Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Nuptial Mass

Ceremony

Promise Farm

Reception

Our Wedding

Bride's Perspective

My first semester at Franciscan, I was deep in my "Find Annabelle a husband phase." So when I walked into the caf on November 2nd, 2023 and saw some random guy sitting at the table with my friends, it was in fact the first thought that crossed my mind, accompanied by, "well that guy is cute." But my hopes were immediately disappointed when I leaned over to a friend (maybe it was Ava?) and asked who he was, and she responded, "Oh that's Michael, he's so-and-so's boyfriend." Spoiler alert: they were not dating, but under the impression that they were, I thought I would have to set that short-lived dream aside.Michael quickly found a home in our friend group. A week later, we both went hiking with some friends. It was this day, amidst our fighting to be in the front of the group on the narrow trail, his judgmental face when I announced, "Wow! It is so much easier to pee in the woods when you are wearing a skirt," and the way he talked about how much he just wants to be a dad, I realized something I that thought was terrible, "oh shoot, I actually like this guy." So even though I did not think anything could possibly come of it, I started making sure I was constantly around him, even asking him to drive me to CVS to buy cold meds when I had bronchitis, even though he had to hear my awful bronchitis cough that sounded like I was being exorcised.On November 28, a group of our friends were all going to 4:45 Mass, and it just so happened that Michael and I ended up sitting next to each other. This is when I realized that it was not just a silly crush. Two days later we were both ice-skating, and I realized that if I said I could help him, because he was very bad (sorry, it's true), that meant I could hold his hand. I even began going to the gym just so I could be around him (if you know me, that's a huge deal, me in the gym). We started going to Mass and breakfast together in morning, sharing a waffle. But then we faced the problem of Christmas break. I think both of us knew that starting a relationship right before break was not the best idea, but boy, was that a long month. We facetimed every single day, and I always looked forward to it, even when I got home from work at midnight.Towards the end of break, we made plans to get dinner together when we got back to school. But it was not supposed to be a date, especially after I made the plan and I drove and I paid with my gift card. But still, when we got back to my car, Michael turns to me (mind you from the passenger seat) and says "So I guess we can call this a date). I was a little annoyed that I had just paid for our first date, but that was overshadowed by how ecstatic I was. And then... HE KISSED ME. ON THE FIRST DATE. Scandalous, I know.There is so much that I did not know about love prior to loving and being loved by Michael, and so much I have yet to learn. Every act of his love that points me to the Cross leaves me in awe and wonder that someone would choose to sacrifice himself for me, and I can only hope that I too can love him in that way.

