Katie Gaudreau Reveals All the Touching Ways She Honored Late Brothers Johnny and Matthew at Her Wedding (Exclusive)

Yahoo

4 days ago

Katie Gaudreau married her high school sweetheart, Devin Joyce, on Friday, July 11, nearly one year after canceling her original wedding following a family tragedy
Katie's two brothers, Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau, were struck and killed by an alleged drunk driver while biking in New Jersey on the eve of her wedding on Aug. 29, 2024
To make sure her brothers were with her and Devin in spirit when they tied the knot, the couple found several touching ways to honor them during their ceremony and receptionKatie Gaudreau is sharing all the touching ways she honored her late brothers, Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau, on her emotional wedding day.
The two hockey players were struck and killed while biking in New Jersey on Aug. 29, 2024, the night before the couple was originally set to wed. NHL star Johnny, 31, and high school coach Matthew, 29, were to serve as groomsmen. In the wake of the tragedy, Katie and her now-husband, Devin Joyce, postponed their wedding.
More than a year later, on Friday, July 11, the couple tied the knot in a ceremony at St. Mary's Church in their hometown of Gloucester City, N.J., followed by a reception at The Bellevue Hotel in Philadelphia.
Katie tells PEOPLE that while it was difficult to navigate the myriad emotions tied to their rescheduled wedding amid such a tremendous loss, she and Devin knew that Johnny and Matthew would have wanted them to embrace the moment and all the love surrounding them.
"I know, deep in my heart, that they would want us to feel love — not just their love — but all of it: the kind that surrounds us, uplifts us and reminds us that we are not alone in any of this," she says.
Over the past year, the pair — along with their families — have "coped by staying connected to John and Matty not just through memory, but through action."
"We've honored the boys in ways that reflect who they were and the joy they brought into the world. We've kept their legacies alive through tributes and doing good in their name," Katie explains. "Every single event or tribute that we do in their honor feels like a thread that still ties us to them. It's not the same as having them here, but it's a way of continuing the legacy of their love and light."
That sentiment was reflected throughout their wedding celebration. Katie and Devin included a number of sweet tributes to her brothers so that they would be with them in spirit.
The bride says she was inspired by one of her favorite musical artists, Taylor Swift, whom she described as the "queen of hidden meaning."
"She leaves us little Easter eggs that feel like quiet whispers only meant for the people who really know. That idea stuck with me as we planned our wedding," she explains. "I wanted to include both big and small tributes — some visible to everyone and some only Devin and I would understand."
Along with a Martina Liana strapless bridal gown, Katie wore a custom veil, made by Sara Gabriel, featuring the messages "Love you – Matty' and 'Love ya – John" in her brothers' handwriting. "It's their words, their hands, a piece of them woven into mine to walk me down the aisle and keep me safe, one on each side," she tells PEOPLE.
Her "something blue" was a handkerchief, embroidered with the initials "JG" and "MG" alongside two doves.
Last year, at her rehearsal dinner, Katie's mom, Jane Gaudreau, gave her a memory locket with Katie's late grandmother's picture tucked inside. She attached it to her bouquet. Jane did the same with her mother-of-the-bride blooms, and added a picture of her two sons.
Devin and Katie's father, Guy Gaudreau — who walked his daughter down the aisle — both sported custom suits by J.F. Bedard from Glorius Custom that had photos of Johnny and Matthew inside the jacket lining. In addition, they, along with the groomsmen and Devin's dad, wore socks embroidered with 13 and 21, Johnny and Matthew's jersey numbers.
Katie also gave a nod to the jersey numbers with the bouquets. Hers featured 21 standard roses and 13 spray rose blooms, while the bridesmaids' bouquets had the reverse, 13 standard roses and 21 spray roses.
Last year, Katie and Devin had intended to play her favorite song, "Mr. Brightside" by The Killers, at the reception. But she says it no longer felt right as her brothers wouldn't be there to dance along with them. Instead, they put together a video montage, showing Johnny and Matthew "dancing, laughing, lighting up every room they ever entered."
The video appeared on a screen behind the band when "Mr. Brightside" was played so the brothers would "still be part of the moment, the party, the joy."
Katie tells PEOPLE she was set against the idea of having a memory table, explaining, "In my heart, a memory table is for people who might be forgotten, whose absence needs explaining. But there's no one at this wedding who will forget that they're not with us."
As an alternative, the couple had their wedding planner, Paige of Kyle Michelle Weddings & Events, design an escort board (used to direct guests to their designated tables) that was made by White Glove Rentals. It featured photos of Johnny and Matthew, "entirely woven into the experience, just like they would have been if they were physically there."Katie notes, "These details may be small, but they carry so much meaning. Each one reminds us that John and Matty are not just remembered — they are present in the most heartfelt, joyful and beautiful ways."
Thinking about what her brothers would have hoped and wished for her on her big day, Katie says they would have wanted her wedding to be "absolutely perfect" and for their sister to "feel all the love" surrounding her and Devin.
Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
"They would tell me that they are here with me — maybe not in the way I wish they could be, but they're celebrating alongside all of us. I know it to be true," she tells PEOPLE. "John and Matty always celebrated the people they loved with their whole hearts, and they would want this day to be about celebrating the love I've found and the life Devin and I are building together."
"Most of all," she adds, "they'd want me to know that their love didn't end — it lives on in every celebration, milestone and moment of happiness in my life, especially my wedding day."
Read the original article on People