Tracy + Ryan | Cincinnati Cityscape Wedding

A white wedding on an August day. And inside the church, high domed ceilings, a checkered aisle, and a white marble altar painted the background of the liturgy. Bride and groom were married under grand columns of pale blue, before removing to an elegant high rise, where the Cincinnati skyline gleamed through glass windows.  

Tracy and Ryan were married on the Solemnity of the Assumption, to honor their devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. She had helped them navigate the decisions and uncertainty of planning a wedding in a pandemic year. By the time they stood together at the altar, joy, peace, and grace abounded.

From the Bride

Ryan and I met while we were both working in finance at Macy’s, Inc. in downtown Cincinnati. After several years of being coworkers, our friendship slowly grew into something more, and Ryan finally decided to break his rule of “not dating a coworker.” 

Even before we officially dated, Ryan and I had often attended Mass together on Sunday evenings. And we occasionally went to daily Mass during our lunch breaks. When asked what our favorite thing is about each other, we both answer “their Catholic faith” without hesitation.

One overcast and rainy Sunday morning after 9AM Mass, at the church where we would eventually be married, Ryan proposed. I thought we were going to visit a new chapel on the campus of Xavier University, but Ryan took me completely by surprise. Instead of going in, he got down on one knee outside the chapel, and the rest is history.

After that, we did not have the smooth engagement we probably envisioned on the day we were engaged.

For the past two years, Ryan traveled to Chicago every weekend to pursue an MBA at the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business. This left little quality time for us to spend together. And with the pandemic hitting in the spring this year, we were suddenly faced with more adversity than we could have imagined. 

We were also faced with the decision of whether to delay our wedding. Ryan and I prayed the rosary together every day in the month leading up to our decision. With the help of Mary, Undoer of Knots, we ultimately decided to proceed with our nuptial Mass and push our reception to 2021. A small dinner for our family and wedding party was hosted after the liturgy instead. 

Mary’s intercessory power during this time was so great, and we have felt her motherly love continue as we live married life together.

Our wedding was on a bright, sunny, and hot August day in Cincinnati, Ohio. We chose August 15th because it coincided with the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. And we knew we wanted Mary to have a place of honor in the liturgy. 

As we began to plan our wedding, we learned that getting married on a Holy Day of Obligation required us to use the Mass readings for the day, rather than selecting the readings ourselves. When we read the readings for the Assumption, however, we couldn’t have been happier. The Gospel story of the Visitation and Mary’s Magnificat were perfect reminders of the joy we were invited into on our wedding day.

The bridal party and families processed in to “O God Beyond All Praising,” which was the hymn Ryan and I had talked about since before we were even engaged. The lyrics have always been meaningful to us, but they resonated even more in a COVID era: 

“And whether our tomorrows be filled with good or ill, 

We'll triumph through our sorrows and rise to bless you still: 

To marvel at your beauty and glory in your ways, 

And make a joyful duty our sacrifice of praise.”

One special part of the nuptial Mass was the blessing of rosaries, which happened after communion and before our dedication to Mary. I had my grandmother’s crystal rosary blessed, and Ryan had a black beaded rosary. During the blessing, we held our rosaries in each other's hands, while our celebrant took off his stole and wrapped our hands in it. 

After that, we brought flowers to Mary and knelt before her as “Magnificat (All That I Am)” played. It was a beautiful tribute to Our Lady, especially considering her intercession leading up to our day.

Ryan and I are in complete awe at how many of our prayers were answered leading up to our wedding day. From praying to find our spouse to deep anxieties over re-planning our wedding during the pandemic, prayers were answered all at once. It was overwhelming. 

I was particularly anxious that I would feel a sense of nervousness my whole wedding day, but Mary wiped all of that away, and it was replaced with an incredible sense of peace. Instead of anxiety, the entire day was heavenly, and we are joyfully discovering the depth of God’s grace we received through the sacrament.

