High school classmates Caleb and Maggie fell truly in love and decided to tie the knot when the time was right. After months of careful planning, a real surprise was waiting for the bride. And it would capture national news!
What could have possibly been revealed on her wedding day, of all days? And why were thousands of people glued to their screens when they saw a photo released from this private event?
Read on for the real story behind this wedding shocker that became a viral sensation...
Best Friends Forever
The truth is, Caleb and Maggie had been friends for ages. Raised in Asheville, these North Carolina kids had been pals with a similar circle of acquaintances, they were really always around each other.
Secretly, Maggie had considered the possibility of dating Caleb all along. With a great deal in common, it just seemed like a natural outcome. But Caleb had other things on his mind: He wanted to become a marine! Was he really a suitable boyfriend, with these busy goals?
Slow Southern Pace
After high school, Maggie and Caleb did pursue professional endeavors. Of course, everyone needs emotional comfort along the way!
Despite the demands of making it in the world as a young person, dating just couldn't be avoided for these two! Now a bit older, their priorities were different. Working and bonding was now the dual focus of their lives. Who says people can't walk and chew gum at the same time, anyway?
Forever is Forever
Time passed, and feelings grew. Caleb and Maggie became a public couple, and their families definitely approved! Caleb was now a part of the Marines, and this required him to be away for long periods. Luckily for him, he had a rare girl that supported the whole process. Maybe it was time to take the next step!
Caleb headed to the ring store to take a look at options for a proposal. Yes, they were young. But true love knows no age! It was completely clear that he loved Maggie. Why not spend the rest of his life with her?
Crazy in Love
There would never be a better time to be honest, expressed with a ring. Caleb picked out a design that he thought would look beautiful on his girlfriend's finger, and prepared to ask the big question!
For this young man, there was no question he had ended his search for the perfect girl. Spending the rest of his life with her was not even a hesitation! But did young, inexperienced Maggie really feel the same way?
That Ring Though
Caleb got her parent's permission and had a ring in hand. It was time to ask the question of their lives, and Maggie immediately knew her answer. She said yes!
Shockingly, both planned to marry at the age of 22. In an era where so many college-age people stay single for years, they had no regrets — not yet, anyway. So young and so in love, no one could have imagined how this story would turn out. How did things get off track, starting so well?
Preparation is Key
Well, nothing was problematic for some time. Caleb and Maggie were both laid back and loving, which makes wedding preparations that much easier. No bridezilla to be found in this tale!
Still, they quickly found that planning such a big day took up a great deal of their free time. Too much, perhaps — and it started to take away from their beloved family time. Still, they felt this investment would be worth it for the long term. Would it be, though?
All Booked Up
At the end of the day, these two down to earth Southerners did not want an over the top wedding. Choosing to focus on faith, family and friends instead was the obvious approach. But they wanted some nice photography, at least!
Unfortunately, they struggled to find the right professional for this essential job. Everyone in the area seemed to be busy! After a great deal of patience, it began to look like they might not find someone to capture their big day at all! What was the next step, if this was really a possibility?
A Gracious Referral
With only a few weeks to go before the big day, no solution had been found. As natural optimists, they still held out hope!
New ideas started to pop up from friends when they publicized their planning struggles. Their circle had great suggestions, it turned out. One referral was actually a popular name in the area they had written off: Dwayne Schmidt. He was definitely well-known and talented, but they assumed he simply wouldn't be available with such short notice. Were they wrong all along about his business model?
The Man with a Plan
Caleb and Maggie decided to give it a try. They met with Dwayne, and asked to see his portfolio. And to no one's surprise, the great reviews had been on point about his skills. Truly impressed, they took a shot in the dark. Was he available for their big day, by chance?
Actually, yes! Dwayne was available, and they had gotten really lucky with their wedding date. Sure, he had plenty of bookings. But not that day! Everything was going to be okay, they thought. This was wrong, of course. But why?
