Before a Nuptial Mass begins, guests are often looking for familiar things. A glimpse of the bride and a peek at her dress, the groom as he sees his bride walk down the aisle, perhaps the mother of the bride or groom wiping away a tear. Our minds paint a picture of what these moments are going to look like based on what we typically see. These images and expectations are not bad or incorrect, but our Church actually offers us another way of doing things. Meredith and Jake broke from the cultural norm and chose to do things differently.
At the time of their procession into the church, Meredith and Jake processed in together. Arm in arm, they walked down the aisle toward the altar, with family and friends lining either side. A couple enters into the sacrament of matrimony together, and their processing into the church side-by-side provided a visual to all present of what was about to happen. They walked into the church together just like they walked together into their marriage. Just as we saw all their family and friends surrounding them as they walked into the church, we will see them throughout their marriage continuing to surround and support Meredith and Jake. As we all bowed our heads to pray for the couple on their wedding, we will continue to pray for them and their marriage through the good times and the bad. That moment of their procession provided a visual of the spiritual reality surrounding a sacramental marriage.
Meredith and Jake, there is a special joy that comes from serving a couple like you who deeply believes and understands the power and grace that pours forth from the sacraments. There was a deep reality about you both that changed when you entered into matrimony, and you seem to exude just that. Fr. Kelly touched on this change and the call that follows so beautifully in his homily when he spoke about your marriage looking outward and serving others in your community. He mentioned how others should be able to look at you and know that they can count on you to help. From our perspective, you are already so open to living a life and marriage like this, and we cannot wait to see how God uses your new family for His glory.
Love,
Amy and Kyle
A special thanks to all of Meredith and Jake’s vendors!
Officiant: Fr. Michael Kelly
Church: St. John the Apostle Catholic Church
Reception venue and catering: Clyde’s Willow Creek Farm
Wedding planner/coordinator: Desiree Walker with Perfectly Yours
Florist: Twinbrook Floral Design
Hair and makeup: Makeup by Ivett
Cake: Daniela Stephanz Cake
DJ/entertainment services: DJ Luccio
Dress: Curvaceous Couture
Bride’s engagement ring: Lugano Diamonds
Bride’s shoes: Jimmy Choo
Groom’s wedding band: Stones Jewellery Victoria
Groomsmen’s and groom’s attire: Men’s Wearhouse
Invitations: Zola
Mass programs, prayer cards, wax seals, and saint table signs: Pieta Paperie