It’s the same depth and beauty of grace he offers to every couple who say their wedding vows with God as their witness and their support.

Photographer: AJ Studio Photography by Angela & Jaime | Nuptial Mass Location: Saint Francis Xavier Church | Engagement Location: Our Lady of Peace Chapel at Xavier University | Wedding Reception Venue: The View | Proposal Photographer: Emily Antonelli Photography | Rings: Eddie Lane’s Diamond Showroom | Flowers: Lutz Flowers | Invitations: Kahny Printing, Inc. | Caterer: Funky’s | Bride’s Dress: Anne Barge (purchased from Kelly Hill at Cincy Bridal/Lace Bridal) | Brides Alterations: A Fit of Perfection (Gerri Taker) | Tuxedos: Folchi’s | Cake: Cakes and Pastries by George | Hair: Monica Rizzo and Serenity Rose | Dinner Music: Greg Lee | Church Music: Simply Strings (Larry and Hildy Bonhaus), Dr. Mark Bailey (organ), Katherine Jennings (cantor), Matthew Anklan (trumpet) | Transportation: Jimmy’s Limousine Service | Bridesmaids Dresses: Morilee (purchased at Bridal and Formal) | Videographer: Studio58

Siobhan + Michael | Fairytale Christmastide Castle Wedding

A Christmastide nuptial Mass in the decorated church of the grand Basilica of St. John the Evangelist. Poinsettias and evergreen firs lined the sanctuary, crowned with a high-domed ceiling, stained glass windows, and gilt columns of gold. Later, carried into their “happily ever after” by a Cinderella carriage, the bride and groom celebrated their marriage in a fairytale castle ballroom.

It could be said that Our Lady Star of the Sea guided Siobhan and Michael through calm and stormy waters to the altar, where they exchanged their wedding vows. Looking back, Siobhan calls Michael her “miracle,” and reflects on their path from meeting at college through his proposal and their wedding—five years later.

From the Bride

I once told my husband that if our child ever asks how I know God exists, I’ll tell her: “because he gave me your father.” 

Christ’s hand in my relationship with Michael was clear almost from the start. We met a few days after I arrived at Thomas Aquinas College; he was a senior, and I was a freshman. And within ten days, we were dating. 

I can remember sitting next to him in the chapel praying a rosary. I was anxious, because it was clear that he really loved me, and while I knew I liked him a lot, I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to return his love. So I asked Our Lady to help me love him, and within days, there was no doubt in my mind that this was the real thing. Through that experience, I came to understand that love is truly a gift from God.

Given our hasty entry into dating, it might seem surprising that our wedding took place more than five years later. Our relationship hit some snags along the way. For a year, we actually went through a painful breakup. The suffering I experienced during that time was like nothing I’d ever felt, but in hindsight, I see how God was using that year to heal us and prepare us for marriage. 

I struggled to let go of my own desire to be with Mike and to accept God’s will. About a year after we broke up, I had a profound experience of surrendering to God’s will. The next morning, I unexpectedly ran into Michael, and God took care of the rest. Humanly speaking, our relationship was hopeless, but the Lord took us in our woundedness and brought us closer together. 

Later, Michael proposed on a tower overlooking the beautiful city of Prague in January 2019, and we were married in December that same year. Now, when I look at my husband, I know he is my miracle.

Throughout it all, God has consistently been with us and shown us his merciful love, and many angels and saints have played a part in our journey. Our Lady Star of the Sea, however, has guided us in a particular way. 

When Michael and I were apart, I developed a deep devotion to Our Lady under this title. I was inspired to tell her that, if she answered my prayer for a husband and family, I would name my first daughter Maris Stella in her honor. After we were engaged, I told Mike this story, and he suggested entrusting our marriage to Our Lady Star of the Sea. 

As I write this, God continues to show us his goodness—we are eagerly awaiting little Maris Stella’s arrival!

