Melissa + Santiago | Intimate Maryland Pandemic Wedding

An intimate wedding garnished with red and white roses and a romantic simplicity that highlighted the love between husband and wife.

Melissa and Santiago’s wedding was not the grand affair they had originally envisioned. A couple months before their nuptials, an unforeseen global pandemic, and the social restrictions that followed, forced them into a place of discernment and uncertainty. 

In a tremendous act of trust, they placed their wedding into the hands of the Father, and in the end, Melissa says “we rejoiced in the simplicity of our small and intimate wedding day.” 

From the Bride: 

Growing up as a child of divorce, the vision I inherited of marriage was very different from that of the children I knew whose parents were married. I grew up in two separate households, seeing my dad on the weekends and having a full-time mom. 

Throughout the years I faced various obstacles and challenges, but I’m thankful my mom was faithful to her Catholic roots and instilled many Catholic values into my upbringing. One thing was certain, if I ever entered the sacrament of marriage, I knew I didn’t want to put myself or my children through a divorce.  

Related: Embracing Marriage as a Child of Divorce

I had long started my journey of healing past wounds when I met Santiago, and I actually thought I was doing pretty great. I realized, however, that God continually challenges us to grow and purify ourselves. A few months after our engagement, my mom encouraged me to attend a retreat for Adult Children of Divorce. The retreat was a huge blessing for Santiago and I. It was there, after more than a decade, that I was reunited with Fr. Dan Leary, a priest from my adolescent youth group. Fr. Dan quickly became an integral part of preparing Santiago and I for marriage. 

At the beginning of quarantine, we were hopeful things would get better. As we got closer to the wedding date, we realized our plans would have to change. The more we were stripped of the worldly desires we envisioned for our wedding, the closer we were drawn to surrender and trust. 

Those days were a purification process similar to the earlier stages of our marital preparation. Santiago and I grew even closer during this season as we discerned whether to postpone or keep our wedding date. I went through every stage of grief and was on a roller coaster of emotions, but these moments called me back to the sacrament of confession (thank God for drive-in confessions!) and to cling on to prayer. 

As we grappled with the idea of having to postpone, God redirected our focus to the core of what brought us together in the first place: keeping God at the center of our lives. Despite the circumstances and tremendous change of plans, we rejoiced in the simplicity of our small and intimate wedding day. 

In retrospect, attending that retreat was truly Divine Providence. The first time we asked Fr. Dan to officiate our wedding, he was already booked for May 16th. After the unexpected turn of events, we celebrated the sacrament of marriage at his parish with him as our officiant (he also  photobombed our pre-wedding prayer picture). 

As he said during our wedding homily, “It’s a perfect day to get married in the midst of a virus. Why? Because what overcomes the virus is love. What’s crippling so many people is fear. They’re afraid, but when you see love it reminds you that it is the only thing that lasts. God does not identify himself as fear. He identifies himself as Love, and the only emotion, the only virtue, the only reality that exists at the end of time, when you are before God, will be one thing: love. You’re injecting love into a culture that’s afraid. You’re injecting love into people that need to see it.”

We’re living in very heart-wrenching times. And yet God is present in our pain, in our sufferings, and in our brokenness. He calls us to seek and find him in these moments. He calls us to not lose faith and to trust in his plans, for they are far greater than ours. 

There is growth to be found in every season of life, and through it all God knows what he’s preparing us for.   

Maryellen + Sean | Classic Midwest Wedding

Gorgeous blue and white textures celebrate a love that blooms outward in service, thanksgiving, community, and self-gift.

Before ever meeting, Maryellen and Sean had both come to a point of accepting God’s call to the vocation of marriage. “We knew that God was preparing each of us for our future spouse. We still knew we had to take an active role in God’s plan, but he was going to take the lead,” says Maryellen.

Their first date began with attending Mass together. From that point forward, Maryellen and Sean made efforts to keep prayer a foundational part of their relationship by attending daily Mass and praying regular novenas for various feasts and intentions.

It makes sense, then, that Sean’s proposal was also rooted in prayer. On the final day of a novena for marriage and family, on the Feast of Our Lady’s Nativity, Maryellen and Sean prayed the Stations of the Cross. At the Twelfth Station--Jesus dies on the Cross--Sean got down on one knee.

From the Bride:

Throughout our engagement we made an intentional effort to receive the sacrament of reconciliation once a month and continued our practice of daily Mass attendance and regular novena prayers. We also found a great blessing in the many beautiful models of Christian love in our family, friends, and especially the saints. Our intercessory prayer found a particular home in devotions to St. Joseph, Sts. Anne and Joachim, and St. Angela. To this day they remain steadfast companions, more so than we will ever understand in this life.

Our wedding day can be summarized in three words: joy, love, and laughter. The nuptial Mass was the beginning, and the core, of the festivities. 

We chose to invite everyone in our parish to the Mass, in addition to our other close friends and family; it was truly beautiful and moving seeing so many come together to share in the celebration of our love.

When choosing the readings for the Mass, we prayed God would lead us to the passages that embodied a sense of living for others. We chose the Gospel passage from John that speaks of Christ asking his Father to make the love of his followers full and complete. 

Knowing how much we have been formed by our own families in which we are a part, we know that the love that we share will not be complete unless it is lived out in service of God’s people. 

We took a similar approach to the song selections. In particular, our offertory hymn was chosen to honor the memory of a friend who has truly found this fullness of love. The Mass closed with “O God Beyond All Praising.”

Our celebrant, Fr. Kevin, spoke beautifully about the journey we had been on together and the journey that still lay ahead. Near the end of his homily, he told us to deliberately look out at the congregation, inviting us to look upon the faces of all those who had come together to celebrate and share in our joy.

We were overwhelmed by the love present in that moment, in that space, and were brought to tears even before the time came for us to profess our vows. 

The vows, of course, were a highlight of not just the Mass but the whole day. As we committed our lives to one another before our families, friends, and the Lord, we knew we’d never be alone in the many joys and trials to come. It’s hard to accurately describe the all-embracing love we experienced in that moment, both from those physically present and those with us in prayer. 

After receiving Communion together for the first time as husband and wife, we presented flowers to Mary and Joseph. The Holy Family has been a powerful example for us, so it only felt right to devote our marriage to their intercession. 

Just days before the wedding, one of the bridesmaids had a family emergency and was not able to attend. We presented her bouquet to Mary and Joseph during the Mass, not only for our devotion but also to ask for their intercession in our dear friend’s trials and heartbreak.

We were so overwhelmed with the beauty and joy of the Mass that it almost surprised us to remember we still had a party to attend! Moments before we walked into the reception hall the DJ cranked “On Top of the World” by Imagine Dragons and called everyone to their feet. As we entered, hand-in-hand, the room flooded with joy and excitement. Tears came once again. 

The joy continued with phenomenal toasts by the best man, maid of honor, and father of the bride. Each toast was both incredibly touching and absolutely hilarious.

At a young age, Sean witnessed a foot-washing ceremony at a family friend’s wedding and vowed to one day do the same at his own. We chose to exemplify Christ’s self-sacrificing love at the Last Supper by washing one another’s feet.

Our wedding day was as much a celebration of us as it was of those who formed us. In the act of giving of ourselves to each other in marriage, we were not just giving of our individual selves, but of our families, our communities, and our loved ones; our past, present, and future lives. 

It is so fitting, therefore, to call marriage a sacrament of communion in service of God’s Church--the whole mystical body of Christ.

Photography: Soul Creations Photography | Church: St. Joseph Catholic Church, South Bend, IN | Reception: Good Samaritan Community Center | Caterer: Callanhans  | Jewelry: Premier Designs | Florist: Martins | Rings: Do Amore | Bridal Gown: Black Cat Consignment | Groom’s Suit/Tux: Menguin | Bridesmaid Dresses: Azazie | Stationary / Invitations: Vista Print

Emily + Luke | Vintage Lavender Chapel Wedding

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.

