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Wedding Shower

Sayen House and Gardens

Zaruchyny (Rite of Betrothal)

St. Bartholomew the Apostle Catholic Church

Matrimonial Mass (Church Ceremony)

Bonesaw Brewing Co. - Glassboro

Reception

Spring

Our Wedding

We&nbsp;met&nbsp;each&nbsp;other&nbsp;at&nbsp;the&nbsp;Rutgers&nbsp;University&nbsp;Catholic&nbsp;Center&nbsp;in&nbsp;the&nbsp;Fall&nbsp;of&nbsp;2018.&nbsp;Christina&nbsp;had&nbsp;been&nbsp;at&nbsp;Brookdale&nbsp;Community&nbsp;College&nbsp;for&nbsp;her&nbsp;first&nbsp;two&nbsp;years,&nbsp;and&nbsp;had&nbsp;started&nbsp;at&nbsp;Rutgers&nbsp;that&nbsp;Spring,&nbsp;so&nbsp;by&nbsp;the&nbsp;time&nbsp;she&nbsp;had&nbsp;finally&nbsp;found&nbsp;the&nbsp;Catholic&nbsp;Center&nbsp;in&nbsp;the&nbsp;Fall,&nbsp;she&nbsp;found&nbsp;herself&nbsp;alone&nbsp;among&nbsp;several&nbsp;already&nbsp;established&nbsp;friend&nbsp;groups.&nbsp;Despite&nbsp;that,&nbsp;everyone&nbsp;was&nbsp;extremely&nbsp;welcoming&nbsp;and&nbsp;very&nbsp;soon&nbsp;she&nbsp;was&nbsp;spending&nbsp;practically&nbsp;every&nbsp;day&nbsp;sitting&nbsp;in&nbsp;the&nbsp;"Adam&nbsp;Chair"&nbsp;in&nbsp;the&nbsp;Catholic&nbsp;Center&nbsp;living&nbsp;room,&nbsp;quickly&nbsp;becoming&nbsp;part&nbsp;of&nbsp;the&nbsp;furniture. About&nbsp;a&nbsp;week&nbsp;later,&nbsp;Arthur&nbsp;started&nbsp;noticing&nbsp;the&nbsp;girl&nbsp;in&nbsp;the&nbsp;"Adam&nbsp;Chair"&nbsp;sitting&nbsp;there&nbsp;whenever&nbsp;he&nbsp;stopped&nbsp;in&nbsp;to&nbsp;grab&nbsp;coffee&nbsp;and&nbsp;say&nbsp;"Hi"&nbsp;to&nbsp;friends&nbsp;between&nbsp;his&nbsp;classes.&nbsp;However,&nbsp;Christina&nbsp;has&nbsp;always&nbsp;had&nbsp;a&nbsp;habit&nbsp;of&nbsp;studying&nbsp;with&nbsp;headphones&nbsp;in&nbsp;and&nbsp;Arthur&nbsp;had&nbsp;thought&nbsp;that&nbsp;she&nbsp;likely&nbsp;didn't&nbsp;want&nbsp;to&nbsp;be&nbsp;bothered.&nbsp;And&nbsp;so,&nbsp;for&nbsp;about&nbsp;two&nbsp;weeks,&nbsp;he&nbsp;walked&nbsp;by&nbsp;without&nbsp;saying&nbsp;anything&nbsp;to&nbsp;her&nbsp;and,&nbsp;while&nbsp;she&nbsp;did&nbsp;notice,&nbsp;Christina&nbsp;wasn't&nbsp;about&nbsp;to&nbsp;do&nbsp;anything&nbsp;about&nbsp;that. One&nbsp;day,&nbsp;Arthur&nbsp;came&nbsp;in&nbsp;and&nbsp;sat&nbsp;on&nbsp;the&nbsp;couch&nbsp;next&nbsp;to&nbsp;the&nbsp;"Adam&nbsp;Chair"&nbsp;to&nbsp;read&nbsp;a&nbsp;book,&nbsp;at&nbsp;which&nbsp;point&nbsp;Christina&nbsp;(who&nbsp;hadn't&nbsp;slept&nbsp;much&nbsp;that&nbsp;week)&nbsp;had&nbsp;a&nbsp;Tourette's&nbsp;moment&nbsp;and&nbsp;started&nbsp;twitching...