Emily and Tim exchanged vows in a heartfelt Catholic ceremony surrounded by family, friends, and the familiar comfort of their hometown church. The bride glided down the aisle of St. Mary Catholic Church in Mt. Angel, the same aisle her parents walked years before, carrying a bouquet of white roses and immeasurable hope. Tim’s eyes welled with emotion as he watched Emily approach; when they joined hands at the altar, a serene joy settled over the congregation.
The traditional Mass unfolded with personal touches—loving glances during the readings, a gentle squeeze of hands during the vows, and laughter amid tears as they promised to love and honor each other all the days of their lives. As sunlight filtered through the stained-glass windows and the church bells rang, Emily and Tim were pronounced husband and wife, sealing their union with a tender kiss to cheers and applause. It was a simple yet profoundly moving ceremony, the kind that leaves not a dry eye in the house and creates memories to last a lifetime. St. Mary Catholic Church – where Emily and Tim began their new chapter – provided a storybook setting steeped in history and faith.
Built in 1912 in the Gothic Revival style, this landmark church was originally established to serve Mt. Angel’s German Catholic immigrants. Its lofty vaulted ceilings and 18 original stained-glass windows cast a colorful, ethereal glow across the sanctuary, illuminating the couple in a warm kaleidoscope of light. The air was filled with the scent of nearby roses and old wooden pews, and the atmosphere felt almost holy in its beauty.
Mt. Angel’s Bavarian heritage and small-town charm added to the magic – outside the church, quaint streets and a historic bell tower stood as reminders of generations of love and community. In this sacred space, rich with tradition and lovingly maintained through the years, Emily and Tim’s love story became part of the very walls. Their wedding day not only celebrated their future, but also honored the legacy of faith and family that had led them to that altar in a little Oregon town.
Couple: Emily & Tim
Venue: St. Mary Catholic Church – Mt. Angel, Oregon (575 E College St, Mt. Angel, OR 97362)
Ellen and Niall’s wedding was a radiant celebration of faith, love, and destiny under the soaring dome of The Immaculata Church in San Diego. On a crisp autumn afternoon, Ellen walked down the marble aisle toward Niall, her veil flowing and eyes shining with tears of joy. Niall, dashing in a tailored suit and standing tall at the altar (his posture hinting at his military background), broke into a heartfelt smile that seemed to steady Ellen’s happy tears.
Before an altar adorned with creamy white lilies and candles, they joined hands and exchanged vows that were both reverent and deeply personal. Their voices echoed softly in the vast sanctuary as they promised to stand by each other in all seasons of life. Family and friends looked on with full hearts – a few dabbed at their eyes when Niall gently brushed away a tear from Ellen’s cheek, and a ripple of laughter passed through the pews as the priest shared a lighthearted anecdote about the couple.
When the final blessing was given and Ellen and Niall shared their first kiss as husband and wife, the church’s jubilant peal of bells and the beaming faces of loved ones marked the moment. It was a ceremony that felt transcendent – equal parts solemn sacrament and exuberant love story, capturing the very best of what a wedding day can be. The Immaculata Church provided an awe-inspiring backdrop for Ellen and Niall’s union, its grandeur and grace enhancing every aspect of the day. Perched on a hilltop at the University of San Diego, The Immaculata is a prominent Roman Catholic church dedicated in 1959 as the crown jewel of the campus.
Inside, the space is breathtaking – gleaming marble floors and a majestic barrel-vaulted ceiling create an atmosphere of timeless elegance, requiring little additional adornment. Ornate arches line the nave, and vibrant stained-glass windows punctuate the walls, casting jewel-toned light onto the polished pews. Overhead, a grand dome and Spanish-style details recall an Old World cathedral, yet the California sunlight pouring in gives the church a bright, uplifting aura. This mix of old-world charm and Southern California warmth is part of what makes The Immaculata so beloved.
For Ellen and Niall, who held their reception amid vintage airplanes at the San Diego Air & Space Museum later that day, the church’s stately beauty grounded their celebration in reverence. Under the massive dome where countless couples have whispered “I do,” their love was celebrated in a venue as inspiring and enduring as the vows they spoke.
Couple: Ellen & Niall
Venue: The Immaculata Church – University of San Diego, California (5998 Alcalá Park, San Diego, CA 92110)
Dan-Vy and Benton’s wedding unfolded like a beautiful symphony of love, culture, and devotion within the sacred grandeur of a cathedral. The ceremony, a full Nuptial Mass, was imbued with Vietnamese and American Catholic traditions that reflected the couple’s heritage. Dan-Vy was a vision of grace as she made her entrance, first wearing a traditional red áo dài for the intimate family-led Vietnamese tea ceremony in the morning, and later appearing in a flowing white lace gown as she walked down the long center aisle on her father’s arm.
Benton waited for her at the sanctuary’s steps, his face lighting up with emotion as the church’s organ began to play “Canon in D.” When Dan-Vy reached his side, they exchanged a warm glance that spoke volumes – this was the moment they had prayed and prepared for. The ensuing vows were sincere and tearful; Dan-Vy’s voice trembled as she pledged herself to Benton, and he gently squeezed her hands, steadying her as he made his promises in return. Their guests – a joyful blend of extended family, lifelong friends, and church community members – looked on lovingly, some whispering prayers of blessing.
In a particularly touching gesture, the couple presented flowers to a statue of the Virgin Mary, asking for her intercession in their marriage, a common and heartfelt custom in Catholic weddings. By the time Dan-Vy and Benton exchanged rings and were pronounced husband and wife, there was hardly a dry eye in the cathedral. They sealed their union with a tender, meaningful kiss, and as they turned to face their cheering loved ones, the church’s choir broke into a jubilant hymn. It was a moment of pure elation – the culmination of not only their love story, but also the joining of two families
and cultures in faith and joy. For their venue, Dan-Vy and Benton chose the Cathedral Basilica of St. Joseph in San Jose – a stunning, historic church that truly elevated the significance of their day. This cathedral, originally founded in the 1800s and rebuilt in grand style after a series of early California misfortunes, now stands as a beacon of faith in the heart of downtown San Jose. The current basilica was completed in the 1880s, crowned by a magnificent dome finished in 1885 that soars above the city skyline.
Stepping inside, guests were greeted by an interior as ornate as it is sacred: sunlight streamed through elaborate stained-glass windows in the dome and upper walls, illuminating detailed frescoes and a gilded altar. The basilica’s design blends Baroque and classical elements – from the massive columns and marble aisles to the vivid ceiling murals – creating an ambiance of Old World reverence. It is no wonder this church has been designated both a California Historical Landmark and a National Register historic place.
On Dan-Vy and Benton’s wedding day, the Cathedral Basilica’s bells rang out in celebration, its ancient organ loft echoed with joyous music, and its pews – capable of seating nearly a thousand – were filled with supportive faces. In this awe-inspiring sanctuary, every word of their vows and every note of the choir seemed to linger a little longer. The grandeur of the space was matched only by the warmth of the occasion, as the cathedral’s century-old walls bore witness to a love that felt completely at home in the sacred, timeless setting. The result was a wedding that was not only visually spectacular, but deeply meaningful – a perfect harmony of two hearts united before God, family, and tradition.
Couple: Dan-Vy & Benton
Venue: Cathedral Basilica of St. Joseph – San Jose, California (80 S Market St, San Jose, CA 95113)