Photography: Soul Creations Photography | Church/Reception: Marian University | Cake Vendor: Taylor Made Cakery | Dessert / Appetizer Bars: Longs Bakery | Rings: Diamondsdirect.com | Shoes: Toms | Bridal Gown: Sophias Bridal | Groom’s Suit/Tux: Mens Wearhouse | Bridesmaid Dresses: Davids Bridal | Stationary / Invitations: Paper Source

Tiana and AJ | Franciscan University Port Wedding

Wildflowers and lace for a pandemic wedding at the couple’s spiritual home, the site of their first steps together toward their heavenly one.

Tiana and AJ were in the same year at Franciscan University, with mutual friends, classes, and the same semester abroad together, yet didn’t talk often. Until the rainy Holy Thursday of their senior year. 

Tiana was eating a bagel in the student center when AJ came over and struck up a conversation. For the first time, they exchanged more than a “Hey! How are you?”, talking about their Easter plans. “Well, what are you doing on Monday?” AJ asked.

“And then it hit me like a ton of bricks,” Tiana says. This kid was asking me out. On a date. Once I figured out what was going on, I started to internally panic. Dating was in no way a part of my plan at Franciscan. I had severely overcommitted myself to too many different things senior year, and there was no way I had any time to date.” She hesitantly agreed. On their first date, they talked for three hours over pizza. “I guess you could say it went pretty well,” Tiana deadpans.

From the Bride: It’s so funny to look back. In some ways, I don’t think I would have ever believed anyone who would have told me, “[AJ] is the man you’re going to marry.” In other ways, I can look back and so clearly see God’s hand in all of it. I remember going hiking on one of our early dates, and there was this moment where we paused and sat down on this big rock. I (very boldly and uncharacteristically) leaned my head on AJ’s shoulder and held his hand.

I felt this overwhelming sense of peace and sense of “home.” I distinctively in that moment remember the Lord telling me, you can rest here. 

I don’t often hear him so clearly, and I am not one to rest. I am often busy and anxious and overwhelmed. I am uncertain and indecisive. But I knew that the Lord was inviting me in to trust him. To rest. And to let myself be loved by him, through this man he was placing before me.

Our relationship is far from perfect. Like any imperfect humans, we can both be stubborn and selfish. We argue. We make mistakes. But we are confident in God’s grace and mercy, especially through the sacrament of marriage. We are so excited and filled with joy to enter into this vocation that Lord has called us to, so that one day we can make it home to heaven, together.

From the Photographer: On a beautiful spring day, Tiana and AJ were wed. Their wedding date was moved up over a month earlier than planned due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This was not where, when or how they ever pictured their wedding day, but nonetheless, it was perfect and beautiful. Their small, intimate ceremony took place on the campus of Franciscan University of Steubenville in the simple, stunning and beloved Portiuncula Chapel.

They were surrounded by a small group of family and friends as they promised to be faithful to one another, in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health.

Being married in the midst of a pandemic, these vows took on an even deeper and more profound meaning. There was tangible joy felt by all who were present. 

One of the most unique and positive things that I've seen come from this pandemic is how family and friends rally around couples and find new ways to celebrate their love, all while social distancing. Tiana and AJ's friends gathered in their cars along the side of the road to surprise their newly married friends after their wedding Mass. It was so incredibly special. They held signs, threw confetti and played music to celebrate. There were even some friends on Facetime sharing virtual congratulations.

Even though their original wedding plans were good and beautiful, things had to change drastically. Tiana and AJ had to entrust our Lord and Our Lady with their new plans, knowing God is still in control, even in uncertain times. Their intimate ceremony put the focus on the sacrament taking place and allowed those present to really be immersed in the profundity of matrimony. Two lives, two souls were woven together and not even a pandemic could stop that. 

The popular saying in the wedding industry these days is "You can't cancel love." That is very much the truth--because God is Love.

Photography: Laura and Matthew | Church: The Portiuncula Chapel at Franciscan University of Steubenville | Dress: Anthropologie’s BHLDN, Portland Gown by Jenny Yoo | Bridal Bouquet: The “WhichGoose” Shop on Etsy | Rosary: West Coast Catholic | Shoes: Birkenstock’s | Bridesmaid Dresses: Azazie | AJ’s Suit: Ryan Seacrest’s Distinction Line from Macy’s | Tie: Dazi

Laura + John Hill | Elegant Springtime Wedding

A grace-filled wedding day steeped in familial and spiritual significance

Laura and John Hill met in September of 2017 through a student ministry at the University of Minnesota, where they are both pursuing PhDs. It didn’t take long for them to realize that their connection was more than a casual interest, and they began seriously to date and to discern marriage. 

This time was filled with wonder and joy as they grew closer and became more sure of their mutual call to holiness through marriage, but it was also filled with struggle and sorrow, as they helped each other to navigate the burdens of graduate school, mental health ups and downs, and the death of two grandparents. 

Yet in and through it all, God was faithful.

In God’s perfect timing, John Hill brought Laura back to the same square of sidewalk concrete where he had asked her on their first date, and proposed, this time asking her to be his lifelong partner in holiness.

At the same time that they were discerning marriage, John Hill was also discerning the call to come into the Catholic Church, and meeting and falling in love with Laura was the confirmation of that call. 

Throughout their dating and courtship, Laura was consistently amazed by John Hill’s humble devotion to the Lord, his desire for a strong Catholic spiritual community, and his growing love for the Catholic faith. A convert herself, Laura delighted in sharing the faith she loves with the man she loves. 

John Hill made his first Confession, received Confirmation and Holy Eucharist, and entered into the sacrament of Marriage all in the span of four months. “The grace radiating from him was palpable!” says Laura. 

Prayer was beautifully woven into the whole process of preparing for marriage and planning the wedding day. 

From saying Night Prayer together almost every night before parting ways, to praying over each invitation as they were sealed and stamped, Laura and John Hill were conscious of making prayer the hallmark not only of the wedding day but of every day together. 

When the stress of logistics and planning threatened to become overwhelming, they decided to no longer talk about “The Wedding Day” but instead to call it “The First Day of Our Marriage.” 

This shift in mentality made all the difference, as it transformed the pressure for a single performance-heavy day into an opportunity to witness to the life that Laura and John Hill would start that day.

From the Bride:

The week leading up to our wedding was filled with small graces that made an enormous impact. 

The entire wedding party traveled in from out of town (including my Maid of Honor, who flew in from her Peace Corps posting in Kyrgyzstan!) and the support that they showed in helping with last minute details was inspiring. John Hill describes this feeling of support as like being embraced; everyone’s genuine happiness for us and investment in this day was truly humbling. 

My amazing sister-in-law Ellyn was the mastermind behind the floral for the day, which meant that the house where the women were staying was filled with blooms and life as she whirled around the kitchen crafting the bouquets, centerpieces, and other little touches that went into making the day an offering of beauty.

Because we would be walking down the aisle together in the Mass procession we chose to do a first look in the Church, where I walked down the aisle to John Hill, waiting at the altar. My mom walked me to the door of the church and had me take a moment to collect myself to let this moment be special. 

Yet, in my excitement and my joy, I didn’t want to wait. I wanted to run down that aisle and throw myself into my beloved’s arms. 

And the beauty of that feeling is that it is exactly how the Father wants us to approach Him: with joyful abandon and trust that He will embrace us, no matter how far we’ve had to run to Him.

Elements of family significance ran through the whole day, especially pertaining to those of our family who have gone to their rest. 

In John Hill’s pocket were two tributes to his Papa--his Aggie ring and a small wooden duck from his extensive collection--and tucked into my shoe was the dime that John Hill’s grandmother was married on. 

I also wore my Grandma’ pearl earrings and carried a coin from my PopPop’s collection, while my GrandBob’s rosary was wrapped around my bouquet and my GrandmotherBear’s diamond sparked in my engagement ring. (Fun fact that we didn’t discover until well into our engagement: my GrandBob and GrandmotherBear were engaged in the same church where we were married!)

Because the majority of our family and friends are not Catholic, and many are not Christian, we were very aware of the unique opportunity we had in shaping our Nuptial Mass to be a witness to the truth, beauty, and goodness of our Catholic faith and traditions. 

