Maura Lee Gately and Carl William Walker Failing received the sacrament of Holy Matrimony on Saturday, May 10, 2025. The ceremony was conducted by the Rev. David Sauter, S.J., in the chapel of Our Lady of Lourdes at Georgetown Preparatory School in North Bethesda, Maryland, and was attended by close family and friends.
The bride is the daughter of Eleanore Gately of Scituate, Massachusetts, and Kim Mazzuca of Santa Rosa, California. Maura holds a bachelor's degree in biochemistry from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. The groom is the son of James and Kate Failing of Indianola, Mississippi. Carl earned a bachelor's degree in biochemistry from Sewanee: The University of the South.
The bride wore an ivory A-line taffeta gown and a chapel-length veil of tulle with organza flower embellishment. She carried an ivory and blue garden-style bouquet of anemone, delphinium, hydrangea, and spray roses with mixed greenery. The groom wore formal evening attire. The couple exchanged vows and received Holy Communion, witnessed by God and their loved ones, then joyously exited the church to "The Heavens Declare."
The wedding party included Maura’s twin sister, Kaitlin Gately, as maid of honor, Will Rickman of Tennessee as best man, and Indianola resident Scott Poindexter as one of the groomsmen. A reception followed at The Crossvines, a vineyard and golf club in Poolesville, Maryland. Guests enjoyed plated meals of braised short rib, seared salmon, and mushroom ravioli. The couple led the wedding party and guests to the dance floor after sharing their first dance to the Motown classic, “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.”
The week after the wedding, Maura and Carl, both Army captains, received their medical degrees from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. They will soon begin their residencies at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas — Maura in emergency medicine, Carl in general surgery.
The happy couple thanks family and friends for continued support in their new life together.