We wanted our wedding to be truly magnificent—to shower our guests with a sense of God’s infinite love. Many of our family and friends were not Catholic or even Christian, so we saw our wedding as an opportunity to share the beauty of our faith. Most importantly, we wanted to show beauty through the nuptial Mass, but also in tiny, intentional details throughout the day. 

I’ve always been a hopeless romantic and a lover of fairy tales (as is my husband, to some extent), but I didn’t want a full-on fairytale themed wedding. Instead, we decided to include elements of the classic stories we loved and elements from the winter/Christmas season and the traditions of our Catholic faith.

The story of finding my wedding dress was providential. My appointment for dress shopping fell on the feast of St. Joseph, and I prayed a nine-day novena to him leading up to it, asking him to help me find the right dress. When we arrived at the store, we chose several gowns to try on, but the first one I put on was perfect. It was like it had been made for me. 

I can’t help but think that St. Joseph had a hand in this—although I imagine he was perplexed by my request and consulted Our Lady for fashion advice!

Our nuptial Mass was held at the Basilica of St. John the Evangelist in my hometown of Stamford, Connecticut. We wanted the liturgy to be accessible to all our guests, but also to convey some of the grandeur and mystery of the Latin Mass. So we opted for a Novus Ordo liturgy with music in Latin. 

For the Mass parts we chose Byrd’s Mass for Three Voices, and during the presentation of flowers to Our Lady, my college suitemates chanted the Ave Maris Stella—the perfect way to incorporate our devotion to Our Lady Star of the Sea. The Mass was celebrated by Fr. Peter Smolyk, a wonderful priest and the pastor at my family’s parish, but was con-celebrated by two other priests who have played important roles in our lives. 

Some of my memories of our nuptial Mass are a blur, but certain moments stand out: walking down the aisle with my father; gazing on the tabernacle with a statue of the newborn Christ child just above it; choking back tears as I recited my vows; looking back at my dear friend and maid of honor for reassurance; and leading the congregation in reciting the Litany of Trust, one of our favorite prayers.

Our reception was held at Whitby Castle in Rye, New York, the perfect setting for a fairytale wedding. Ever since I was little, I have loved the story of Cinderella, and in some ways I think my first ideas about married love were formed while watching Disney movies. 

The final scene of the Disney movie (where we see Cinderella and Prince Charming kiss through the rear window of their carriage) made a huge impact on me as a child. 

When I learned of a local company that rented Cinderella carriages, I couldn’t resist! Aside from capturing the perfect photo in the carriage, the best part was watching the children riding in the carriage after we made our grand entrance.

The reception itself included treasured traditions and special moments. For me, our first dance carried deep significance. When Mike and I first met, he invited me to go waltzing with him (a Friday-evening tradition at our alma mater), so a waltz as our first dance seemed fitting. I am also grateful that I was able to have a father-daughter dance. At the time of our wedding, my dad had been struggling with a knee injury, and I suspect only his determination and God’s providence allowed him to dance with me! 

Later in the evening, all the guests gathered on the floor for an Irish ceili, or group dance, in honor of our Irish heritage. Afterwards, Michael serenaded me with a song (partly) of his own composition. On our first date, he sang me the Irish ballad “Red is the Rose,” and it quickly became “our song.” The final verse is tragic, however, and for years Mike promised to write me a new ending. At our wedding reception, he finally debuted the full song for me, happy ending and all. 

Lastly, our cake was truly a dream come true. When I was about 4 years old, I began collecting antique wedding cake toppers, and my collection now includes roughly 75! Our cake was crowned by my favorite set of toppers: a circa 1950’s set including not only a bride and groom, but a Catholic altar, a priest, and the wedding party.

Through the gift of my wedding day, God taught me that his grace is so much more powerful than our thoughts and emotions. 

I wish I could say that I felt calm and at peace, but at times quite the opposite was true, especially leading up to our vows. At almost the moment I reached the altar, I was overtaken by anxiety and fear of entering into the sacrament. I think it was the devil’s last attempt to keep Mike and me apart. Throughout the Liturgy of the Word, I struggled to remain calm and trust in the Lord. To be honest, this feeling of anxiety didn’t fully resolve until much later in the day.