We chose our readings with the intention of encapsulating the whole of the Gospel message and the place of marriage in God’s plan for the salvation of souls. 

Ecumenism also marked several elements of the Mass, as our Methodist and Anglican siblings did the readings, and John Hill’s reformed non-denomination Best Man offered the Prayers of the Faithful alongside my Catholic Matron of Honor.

One moment of transcendent beauty in the Mass came after communion, when John Hill and I went to spend a few moments in prayer with the Blessed Virgin. 

We had asked our organist to play Schubert “Ave Maria” for this time, thinking he would choose an arrangement for solo organ. To our absolute surprise and utter delight, our cantor’s angelic voice rose over the gentle piano instead. 

This moment was a genuine heavenly gift because it offered a glimpse of how the Father wants to lavish goodness and beauty on His children.

After the Mass, John Hill and I set aside a half hour to simply be. 

As we retreated into the Adoration Chapel, we were overcome with the reality of the sacrament we had just entered into. In these few moments of quiet, John Hill gave me an icon of the Holy Family, in recognition of our devotion to that image and as a symbol that we two are now also a holy family.

The reception was a genuine delight. 

Walking into the ballroom to the sound of our friends and family’s cheering was such a joy-filled moment. There was much laughter, quite a few happy tears, and some excellent dancing that evening. 

John Hill and I chose to have a combined Parents’ Dance, where I danced with my dad while he danced with his mom. We chose Simon and Garfunkel's "Bridge Over Troubled Water" for this dance, which ended up being a surprising testament to the beauty that can come through suffering within families. 

Our parents then handed us off to dance our first dance as a married couple to Eva Cassidy’s rendition of "At Last"--an echo of Adam’s love song to Eve in the garden, “This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh” (Genesis 2:23). At last and always.

Photography: Meagan Elizabeth Photography | Church: The Church of St. Mark, St. Paul Minnesota| Reception:St. Catherine's University | Rings: Arthur’s Jewelers + Buchkosky Jewelers | Flowers: Ellyn Hefflefinger Rothgeb-Odette the Flower Truck | Cantor: Katy Wehr | Stationary: Minted , Mass Program Designed by Bride| Bridesmaid dresses: Azazie | Groomsman: Gen Tux | Dress: David’s Bridal with significant alterations by Ginny’s Fine Fabrics | Cake: Queen of Cakes

Francesca + David | Rustic Glam Wedding

A love bathed in prayer; the gift of music shared through original Mass compositions; and a summertime barn reception with elegant chandeliers and show-stopping florals.

The night Francesca met David at a Bible study, she found a fellow musician skilled at recording and producing. “This instantly drew me to him,” she says, “since I was actually praying about ways I could record my music for the Lord.” Francesca and David began writing music together, and David asked Francesca out not long after. 

Their first date began in a chapel, where they prayed for the Lord’s blessing on their burgeoning relationship. David asked Francesca’s parents’ blessing, as well, and they continued writing music together throughout their courtship, even building a recording studio in Francesca’s family home.

That first shared prayer, on their first date, was the start of a relationship rooted in prayer: after Francesca’s pilgrimage to Fatima, she and David composed a personal prayer they continue to say nightly, to this day.  

After a year of dating, David proposed in front of the lake near the Notre Dame Grotto, with a ring featuring a cross underneath; he desired that Christ be the foundation of their marriage. He and Francesca’s first act as an engaged couple was, once again, prayer, as they lit a candle before Our Lady. He designed a ring himself with beautiful sparkles on the outside, but underneath, there is a cross because he "wanted Christ to be the foundation of our marriage." 

From the Bride:

We prayed together [all through our engagement], as we constantly need the Lord's guidance and grace. I knew I wanted to marry David the day he took me to the Adoration chapel, and I heard symphonies of music playing in my heart. The music poured over me like it does when I read Scripture before the Lord in Eucharistic Adoration. 

As we were planning our wedding, we knew we wanted to compose music for the wedding mass. This was a challenging feat, but the hard work was well worth it. I am a music director at my home parish, where we’d be married. David designed the church’s sound system--we had spent many date nights working on it! 

The students in my choir begged to sing at our wedding. I knew it would be a bit challenging to coordinate all of it, but I really wanted to have them there. I work with grade school, middle school, and high school students; as much as I wanted our wedding day to be private, I knew having them there would give them a glimpse of a godly spouse that they deserved as well. I wanted to show them real love was worth waiting for.

David and I absolutely love string quartets, and he actually composed all of the music for the quartet. It was heavenly. We promised each other that our wedding gifts to each other would be giving of ourselves to the other and our music.

Since music is so interconnected to our souls and our praise to the Lord, it seemed fitting to compose music together for the big day. It made us feel more connected to each other and to our heavenly Father.

While David wrote the music for the quartet, I wrote all of the arrangements for the choirs. We had about fifty students singing at the wedding, accompanied by the strings, as well as family and friends. 

I walked down the aisle to a song I heard in a dream from the Lord. In this dream, I was walking down a long aisle in a forest to the Lord. While walking towards him, I heard this beautiful choir of angels singing "Set Me As A Seal" from Song of Songs. I woke up from the dream and composed the choral arrangement as quickly as my hands could write. I wanted this to be the song by which I walked down the aisle to my groom.

There are two times in my lifetime I will be walking down an aisle (Lord willing): one to my husband, and the other when I walk down the aisle of heaven to meet my Lord. As I walked down the aisle on my wedding day to this song from my dream, I felt like I was walking towards both David and Jesus at the same time.

I was overwhelmed by emotion while the strings played David's music and my students sang in their beautiful voices. I will never be able to describe that moment in words, but it was such a gift. 

One of my favorite moments was having my dad, my aunt, my uncle, and my two sisters play and sing "Hail Mary, Gentle Woman" during the Preparation of the Gifts, which were brought up by David's family. It was just so special to have all my family, friends, teachers, and students at our wedding as we started our marriage. The entire congregation sang during our Mass, and the room was filled with immense music and joy. 

The Holy Spirit was with us that day -just thinking about it brings me to tears. That Mass brought us a glimpse of heaven here on earth. What a gift it was to start our marriage with receiving Holy Communion. I will never forget that day.

Marriage is so deeply intertwined between God and the bride and groom. I felt the Lord tying us together with his grace and love in ways I can never describe. I loved praying with my groom on our wedding day. Kneeling beside him at the foot of the cross before receiving Holy Communion was so very special, especially since, as music ministers, we usually don’t sit next to each other at Mass. 

I felt the Lord's presence with us in every single moment of our big day. I highly encourage couples to pray together. Write your own prayer, go to Adoration, confession, Mass, all of it--together--as frequently as you can. It allows the Lord to mold your relationship in the ways he designed it to be. 

Find ways to have private moments with each other and with the Lord on your wedding day. It makes it even more what it is designed to be--a sacramental day. 

Church: St. Barnabas Catholic Church, Indianapolis | Wedding Reception Venue : The Barn at Bayhorse Inn, Greenwood IN | Caterer: Simply Served | Rentals: Men’s Wearhouse | Bartender: The Barn at Bay Horse Inn | Rings: Jared | Shoes: Nina | Groom’s Suit/Tux: Men’s Wearhouse | Bridesmaid Dresses: Azazie | Stationary / Invitations: Shutterfly | Florals: Mark Stratton | DJ: Kidron Music | Hair: Experience Hair Spa | Videography: Fiat Films | Photography: Soul Creations Photography

Rosalie + Aaron | Traditional Scottsdale Wedding, Made Possible by St. Therese

Latin-inspired, elegant wedding filled with personal touches

Rosalie and Aaron had mutual connections throughout their time at Thomas Aquinas College, yet friendships and school work took priority over romantic endeavors. When Aaron was ready to start pursuing Rosalie, a friend encouraged him to pray a novena to St. Therese of Lisieux to receive a rose to guide his discernment.

