When a kindergarten teacher realized how much her students wanted to be involved in her wedding, she surprised them with a lavish ceremony—at the school—that included the entire student body.
Catie and Kevin Zwier are making headlines for their creative and heartwarming nuptials on Feb. 1, 2024. Catie, who teaches at Good Shephard Catholic School in Minnesota, really wanted to involve her students in her big day and realized her wedding date gave her the opportunity to do so.
“The kids were already invested in our wedding before they realized that they were actually coming to our wedding, which was really cool. ” the bride told GMA.
Their original wedding happened to fall during Catholic schools’ week—a five-day celebration that has themed dress-up days and special events. Good Shepherd also happens to have a beautiful on-site church. The couple already had a ceremony and reception planned for Feb. 2, but she realized she could say her vows a day early by creating a theme day around her wedding. When she shared her idea with the principal, he was “on board.”
The Teacher Held Her Wedding on “Fancy Surprise Day.”
Catie and the principal dubbed Feb. 1st “fancy surprise day” so her students would dress in their Sunday best. But not just her current kindergarten class. Catie said she’s “gotten to know a lot” of the kids over the years because she’s taught for years and runs clubs. So she wanted everyone to be in attendance.
“They all knew it was our wedding weekend,” she continued. “So they were excited about that. We love this place, and we love these kids, and you really couldn’t have pulled it off anywhere. It wouldn’t have the same impact if it was a different place.”
“It was a giant surprise—for the whole community, too,” she noted.
The teacher walked down the aisle inside the church, which was filled with hundreds of students and faculty members. In an Instagram post, Catie said she wore her mother’s wedding gown, and staff members and students did the readings.
After making their love official, the newlyweds exited through the halls, which were lined with students waving silver pompoms.
Catie and Kevin had a second wedding on their original wedding date, Feb. 2, that included their family and friends.
You can find the source of this story’s featured image here.
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