Bad News Bears
Photographer booked, catering done, guests confirmed — everything finally seemed to be going perfectly well. The happy bride and groom couldn't picture anything going wrong at that point. Why would they, really?
But suddenly a devastating phone call arrived. With less than a week before their ceremony, Caleb and Maggie couldn't believe what they were hearing. It sounded like their whole wedding was about to fall apart! What kind of curveball had suddenly come their way?
Big Sick Day
Caleb and Maggie had gotten a call from their photographer. No one ever thinks about it, but all professionals have their own emergencies from time to time. And occasionally, that spills over into other people's lives who depend on them. Yet, it's no one's fault!
Dwayne revealed that he needed emergency surgery. He had kidney stones, which is no small diagnosis. In fact, it's incredibly painful! There was little chance healing would complete in time for this couple's big day, and Dwayne wanted to give them a head's up. What could they possibly do now?
Tested Faith
The truth is, Caleb and Maggie realized they shared an unshakable faith before any other qualities that brought them together. And now was a great time to rely on it!
By now, Caleb's marine career had given them plenty to think about when he was away. A dangerous job, to be sure — but they were never very worried. Couldn't they believe that this small bump in the road would turn out well, too?
Surgery Succeeds
Sure enough, the couple's prayers appeared to work! Despite the scare, Dwayne called them back. His surgery had gone well, and he was home resting at ease.
In fact, he was excited to get back to work! With one week to go, this was fantastic news for everyone involved. Truly, there was no chance of finding a quality replacement at this stage with a miracle from heaven! Luckily, this now sounded unnecessary. Underpromise and overdeliver much, Dwayne?
Healing Power
Caleb reached out to Dwayne to double-check just a few days before the ceremony. A confirmation would be great, of course!
Awestruck, it seemed that Dwayne was completely recovered from his kidney stones procedure. That's not always the case, of course. Many people experience complications! Surprisingly, he confirmed that he planned to make it to the wedding to capture every moment on film. Were all the pieces finally falling into place?
Love that Lace
It seems so! The big day arrived, and it was time to get ready for the stroll down the aisle. Though Dwayne usually just photographed the final moment, this couple wanted every step of the way documented. This included the preparation hours!
It was time to get into that white dress and meet the bridesmaids. But that was just one side of the story, as it always is. What was Caleb up to, during these last hours of single life?
Lookin' Good
Why, he was putting on his snappy military suit! For commissioned officers, this is certainly allowed. Caleb was very proud of his new career, and his bride loved his patriotic service.
Caleb imagined what his bride looked like, having never actually seen the dress. And no groom should! In a way, this all broke from tradition to capture the behind-the-scenes action. But Dwayne captured this pre-wedding stage on the groom's side, and it came out beautifully. What about the bridesmaids, by the way?
All the Single Ladies
Unsurprisingly, things were getting really exciting on the girls' side. Dwayne returned to document all the lovely ladies, and he found beautiful, coordinated outfits. And the excitement in the room was building and building!
Every detail of makeup and hair would be captured for a lifetime by the talented photographer, and the room started to anticipate the entrance of the groom. As most people know, the betrothed are not supposed to each other until the veil is pulled away! What was the plan here?
Like a Glove
When it was time, Dwayne had a plan. Caleb approached a door near the back of the room, where Maggie was already waiting. The door slowly opened, and the moment had arrived to take a special, planned picture.
The couple was careful not to look at each other, but they grabbed hands. The perfect compromise to keep tradition! That special reveal would be saved for the final moment in front of friends and family. Why did they both start to cry?
Sharing Prayer
Now moments before it was time to make a final commitment, Caleb knew there was something else he needed to do. And with no time to spare!
Yes, it was time to pray. Caleb later explained: “We were about to take our first steps in life together, and we didn’t want to take a step without it being in God’s will...I prayed to God for my beautiful and intelligent wife that he blessed me with, and the amazing family I was marrying into.” How did onlookers react to this, at the time?
