Saint Helena Cathedral, Helena Montana   
September 29, 2011

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I went to a private Catholic college in Montana for undergrad. It was a very memorable, wonderful time in my life where I met my dearest friends and enjoyed spending lots of quality time with my extended family. Most of my family with whom I am very close also live in this town, and I have many good memories there. I was also born there.  

The Cathedral of Saint Helena feels like "home" to me every time I go there for mass. Many of my best friends have married there. When I was little, I frequently attended services there with my grandmother and my aunt. My grandmother is very special to me, and an inspiration for my faith and spiritual life. She passed a few years ago and had always wanted to help me with my wedding planning, so the Cathedral also helps me feel like she is close to me during our vows.
I also attended church here throughout my college days with my best friends. The Cathedral reminds me of my grandma, our time together, and it also holds many of my memories as a child, and as a college student.

This is the inside bird's eye view of the aisle and alter. Our guests will hardly fill the first few rows on each side, but that's ok.

All lit up at night.

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This is the Cathedral at night.

Wintry day in Helena.

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Our ceremony will be a traditional Catholic one. D is not a baptized Catholic, and I am (baptized and practicing), so we will not have mass as part of our nuptials, which is also fine.
Poor D is a little bit overwhelmed with the Catholic marriage prep, but he is extremely supportive and knows it means very much to me for us to be married in the church.
We recently went to Engaged Encounter for a weekend, and it was so wonderful! Our group was led by a couple who had been married for almost 52 years, and a Deacon who had been married to his wife for 50 years. There were 14 other couples. We had a great time and felt it was very much worthwhile. 

We have not chosen our songs or readings yet. We will do that soon on a phone conference with the wedding coordinator for the church.