Little did Aaron know, St. Therese is Rosalie’s confirmation saint and a dear friend. As Rosalie states, “St. Therese was the matchmaker of our relationship.”

Aaron prayed the novena while getting to know Rosalie in more casual ways; he was eager to see the “go-ahead” to follow his gut and ask Rosalie on a date.

From the Bride:

On the ninth day, when I walked into his line of sight, he was surprised to see I had several pins of roses in my hair that day! According to him, that was all the encouragement he needed. He asked me out not long after, but I wouldn't have said yes if it wasn't for St. Therese's influence in my life.

Long before I realized Aaron was interested in me, I started interviewing for teaching jobs after college. I was passionate about teaching, and I interviewed everywhere. Each time, there was something off about the job offer. The school itself wasn't right for me, the grade level wasn't my ideal, etc. Even interviewing for my top choice went hilariously wrong!

The very last school was so far off my radar, I forgot I even had an interview until the night before! Nevertheless, the interview was a dream. I fell in love with the school, the curriculum, the staff--and it was called St. Therese School! My patron! I knew it was meant to be.

This little fact was crucial to me when Aaron started showing interest, because I was not interested in a long distance relationship. (Although Aaron claims he would have moved anywhere for me...) St. Therese planted me in the perfect spot, so when Aaron asked me to date him, I was open-hearted, knowing our first few months of discernment would not be hindered by distance.

Two years later, we had the best day of our lives!

We wanted our wedding Mass to be traditional. It's the most important part of the day, after all! My cousin, Fr. Fernando Camou, was to be the celebrant, and he was a perfect fit. It was his idea to say the Mass ad orientum (facing the altar, not the congregation).

This form of the Mass reflects the sacraments of the Eucharist and Matrimony beautifully, we think. There is more of a sense of offering to God, sacrificing our own wills and giving them to Him through each other. I'm so glad Father suggested it to us. Aaron and I appreciate the value of the Latin Mass, attending the Tridentine Rite often while we were dating, but we knew many of the Catholics in attendance would be unfamiliar. Fr. Camou helped us reach a balance. We preserved some parts of the Mass in Latin, and used traditional music throughout, but the Mass was still in English in the familiar form, the novus ordo. 

I remember the music so distinctly. The makeshift choir of family and friends did an absolutely stunning job, and I was moved to tears more than once. I'm so glad Aaron and I share a love for traditional and Latin music. It echoed from the choir loft with an air of heavenliness, and the brightness of the church added to the effect.

The church itself is so gorgeous we didn't even feel the need to decorate with flowers! We let the mural speak for itself, and I'm very glad we did. At the last minute, my mom decided to tie the fake peonies from her decor at home on the pews with ribbon. It was a very sweet touch, since peonies are my favorite flower, and they are unavailable during the summer. With the path of peonies, the mural, the canopy, and the priest facing the crucifix, everything pointed to our Lord. It was perfect.

During the ceremony, my maid of honor and I carried a little baby bonnet gifted to me by my mother-in-law. It was the very bonnet Aaron wore at his baptism, which she had unstitched to turn into a small handkerchief for me. It dried happy tears that day, and was such a precious gift.

We wanted to tie traditional elegance into everything, while also keeping things simple and fun for the reception! I had always dreamed of a backyard reception, but in Phoenix in July, that just wasn't an option. Luckily, Grayhawk was very accommodating to my vision, and the bistro lights over the dance floor were perfect! My dress had an old fashioned boatneck neckline with lace, but the skirt was a modern tulle and so fun to twirl in.

Remember St. Therese? I pinned a little blue medal of her from my trip to Lisieux inside my dress, near my heart. She was my something blue.

Mostly everything at the reception was homemade: the centerpieces, floral arrangements, the cake, the favors, and even the menus! It's really fun to look back and say, "Oh so-and-so made that!" or "Remember how we slaved over those?" It just made the reception more truly ours.

Every aspect of that day was perfect, and the parts that weren't are perfect to us now!

From the Photographer:

 I have never photographed a more gracious couple, and was blown away by Rosalie and Aaron’s kindness and selflessness throughout the day. There was not a stressful moment, and all the focus was placed on the sacrament, rather than the less important details that often detract from the day. It was an honor to witness the start of such a beautiful vocation!

Photography: Sarah Wirth Photography | Ceremony: St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church | Reception: Grayhawk Golf Club | Dress: Rosa Clara via Panache Bridal | Hair: Maid of Honor | Cake: Teresa Grimm | Music: SKM Entertainment | Videographer: Robert Goldstein | Wedding Planner, Florist, Makeup: Bride

Ivana and Samuel | Classic, Colorful Quarantine Wedding

An intimate, joyful gathering despite COVID restrictions.

Ivana and Samuel met while salsa dancing. Their partnership on the dance floor led to a year of friendship before pursuing a romantic relationship. Their dating relationship, engagement, and wedding all started in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament. There is no doubt that Christ has been with them through every step of their vocation.

Ivana prayed a 54-day Rosary novena prior to their engagement, asking for the Blessed Mother’s help to be holy, joyful, and pure in their relationship.

When it came time to consider how the global pandemic of COVID-19 would affect their original wedding plans, Ivana and Samuel were able to maintain their holy, joyful, and pure intentions for their wedding—and each other—as they made new arrangements for their wedding day.

“I felt that God had been preparing me throughout our engagement to surrender and trust, and this felt like the ultimate lesson.”

From the Bride:

Things turned out so differently that what we had imagined. We had our wedding date set for May 9th, 2020, but with the uncertainty of COVID-19 and the shelter-in-place restrictions when March rolled around, there was fear of not seeing each other for two months while we waited to say our vows.

Because we had already finished our wedding prep and felt that what we most wanted was to be together, we sought wisdom from our priest to ask if marrying us sooner would be a possibility. When he first replied that "yes," he would marry us as soon as we wanted as an emergency sacrament, we were immediately overwhelmed with joy and excitement—followed by disappointment and sadness at the thought of losing our heavily dreamed of, articulately planned wedding ceremony and reception complete with our dearly beloved family and friends surrounding us.

After giving it a night to think and pray over the decision, we woke up with a firm understanding that this was indeed the right decision: asking for God's blessing and grace to be united in the Sacrament of Matrimony immediately was what we truly desired. 

In a time when sacramental grace is scarce, we felt it was so deeply special to enter into the sacrament of marriage, both for us and for others. When God unites a man and woman in marriage, it is a grace for both the couple and for the world, a sign of God's love for his people, his dearly beloved.

We felt that by partaking in this sacrament of marriage, we would be doing something beyond us; we would be accepting a gift of God to the world. 

Although we did without many of the details that we had originally planned for our special day, we managed to find a last minute florist who arranged a bridal bouquet, bouquet for Our Lady, a couple of center pieces, and some boutonnières. We were also able to ask our caterer to prepare a much smaller meal in lieu of the down payment we had already given him. With one of my dear friends and Samuel's sisters, we were able to photograph, video, and even live stream our wedding to include family and friends who were able to safely join the celebration from their homes. 

The reception was an intimate reception at my parents' home, complete with speeches, toasts, and the first dances. It was truly a beautiful day that we will remember for the rest of our lives; a story to pass on to many generations to come.

I learned to surrender my ideal of what my perfect wedding would look like and let God be the author of our romance. During our engagement season, there were many elements I wanted to control and I felt that God was continuously asking me to let go and to trust Him.

When this huge change came about, at first I wanted to throw my hands up in the air and scream: "This isn't fair!" But then I learned to lean into it and accept our new reality. I may not have had the perfect party and celebration that I had always dreamed of, but we celebrated love that day in an intimate and beautiful way and now I am so grateful to spend every second with the man who continuously shows me God's love and affection every day.

Photography: Cecile Basnage + Elizabeth Ramirez (Friends of the Bride & Groom) | Dress: BHLDN | Dress alteration: Angelica’s Custom Tailors | Wedding Rings: Shane Company | Church: Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church | Flowers: Blooming Vase | Invitations: Matthew and Bianca Remlinger | Food: Ulisess Catering | Cake: Mazzetti’s Bakery | Guestbook: Miss Design Berry

Katie + Jorge | Classy Ohio Winery Wedding

A joyful, music-filled celebration of of the Lord’s faithfulness

Katie and Jorge met when they were serving as missionaries at a LifeTeen summer camp and while they were both on a year-long dating fast. 