&nbsp;Loudly. Reasonably,&nbsp;Arthur&nbsp;was&nbsp;concerned&nbsp;and&nbsp;started&nbsp;staring&nbsp;trying&nbsp;to&nbsp;figure&nbsp;out&nbsp;what&nbsp;was&nbsp;happening&nbsp;and&nbsp;if&nbsp;Christina&nbsp;was&nbsp;having&nbsp;a&nbsp;seizure.&nbsp;Eventually&nbsp;Christina&nbsp;announced&nbsp;that&nbsp;he&nbsp;was,&nbsp;in&nbsp;fact,&nbsp;allowed&nbsp;to&nbsp;ask&nbsp;what&nbsp;was&nbsp;happening.&nbsp;This&nbsp;exchange&nbsp;began&nbsp;a&nbsp;conversation&nbsp;that&nbsp;continued&nbsp;for&nbsp;several&nbsp;hours&nbsp;and&nbsp;which&nbsp;wandered&nbsp;across&nbsp;topics&nbsp;and&nbsp;themes.&nbsp;They&nbsp;exchanged&nbsp;numbers&nbsp;and&nbsp;continued&nbsp;talking&nbsp;and&nbsp;soon&nbsp;became&nbsp;good&nbsp;friends.&nbsp;Soon&nbsp;after,&nbsp;Arthur&nbsp;introduced&nbsp;Christina&nbsp;to&nbsp;the&nbsp;Dungeons&nbsp;and&nbsp;Dragons&nbsp;group&nbsp;he&nbsp;played&nbsp;(and&nbsp;still&nbsp;plays)&nbsp;with&nbsp;and&nbsp;she&nbsp;joined&nbsp;as&nbsp;well. After&nbsp;several&nbsp;months,&nbsp;dozens&nbsp;of&nbsp;shared&nbsp;cups&nbsp;of&nbsp;coffee,&nbsp;and&nbsp;countless&nbsp;hours&nbsp;of&nbsp;conversation,&nbsp;Arthur&nbsp;invited&nbsp;Christina&nbsp;to&nbsp;visit&nbsp;the&nbsp;Guggenheim&nbsp;Art&nbsp;Museum&nbsp;in&nbsp;Manhattan,&nbsp;citing&nbsp;her&nbsp;love&nbsp;for&nbsp;art&nbsp;and&nbsp;his&nbsp;access&nbsp;to&nbsp;free&nbsp;tickets. After&nbsp;their&nbsp;visit&nbsp;to&nbsp;the&nbsp;museum,&nbsp;during&nbsp;a&nbsp;chill&nbsp;walk&nbsp;down&nbsp;5th&nbsp;Ave&nbsp;toward&nbsp;the&nbsp;MET,&nbsp;and&nbsp;right&nbsp;across&nbsp;the&nbsp;street&nbsp;from&nbsp;the&nbsp;Ukrainian&nbsp;Institute&nbsp;of&nbsp;America,&nbsp;Arthur&nbsp;asked&nbsp;Christina&nbsp;if&nbsp;she&nbsp;wanted&nbsp;to&nbsp;go&nbsp;out&nbsp;with&nbsp;him...&nbsp;On&nbsp;a&nbsp;date&nbsp;(yes&nbsp;the&nbsp;clarification&nbsp;was&nbsp;necessary). After&nbsp;a&nbsp;good&nbsp;15&nbsp;seconds&nbsp;of&nbsp;deer-in-headlights&nbsp;staring,&nbsp;trying&nbsp;to&nbsp;suppress&nbsp;the&nbsp;reflexive&nbsp;"Huh?"