Faith Inspires
Why, there wasn't one dry eye in the room! Dwayne was snapping away, but Caleb and Maggie were truly with one another in a private moment in front of everyone. And it felt like pure magic!
Everyone was emotional seeing the couple hold hands in the doorway, and things got even more intense soon! It was time to walk down the aisle, and every moment ended up on film. When they finally met at the altar, everyone was curious about what would happen next. Would they both say, 'I do'?
The Big Moment
To be in a relationship with such a demanding career was not easy, but it was all worth it on this special day. Both Maggie and Caleb consented to marriage in front of God and country — and friends and family, too!
Raised in church all their lives, they believed a union like this was the beginning of a plan. Little did they know exactly how inspiring it would be, and shortly!
Straight From the Heart
Happiness on this wedding day had spread way beyond the bride and groom. Caleb had wowed everyone when he shared his true feelings about his match. Explaining it was God's plan that they met, he wanted the world to know about it.
Maggie and Caleb shared their photo collection with all of their guests. And soon, people all over the world would know about it! How, and why did this story get attention beyond the neighborhood?
Old Souls
Well, one of their photos went viral. Yes, America was utterly impressed with two young people who seemed to have such a good head on their shoulders in an age with so many distractions. A little old school, perhaps. But readers found it utterly charming!
To become a United States Marine by age 19, choose a wife, and say such a mature prayer in front of his buddies was worth a few shares and likes. People simply loved that double-blind hand-holding moment, and national television noticed. Which show decided to interview them about their beautiful faith and love?
Setting an Example
It was The Today Show, of course! Maggie explained her feelings in the moment of the photo to Huda and Kathy Lee: “When I first grabbed his hand, he was shaking really bad, so I knew he was really nervous...It relieved me to know the person I was getting ready to marry felt the same way about God.”
Interfaith marriages are quite common these days. But many people still marry within their church, and this was an example of what such a union might look like. What did America think about this aspect of the story?
The Nation Cheers
Sometimes, America longs for a little uplift! It turned out to be pretty interesting to people from all backgrounds. These youngsters really seemed to have something strong in common at the start of their lives. And perhaps the story hit even harder because it was Memorial Day weekend.
Soldiers often have trouble keeping relationships with such a hard job to do, and the nation really rooted for these two who never lost faith! What kind of feedback did the photographer get, by the way?
Double Blessing
It seems that millions were thankful that Dwayne had been the creative professional involved to capture it all. The spirit of the day had really been documented perfectly with his camera lens. The man was simply an artist. Another positive review, for sure!
Obviously, everyone wanted to know more. Dwayne was interviewed by local media about his business, which must have been great advertising! Who wouldn't want to hire him, after this emotional masterpiece?
In Demand Man
After Dwayne uploaded all his Maggie and Caleb photography, the demand definitely went up. It's not like he wasn't able to find clients before. Things had been going well! But now, it was a whole different business ballpark.
More and more lovebirds were shown his work all over the web. And things got wild, in terms of bookings! Dwayne reported turning down 16 events in one summer after the viral sensation began. Just how widespread were these shares, really?
Movin' On Up
Soon, the prayer photo was placed on the cover of I Do Magazine. Certainly, most people in the wedding industry never make it there! Dwayne had achieved the impossible while battling health problems — a real example of the unpredictable ups and downs of life!
More than 61,000 likes and 3,000 comments wished the couple well. And from all walks of life, no less! How have things turned out for these young people since their very public exposure, by the way?
Fairy Tale Love
Very well, it seems! Now one child in, these two are really enjoying their life as a military couple. After a honeymoon at Pigeon Forge, they settled into a house where Caleb was stationed at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune.
This training facility is located in North Carolina, the state where they fell in love. Things are looking good for these two so far. After all, the Marine slogan has been Semper Fidelis — "Always Faithful" — all along. All the best, Caleb and Maggie!