Alex & Tyler
About Our Wedding
![Our Catholic Wedding [curated by MoH Paula]](https://images.zola.com/561e593b-ed49-4c22-bbc2-05db23ced71e?h=150)
Our Catholic Wedding [curated by MoH Paula]
"Where a lone man may be overcome, two together can resist. A three-ply chord is not easily broken." [Ecc. 4:12] For Catholics, marriage isn't just a party or a symbol: it's also a sacrament. This means that we're making a commitment to each other and also to God that not only are we going to do the best we can to give each other a good life here on earth, but also to get each other to heaven. If this is your first Catholic wedding, click below for a guide of what to expect during the ceremony! A note on Communion: Communion is for many Christians a sign of Jesus' sacrifice and death. But for Catholics, this isn't just a symbol-- we truly believe that a miracle happens every Mass, and that the Eucharist becomes Jesus' body and blood. For that reason, we all have to undergo preparation to receive Communion, and those who have not yet prepared for the sacrament are asked to come forward with their arms crossed for a blessing.
Our Filipino Wedding
Here are just a few of the Filipino elements you might see on our special day... Cord and Veil A veil is draped over the bride’s head and the groom’s shoulder to symbolize being clothed as one, and a cord or rosary is wrapped around the couple in a figure eight, symbolizing an eternal bond of fidelity, as well as a wish for the protection of the couple. Coins The Arras, or 13 golden coins, are an emblem of the couple's future children and before the church, the bride and groom promise the welfare of their future family. *Fun fact: we're using the same coins Alex's parents used on their wedding day! Candle This is the final ritual symbolizing the bonding of two individuals and in Filipino culture, two families. Two outer candles represent their individual lives and families before the wedding day. Together, the bride and groom will light the candle, blow out the single candles, and figuratively extinguish their past.
Our Musical Wedding
Music has been a source of joy, connection, and love for us as individuals, as a couple, and for our connections to loved ones. As the resident choir enthusiast between us, Tyler has taken it upon himself to choose the music for our wedding mass. If you want to sing in our choir of friends and family, please tell us in your RSVP!
Our Adventurous Wedding
The Shrine of St. Anthony rests on approx. 300 acres of forest, home to plenty of deer and other wildlife. The paths are easily walkable (as long as you're not in stilettos!) and they include a garden dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes (where Tyler, Alex and the Paltings traveled together), swings and adirondacks galore, a 9/11 memorial with a relic from the Twin Towers, and a Stations of the Cross pathway. Click the link for a map of the grounds!
Our Green Wedding
With your help, we will be composting the waste from our event for Little Portion Farm, located on the grounds at the Shrine. Little Portion uses sustainable farming methods to provide healthy, organic, locally grown food to communities in need through the Franciscan Center of Baltimore. In addition to partnering with Little Portion, the Shrine is powered by 1200 solar panels that produce 280 kW of energy, we are doing our best to use recycled paper for all stationary products, and we have also partnered with caterers to serve you on non disposable dinnerware (COVID-19 sanitation guidelines permitting).