When the kindergarten teacher discovered the strong desire of her students to be part of her wedding, she decided to make their dreams come true. To everyone’s surprise, she organized a grand ceremony right at the school premises, inviting the entire student body to be part of the special occasion.
Catie and Kevin Zwier’s unique and heartwarming wedding on Feb. 1, 2024, has caught the attention of many. Catie, a teacher at Good Shephard Catholic School in Minnesota, had a special vision for her big day – she wanted to include her students in the celebration. Recognizing that her wedding date provided the perfect opportunity, Catie embarked on a truly extraordinary plan.
“The children were already excited and involved in our wedding preparations before they even realized that they were actually going to attend our wedding, which was such a heartwarming experience,” the bride shared with GMA.
The couple’s original wedding coincided with Catholic schools’ week, a festive five-day celebration featuring themed dress-up days and special events. To make the most of the occasion, they decided to take advantage of the beautiful on-site church at Good Shepherd. Although their ceremony and reception were already scheduled for Feb. 2, the bride had a brilliant idea to create a theme day for her wedding and say her vows a day earlier. When she approached the principal with her idea, he enthusiastically supported it.
The Teacher Held Her Wedding on “Fancy Surprise Day.”
Catie and the principal decided to designate February 1st as “fancy surprise day” in order to encourage her students to dress up in their finest attire. However, this special day wasn’t just limited to her current kindergarten class. Given her extensive experience as a teacher, Catie has had the opportunity to get to know many children throughout the years, as she has been teaching for a long time and also runs various clubs. As a result, she wanted to extend the invitation to all the students she has had the pleasure of teaching.
“They were all well aware that it was our wedding weekend,” she said with a smile. “Naturally, they were thrilled about it. We absolutely adore this location and the children here. Honestly, there’s no other place where it would have been as magical. The ambiance and significance would have been completely different.”
“It came as a huge surprise, not only for the entire community,” she remarked.
Walking down the aisle inside the church, filled with hundreds of students and faculty members, the teacher made her way with grace. Catie, in an Instagram post, shared that she chose to wear her mother’s wedding gown, adding a sentimental touch to the occasion. The readings during the ceremony were beautifully delivered by staff members and students alike.
After declaring their love for each other, the newly married couple walked down the halls, where they were greeted by students waving silver pompoms.
Catie and Kevin celebrated their original wedding date, February 2nd, with a second wedding ceremony surrounded by their loved ones.