“I would get butterflies every time he walked in the room,” Katie says, “but I pushed all that aside and focused my heart on the ministry at hand and my Savior who was rapidly pursuing me.” 

A year later, after their fast had ended, the two reconnected. Jorge knew he wanted to marry Kate before they began dating, but there was a particular moment when he felt God solidify the call to this vocation. 

“After our first date, he was walking through the dark, dangerous streets of my NYC and felt like he heard the Lord clearly telling him that he would be the one to take care of me,” Katie says. 

Even though Jorge lived in South Carolina and Katie lived in New York City, the two officially began their relationship.

From the Bride:

While I was still in New York, we did 9 months of long distance, and it was not easy. We definitely felt like we were being called to another level of trust, walking through those beginning months of our relationship. 

We grew in trust in the other person, but most of all, we grew in trust in the Lord that He was the one leading our relationship. 

We both discerned our vocation differently, but we can both say that the Lord was the one directing our hearts and giving us confirmation after confirmation about our relationship. 

We constantly relied on Him and that was what got us through our dating relationship and it is still what keeps us going in our marriage. We feel as though we can't go wrong if He is walking right there next to us.

From the photographer:

Katie and Jorge’s joy permeated every moment of their day. The Lord brought this couple together and they spent the day praising Him for His faithfulness. 

When I arrived at Katie's house the morning of the wedding, there was praise and worship music being played. As I took pictures that morning, listening to the music as I arranged her dress and details, it made the whole morning prep for the wedding feel like a prayer. 

The theme for the day was family. You could really see and feel just how much Katie and Jorge's families loved them.

Their families gave so much of themselves to the couple, sharing their gifts and talents to make the day beautiful and memorable.

I learned that flowers on Katie’s veil, which her mother made for her, came from her First Holy Communion gown and she had a broach with their family’s crest on it attached to her bouquet.

Katie’s uncle sang and played most of the music during Mass, as well as Billy Joel’s “Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel)” for the Father/Daughter dance. Her mother wrote a song and sang it to the newly married couple after communion and her sisters sang a beautiful hymn during the presentation of flowers to Mary.

However, my favorite part of the day was at the end of the maid of honor speech, which was one of the most heartfelt and sincere speeches I have ever heard. Moira, Katie’s sister, began to sing the song “You’ll Be In My Heart” and then each of her siblings joined in and they all sang it together. It was amazing!

Katie and Jorge's day was filled with so much joy. Their families truly lived out the verse "This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad." 

Photography: Laura and Matthew Photography | Church: Holy Family Catholic Church in Steubenville, OH | Reception: Hidden Acres Lodge and Winery in Mingo Junction, OH | Hair and Makeup: Legal Hair & Day Spa | Bridesmaid dresses: Azazie | Groomsman: Gen Tux | Dress: Carrie’s Bridal Collection |  Cake: Clare Venditti- Bread Alone

Michelle + Eric | “Love in the Time of Corona”

Simplicity and intention for an intimate Colorado celebration during the COVID-19 pandemic.

At exactly 1:00 AM on the Feast of the Epiphany, God woke Eric up.

“It’s not unusual for me to wake up briefly in the middle of the night,” he says. But usually he could fall right back to sleep. “This night was different.” After some time tossing and turning, Eric typed Catholic Match into his phone. 

Years earlier, he’d made the decision to quit online dating, yet he followed the prompting of the heart he was experiencing, and made a profile. Michelle appeared in his results, and he says, “I knew right then and there that she was the girl I was there to see.” A shooting star, seen as he was taking out the trash, caught Eric’s attention several days later.

Like for the Magi at Epiphany, the star brought the conviction that everything was about to change.

Michelle and Eric began dating soon after, and were engaged on the sandstone cliffs of Lory State Park in Fort Collins, Colorado. Michelle’s engagement ring, crafted by a Catholic jeweler, features the cross on one side, representing the sacrifice, suffering, and faith of married life, and the Tree of Life on the other, signifying growth, joy, and family.

They made plans, and then the COVID-19 pandemic began. Through prayer, Michelle and Eric decided to move up their wedding date and hold a small, intimate ceremony and reception.

From the Couple:

Once it was clear [most of our guests] wouldn't be coming--whether because of personal choice, the government's choice, or the Church's choice--we had no reason to wait! We were pumped to push our wedding up.

Planning a wedding in four days is the most incredible excuse not to sweat the small stuff and go into it for the right reasons. We were there to marry each other. In front of God. If everything else went up in smoke, that was fine. 

We were fully expecting all kinds of blunders. It was about the sacrament. And thanks to our amazing wedding planner, Emma Dolan, the only hiccups we had were getting a few lines out of order during the prayers of the faithful and a Facebook live stream that wasn't oriented properly.

It was a wedding like no other--on a Sunday in Lent, no less--and we feel incredibly blessed. We're so grateful to all the friends who made big sacrifices to help pull it together. It couldn't have felt more Catholic: if we’d already been living together or chosen not to have a sacramental wedding, the sense of urgency and gravity would’ve probably felt very different. 

We still plan on having a Mass with a special blessing and a reception at some point in the future. Our hearts go out to our vendors, in particular, and we don't want to abandon them.

For other couples holding “pandemic weddings,” these tips helped us:

Enjoy every moment.

Don't let pride get in the way! Ask for help when pivoting. Especially in these times, your few friends and family who can attend will be honored to lend a hand.

Keep a steward mentality and remember that God doesn't owe us anything, especially a big, picturesque ceremony and reception. He's already given you your future spouse's love! The rest can't compare.

Live streaming is awesome. We had tons of people tune in, including many whom we couldn't initially invites. Make sure to put your phone in landscape mode with Facebook Live!

Never panic. Never! There's never a good excuse. Healthy concern is fine, but fear is the root of all sin and is always from Satan. It also robs us of our reasoning at the moments we need it most.

We're not sure it's even possible to have a wedding with all the current restrictions, but as soon as the shelter in place orders are lifted and it's clear that hospitals are no longer overrun, we suggest going for it if it can be done safely.

Nothing is certain, but we can do our homework, pray, and do our best. Make it about the sacrament. You don't need to wait for a large audience.

From the Photographer:

I got a text from Eric that said, "So, what are you doing in four days? It looks like we are going to have to bump up the wedding."

I have always been told that my grandparents did things simply. They gathered for a simple wedding at their church, came back to the house, had cake and punch, and told good stories with their closest friends. Their priority was investing in their home and future, rather than throwing an extravagant party.

I have always wondered what it would be like to be a part of such a gathering. Little did I know that this global pandemic would afford me the ability. 

The mood of the day was hopeful even amidst great uncertainty in the world. There was a resounding joy that seemed to elevate every moment. 

Sure, they just had to effectively reduce a 200+ person wedding to just immediate family and a few good friends. 

Sure, they had their church and venue cancel on them and tell them there was nothing they could do. 

Sure, some of their closest friends could not make it.

But they had Christ and each other. And that was enough.

I always tell my couples I like to capture the day with their grandchildren in mind. Well, I'd wager that Michelle and Eric’s grandchildren will have more than a few stories to tell about this day. 

That's the good stuff.

Photography: Joshua Paul Photography | Church: Saint John XXIII Catholic Church · Fort Collins, Colorado | Wedding Reception Venue : Private residence | Dress: Unknown | Suit: Pre-Owned | Bridesmaids Dresses: Pre-owned or borrowed | Florals: Hobby Lobby & Palmer Flowers | Cake: Donated by local cake shop - @downrightsweettreats | DJ - Grooms Cell Phone, Spotify & A Google Home Max | Catering - Local Mexican Restaurant - Cafe Mex

From Our Brides: Marian Wedding Elements

Happy Solemnity of the Annunciation from all of us at Spoken Bride. If you’re unable to attend Mass today amid the coronavirus pandemic, know that we’re sharing your thirst for the sacraments and are uniting ourselves in prayer to all of the faithful.

