Notre-Dame Hosts Its First Wedding in 30 Years For a Carpenter Who Helped Rebuild It After the Fire

Nov 05, 2025 by apost team

Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, which dates back to the 12th century, is one of the most visited religious landmarks in the world. For the first time in three decades, the Notre-Dame Cathedral opened its doors for a wedding—and it couldn't have been for a more fitting couple. 

On Oct. 25, 2025, carpenter Martin Lorentz, who spent years helping to rebuild the Gothic landmark after its catastrophic fire on Apr. 15, 2019, married his fiancée, Jade, inside the newly restored cathedral. 

Lorentz was part of the elite team of craftsmen who rebuilt Notre-Dame's wooden roof structure, known as the 'forest', using traditional medieval carpentry methods. After the inferno in April 2019, thousands of artisans, stonemasons, and engineers worked tirelessly to restore the cathedral, which reopened officially on Dec. 7, 2024.

Because Notre-Dame is not a parish church, weddings are usually not permitted there. The last one reportedly took place in 1995. However, Archbishop Laurent Ulrich of Paris made a notable exception to honor Lorentz's contribution to the rebuilding effort, granting him the once-in-a-lifetime privilege to marry within the historic sanctuary.

The rare ceremony, confirmed by the National Catholic Register, was more than just a wedding. It was a symbol of rebirth for a monument that has long stood for resilience, beauty, and faith. The sight of a craftsman marrying beneath the vaults he helped restore brought emotional closure to the years of reconstruction and symbolized international solidarity.

More than 500 guests gathered for the ceremony, among them Lorentz's fellow carpenters and colleagues in restoration. Many carried axes, a proud emblem of their trade and a touching tribute to their shared devotion. After five years of tireless restoration, Notre Dame's return was marked by love and renewal. It not only celebrates France's artistry but also the unyielding spirit that rose from the ashes. During the ceremony, Msgr. Olivier Ribadeau Dumas, the cathedral's archpriest, said:

"Jade and Martin, welcome to this cathedral. Martin, you know it well—you know it from above."

His words resonated beneath the restored vaults, a reminder of the bond between the cathedral's rebirth and those who rebuilt it. When the vows were complete, Lorentz told France Info:

"I want to share my love, our love, with the whole world, with all those who need it. I just want to say that this is the most beautiful day of my life. I don't think I can say anything else."

His declaration echoed the collective emotion of the craftspeople whose hands had brought the monument back to life. Among them, one carpenter friend expressed the awe shared by many:

"It's incredible to see this happen—to get married in our cathedral, which feels like home to us."

The day's spirit was captured by an observer who wrote:

"A living symbol of renewal where love, craft, and faith meet under the vaults of a monument reborn."

What unfolded within Notre Dame was more than a wedding—it was a celebration of human resilience, artistry, and the profound unity between devotion and creation.

apost.com

Love, craftsmanship, and renewal came together beneath Notre Dame's reborn vaults. How will you share in this spirit of hope and creation? Pass it along to inspire others to rebuild with love.