U.S. Marine Cpl. Caleb Earwood prays with his bride-to-be Maggie before their wedding service on Saturday in Asheville, North Carolina. Courtesy Dwayne Schmidt
ABC describes the photo:
U.S. Marine Cpl. Caleb Earwood wanted to pray with his bride Maggie before their ceremony in Asheville, North Carolina, on Saturday. So with the help of their family and wedding photographer Dwayne Schmidt, Caleb was guided to the cabin where Maggie was getting ready for the service, where the couple joined hands around a corner so as not to break tradition and see each other before the altar.
“They hid me in a room and he stepped up on the stairwell and he stuck his hand out and I grabbed his hand,” Maggie Earwood told ABC News today.
“As soon as their hands touched he started getting emotional,” Schmidt told ABC News.
“The whole room was full of emotion,” Schmidt said. “I tried not to cry and focus on what I was doing.”
Photographer Dwayne Schmidt, who shot the powerful image, shared the photo on his Facebook page that night, writing: ‘I have photographed a lot of weddings. This has to be one of the best things I have ever got to see much less photograph.’
He explained: ‘Before the ceremony and before they saw each other Caleb said a prayer for their marriage and lives. AWESOME. [sic]’
The couple had no idea that the image would prove so incredibly popular, however Caleb added that he hopes their love for one another has helped to inspire other people in their own lives.
‘We’re thankful that our picture is able to bless so many people and touch that many hearts,’ he said.
Caleb and Maggie, who began dating two years ago, after first becoming friends during high school, will now begin their honeymoon in Dollywood, Tennessee, before moving into their marital home together.
Caleb and Maggie can be seen posing in matching green ensembles in April
According to Today.com, the couple plan to live in Jacksonville, North Carolina, which is near Camp Lejeune, where Caleb, who has been serving in the military for three years, is stationed.
Nearly 25,000 Facebook users have liked the picture since it was posted on Saturday, with many people leaving comments of praise for the couple.
‘I almost cried looking at this pic and don’t even know this couple! WOW! PRECIOUS! Always put God first! [sic]’ Shannon Conner wrote.
One of the most awesome stories I have read. God Bless these two. Marriage between two individuals equally yoked with God in the middle, that’s the way it should be.
Are you trying to put God in a threesome? God did not create marriage. Marriage is humankind vain tradition. Don’t put God in the middle of this nonsense