it was our honeymoon.

Dalton: The day of our wedding...how can I summarize this in a couple of sentences? I didn't sleep the night before. I picked Gen's brother up from her house where she was getting ready, and I just wanted to run in and grab her and get married already.

Ever since our wedding Mass, I feel like I understand the Eucharist just a little bit more. The sacrificial love of Jesus became even more real that day.

At our reception, I just remember standing in the middle of the dance floor, incredibly happy. It was the best day, but they only get better.

Genevieve: Our wedding was the best day of my life. It’s true that the dress, the dancing, the flowers, the music all helped to contribute to the beauty of the day. But what really made it so wonderful was the glimpse of the eternity it provided. Surrounded by loved ones, full of joy, in front of God--it was a foretaste of heaven. Dalton and I are pilgrims on the road that leads there, bound by the vows that we exchanged on our wedding day. And donuts. There were donuts.

Genevieve's sister, Katherine, also had a beautiful New Orleans wedding! See her celebration here.

May 17, 2017

1940s-Inspired Styled Shoot

May 17, 2017/ Editor Spoken Bride

We're excited to share with you our second styled shoot, photographed by Monica Jazmine of Jazzy Girl Photography and featuring one of our Spoken Bride vendors, Sea and Sun Calligraphy. If you appreciate vintage-inspired weddings, the 1940s, or World War II-era love stories, you'll love this shoot.

Quick engagements and long-awaited marriages were incredibly common following the dark days of World War II. Among those who found love were Rose Del Mese and Joseph Pizzale, both from Upstate New York. The young soldier, newly back from the war, found his future in a dark-haired beauty he called Rosie. They married on November 9, 1945, and were married for more than 60 years.

To honor that marriage, a re-creation of their wedding day was captured by Monica Jazmine of Jazzy Girl Photography. To make the photoshoot even more memorable, Rose’s wedding gown and veil were worn by her granddaughter, Camarie McBride.

The rosary in Camarie's hands symbolizes her prayer life with God and seeking the intercession of the blessed Virgin Mary in her life as as a wife and mother in the Holy Sacrament of marriage. The Annunciation Card a symbol of Rose saying "yes" to her marriage to Joseph, just like Mary said "yes" to God's will in the Annunciation.

All of the vendors involved in the shoot made sure that the details were in keeping with the 1940s theme: florals and table settings were designed by Annette Callari, and the engraved invitations, dinner menus, and hand-calligraphed envelopes bearing stamps from that era (created by Sea and Sun Calligraphy) added to the nostalgia of the shoot.

Our model’s make-up and hair design were done by Trina Vigil of Makeup by TREEVG and truly brought to life the look and emotion of that November day in 1945.

The shoot was a beautiful tribute to an enduring love. Rosie and Joe, no doubt, would be very pleased.

From the photographer: I was so touched when Camarie McBride asked me to photograph this special tribute shoot in honor of her grandparents' love story, celebrating the beauty of their wedding day in 1945. Prepping for the shoot was a dream, as I got to work with Trina Vigil, whose makeup and hair captured the post-War era glamour perfectly.

February 08, 2017

Janae + Ryan | Texan Summer Wedding

February 08, 2017/ Editor Spoken Bride

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.

September 06, 2016

Emma + Mark | Edwardian-Inspired Wedding

September 06, 2016/ Editor Spoken Bride

Emma was living in Philadelphia, waiting out the final week of a six-month online dating subscription on CatholicMatch, when she received a message from a handsome man from New York City. Their first in-person meeting began shortly after, the day Mark stepped off a train into Philly's 30th Street Station. They soon began dating long-distance, and ten months later, Mark got down on one knee in the middle of the station.

From the Bride:

Deciding where to tie the knot was tricky. We’re adopted East Coasters with friends scattered from Pacific to Atlantic. We ultimately chose rural, quirky and historic Eureka Springs, Arkansas--an hour away from my parents--for our semi-destination wedding.

Mark is a convert who was drawn to Catholicism through the beauty of the traditional Latin Mass. Our wedding mass was in English, but we were able to find a schola choir nearby to chant parts of the liturgy in Latin.

