Marah & Chris: A Traditional Wedding in Chicago, IL

Though Marah and Chris were high school sweethearts, their romance was anything but typical: They bonded over their mutual interest in music, musical theater, and spirituality. The Bride Marah Catanus, 26, elementary school teacher The Groom Christopher (Chris) Sotelo, 26, elementary school teacher The Date June 7 Almost 10 years later, as part of Chris' elaborate plan, he and Marah flew to San Francisco together for a (fictional) wedding. They dressed up and headed to the Palace of Fine Arts for the supposed ceremony. There, thanks to friends who flew in from Chicago to help with the set-up, they found a chair, a basin of water, and a place card with Marah’s name on it. In a thoughtful departure from tradition, Chris began washing her feet, inspired by that symbolic act of devotion described in the Bible. He proposed, and she accepted, touched by the gesture. In one final surprise, Marah's friends were waiting outside to congratulate them. Their over-the-top engagement story was a prelude to an extraordinary wedding.