Imagine my surprise when we received the wedding photos and video. Throughout the day, I was smiling—not the “performance” smile I put on for photographs, but a real smile that radiates a profound joy. 

Yes, I can see that I was choking back tears during our vows, but they were more than tears of apprehension. They were tears of a young woman who was knowingly joining her cross to that of her husband, understanding that we would suffer together, but accepting that suffering with God’s help. 

In those photos and videos, I can see the grace of the sacrament shining through, and I realize that God was working in me on a much deeper level than I realized in the moment. He has shown me that whatever I’m feeling isn’t the full story of how he’s working miracles in my heart. It’s possible to be filled with his joy and peace even as we struggle with our human weakness.

Photographer: Emma Dallman Photography | Nuptial Mass or Engagement Location: Basilica of St. John the Evangelist | Reception Venue : Whitby Castle | Videographer: Chari Films | Bride’s necklaces: Stella and Tide | Flowers: Hansen’s Flower Shop | Cake: Lulu | Rings: Shane Co. | Bride’s shoes: Rachel Simpson | Bride’s dress + Veil: Kleinfeld | Invitations: Minted | Custom prayer cards: original artwork by Margaret Youngblood, printed by CatholicPrayerCards.org | Hair (Bride and Maid of Honor): Maria Livesay Salon Carriage: Regal Carriage Inc.

Anna + Patrick | Pennsylvania Country Club Wedding

Anna and Patrick walked together with the intercession of their patron saints through the journey of dating, engagement, and their wedding day. Although the path was not always easy, they trusted in God’s providence and found strength in his love.

Their simple but incredibly elegant wedding overlooked the green Overbrook golf course from a vintage country club in Pennsylvania, a location where other family members celebrated their wedding days as well. It was something very meaningful, a theme that Anna strove to incorporate into even the littlest details.

From the Bride: Patrick is the brother of one of my good friends from Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio, and his sister set us up. We started dating the summer after college, once we were back in the Philadelphia area where both our families live. The first time we hung out as friends was at a Dave Matthews concert--music has always been a common love for us--and a few weeks later Patrick asked me out on a date. The rest is history! We dated for about three years, and then he popped the question. A year after that we were married. 

Throughout our relationship, Patrick and I prayed about our future together. We both have strong devotions to St. Joseph and the rosary, so those were two spiritual constants as we dated. During engagement we cultivated devotions to St. Cecilia and St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows, because they kept popping up everywhere in random ways. 

Saints Cecilia and Gabriel were the only two saints painted on the ceiling of the church where we got married, though we didn't know it at the time. Was it a coincidence? I think not! 

Eucharistic adoration also became something more important to us as we prepared for our wedding. We felt we needed the extra grace, as engagement proved to be challenging. There was a lot of waiting and trusting in God that stretched us in uncomfortable ways, and this experience was true during most of our dating as well. And yet, God’s hand guided us the whole time, and we see his providence in many ways when we look back.

Our wedding ceremony was something we spent a lot of time planning. Choosing the readings, music, and all the parts of the ceremony that best represented how we wanted to honor God was important to us. Patrick and I wanted to create a beautiful wedding liturgy for our guests. 

Our nuptial Mass was more traditional, with classic music selections such as "Be Thou My Vision," and we splurged to hire a violinist, an instrument we both adore. This was also a nod to St. Cecilia, patroness of musicians, on whose feast day we unknowingly started dating. The presiding priest was a good friend of ours who was newly ordained that past June. He was so intentional and detail-oriented, especially in his homily, which was filled with his words of wisdom and humor. 

