Ten months after its glorious reopening ceremony, the iconic Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris hosted an unusual event: the wedding of one of its own rebuilders.

It is a privilege few could ever hope for, since Notre-Dame no longer hosts private ceremonies. This time, however, an exception was made — not for a monarch or a celebrity, but for a humble, hardworking craftsman. 

Paris Archbishop Laurent Ulrich granted special permission for the marriage in recognition of Martin Lorentz’s three-year contribution to rebuilding the cathedral’s charred wooden frame after the devastating 2019 fire.

Because Notre-Dame is not a parish church, weddings are extremely rare and require special dispensation from the archbishop. The last known wedding within these sacred walls dates to 1995, 30 years ago. 

The young carpenter, who had dreamed of this moment since his days working beneath the vaults, married his fiancée Jade on Oct. 25, beneath the bright lights of the restored cathedral. The ceremony, celebrated by the rector of Notre-Dame, Msgr. Olivier Ribadeau Dumas, brought together about 500 guests — family, friends and many fellow carpenters who had labored beside Lorentz on the restoration.

The monument’s restoration involved more than 2,000 artisans and 250 companies, using ancient carpentry techniques to reconstruct the spire and frame. Twenty kilometers (almost 12.5 miles) of oak beams were prepared by hand to restore the original design envisioned by 19th-century architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc.

During his homily, Msgr. Ribadeau Dumas greeted the couple warmly: “Jade and Martin, welcome to this cathedral. Martin, you know it well — you know it from above,” he said, as a nod to Lorentz’s work high atop the newly rebuilt roof.

For the groom, it was a moment of fulfillment and gratitude. “I just want to say that this is the best day of my life. I don’t think I can say anything else,” he told reporters after the ceremony. “I want to share my love, our love, with the whole world, with everyone who needs it.”

Throughout the centuries, Notre-Dame has hosted a few royal and imperial weddings — among them Mary Stuart with François II in 1558 and Napoleon III and Eugénie de Montijo in 1853. This time, it was a simple craftsman who took center stage.

Some of his fellow carpenters carried their axes in tribute, drawing applause from tourists who witnessed the celebration. “It’s incredible to see this happen,” one fellow carpenter told France Info. “It was a wonderful moment to end like that, to get married in our cathedral, which is a bit like home to us.”

A Living Symbol of Renewal

The wedding came as a poignant symbol of Notre-Dame’s revival, less than a year after its reopening on Dec. 7, 2024 — an event that drew global attention and the presence of more than 40 heads of state. “Notre-Dame has known darkness; now it is back in the light,” Archbishop Ulrich said during the rededication ceremony.

Notre-Dame is expected to continue to welcome nearly 15 million visitors a year, reflecting the deep affection it still inspires in pilgrims and visitors from around the world. 

In his letter for the reopening, Pope Francis described the restoration of the cathedral as a “prophetic sign of the renewal of the Church in France.” This renewal continues and is manifested as much in the glowing references from world leaders as in the joy of a craftsman’s wedding.

This wedding served as a reminder that the true renewal of the cathedral lies not only in its restored stones, but also in the souls and vibrant faith it continues to attract under its roof.