Because our wedding revolves around the Traditional Latin Mass, a certain level of modesty is important on our wedding day. We ask that women follow the following guidelines for modesty: -Minimal cleavage -No visible midriff -No open back dresses/tops (you are free to wear a cardigan for the mass and remove after if you want to wear something that falls in this category!) -Skirts/dresses must be close to touching the top of the knee -No strapless dresses/tops (see above cardigan comment if you want to wear a dress like this!) -Women at Latin Mass frequently follow the tradition of covering their heads during mass with either a hat or mantilla veil. This is not required whatsoever, but is a beautiful tradition if you decide to partake! We ask that men follow the following guidelines for modesty: -No shorts (please wear slacks) -No t shirts -No sayings/inappropriate content on clothing -Wear, at minimum, a collared, Polo style shirt The official formality dress code for the wedding is semi-formal. Thank you for expressing your love for God (and the happy couple) by your respectful demeanor and attire at mass!

Margaret and James experienced a deepening of their faith together when they began attending Traditional Latin Mass at Holy Ghost (where they will be getting married) in Knoxville. This form of the mass began around 300 AD and was officially published as the Tridentine Mass in 1570 AD. It is a much more elaborate form of worship than the Novus Ordo, the mass in English that many of you have attended. James and Margaret are so excited to share this part of their faith with you! The mass will be around 2 hours in length with traditional music, chants, and different nuptial traditions. In the Traditional Latin Mass, the Eucharist is only received on the tongue while kneeling at the altar rail. We ask that only baptized Catholics in the state of grace receive the Eucharist during communion, in accordance with Catholic Church teaching. We also ask that all guests follow the dress code given above. Mass will be entirely in Latin, and we will provide programs with translations and explanations of the mass. You do not need to know or understand Latin in order to follow along during the mass. In fact, you don't even need to follow along during mass. It will feel odd to attend Latin Mass for the first time, so you are completely free to sit back and simply admire the beauty of the ancient form. Margaret highly recommends this. It can be frustrating to not fully understand the Latin mass while attempting to follow along. If you are frustrated, it's easy to miss the heavenly beauty of the Traditional Latin Mass. It is perfectly acceptable to silently watch and meditate on what's going on while at mass.

James & Margaret met their Freshman year of high school in 2013. Their paths crossed a few times at Knoxville Catholic High School, but they never fully collided until they became close friends their Senior year. They bonded over the Cotton Eyed Joe dance, parking lot rendezvous after school, the nasty-ness of Dots (yes, the candy), and the Emu’s Pink Windmill Kids YouTube video. Naturally, they went to prom together. Shortly after, James asked Margaret to be his girlfriend in April of 2017. The rest is history!