The general aesthetic of the day was simple, classy, and meaningful. Beauty is very important to me, as well as incorporating meaning and intention in every detail--I’m a true melancholic at heart! Some of my favorite things from my wedding day were wearing my mother's beautiful, 40-year-old veil with lace appliques, the bride and bridesmaid bouquets with all my favorite flowers, my pearl rosary from Lourdes, France wrapped around my bouquet (which was given to me from a dear friend when we volunteered there), and the pearl and turquoise bracelet I wore with a St. Therese medal attached. The bracelet was my maternal grandmother’s, and the St. Therese medal was my paternal grandmother’s. I have always shared a love for St. Therese with my grandmother. 

I wasn't planning on incorporating all these things initially. I didn't have them all at the beginning of engagement, and I didn’t think of myself as particularly sentimental, but everything aligned perfectly. Once I realized the meaning behind the items, they were incredibly special to me. I felt I was honoring them and the stories they represented. 

Another meaningful element was our reception venue, which was the same venue my sister had for her wedding as well as my parents many years ago! Not only is the location gorgeous and elegant with its old-world, slight “Great Gatsby” charm, but it has become a family tradition, and that made it all the more fun. 

Our wedding day was an absolute blast. In so many ways, it took us four years of hard work to arrive at the start of our marriage, but Patrick and I couldn't have asked for a better kick-off.

From the Photographer: Anna and Patrick's wedding day was an elegant, simple affair with a 20s vibe. From the details that Anna chose to wear: her mother's wedding veil and vintage pearl earrings, to the careful thought and attention they put into selections for their nuptial Mass, it was clear the most important celebration to them was their love for each other, their families, and God. It was such a joy and honor to be welcomed into their day and granted the privilege of documenting their wedding.

Photography: Mary Katherine Photography | Church: Our Lady of the Assumption, Strafford PA | Wedding Reception Venue : Overbrook Golf Club, Villanova PA | VIDEOGRAPHER : A close friend! | DJ: Schaffer Sound Disc Jockey’s | FLORIST: Ambler Flower Shop | Hair & Make-up: The Finishing Touch | CAKE: Nothing Bundt Cake | DRESS: David’s Bridal | BRIDESMAID’S DRESSES: Azazie | GROOMSMEN ATTIRE: The Black Tux | INVITATIONS: Minted

Elisabeth + Salvador | Central American Destination Wedding

Elisabeth and Salvador's first meeting was straight out of a romantic comedy. They were both using the same language-learning website: Elisabeth wanted to learn Spanish and Salvador, who is from El Salvador, wanted to learn English. After connecting online, they developed a friendship that eventually led to an in-person meeting in Elisabeth's home state of California. "The day we met, we knew we were soulmates," says Elisabeth. "He asked me out the next day, and we were engaged seven months later."  After months of long distance engagement, the couple were married in El Salvador on August 13, 2016. 

In Elisabeth's words: Our wedding was simple yet beautiful. We were married in the rural parish that my husband's grandfather helped build. It was dedicated to and named for Our Lady of Guadalupe. The readings were chosen with care, as we wanted them to reflect our relationship. The second reading, 1 Corinthians 13: 1- 8, has always one of my favorite passages of Scripture, so I was happy we could include it in our wedding Mass.

Since we were married in El Salvador, during our ceremony, we made sure to do the traditional lasso cord as a symbol of our unity for life. We also exchanged arras (coins), which is also a tradition at Salvadoran weddings.

My dress was a lace and tulle mermaid-style dress, with elegant detailing at the top. I fell in love with the dress the moment I laid eyes on it, as it was unlike any other dress I had seen.

Our reception was across the street from the church at my husband's family hacienda. Delicious Latin food was served and we danced to "At Last" by Celine Dion to celebrate that the wait and distance was finally over!  A huge downpour of rain and thunder came and went during the middle of our reception - typical weather in El Salvador! It was a most blessed and unforgettable day.

Elisabeth's spiritual takeaway: When you put Christ at the center of your relationship, it will show through on your wedding day.

