FAQs

Question

By when are RSVPs needed?

Answer

As our postcard invitation did not include a RSVP deadline, we ask that you please inform of us of your intent to attend any or all parts of our wedding by April 1, 2026. We appreciate you taking the time to either accept or decline your invitation in the RSVP tab of this website. RSVPs are requested for the Friday Welcome Cruise, Saturday Church Ceremony, Saturday Wedding Reception, and Sunday Ballpark Brunch as we need a specific headcount for each of these events. Please note that all other aspects of our weekend schedule do not require a RSVP. We hope to see you at as much of our wedding weekend as you are willing and able to attend!

Question

How did you two meet?

Answer

We both attended Cornell University in Ithaca, New York (alongside many of our incredible lifelong friends) from Fall 2015 through Spring 2019. Matthew and Erin each took a Human Development introductory course in Fall 2016 with roughly 200 students. After noticing Erin fearlessly contribute throughout many of these massive lectures, Matthew approached her to study together. Erin "tutored" Matthew in the subject, and they eventually both aced the course. All the while Erin suspected ulterior motives to the study request, though it was not confirmed until a year later when the couple began dating in Fall 2017.

Question

How long have you been long distance?

Answer

Since Fall 2017, we have successfully navigated living in two separate cities for all but one year of our relationship: our Senior Year at Cornell collectively spent in Ithaca. In college, we went from living on opposite ends of campus, to opposite side of the globe (for Erin's semester abroad in Singapore), to opposite sides of Eddy Street. Post-graduation, Erin and Matthew moved to NYC and Baltimore for work, respectively, stretching the 3 minute walk to each others' apartments to a 3 hour bus, train, or occasional car ride. We rarely drove so we started racking up Amtrak, Greyhound, and even FlixBus tickets. When Erin moved to Cleveland in Fall 2022 to pursue her masters degrees the 200 miles distance doubled to 400 miles. At that point we became frequent fliers with Southwest, which quickly became Matthew's favorite airline for the direct flights from BWI to CLE. As the saying goes: distance makes the heart grow fonder. We have now spent over 8 years together with only 1 of them in the same geographic location. Easy? Typically not. Worthwhile? Absolutely. We wouldn't have wanted our love story any other way.

Question

When did you get engaged?

Answer

Matthew floored Erin (literally hit the ground in a squat) with an unexpected midweek proposal on 8/20/25 at University Circle's last Wade Oval Wednesday concert of the Summer. Matthew had secretly taken off work and flown in to Cleveland Hopkins Airport at 11AM that morning (where he frantically crafted a back up plan in case it rained) until Erin got off work. For weeks prior, Matthew masterfully orchestrated with both Erin's graduate school and childhood friends, as well as the featured band of the evening: The Unit eXperience Project. Erin was line dancing to the band's amazing live rendition of "Boots on the Ground," when Matthew came out of nowhere with the ring to propose. Needless to say this new addition to Erin's line dance repertoire has definitely become a favorite. Better get you fans out for our wedding!

Question

Why are you getting married in Baltimore?

Answer

Though neither of us are from Baltimore, Matthew has lived here since Summer 2019 when he relocated from Ithaca for the Baltimore City Teaching Residency. At that same time, Erin relocated to New York City where she worked in Child Protection before moving to Cleveland for graduate school in Fall 2022. We're excited to conclude our long distance relationship with our #partyoftheyear2026 in Baltimore. Our wedding also serves as a goodbye to a city that has been the longest constant in either of our adult lives with Matthew's impending move to Cleveland.

Question

What paper mailing can I expect for the wedding?

Answer

We combined our save the dates and invitations into a single custom postcard with wedding specifics and a link to our wedding website. We love writing postcards to each other, as well as our friends and family. So we thought this method of invitation would best reflect us.

Question

Can I bring a plus one?

Answer

We have strived to include all significant others in our invitation mailing and RSVP headcount. If we overlooked someone, please let us know; we will be happy to add them to your invitation. Both Matthew and Erin have benefited from being a plus one to weddings for the other. We'd like to extend that same opportunity to you!

Question

Are children permitted at the wedding?

Answer

As much as we love children, we have elected to make our ceremony and reception adult only events. We politely request no children under the age of 18 attend. We hope that the wedding can be a chance for guests to enjoy a night out. Thank you for your understanding!

Question

What transportation will be provided?

Answer

None other than your own feet! All aspects of our wedding weekend will be within walking distance of each other and Downtown Baltimore, leaving no need to coordinate transportation. The ceremony and reception space are 0.4 miles (0.6 kilometers) apart. Matthew have lives in Baltimore for 7 years without a car (as did Erin for 2 of her 3.5 years in NYC). We'll pay homage to this lifestyle over our wedding weekend.

Question

Will there be alcohol at your wedding?

Answer

Though we personally abstain from drinking, we recognize the role of alcohol in celebratory occasions. Thus, we are happy to provide alcohol at our wedding events including an open bar at our reception. We ask that you enjoy yourself and drink responsibly. As we are getting married in a church, the only alcohol at our ceremony will be the sacred wine transformed into the Blood of Christ, so we'll save the cocktails and mocktails for the reception!

Question

Do you have a wedding registry?

Answer

No. We have been blessed with an abundance of home goods stored and handed down by both of our families. You have likely heard tales of our U-Haul escapades to retrieve all these items from across the country and unite them under one roof once Erin purchased her Cleveland house in February 2025. With Matthew moving to Cleveland after our wedding, we will have a fully furnished home. We certainly appreciate the desire to support us in our married life together, though our future collective home is already full of all the items we need.

Question

Can we expect line dances?

Answer

Yes. No better time than the present to learn all that Youtube has to offer!

Question

Will you honeymoon?

Answer

Yes! We look forward to honeymooning, ideally in India, immediately following our wedding. Neither of us have been to India before, and it has been on our bucketlists for some time. Please let us know if you have any specific destination, food, or activity recommendations!

Question

Does your wedding mass count towards my Sunday obligation?

Answer

Unfortunately, it does not per Catholic Canon 1248. As a daytime ceremony, our wedding narrowly misses the 4PM or later time requirement to count as a Sunday Mass obligation. Feel free to join us at 10:30AM the morning following our wedding for Sunday Mass at The Baltimore Basilica.