Our ceremony will be held at the Stanford Memorial Church located inside Stanford University. The Church stands at the center of the campus, the University’s architectural crown jewel. It was one of the earliest and is still among the most prominent interdenominational churches in the West.
This is what Memorial Church looked like from 1902 until 1906, before a massive
earthquake, that shook the Bay Area, toppled the church’s 80-foot-high tower.
The tower’s clock now sits on Lasuen Mall.
Here are some pictures of what the exterior of Memorial Church looks like now.
Pictures of the interior of Memorial Church including the organ gallery
and domed chancel.
Our ceremony will be much a traditional Filipino Catholic wedding ceremony but without the full Mass (the liturgy of the Eucharist is not included). Below is a brief description of the wedding rituals we will be performing during our ceremony. These special wedding rituals were derived from the rites introduced in the early 18th century by the Spanish missionaries who settled in the Philippines.
Coin Ceremony
The thirteen silver or gold coins, know as "arrhae" (from the Spanish word arras,
meaning "earnest money"), is given by the groom to the bride as a sign of
fidelity. It also signifies abundance and success in the couple’s joint efforts.
Veil Ceremony
Veil sponsors place a ceremonial veil over the groom’s shoulders and the bride’s
head representing the couple "clothed as one". This symbolizes the unity of the
two families into one. It is also a prayer for health and protection during
their married life.
Cord Ceremony
The Yugal (nuptial tie of a silken cord) which the cord sponsors entwines loosely
around the necks of both bride and groom in the form of a figure of eight. The cord
or yugal symbolizes the infinite bond of marriage, a union that lasts a lifetime.
Candle Ceremony
The candle sponsors light two candles which represents the two lives and two
spirits who will be joined together. The bride and groom use the two candles
to light a single candle to symbolize the joining of two families and to
invoke the light of Christ in their married life.
Bible Blessing
The bible bearer brings a bible to the alter where the priest blesses the bible
telling everyone of the couple’s wish for their home to be ruled by God’s word.
This bible then becomes the couple’s home bible and will be used in all religious
ceremonies and devotions in their household.