Photography: Rorellana Photography  | Church: Our Lady of Guadalupe, El Salvador | Reception - Groom's Family Home |  Wedding Dress & Shoes: David's Bridal

Edith + Bomani | Kenyan Catholic Wedding

Edith and Bomani met in 2008 at Edith's workplace in Kenya and it was love at first sight. They had a long distance relationship for many years, and spent hours talking on Skype and the phone. Throughout their relationship, it was evident that Edith and Bomani were meant to be together. From thousands of miles away, Bomani wooed Edith; Bomani sent Edith flowers and gifts, and would surprise her with occasional visits.

A few years later, they reached a turning point in their lives and had to prayerfully consider the direction in which their courtship was going. They turned to Jesus through the intercession of St. Faustina, the patron Saint of their relationship, and her famous prayer: "Jesus, I trust in You." It was a prayer of intense and complete surrender, difficult to say and even harder to live by, but Edith and Bomani knew deep down that God had a plan for their lives together. And despite some scary moments in their families, it came to pass. Bomani came to Kenya and asked for Edith's hand in marriage. She moved to the United States and they got married in a joyous nupital Mass celebration at St. Ann's Roman Catholic Church in Arlington, VA. 
 

 "When you make God your first person to talk to each and every morning, He protects you from all odds since He owns your life." --Edith

From the photographer: The Wedding Mass of Edith and Bomani was unlike any Mass I have ever witnessed. It was vibrant, celebratory, and full of joy! After making a reverent sign of the Cross and blessing themselves with Holy Water, the groom and wedding party danced their way up the aisle to the front of the sanctuary. The music was a combination of Kenyan Gospel music and Afro-Carribean beats. Since her parents could not be with her on her wedding day (as they live in Kenya), Edith took one emotional walk down the aisle and her Aunt gave her away to Bomani.

After the readings, saying their vows, the sign of peace, Holy Communion (which was not photographed per the Bride and Groom's request), the young Priest presiding over the Mass declared that today was not only a celebration for Edith and Bomani, but also a celebration of the guests' milestones. He asked if anyone was celebrating an anniversary, engagement, birthday, baptism during the month of August, and when we raised our hands (I raised my hand because my birthday was just one week prior to that celebration), the music played and everyone cheered. You could not help but be overwhelmed with tears of joy and laughter! 

The attire the wedding guests was also unique in that it was "white-on-white", both a timeless and seasonably appropriate color for a late summer Afro-Caribbean wedding. Edith had a traditional wedding dress on during the ceremony while Bomani had a traditional Kenyan wedding suit on. At the reception, both Edith and Bomani changed into a more casual traditional Kenyan outfit (black with bold reds, greens and gold patterns) and that contrasted nicely with the white dresses and suits of the wedding guests. 

The wedding reception took place at an historic boutique hotel in Old Town Alexandria, VA, which is a mix of contemporary and colonial decor.The ballroom was the perfect location for a small intimate wedding of 50 people. 

After the bride and groom made their grand entrance (dancing, of course!), they participated in a variety of wedding reception activities, such as cutting and serving each other the delicious 3-tier wedding cake, listening to speeches and well wishes from family and friends, and giving their own speech of thanksgiving and gratitude to their guests and the traditional gift giving ceremony. In Kenya, it is a tradition to not only receive gifts for their wedding, but also to give gifts to each guest that attends the wedding. As the music played, the couple and their guests danced together before posing for a picture and giving each guest their gift. 

This wedding also featured one of the best grand finale photo moments of any wedding I have photographed thus far. We used the curved staircase of the Morrison House Hotel and had everyone go outside for a photo opt: first a traditional/editorial pose and lastly, the "scream and shout" pose where Edith and Bomani shared one of their first kisses (dressed in traditional Kenyan colors) and as Mr. and Mrs. while the wedding guests (wearing white) cheered on!

