When Mara Polczynski and Jonah Bock said their vows on July 25 the ceremony was preceded by a lively pickup basketball game that set the tone for the day
The couple both alumni of Grove City College invited 13 of their former teammates seven men and six women to the GCC chapel for a final one more shot before tying the knot match
A Game Before the Vows
Before the first bounce the participants bowed their heads in a brief prayer a moment that underscored the blend of competition and devotion that defined the event
Mara and her sister Magen Mason who had shared a college court as teammates seized the opportunity to reconnect their reunion captured in laughter and a quick hug before the game began
Family Ties and Personal Touches
The teams were drafted on the spot with the groom’s side edging out the first half but the real victory was the shared nostalgia that filled the chapel
Personal details punctuated the day coffee from their favorite local shops was served to guests and the couple’s families exchanged stories that wove together memories from campus the court and beyond
Love, Sport, and Legacy
Later as the ceremony unfolded the couple reflected on how their shared passion for basketball had shaped their relationship noting that the sport taught them teamwork patience and the joy of playing together
The wedding captured in photographs that show the bridal party mid dribble and the couple exchanging rings amid a backdrop of cheering friends stands as a testament to a love that celebrates both sport and family