Historic Wedding at Notre Dame Cathedral
Notre Dame Cathedral, the iconic French landmark that suffered a devastating fire five years ago, recently hosted its first wedding in three decades. A carpenter, who played a role in its reconstruction, tied the knot with his fiancée under the newly restored Gothic arch.
On October 25, Martin Lorenz, 29, who dedicated three years to restoring the cathedral’s medieval timber frame, exchanged vows with his partner, Jade. This marked the first wedding ceremony held at Notre Dame since 1995.
Coverage of the wedding has appeared in various outlets, including the National Catholic Register and France 24 TV.
The special ceremony was authorized as a unique exception by Archbishop Laurent Ulrich of Paris, who granted permission to honor the workers involved in reviving the 12th-century structure.
Weddings at Notre Dame are quite rare. The cathedral is not a parish church and typically does not conduct sacramental services for couples.
As the principal seat of the Archbishop of Paris and a national monument, its use is primarily reserved for significant religious and national events, including masses, funerals, and national commemorations. Weddings have only been authorized by the archbishop on a few occasions throughout its 860-year history.
Approximately 500 guests attended Saturday’s event, many of whom were fellow craftsmen, engineers, and restorers who contributed to the extensive rebuilding efforts following the catastrophic fire that destroyed the cathedral’s roof and spire in 2019.
“This is the happiest day of my life,” Lorenz shared about this momentous occasion.
Earlier this year, he used traditional 13th-century tools and techniques to hand-cut the oak beams and sought the archbishop’s permission to marry within the cathedral he helped to preserve.
“I want to share my love—our love—with the whole world, with everyone who needs it,” he expressed.
Friar Olivier Ribadeau Dumas, the parish’s pastor, officiated the Mass and warmly welcomed the couple. “Jade and Martin, welcome to this cathedral. Martin, you know it well, and you know it from above,” he remarked, alluding to the handcrafted roof beams that Lorenz constructed.
As the couple exited the cathedral, a group of carpenters formed a guard of honor, raising their axes in a salute. They were met with applause from onlookers as they stepped out into the brisk Paris air.
This ceremony on October 25 is seen as a symbol of the cathedral’s long journey back to life after years of meticulous restoration. The reconstruction team utilized medieval techniques to rebuild the roof and spire, just as they were originally crafted 860 years prior.
Notre Dame Cathedral is set to reopen on December 8, 2024, with Archbishop Laurent Ulrich presiding over a historic moment alongside French President Emmanuel Macron and 1,500 guests, which notably included various dignitaries.
Macron described the reconstruction as “the immense pride of the entire nation.”
For Lorenz, this wedding signifies the culmination of years of personal devotion to a monument that has greatly influenced both his craft and his faith. He often reflected on late-night work sessions cutting oak beams “just like they did 800 years ago,” witnessing the beams being installed high above the nave.
