"We were about to take our first steps in life together, and we didn't want to take a step without it being in God's will," Caleb, 21, told Today.com.
"I prayed to God for my beautiful and intelligent wife that he blessed me with and the amazing family I was marrying into."
In order to avoid seeing one another before the ceremony, the couple positioned themselves facing away from one another, and kept their eyes closed during the prayer, which Maggie, 22, said helped her to feel all the more confident about walking down the aisle alongside Caleb.
"When I first grabbed his hand, he was shaking really bad, so I knew he was really nervous," she explained. "It relieved me to know the person I was getting ready to marry felt the same way about God."
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 said 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.
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.
- Daily Mail
