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Several royal couples have had the honor of getting married in Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris. Now, Martin Lorentz and his fiancée Jade can add their names to that list. The two were united in matrimony before God on Saturday, October 25, in the Parisian cathedral, according to France Info.
The cathedral hasn’t been a parish church since 1995, and therefore baptisms, weddings, and funerals are no longer celebrated there. Nonetheless, an exception was made for this carpenter, who is one of the 500 craftsmen who participated in the restoration of Notre-Dame de Paris.
A dream come true
Martin had dreamed of this wedding for a long time while he was still working on the scaffolding, convinced that such a wish would remain unattainable. Imagine his joy when he discovered that the Archbishop of Paris, Laurent Ulrich, had decided to grant his request by issuing a special authorization for this wedding!
The event welcomed 500 guests, including many carpenters who came to share this unique moment. Not to mention the many tourists who found themselves experiencing this moment by happy coincidence!
The wedding was celebrated by Monsignor Ribadeau Dumas, rector of Notre-Dame de Paris.
“Jade and Martin, welcome to this cathedral. Martin, you know it well ... you know it from above,” he said during the ceremony, which was filmed by France Info.
For three years, Martin Lorentz participated in the reconstruction of the roof structure. With his companions, he carved and assembled the beams in the traditional way, following medieval methods, until all the pieces found their place at the top of the cathedral.
“I wanted to share our love with the whole world, with everyone who needs it. It's the best day of my life; I can't say anything else,” Martin Lorentz told France 2, which was present for the occasion.
“It's crazy that this wedding was able to take place, and to see my friends here ... I'm so happy,” one of the carpenters told the channel.
“To end this adventure like this is wonderful. Getting married in our cathedral is a bit like being at home,” added another, emotionally.
At the end of the ceremony, the applause of tourists and carpenters, axes in hand, echoed under the vaults.
