On September 14th, we celebrate the Exaltation of the Holy Cross or the feast day celebrating when the true cross was found, by Saint Helena, mother of the Roman emperor Constantine. Her feast day is on August 18th!

Here’s a snippet of my joint St. Helena/Exaltation of the Holy Cross Pinterest board!

According to the legend, she traveled to the Holy Land to look for it and had trouble finding it. She prayed for a sign from God, and in the morning she smelled the sweet aroma from a basil bush under which the cross was buried! Therefore, basil is associated with Saint Helena, so why not use fresh basil as a centerpiece for an earthy wedding? Maybe give baby basil plants as wedding favors? Or jars of homemade basil pesto? OR better YET have bruschetta as your appetizer! OR EVEN BETTER YET — cater Margherita pizzas from a local pizza shop and have a delicious taste of basil incorporated into the day! When in Rome, right?

As for décor, I love those cross/cord decorations with Ecclesiastes 4:12 “A cord with three strands is not easily broken.” They are so beautiful. What a lovely reminder pointing your new marriage to the cross– and the love and self-sacrifice marriage requires.

Notes/disclaimers: Saint and feast day information on customs and our Catholic culture is sourced from a series of books including Drinking/Dining with the Saints, The Catholic All Year Compendium, The Companion Book of Catholic Days, The Catholic Home, Living the Seasons, and A Saint a Day. I also utilize catholicculture[.org] blog: Liturgical Year Calendar and https://catholiccuisine[.blogspot][.com]. Photos free for use under the Pixabay Content License.