What is your spiritual takeaway from this wedding? From a vendor's perspective, this wedding brought tears to my eyes. It was encouraging for me to see the diversity within the Catholicism that comes from cultures in the developing world and that it is a gift to share in these traditions. Though we are so different in many ways, we are one Body in Christ and that is something to celebrate and treasure. Edith and Bomani's journey of faith and love also showed me that when you truly surrender your life to Jesus, in whatever vocation you might find yourself in, all things are possible in His perfect time. And when all else fails? Just dance, and make a joyful noise unto the Lord! 

Photography: Laurentina Photography | Church: St. Ann Roman Catholic Church - Arlington, VA | Flowers: Flowers with Love, Arlington, VA  | Cake: Heidelberg Pastry Shoppe, Arlington, VA | Reception & Catering: The Morrison House Hotel, Alexandria, VA

Emily + Ben | Rustic Elegance Wedding

Emily and Ben met as teammates during both of their first years as FOCUS missionaries. Unlike most missionaries, who begin serving on campuses right after graduating college, the two of them had both worked outside of the Church for a few years before entering the organization. It wasn’t exactly love at first sight; in fact, they didn’t get along too well at all.

The Father had something else in mind.

From the Bride: Ben and I both came in with more life experience, more years in age and wisdom, and more ego than your average FOCUS first-year. We come from very different backgrounds. He was a Southern boy through and through who was raised in a beautiful, devout Catholic family.   Although he has a loud personality and rebellious heart, he has always known who his Father is and obediently subjects himself to God’s will.  

For many years, I, on the other hand, considered myself an independent, motivated woman. I fell into a lazy atheism for a number of years during my college days in California.

After a radical conversion back home to the Catholic Church and into the arms of Jesus, I thought I knew best about how to evangelize our future leaders on the college campus. The funny thing is, so did Ben.  And that is how our story begins.

I could go on and on about our many quibbles or how uncomfortable we made our teammates during meetings when we both fought over who would be “highest on the hill,” or about the time our Chaplain sat us both down for an intervention on how to get along. You’re probably wondering how I got to the point of marrying this man whom I severely struggled to even be around for longer than a few minutes.

Well, that started when Ben asked our team to make our beds as an offering for his sanctity. I committed to a week. Only God knew it would be for the rest of my life. Every morning, first thing, I’d make my bed and offer a prayer for Ben O’Neill, “that he become a holy man…and maybe lose the ego…and that he finally learn that he’s actually wrong and that I’m actually right…and that maybe, just maybe, I don’t even have to see him today…thanks, Lord.” That was how it started but soon my thoughts turned a little more holy and I began to sincerely pray for Ben, my brother. I prayed that he fall deeply in love with Jesus Christ, that he become the best son, husband, and father he was created to be, and that he would be welcomed into heaven. I prayed he would teach me how to be as disciplined as he was and that I would learn to love him better even when it’s really difficult. I think you know where this is going.

Be careful what you ask of the Father, because he will give it in generous abundance! I continued praying every morning for Ben. The Lord not only worked in transforming Ben’s heart, but mine, as well.

By the end of the school year we had learned how to work together, and it was pretty evident that our mutual dislike had been redeemed into a full-fledged attraction.  We had grown to love one another sacrificially; to really desire the good of the other.

From the Groom: That summer, we began a long-distance relationship when Emily was sent to serve at a university in California, while I stayed back with our team in Alabama, at the school where we met. By February we were engaged and by August of that same year, we were married.

Emily and I often laugh when we look back on our story. Our quarrels didn’t stop throughout our dating and engagement, but it’s funny how God used each of our faults to sharpen the other in sacrificial love. It’s like God collided two rough, unpolished blocks of marble with impeccable precision, such that we walked away as two idyllic statues. Each of our gifts became a healing balm for the other’s weakness and wounds.

People know I’ve changed from who I used to be, and they might think Emily loves me because I’ve changed. The reality is that Emily’s love is what transformed me. It’s precisely her love and forgiveness, in times when I was most undeserving of them, during our courtship that healed me and set me free. I need Emily. Her love makes up for my weakness, and mine does the same for her.

