Carpenter's Love Shines Bright at Notre-Dame, 30 Years After Last Wedding
In a momentous ceremony, Martin Lorentz, a 29-year-old carpenter who played a pivotal role in rebuilding Notre-Dame Cathedral after its devastating blaze five years ago, exchanged vows with his fiancée Jade beneath the historic Paris landmark's newly restored Gothic vaults.
On October 25, Lorentz became the first person to get married at Notre-Dame in 30 years, marking a rare occasion as weddings are exceedingly rare at the cathedral due to its role primarily as a site for major religious and state ceremonies. The ceremony was approved by Archbishop Laurent Ulrich of Paris, who granted special permission as an exception to honor the workers who contributed to the massive reconstruction effort.
Approximately 500 guests attended the intimate yet grand celebration, mostly comprised of fellow artisans, engineers, and restorers who participated in the restoration process after the 2019 blaze. The ceremony was officiated by Monsignor Olivier Ribadeau Dumas, who welcomed the couple with a personal touch, referencing Lorentz's expertise in hand-cutting oak beams using medieval tools.
As the newlyweds emerged from the cathedral, they were met with an honor guard of dozens of carpenters raising their axes in salute. The crowd outside applauded as the couple stepped out into the crisp Paris air, symbolizing the cathedral's gradual return to life after years of painstaking restoration.
Lorentz, who had spent three years reconstructing the medieval wooden framework, expressed his gratitude and joy, stating, "It's the happiest day of my life... I want to share my love – our love – with the whole world, with everyone who needs it."
The wedding comes at a significant time for Notre-Dame, which reopened on December 8, 2024, after nearly five years of restoration. French President Emmanuel Macron has described the rebuilding as an "immense source of pride for the entire nation."
In a momentous ceremony, Martin Lorentz, a 29-year-old carpenter who played a pivotal role in rebuilding Notre-Dame Cathedral after its devastating blaze five years ago, exchanged vows with his fiancée Jade beneath the historic Paris landmark's newly restored Gothic vaults.
On October 25, Lorentz became the first person to get married at Notre-Dame in 30 years, marking a rare occasion as weddings are exceedingly rare at the cathedral due to its role primarily as a site for major religious and state ceremonies. The ceremony was approved by Archbishop Laurent Ulrich of Paris, who granted special permission as an exception to honor the workers who contributed to the massive reconstruction effort.
Approximately 500 guests attended the intimate yet grand celebration, mostly comprised of fellow artisans, engineers, and restorers who participated in the restoration process after the 2019 blaze. The ceremony was officiated by Monsignor Olivier Ribadeau Dumas, who welcomed the couple with a personal touch, referencing Lorentz's expertise in hand-cutting oak beams using medieval tools.
As the newlyweds emerged from the cathedral, they were met with an honor guard of dozens of carpenters raising their axes in salute. The crowd outside applauded as the couple stepped out into the crisp Paris air, symbolizing the cathedral's gradual return to life after years of painstaking restoration.
Lorentz, who had spent three years reconstructing the medieval wooden framework, expressed his gratitude and joy, stating, "It's the happiest day of my life... I want to share my love – our love – with the whole world, with everyone who needs it."
The wedding comes at a significant time for Notre-Dame, which reopened on December 8, 2024, after nearly five years of restoration. French President Emmanuel Macron has described the rebuilding as an "immense source of pride for the entire nation."
, i mean what's not to love about a carpenter who just wanna tie the knot in one of the most iconic cathedrals in the world? his dedication to rebuildin' that place after it got burned down is truly admirable 
, and now he gets to share that love with jade 
, can't ask for more! the fact that archbishop ulrich gave permission for this special occasion is a testament to how much the cathedral staff cares about their workers 
. and 500 guests showin' up? that's like, totally not expected but awesome in its own way 
, i'm sure jade's a lucky girl 
just think about the love that shines bright in those restored beams of Notre Dame 
500 guests and a carpenter who's passionate about his work coming together to celebrate true love 
. It's beautiful 
especially after all they went thru rebuildin that cathedral 5 yrs ago... martin & jade r meant 2 b 
Ah man, can you believe that's happening right under Notre-Dame's iconic roof? It's so beautiful to see those dedicated craftsmen finally tying the knot. 500 guests is a pretty intimate crowd, I'm sure it was amazing to be surrounded by people who understand the hard work that went into restoring the cathedral 
. And of course, having an honor guard of fellow carpenters raising their axes in salute is just so cool 
. The fact that they got special permission from Archbishop Ulrich to have a wedding there speaks volumes about how much he values their contributions 
. 29 years without a wedding, can you believe it? 
on this young couple 
. And let's be real, who needs a fancy reception when you can have an honor guard of carpenters wielding axes? 
i mean, the cathedral is so gorgeous now its like a whole new world 
but idk how much of it was actually done by hand lol maybe 10%? 
still, it's all about love & appreciation for those workers who put in the grueling work 
. And can you imagine being part of the team that rebuilt the cathedral? Mind blown! The fact that they got special permission to get married there is just amazing 
. It's like the cathedral is giving its seal of approval to their love story 