Rep. Cawthorn & Bayardelle, legally married in December, hold religious ceremony April 3

U.S. Rep. Madison Cawthorn and Cristina Bayardelle, who were legally married in December, held a religious ceremony with family and friends this past weekend. 

Cawthorn tweeted about his wedding ceremony April 3, and his press secretary issued a news release April 4 about the nuptials.

Cawthorn, R-Hendersonville, represents the 11th Congressional District, which comprises most of Western North Carolina. 

He issued this statement regarding his marriage: "On April 3 of 2014 my life changed forever. A tragic car accident put me in a wheelchair and dashed my hopes and dreams for the future. On April 3 of 2021 my life has once again changed forever. Marrying Cristina Bayardelle, now Cristina Cawthorn, is the greatest honor, privilege, and adventure of my life. I am so grateful to celebrate this occasion surrounded by so many friends and family."

Cawthorn first referenced Bayardelle as his wife in December. 

"Easy explanation for that one!" Cawthorn's press secretary, Micah Bock, said via email. "Rep. Cawthorn and Cristina Cawthorn were legally married back in December. This allowed them to streamline the paperwork process needed for him to take office in D.C. with her as his spouse. If they had waited until April, they would have been forced to redo significant paperwork. They then had a religious ceremony on April 3.”

The marriage license is on file with the Henderson County Register of Deeds. It shows the license was issued Dec. 28, the couple married Dec. 29 and the license was returned to the office Dec. 30. 

The Register of Deeds office said a marriage license expires after 60 days.

Multiple news outlets mentioned Cawthorn's wedding over the weekend, as he had become a rising star in the Republican Party, albeit a controversial one.

Heavy.com describes Bayardelle, 27, as "a fitness model and instructor who regularly competes in CrossFit competitions."

Cawthorn, 25, became the youngest member of Congress in modern times with his election in November.