The First Wedding at Notre-Dame Since Its Reopening
On October 25, 2025, the sound of wedding bells returned to Notre-Dame de Paris for the first time since the cathedral reopened. The story behind the ceremony is deeply tied to the rebirth of the monument itself.
The groom, Martin Lorentz, is a 31-year-old carpenter from the Vosges. For five years, he worked on the cathedral’s reconstruction after the 2019 fire.
His team helped rebuild the intricate oak framework known as la forêt using medieval joinery techniques and hand tools.
He spent months shaping beams in the Briey workshop before they were lifted into place high above the nave.
When the work was complete, Lorentz made an unusual request: to marry beneath the vault he helped restore.
Private weddings are not normally allowed at Notre-Dame. The cathedral is reserved for public liturgical services.
But Archbishop Laurent Ulrich granted a special exception in tribute to the craftsmen who brought the building back to life.
The ceremony took place in the restored nave, beneath the gleaming vaults and newly cleaned stone. Around 150 guests attended, including family members, fellow artisans, and members of the restoration team.
A Ceremony Filled with Symbolism
The archbishop began his homily with words that echoed through the nave: “Jade and Martin, welcome to this cathedral. Martin, you know it well… you know it from above.”
Lorentz and his bride, Jade, exchanged vows before the main altar, surrounded by the choir singing works by Fauré and Duruflé.
The bride wore a simple ivory gown. The groom carried a small carpenter’s medal, a nod to the years spent on the roof beams above.
For Lorentz, the day carried a double meaning, personal and collective. “To end this adventure like this is wonderful. Getting married in our cathedral feels a bit like being at home” he told Aleteia, a French media outlet that covers Catholic and cultural news..
The Church saw the wedding as a gesture of thanks to all who helped restore one of France’s most cherished landmarks.
After the ceremony, guests gathered near Île Saint-Louis for a small reception. His fellow carpenters offered a wooden model of the cathedral’s frame as a wedding gift.