Photography: Tara McGovern , seen in Melissa + AJ | Romantic Marian Wedding

Even--and perhaps especially--in these weeks of fear and uncertainty, Our Lady remains a steady comfort and protector. Truly a loving mother. In your moments of anxiety and discernment over future plans, rest in the knowledge that she rejoices in hearing her children’s prayers and bringing them to the feet of her son.

Saint Maximilian Kolbe wrote, “You are hers: let yourself be led by the Immaculate.” On this feast wherein Mary embodies all the receptivity, maternity, sensitivity, and generosity of the feminine genius in her yes to bearing Christ to the world, entrust yourself, your beloved, and your vocation to her.

Here, a look at Our Lady’s intercession in our brides’ stories, along with unique ways of honoring her on your wedding day and beyond.

Weddings

Melissa and AJ’s romantic Miami wedding and decision to make and periodically renew a Marian consecration | Renae and Steven’s journey of growth, engagement on the 100th anniversary of Our Lady’s appearance at Fatima, and their February wedding described as “a match made by Mary” | Abby and Zack’s elegant celebration at Mount St. Mary’s University, with Marian hymns chosen for their Nuptial Mass

Our Lady of Good Counsel’s role in Rosanna and Matthew’s prayer lives and California wedding | Jenna and Michael’s Italian family-style wedding and their story of new beginnings and milestones on Our Lady’s feast days | Julie and Rudy’s elegant blush wedding and a love story that began in Fatima

Chelsy and Ben’s wedding on today’s feast day, celebrated among the Washington, D.C. cherry blossoms | Our Lady of Perpetual Help’s role in Erin and Andrew’s love story

Engagements

Alexandra and Aidan’s proposal and candlelit offerings at Our Lady’s feet | Jenna and Paul’s Philadelphia engagement, where Paul proposed in a grotto devoted to Our Lady of Lourdes | Brooke and Tim’s engagement at the Catholic University of America, the year that Good Friday and the Solemnity of the Annunciation took place on the same day

Devotions and traditions

4 Marian Flower Ideas for Your Bridal Bouquet | Not sure where to start with Marian devotion? A testimony of how she can bring your relationship to life, meeting you where you are. | Suggestions for honoring Our Lady during your ceremony, with your wedding party, and with your spouse 

Alex + Elijah | Southern Springtime Wedding

A story of saintly intercession and a Louisiana celebration with soft shades and Southern traditions.

Neither Alex nor Elijah remembers their exact first meeting, except that it was through mutual friends in their college campus ministry. Two years later, they became close friends during the summer their jobs kept them in town, bonding over camping, hiking, musicals, racquetball, and their shared faith.

That fall, they planned to watch a musical together, as friends. But Elijah decided their casual hangout should be a date, instead.

He planned on asking Alex to dinner before the musical, and headed to her apartment--except Alex had been in the library, working on an engineering project for hours. By the time Alex arrived home around 3 in the morning, Elijah was there with her roommates. He asked, and she agreed, but later canceled because of her exhaustion the following day. “Thankfully,” says Alex, “he was willing to give it another go!”

The following months were filled with discernment and decision-making for the future as Elijah completed his undergraduate degree and Alex applied to grad programs, hoping they could remain living in the same city. As the possibility of a long-distance relationship became more real, they prayed St. Josemaria Escriva’s Novena for Work--not once, but twice, the Lord provided them the opportunity to work and study near one another, with Alex beginning one of the best programs in the country and Elijah accepting a job offer. They got engaged at the Shrine of St. Francis of Cabrini in Golden, Colorado, near Elijah’s hometown of Denver.

From the Bride: 

Needless to say, St. Josemaria is a big patron saint of our relationship. In order to celebrate this, we included a card in our wedding invitations inviting our guests to pray his Novena for a Happy and Faithful Marriage in the nine days leading up to our wedding. This was so special for us. We got many excited texts from family and friends letting us know they were praying along with us; this was especially meaningful for those who wouldn't be able to physically attend the wedding to still join us spiritually. 

We also have many St. Francis's in our lives: we met at St. Francis of Assisi, attended St. Francis of Xavier while living in Birmingham, got engaged at the Shrine of St. Francis of Cabrini, and St. Frances de Sales has some great writings that have helped us through difficult times. So every night during our prayer time together, there is a litany of Francises whose intercession we ask for.

Our wedding Mass was celebrated by the priest from our college parish, who so willingly drove 5 hours to be with us. The church was in my hometown, and is the church where my parents were married, as well. Apparently it has the second longest aisle in Louisiana, but I can't believe how fast the moment of walking down felt! 

Our family was involved both in the ceremony and the reception. Each of our godmothers brought the gifts to the altar, my cousins and uncle formed a quartet for the hymns, we presented roses our Holy Mother and to each of our earthly mothers, a cousin did our flower arrangements, another cousin made our cakes, and yet another cousin took care of the reception hall.

We did not see one another before the ceremony, but we did meet around a wall to pray the final day of our novena together. Unfortunately, I could not hear a word Elijah said, because the church bells decided to pick that moment to chime for a solid eleven minutes! I couldn’t help but laugh when they just kept going! Additionally, a very noisy train decided to enter town right at the moment when we said our vows.

As noisy as they may have been, these peals and commotions could not disquiet the peace of the day as we were finally joined as one.

After the ceremony, we had a traditional New Orleans second line-- a brass band parade led by the bride and groom and wedding party to the reception.

The day was wonderful and went by so incredibly fast. My favorite part was just being able to talk with Elijah about how each of our mornings went, to reflect on how much love we felt from all of our family and friends, and how much grace we had to look forward to in the sacrament.

I went through quite a time of spiritual attacks, desolation, and anxiety in the second half of our engagement. I have often struggled similarly around times of change or of life-altering decision making because I worry so much about making the "right" decision out of a true desire to answer God's call. 

Discerning and ultimately choosing the vocation of marriage stretched my faith in the Lord in ways it had not been tested before—looking into the unknown future of possible suffering and sacrifices. 

I had to trust that the Lord would not desert us and would continue to provide in those times of trial. I know that as two imperfect humans, we simply do not have what it takes on our own. 

Throughout our engagement, I really learned that the Lord wants to be invited into each and every moment, the mountains and the valleys. We don’t have to have it figured out before we bring it to him--in fact, we can’t! It seems to me that there can't be a single "right" decision. It is truly about asking for his grace to see what is the right decision, right now in each and every moment of our marriage and lives going forward.

Photography: Grace Photography LLC | Church: St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church (affectionately called the Cathedral on the Bayou) in Plaquemine, LA | Reception: Main Hall in Plaquemine, LA | Flowers: Sloane's Florals, Antiques, and Fine Gifts | Hair and Makeup: A Pristine Beauty | Bridesmaid dresses: BHLDN | Groomsman: Black Tux | Videography: Willo Films | Dress: Bella's Bridal and Formal Birmingham

Gina + Michael | Easter Octave Lace and Florals

Joyful, romantic simplicity in the Kansas springtime.

Gina and Michael first met in what they consider the unlikeliest of places: a country dancing bar in Kansas City. Both were attending with a Catholic young adult group, and quickly hit it off. At the end of the night, Michael walked Gina outside.

“I got into my car,” she says, “and I was overwhelmed with a deep sense of peace and clarity that I had just met my future husband.”

They quickly started dating, regularly attending Mass and Adoration together and striving for a relationship grounded in prayer. “What really struck me about Michael,” Gina says, “was how virtuous he is. It didn’t take long before we were both confident that God was calling us to marry. Something we both noticed in our discernment was a peace rooted deeply in prayer. I had heard many times before that peace follows God’s will, which was absolutely true for us.”

Michael proposed on the Feast of the Nativity of Mary, in the Adoration chapel of Gina’s parish,  after a day spent in significant-to-them places all over Kansas City. It was the same church where they were married, 13 months after their first meeting and during the Octave of Easter.