It’s amazing how God has designed marriage for the salvation of the spouses: you have the choice to either close in on your selfish tendencies, refuse to serve each other and end up broken and alone. Or you can choose to learn how to place the other first, to serve each other in sacrifice and find happiness. The choice is our own.

Emily and I long to choose the latter, and we are so excited to let our love and our marriage--faults included--be an instrument in God’s hands, a reflection of his very own sacrifice.

Our wedding was not for us.

Christian marriage is a sacrament administered from each couple for the good of the Church. We wanted our wedding to reveal the mystery to which it is directed: the marriage of Jesus Christ, and his Church. Many non-Catholics and non-Christians attended, so we wanted to make our wedding beautiful for their sake. We hoped to inspire many to open up their hearts to receive the gift of the Bridegroom for themselves.

Emily was fully on board. She surprised me when she decided her bridesmaids should all wear white! She wanted to reveal that she was not the only bride in attendance, but that Jesus Christ longs to give himself fully to each one of us as his betrothed.

For our Gospel reading we chose John 14:1-21, which uses the same language as an ancient Jewish proposal. Jesus says to his disciples, “My Father’s house has many rooms. I go to prepare a place for you… I will come back to you and bring you to myself.” In ancient Judaism, a man would propose to a woman by offering her to drink from a chalice of wine. If she accepted his invitation she would take the chalice and drink. Then the man would leave and go to where he lived at his father’s house. He, his brothers, and his father would literally build a new room onto their house where the new married couple would live. Once the room was prepared, the man could return to his betrothed and the wedding feast could begin.

This is the invitation Jesus offers each of us. At every mass, through the priest, Jesus lifts up a chalice and proposes to his Church once again. The voice of the Bridegroom speaks: “This is my body, given for you.”

Do you accept his proposal? “Behold, I will allure her and bring her into the wilderness, and speak tenderly to her, says the Lord… I will espouse you forever. I will espouse you in righteousness and in justice, in steadfast love and in mercy”  (Hosea 2:14,19)

From the Photographer: The Mass was the core of Emily and Ben’s day. They had a beautiful liturgy at the Church of the Assumption in Nashville. Prior to the Mass, the bridal party and family members prayed over Ben and Emily. The Mass itself was deeply prayerful, charismatic, and joyful. Near the end, Emily and Ben departed from the usual tradition of the couple giving flowers to Our Lady. Ben and the groomsmen went and prayed before St. Joseph. Emily and the bridesmaids went and prayed before Our Lady. They then returned to stand before the cross for the final blessing.

After the Mass, the bride and groom retreated briefly to a little ballroom above the church hall, where they had their first dance alone as husband and wife. This gallery I includes one of my favorite silhouette shots of them dancing in the window-lit room. From there they went on to Drakewood Farm, a gorgeous, rustic barn and farmhouse set on over 40 acres.

The details of the day, from the flowers to the unique crystal at every table, were stunning. Since Emily and Ben have been serving across the United States through their work with FOCUS, their wedding was full of students whose lives they've impacted. The dance floor was alive as hundreds of their friends and students celebrated into the night. Before making a grand sparkler exit to their getaway car, the entire reception gathered around and prayed over Emily and Ben to send off the newlyweds in prayer.

As a vendor who’s photographed many Catholic and non-Catholic weddings, it was so beautiful to see how Emily and Ben put their faith at the center of almost every moment of their day. They placed their love for God and sense of mission above themselves, and I think it served as a testimony to their many guests. And as married photographers who originally met at Franciscan University a decade ago it was really fun for my wife and I to document and tell the story of such a faith-filled wedding. Emily and Ben are just amazingly gracious people, so working with them was a blast.

Photography: An Endless Pursuit | Church: Church of the Assumption - Nashville, Tennessee | Reception Venue + Cake + Flowers + DJ: Drakewood Farm 

Kate + Adam | Winter Garden-Inspired Wedding

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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