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essage.with files from The Canadian Press Onlookers line the street black prom dresses in Quebec City ahead of the wedding between Pierre Karl Peladeau and Julie Snyder.Hundreds of people attended a wedding at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in downtown Fort Wayne Saturday morning.It may sound like a standard on a summer Saturday, but this marriage is one most people have likely never seen or heard of before.The bride’s name is Jessica Hayes, the groom is Jesus Christ.Saturday morning, she became the Fort Wayne-South Bend Diocese’s first consecrated virgin in 25 years.It’s not the wedding day Hayes envisioned for herself as a little girl.Sure it came with the same struggles any bride-to-be would have, like finding the perfect dress.Of course, she also wanted to make sure her guests had a good time.For the 38-year-old theology teacher from Bishop Dwenger High School, this commitment represents years of prayer and soul-searching.I had been praying about it for years, trying to seek God’s will for my life and not really finding it in any of the paths that I sought before.A consecrated virgin is a fairly rare occurrence in the Catholic church.Saturday’s ceremony makes Hayes the only one in the Fort Wayne-South Bend diocese.There are approximately 3,000 around the world and more than 200 in the United States.So, my marriage is to Christ and someone else’s marriage is to their spouse.A priest’s marriage is to the church.That’s a good desire that’s planted in us by God.I do think that not everybody has the same path.As Catholics and as Christians, we’re all called to that loving relationship with our God.So, I’m called to live it out in this way.Married couples are called to live that out in their married vocation and their love of their family.It’s a way of life that really anticipates what all of us will live in heaven, that union with ourselves and Christ and a real knowing and loving of him.My path is choosing that closer following now because that’s where my greatest joys lie.A consecrated virgin is different from a nun in that Hayes will still live her life as a lay person.As one green prom dresses might expect, the vocation comes with some confusion.Hayes when I come back to school next week, and no, I’m still Ms.Hayes said she wants to use her experience to help increase vocations among women.I think, especially with the young women I’ve worked with in my teaching so far, the religious life isn’t something that many of them consider because we don’t with us in our schools like we used to years ago women religious teaching.So, many of them don’t consider that as an option anymore because they don’t see young women their own age considering it and joining it.It’s a spiritual journey Hayes can’t wait to begin.Even more so than looking forward to this day is a looking forward to the rest of my life just because it’s a deepening of that commitment.Now that I’ve made a public commitment, that’s really an encouragement to me to live up to that because people know that this is who I am and my life needs to be lived in conformity with that .Share this:FacebookTwitterPinterestGoogleEmailPrintLike this:Like Loading.Brides and grooms are spending more on weddings than ever before.While the cost of your wedding might be significantly higher or lower than this number, we find every couple is looking for ways to save money wherever possible while at the same time not wanting to give up the vision of their wedding that they have already created in their heads or on their Pinterest board.For those brides and grooms looking to save anywhere from a couple dollars to a couple thousand dollars, here are my favorite ways to save money on your wedding without any of your guests noticing.Cut the Guest ListThe number one easiest way to save money on your wedding is to cut the guest count.When determining the cost of adding a guest to a wedding, most think to calculate the cost of that guest's food and beverage but often stop there.For every 8-10 guests you can remove from your guest list, not only will you save the cost of their meal and bar package, but you pink prom dresses will also be able to remove a whole table -- including the centerpiece, rental chairs, specialty linen, menu cards, place cards, table number, welcome bags and favors.Select Flowers by Seasonality, Color and Texture -- Not TypeHere's another easy one: Work with your florist to design your florals based on a style you are looking to achieve rather than favorite types of flowers that may or may not be in season at the time of your wedding.Check your Pinterest board and look at the flowers you are pinning.Are the bouquets and arrangements loose and airy or tight and compact?Use descriptive words to explain what you are looking for instead of simply requesting peonies in the off season, which will cost you a fortune if you can get them at all.Your florist will be able to offer you flowers you might have never heard of that can help create your look without the excessive cost.Buy Bridesmaids Dresses in a Department StoreIf you and your bridesmaids are lucky enough to find a dress you like, in the right color and sizes off the rack in a department store, you might be able to save a bundle this way.Bridesmaid dresses are expensive because they are custom and anything custom comes with an increased cost.If you have some flexibility in what you are looking for, there is a big opportunity to save here.I often find gorgeous, designer dresses at high end department stores like Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus that cost less than a "custom" bridesmaids dress that your girls might never wear again.If you have a large bridal party, make it easier for your girls to find the dress by selecting something from the current season.If you are looking for anything glittery or with sequins, check before New Year's Eve for a great selection.Hire a Great DJ Instead of a Mediocre BandWe often hear from parents that they are dreaming of a live band at their daughter or son's wedding because they think it will be mor