From the Bride:

Since our wedding took place in the octave of Easter, we wanted it to radiate the joy of Christ. Being in the Easter season, we selected a passage from Revelation 19 for our first reading. “. . . Blessed are those who have been called to the wedding feast of the Lamb.” We wanted to allude to the fact that while we are overjoyed to celebrate our marriage here on earth, our ultimate purpose is to be with God in heaven. We hope and pray that we will one day be in heaven in the eternal marriage supper of the Lamb, the union of the Christ and his Church. 

This is not the ultimate wedding feast we were created for. Our marriage is meant to point us to something greater: heaven.

We hoped to uphold the reverence and the beauty of the liturgy during our wedding Mass, and tried to put as much effort into planning the liturgy as we put into planning the reception.  A talented group of friends formed a beautiful choir, for instance, and the ushers set up kneelers during communion so the congregation had the option to receive the Eucharist on their knees. 

After receiving the Eucharist, kneeling next to my husband, I thought: I could freeze this moment and it would be a taste of what heaven must be like.

One very special part of our wedding was my twin sister’s involvement in it. She is a Religious Sister of Mercy, and it has been so special to see our vocations unfold alongside each other. She was a reader at the wedding Mass and gave a toast at the reception.

Her toast left the entire room in tears as she revealed that Michael and I met only a few days after she completed a 54-day Rosary novena for my vocation. She then unveiled the wedding gift from her religious community: a beautifully framed Papal Blessing from the Vatican! It was a special moment I will cherish for the rest of my life.

After getting engaged, Michael and I decided to pick a patron saint of our relationship who could be our guideposts on our own journey to heaven. After praying about it independently, we both felt called to embrace Sts. Louis and Zelie Martin as our patrons, primarily because the story of how we met almost felt like a modern-day retelling of their story. We ask for their intercession in our nightly prayers as a couple, and gave Louis and Zelie prayer cards as wedding favors.

People always told me my wedding day would go by so fast. I made a conscious effort to be truly present and soak up every bit of that joyful day. I felt no stress or worry on the wedding day, and I feel like I remember every moment. It was a grace for sure!

Side by side gazing at Christ: this is the vocation of marriage.

Photography: Meredith Hiller Photography | Church: Cure of Ars Catholic Church, Leawood, Kansas | Wedding Reception Venue : Deer Creek Golf Club, Overland Park, Kansas | Rings: James Allen | Flowers: Cathy’s Flowers  | Invitations: Vista Print | Bride & Bridesmaids Dress: David's Bridal | Jewelry: Stella & Tide | Cake: My Price Chopper | Hair: Hair by Tamara Lee | Makeup: Emily Cairney | DJ: DJ Connection | Groomsmen’s ties: Tie Mart

Shelby + Allan | Candlelight and Greenery Wedding

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

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

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

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

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

From the Bride:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Abby + Zack | Gold-Dusted Country Estate Wedding

On a fall day in Maryland, in the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception, Abby and Zack were joined in the sacrament of marriage. Their photographer describes the love and spiritual devotion of this couple, surrounded by bridesmaids in deep blue and exuding supernatural joy.

From the Photographer: Abby and Zack met and fell in love at Mount St. Mary's University. Before and after they were married, they spent countless hours in adoration and weekly confession. Together, they read and discussed the daily readings with one another and established a routine of prayer. These habits brought them closer to each other. After their engagement, they planned a traditional Catholic Mass with Marian hymns to pay tribute to the Blessed Mother. 

Every aspect of their wedding day reflected the couple's deep devotion to their faith and to each other. You could feel the Holy Spirit moving throughout the ceremony and later at the reception as they danced the night away. 

After the wedding, Abby and Zack travelled to Rome for their honeymoon, and on a cold and rainy morning in November, they waited in line at the Vatican to catch a glimpse of Pope Francis. A few hours later, they met the pope and held his hands in theirs as they asked him to pray for their marriage. It was an unforgettable moment, and now they always remember to pray for Papa Francesco!

As the photographer, I was in awe of the beauty of the Mass and inspired to think deeper about my own nuptial Mass. Abby and Zack put so much thought into the readings and hymns that it was impossible not to experience the presence of Christ during the liturgy. They brought their rich prayer lives and the beauty of the sacrament to life for their guests, and it was beautiful to be part of such a marriage of souls.

Photography:  Alex Krall Photography | Nuptial Mass: Mount St. Mary's University Immaculate Conception Chapel | Wedding Reception Venue : Springfield Manor | Florist: Tiara McCowen @fiddlestixflorals | Day of Coordinator: Tiara McCowen @fiddlestixflorals | Hair: Kelly’s Hair Artistry @kellyshairartistry | Makeup: Elise Rizzo @lise.marie_ | Caterer: Carriage House Inn | Dress: Sincerity #3987

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sally Ann + Alex | Wintry Texas Garden Wedding

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Considering an Engagement or Wedding Submission? Tips for Sharing Your Story.

JIZA ZITO

At Spoken Bride, we are dedicated to communicating the goodness, truth, and beauty of sacramental marriage. You, our brides, are an integral part of our mission to share distinctively Catholic relationship testimonies. Spoken Bride continually accepts engagement and wedding submissions for consideration, and we invite you to share your love story with us.

Most professional wedding photographers and planners are familiar with sending submissions to wedding websites. If you’re not familiar, we’re here to help! 

Here, if you’re a bride or vendor considering a submission to Spoken Bride, some helpful tips for the process. 

Read the Submission guidelines thoroughly

On our Submission page, you will find specific, detailed guidelines and requirements for the text and images you share with us. Due to the volume of submissions received, it’s important that these specific guidelines are met in order for your submission to be fully reviewed for consideration. 

Note, for example, the pixel requirements for images in order for them to appear clear and sharp on our site; or the request that your Dropbox folder include the names of the bride and groom to keep your information organized for our creative team.   

These guidelines let us best showcase your submission while also helping our team work efficiently. We realize that sometimes instructions get overlooked; bear in mind this can  delay the review process or affect acceptance. Therefore, we recommend reading and following each guideline! For more information, see our Terms & Policies. 

Be selective with your photographs

Wedding photographers typically deliver anywhere from 500-1000+ images for your gallery-- we understand it’s no easy task that we request no more than 100 photographs to include in your submission! Some images we love to see in submissions are:

• Detail shots of the rings, invitation suite, dress, flowers, religious items, etc. 

• The bride getting ready 

• The groom getting ready

• The first look or the “reach around and pray” of the bride and groom

• The first look and/or candid images with parents or parent figures

• Many details and images of the Wedding Mass, including...

  • Shots of the church and sanctuary 

  • Your wedding program

  • Walking down the aisle

  • Exchanging of Vows and Rings 

  • The Consecration of the Host 

  • Receiving Holy Communion 

  • The Dedication to Mary 

  • The kiss

  • Any special traditions or customs

  • Candid emotion of the bride and groom

• A few shots with the bridal party 

• Many more shots of just the Bride and Groom 

• Details of your reception, including... 

  • A wide shot inside the venue

  • Decorations

  • The cake 

• The first dance

• Dances with parents or parent figures 

• Any special customs or traditions 

• The Exit 

In your image selection, we recommend avoiding:

• Multiple images of the same or similar thing 

• Poorly lit images

• All of the formal family portraits

• Numerous reception dancing photos

• Unflattering or potentially embarrassing photos of wedding guests

• Images of children, unless you’ve received permission from their parents

Give proper credit

At Spoken Bride, we strive to support small businesses and wedding vendors by attributing proper credit. We do this by providing a website link and/or social media handle, which serves as a way for potential clients to contact them. If you had a great experience with your vendor(s), sharing their work and business information--especially within a public website feature--is an excellent way to compliment them and to help send business their way! It is good practice to give credit and recognition wherever it is due. 

Allow time for review 

It is our joy to read and review each and every submission that we receive. No couple is exactly like another, and it never ceases to amaze us on the way God works with and through the lives of others.