Groom's Perspective

The fall of my freshman year at Franciscan University was a crazy yet difficult time. Making the adjustment from a small school where I grew up with the same people was the hard part. Coming in, I didn’t know anyone and somewhat drifted around until fall break. Then, on November 2nd, 2023, a friend I’d met on Snapchat over the summer invited me to sit with him in the caf. Lo and behold, the people at that table would become some of the closest friends I have ever had. One of my fondest memories of that table was the chaos that ensued every day. But on that day in particular, I remember seeing Annabelle. My first interaction with her was watching her pick ice cream up and out of her bowl with her bare hands just because our friend Ava dared her to. I grew incredibly fond of this group, eating a meal with them almost every day. 	That next weekend, I was invited to go on a hike near Pittsburgh. The day was crazy, but I think one of the most absurd things I’ve ever heard came when Annabelle announced to the group how easy it is to pee in the woods while wearing a skirt (very odd, I know). But later that day, at dinner, she made up for her weirdness. We went to Texas Roadhouse and she asked me, “Mike, what’s your story? Why are you here?” Before that moment, I had never felt as seen as she made me feel. No one had ever asked me for my story; it had always just been "go with the flow." Thanksgiving break followed, and upon returning, I was met with Annabelle’s eagerness to tell me that her sisters were awestruck by the fact that I look like Peter from The Chosen. After this interaction and in the days to follow, we started getting really close.	Then, on December 9th, 2023, she wanted me to go to 6:30 AM Mass with her. To be completely honest, as this was the Saturday before finals week, I did not want to go. I wanted to sleep. But alas, I made the sacrifice to go with her. I got there around 6:15 AM to find an empty chapel, only for Annabelle to walk in and tell me she forgot they cancelled Mass. We ended up spending the next hour sitting in silent prayer, alone in the chapel. This is when I realized that I genuinely had feelings for her and that Christ brought us there, together. (Although, I’m still half-convinced that she knew Mass was cancelled and just wanted to be one-on-one with me and God—but that’s neither here nor there, haha).	After our time in the chapel, it was about 7:15 AM and the caf wasn’t open for breakfast yet, so we walked around campus because, conveniently, the sun was rising. We stopped to look over the Ohio River and saw a rainbow beaming from a cloud. That was my "confirmation" that this is where I was supposed to be. Christmas break came quickly, and individually, we both understood that it wasn't the smartest idea to start anything before leaving, but we made sure to talk every day; it just felt natural. I even waited for her to get back from work at midnight so we could FaceTime (I know, crazy).	In January, when we came back from break, we made plans to get dinner at Texas Roadhouse once again. After dinner, we sat in Annabelle’s car because she’d been driving us around all day, and she confessed her feelings for me (FINALLY!). It was then that I jokingly said, “I guess we can call this a date.” Shortly after, we sat talking for what seemed like five minutes but was actually an hour, and I leaned over and kissed her. (I know, I know, kissing on the first date?! Am I insane?! No, I’m just a dawg). A week later, I took her to confession at St. Peter’s, and afterward, I asked her to be my girlfriend. The rest is history.	Before meeting Annabelle, my perspective on love was incredibly skewed and secularized. She has helped me see the true divinity in a Christocentric relationship, helping me see Christ in "us" and showing me how to love everyone so that they also have the opportunity to know Him. Annabelle has shown me how to love the way Christ loves, and I can only hope that I am able to do at least a fraction of what she has been able to do for me.

Our Story

Photos

Holy Family

Pope St. John Paul II

St. Michael the Archangel

St. Alphonsus Liguori

Our Patron Saints

Madie Wright

Tiffany Horning

Carolina Chaudoin

Ava Mosley

Nicoletta Kiefer

Olivia Kiefer

Julia Colaizzi

Matthew Colaizzi

Joseph Colaizzi

Peter Colaizzi

Christopher Clark

Charles Jardine

Thomas March

Connor Occhipinti

Wedding Party

Where do I park?

At St. Mary's, there is limited street parking available. There is a parking garage across from the church (Steinman Park Garage). Please refrain from parking in the courtyard at St. Mary's so that our elderly guests can park closer to the Church. Please refrain from parking in the Southern Market parking lot as well, as they will tow.

What is the dress code?

The dress code is cocktail formal (longer dresses for women and suit and tie for men). The bridesmaids' dresses and the groomsmen's ties will be lavender, so please avoid that. Floral patterns are encouraged, but certainly not required!

Any other questions?

If you have any other questions, please text or call us!

Q + A

This airport is about 30 minutes from our venue, if you choose a hotel near there. The only downside is that not many airlines fly there so flights are more expensive.

Harrisburg International Airport

Philadelphia International Airport

Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)

Travel

Hersheypark and Chocolate World

Largest buffet in the USA!Closed on Sundays.

Shady Maple Smorgasbord

There are many different hiking trails in and around Lancaster. Some that we recommend are Governor Dick Park, the White Cliffs of Conoy, Tucquan Glen, and Turkey Hill Overlook. Lancaster is a beautiful county, and this is a great way to experience that beauty.

Hikes

Sight and Sound is a Christian theatre. Their 2026 show is Joshua. Tickets should be booked in advance as they do sell out quick for weekend shows.

Sight & Sound Theatres

Things to Do