The Crescent 1886 Hotel, where we held our reception, claims to be one of the most haunted hotels in America. This was not a deal breaker for us! It happened to be situated within walking distance of a quaint, historic Catholic Church, itself a rarity in the South. We wanted a moody, vintage and romantic feel for our wedding, and the entire area made me think of an Edwardian ghost story come to life.

I was initially afraid planning a wedding out of state would make including personal touches impossible. However, we ended up with more DIY projects than anticipated, and found many ways to reflect our style and talents. Mark and I are both graphic design savvy, for instance, so we created & printed our Save-The-Dates, invitations, programs, place cards and all other wedding signage ourselves.

Antiquing is a passion in my family. Every time I come home to Arkansas, my mother and I scour area junk shops for oil lanterns with hurricanes, antique medicine bottles, and authentic vintage mercury glass. I showcased some of our finds for the reception, and ended up following some online tutorials and creating additional mercury glass votives and vases.

Our wedding favor was a small jar of home-infused mint & blueberry tequila (Combine 4 cups tequila, preferably 100% agave, 2 cups blueberries, and 1/4 cup mint in a sealed container for 4-7 days, then strain). I made something similar as a gift for Mark on our first Valentine’s Day, and home-infusing has since become a bit of a shared passion. We infused & bottled it over the space of a few weeks, assembly line-style, in my kitchen. A caravan of friends driving to the wedding transported the bottles from Philadelphia to Arkansas for us.

Choosing vendors off the internet was a bit challenging, but easier than it could’ve been in the age of video chat and peer-reviews. We went with less traditional retailers for our wedding party’s attire and were pleased with the overall ease and quality. And we hit the jackpot with our photographer, Kinsey Mhire, whom we met in person for the first time on the morning of our wedding!

I found all the tropes and hackneyed sayings people spout about your wedding day to be maddeningly true. It does go fast, you won’t get to spend the quality time with each guest that you might like to, and definitely don’t forget to eat. I woke up early, made some coffee and spent some quiet time on the porch by myself, praying and reflecting about the solemnity of our vows and what lay ahead. I’ll repeat some more tropes and say that the day winds up being special not because of the details you have planned, but because it seals you & your beloved in a covenant.

Photographer's Website : Kinsey Mhire | Nupital Mass or Engagement Location: St. Elizabeth of Hungary Catholic Church | Wedding Reception Venue : The Crescent 1886 Hotel | Rings: Marisa Perry Atelier | Wedding Dress: David’s Bridal | Bridesmaids Dresses: Azazie | Groomsmen’s Suits: The Black Tux | Music: Twin Lakes Radio | Ceremony Music: The Gregorian Schola of St. Joseph Parish | Donuts / Cake: Rick’s Bakery | Day-Of-Coordinator: The Vintage Soul | Invitations & Stationary: Created by the Bride www.emmadallman.com

August 09, 2016

Dominika + Joseph | English Garden-Inspired Wedding

August 09, 2016/ Editor Spoken Bride

When Dominika first spoke to Joseph at a college Christmas party, she immediately fell for the kind, gentle, well-dressed graduate student she'd just met, but he didn't have romance in mind at the time. The following May, Dominika checked out a book from the campus library where Joseph worked, solely with the intention of talking to him more. Soon after, Joseph asked her out to a poetry reading picnic. A woman approached them at the picnic and asked if they were married! At that moment, Joseph thought, "Oh, that I would have such a wife!"

Blog

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

From the Bride:

A soft, light-filled ceremony with vintage details, and a reminder that we hear the Father’s voice most clearly in the quiet and stillness.

From the Photographers:

Cultural traditions

For the classic bride

Holiday weddings

For the vintage-lover

Regional-inspired weddings

For the rustic bride

Ever ancient, ever new: unique Catholic devotions

For the DIY bride

City weddings

For the boho bride

Military weddings

Special circumstances and non-Roman rites

For the romantic bride

Mili provided desserts and styled the tables in the following images, from Meaghann and Fawaz’s Catholic wedding. Her take on these vintage-inspired details:

From the Bride + Groom

From the Bride:

SPOKEN BRIDE