Because we have to carefully review each submission, it requires time from our editors. You can expect a response to your submission form within 2-3 business weeks. However, if you have not heard back from us within that time, send us an email. We will gladly let you know if we have received your submission (because technology glitches do happen!) and where we are in the review process. 

I feel like my story isn’t a Catholic fairy tale, or like my wedding doesn’t look as aspirational as others.

With every story received and shared here at Spoken Bride, we should always bear in mind that God calls each and every one of us to holiness. When we look upon the lives of the Saints or at the stories within Scripture, no two lives are identical. The same goes for each of us as God draws us closer to him throughout our earthly journey. Your story matters, and only you and your beloved can tell it.

No matter your story, the aesthetic of your proposal or wedding, your upbringing, your background, your culture, your failures or your successes, we encourage you to be confident and at peace that “in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.”

Let your light shine before others. Send us your story “so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

Thank you for taking part in Spoken Bride’s mission of sharing the truth, beauty, and goodness of the sacrament of Marriage. We look forward to hearing from you! 

PHOTOGRAPHY: STEPHANIE MESSICK PHOTOGRAPHY, SEEN IN VICTORIA + DAVID | ANTIQUE GLAMOUR WEDDING & A CONVERSION STORY.

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About the Author: Jiza Zito is Spoken Bride's Creative Director and Co-Founder. She is the owner and wedding photographer of Olive & Cypress. Read more

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Mary-Kate + Faris | Emerald Christmastide Manor Wedding

The beauty and allure of music is a thread woven throughout the story of Mary-Kate and Faris, two musicians who fell in love after sharing in the gift of music and song. Through prayer, Mass, and the sacraments, the Lord accompanied them to their beautiful wedding day, another joyful celebration full of song and dance.

From the Bride: Our story begins as many things have in our lives--with a concert. A co-worker of Faris' invited him to a house concert where my band "Seasons" was performing, and he was captivated by the short-haired young woman playing the harp. That night we exchanged words briefly during the break. 

For much of the rest of the summer, Faris became a regular at Seasons concerts until he summoned the courage to ask me out to dinner and an outdoor viewing of Back To the Future. Faris and I instantly discovered we had a lot of interests in common: music (Faris is a trombonist and music director at a Catholic high school) reading, wine, spending time with friends, and a love of our Catholic faith. We began attending daily Mass and adoration together. 

One year after our first date, Faris proposed to me on the tiny island of Tybee off the coast of Georgia. I immediately said “yes!” Through much of our engagement, we prepared for our marriage by praying the rosary and asking St. Joseph for his intercession, as well as frequent Mass and confession. I also create icons and spent the year before our wedding prayerfully painting an icon of the wedding at Cana, which was blessed on the altar on our wedding day!

The wedding included a full Mass, featuring a variety of musicians and musical selections drawn from our friends and cultural traditions. Musical highlights included a Highland march for the processional (we chose a formal processional in which the clergy, groom, his parents, bridal party, and bride all walked in together), the chorale from Faris' school (conducted by the choir director, who was also his best man), cantoring by my cousin, a trombone solo by Faris' teacher from State College, a full brass quintet, and a special performance by my band, Seasons (a sibling celtic band). 

The reception kicked off with a traditional Irish session of music and dance, and I was unable to resist playing the harp and singing a song. The celebration also featured traditional Arabic and popular music. We served baklava and hummus to honor Faris' Palestinian roots, then surprised everyone with a choreographed first dance. 

From the Photographer: Music plays such an important role in Mary-Kate and Faris' lives, and their wedding Mass was one of the most glorious nuptial Masses I have ever been a part of. They put great care into planning the liturgy, especially the music. The bride and groom were both completely relaxed all day and overflowed with their love and joy for each other and for their family and friends. It was such an amazing gift to be a part of their wedding day!

Photography: Mary Katherine Photography | Church: St Patrick's Cathedral Harrisburg, PA | Wedding Reception Venue : Stock's Manor (https://www.stocksmanor.com) | DJ // Peter Winter Lee (brother of the bride - no website) | FLORIST // Becca Terrio (friend of the bride - no website) | CAKE // Raisin the Bar (https://squareup.com/store/raising-the-bar-hbg-llc) | DRESS // Taylored For You (https://tayloredforyoubridal.com) |
BRIDESMAID’S DRESSES // Azazie (https://www.azazie.com) | GROOMSMEN ATTIRE // Strictly Formal (http://www.strictlyformals.com)

Angela + Adam | Summertime Colorado Cabin Wedding

Angela and Adam’s Colorado wedding was bathed in prayer that began months before the nuptial Mass. As they planned for their wedding, they kept their main focus on preparing for the day-to-day living of the sacrament that would begin as soon as the celebration ended. This gave birth to a peace and beauty on their wedding day that can only come from Christ.

From the Bride: From the very beginning of our relationship, prayer was at the center. In fact, Adam was so nervous to ask me out on a date that he spent an hour pacing around his apartment, praying the rosary in hope I’d say yes when he called me. (Spoiler alert: I did). 

We always prayed before meals and went to Mass together on Sundays. The first time I told Adam that I loved him was in a church. We committed to a holy hour together every week and met with our mentor couple several times after engagement in preparation for the sacrament we would be living out together. Later, leading up to our wedding, we asked religious orders, family, and friends all across the United States to pray for our special day, and we could feel the grace of their intercession. 

Adam and I were ecstatic when we found out we would have three priests con-celebrate the wedding: Fr. Joe Mclagan, a good friend of Adam’s, Fr. Mark-Mary, a good friend of mine, and Fr. Brendan Rolling, a mutual friend from my time in FOCUS. They had each played a pivotal role in our lives and in our relationship, and it was a blessing to have these young, vibrant priests at the altar as we exchanged our vows. 

When Adam and I picked our wedding date, we didn’t know it was the feast of Saints Louis and Zelie Martin, parents of St. Therese of Lisieux and the first married saints with children to be canonized together. 

This was kindly pointed out to me later over a team dinner at World Youth Day by Sr. Bethany Madonna of the Sisters of Life. After that, we asked daily for their intercession as well as the intercession of St. Faustina. In fact, I had multiple ‘run-ins’ with St. Faustina leading up to our wedding day, including her relic being present for veneration during our marriage retreat. 

With our priests, families, and patron saints all aligned, we were prepared and ready to celebrate the sacrament. All that was left to do was walk down the aisle at St. Thomas More Catholic Church.

Many of our friends and family are fallen-away Catholics or non-practicing Christians. We wanted everyone to feel welcome, included, and uplifted during the nuptial Mass, but more than anything we wanted them to experience the liturgy in its fullest form. 

The music was performed beautifully by our friends; the piano, violins, and guitars made for a serene and reverent atmosphere. There was a profound sense of calm and peace during the ceremony, and the Mass proceeded without a hitch. Fr. Mark-Mary gave a moving homily, Fr. Joe read for the consecration, and Fr. Brendan looked so stylish with his goatee! Later on we had more people compliment the liturgy than the reception, which is exactly what we wanted.

The moment Adam and I hold most dear from our wedding day was our “first look.” It happened before the ceremony in the adoration chapel behind the church. Adam was praying in front of the monstrance before I arrived ten minutes later. When we saw each other for the first time, so many emotions flooded out of us: happiness, joy, relief, and a spirit of peace that we were beginning our lives together in the best way we knew how, in front of and with Christ. We knelt down and prayed together for a few moments, asking the Lord to be with us on that day and the rest of our days together. 

People will tell you “the day goes by so fast,” and it does. In the blink of an eye the wedding celebration begins, and then it’s over. All the toasts were funny and heartfelt, and the tacos were all-you-could-eat, but nothing moved us like those first moments in the chapel, the first moments of the rest of our lives.

Photography: Sam Regula | Church: St Thomas More Catholic Church, Centennial, Co | Reception: The Inn at Hudson Gardens | Videographer: Justin Ruiz Media | MUA & Hair: Kacie McIntosh | Flowers: Christy Joy McPherson Caterer: Y. Lo Epicure | Cake: Three Daughters Cakes