Madison + AJ | 1920s Railway Station Wedding

A summertime Texas wedding celebrated in the historic St. Mary’s of the Assumption Catholic Church, lined with stunning stained glass architecture that brightened a spacious cream interior. Bridesmaids in blush gowns held joyful bouquets of yellow, purple, and pink florals. And the reception, decorated with gold accents, was held in a landmark 1920s era train-station-turned-ballroom.

Madison and AJ share a special devotion to the Holy Family, their example of perfect married love and faithful family life. Their wedding was a beautiful tribute to this devotion, and even the unexpected appearance of a pandemic couldn’t steal the joy of their celebration.

From the Photographer

Madison and AJ both served as FOCUS missionaries and met at James Madison University in Virginia at a Catholic ministries event.

Madison had recently transferred to JMU from Texas A&M. One day, AJ spotted her in the quad and introduced himself. He noticed she was wearing an A&M T-shirt, so he mentioned he had completed some missionary work with students there. Coincidentally, Madison knew those students! And so their friendship began.

Over the next few weeks, AJ wanted to help Madison feel welcome in her new school. Their interactions soon blossomed into a loving relationship. Meanwhile, Madison was praying for her future spouse on the rosary her brother brought her from World Youth Day.

During homecoming weekend, Madison and AJ were praying in the chapel. Sick to his stomach from nerves, AJ wrote her a letter. He wrote how God had given him opportunity after opportunity to trust in him through the process of getting engaged. He wrote that he hoped to imitate St. Joseph in their relationship. St. Joseph had loved Mary with the gifts of security, gentleness, masculinity, obedience to God, and by allowing Mary to be who God was calling her to be.

He knew Madison would allow him the opportunity to love her like St. Joseph loved Mary. And so, AJ asked Madison to marry him. She said yes!

They were married on August 15th, on the Feast of the Assumption of Mary, at St. Mary's of the Assumption Catholic Church in Fort Worth, Texas. It was a beautiful confirmation that the Blessed Mother had heard Madison’s rosary petitions.

At their nuptial Mass, Madison and AJ were surrounded by their loved ones and some who watched via livestream because of COVID-related travel limitations. Despite the hiccups that came with planning a COVID wedding, the day was faith-filled, reverent, and joyful--just like the bride and groom.

In fact, every detail of their wedding expressed Madison and AJ’s love of God, Our Lady, and their families.

The church's bright and airy feel was mirrored by the wedding party’s attire and pastel florals. Bridesmaids wore blush-pink chiffon gowns in different but complementary styles. The groomsmen wore matching pink bow ties, masks, and light gray suits that complemented the bright altar backdrop.

The bouquets and boutonnieres were arranged by Madison's grandfather with bright yellow, pink, and purple flowers. The bridesmaids held yellow roses, and when Madison and AJ spent a moment in prayer with Our Lady, they gifted her yellow roses as well.

Madison’s bridal gown was elegant and playful in all the perfect ways. The dress featured a classic boat neck, balanced by a low v-shaped back and illusion sides. The full circle skirt was dramatic but lightweight and moved gracefully on the dance floor--which Madison hardly left the entire evening.

She also wore her grandmother's pearl ring, which each of her cousins had worn before her, as "something borrowed." She also had her mother's earrings and held the rosary from her brother around her bouquet.

Finally, she chose a miraculous medal necklace as a tribute to Our Lady, whose Feast of the Assumption was celebrated on their wedding day.

The readings were those for the Feast of the Holy Family. This was providential, because AJ had called upon the Holy Family in his proposal to Madison, when he had asked for the grace to imitate St. Joseph's love for Mary in his love for his bride.

During the ceremony, the couple was covered with a rosary lasso by Madison’s grandparents, representing their families’ love and their lifelong union before God. Then they received the Precious Blood of Jesus for the first time as a married couple, bowing their heads in reverence for the living Christ in the Eucharist.

The reception was held in the main waiting room at T&P Station, a historic Texas landmark built in the 1930's. The interior is an extravagant example of 1920's Zigzag Moderne architecture and features stunning chandeliers and intricate gold and blue-trimmed wall and ceiling detail.

The white stone floors were the perfect place for the bridal party and guests to dance the night away, which they did. It was also the perfect place to witness AJ wash his bride’s feet as a symbol of the loving service he vowed to provide her as her husband.

The dinner tables were set with gold plates and gold-rimmed wine glasses to match the striking details of the 1920’s era train-station-turned-ballroom. Muted greenery lined the centerpieces with white baby’s breath as the final touch to the elegant table settings.

Madison and AJ are the epitome of a Christ-centered couple. They served together as FOCUS missionaries on several campuses and participated in many mission trips. Throughout it all, they prayed together and grew together in faith toward a holy, sacramental union. They served one another while serving the Church.

And their wedding was the perfect start to a married life lived in imitation of the Holy Family.

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Madison + AJ | 1920s Railway Station Wedding

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