&nbsp;that&nbsp;was&nbsp;trying&nbsp;to&nbsp;come&nbsp;out&nbsp;as&nbsp;a&nbsp;result&nbsp;of&nbsp;Christina&nbsp;being&nbsp;distracted&nbsp;(probably&nbsp;by&nbsp;a&nbsp;squirrel&nbsp;or&nbsp;something),&nbsp;and&nbsp;having&nbsp;an&nbsp;existential&nbsp;crisis&nbsp;realizing&nbsp;that&nbsp;not&nbsp;only&nbsp;did&nbsp;someone&nbsp;like&nbsp;her&nbsp;in&nbsp;that&nbsp;way,&nbsp;but&nbsp;he&nbsp;was&nbsp;very&nbsp;intelligent,&nbsp;rather&nbsp;handsome,&nbsp;and&nbsp;actually&nbsp;knew&nbsp;how&nbsp;to&nbsp;take&nbsp;care&nbsp;of&nbsp;himself. While&nbsp;Christina&nbsp;had&nbsp;her&nbsp;existential&nbsp;crisis,&nbsp;Arthur&nbsp;had&nbsp;his&nbsp;own&nbsp;as&nbsp;he&nbsp;worried&nbsp;that&nbsp;he&nbsp;had&nbsp;read&nbsp;her&nbsp;entirely&nbsp;wrong&nbsp;and&nbsp;that&nbsp;he&nbsp;had&nbsp;just&nbsp;accidentally&nbsp;ruined&nbsp;a&nbsp;friendship&nbsp;that&nbsp;he&nbsp;valued&nbsp;highly. After&nbsp;what&nbsp;seemed&nbsp;like&nbsp;an&nbsp;eternity&nbsp;of&nbsp;silent&nbsp;staring&nbsp;and&nbsp;internal&nbsp;screaming&nbsp;Christina&nbsp;finally&nbsp;responded. "Sure!" A&nbsp;couple&nbsp;of&nbsp;months&nbsp;and&nbsp;several&nbsp;false&nbsp;starts&nbsp;later&nbsp;we&nbsp;decided&nbsp;that&nbsp;we&nbsp;definitely&nbsp;wanted&nbsp;to&nbsp;make&nbsp;this&nbsp;work,&nbsp;and&nbsp;so&nbsp;we&nbsp;have.&nbsp;It&nbsp;hasn't&nbsp;been&nbsp;easy.&nbsp;There&nbsp;have&nbsp;been&nbsp;many&nbsp;stressors&nbsp;and&nbsp;difficulties&nbsp;in&nbsp;the&nbsp;relationship,&nbsp;COVID,&nbsp;Law&nbsp;school,&nbsp;family,&nbsp;grad&nbsp;programs,&nbsp;but&nbsp;we&nbsp;have&nbsp;made&nbsp;it&nbsp;through&nbsp;each&nbsp;difficulty&nbsp;together,&nbsp;supporting&nbsp;one&nbsp;another&nbsp;through&nbsp;prayer&nbsp;and&nbsp;communication&nbsp;and&nbsp;growing&nbsp;as&nbsp;a&nbsp;couple. That&nbsp;first&nbsp;question&nbsp;was&nbsp;popped&nbsp;on&nbsp;January&nbsp;10th,&nbsp;2019.&nbsp;Four&nbsp;years&nbsp;later,&nbsp;and&nbsp;just&nbsp;across&nbsp;the&nbsp;street&nbsp;at&nbsp;Central&nbsp;Park's&nbsp;The&nbsp;Pond,&nbsp;while&nbsp;Christina&nbsp;quacked&nbsp;at&nbsp;ducks&nbsp;and&nbsp;apologized&nbsp;to&nbsp;a&nbsp;perturbed&nbsp;racoon,&nbsp;Arthur&nbsp;got&nbsp;down&nbsp;on&nbsp;one&nbsp;knee&nbsp;and&nbsp;asked&nbsp;Christina&nbsp;another&nbsp;question.&nbsp;On&nbsp;January&nbsp;5th,&nbsp;2023,&nbsp;Arthur&nbsp;asked&nbsp;if&nbsp;Christina&nbsp;would&nbsp;make&nbsp;him&nbsp;the&nbsp;happiest&nbsp;man&nbsp;on&nbsp;Earth,&nbsp;and,&nbsp;without&nbsp;any&nbsp;hesitation,&nbsp;she&nbsp;said, "Yes!!!!". Our&nbsp;story&nbsp;has&nbsp;had&nbsp;its&nbsp;twists&nbsp;and&nbsp;turns&nbsp;over&nbsp;the&nbsp;years,&nbsp;but&nbsp;it&nbsp;goes&nbsp;onward&nbsp;just&nbsp;the&nbsp;same,&nbsp;and&nbsp;we&nbsp;are&nbsp;so&nbsp;excited&nbsp;to&nbsp;see&nbsp;what&nbsp;God&nbsp;has&nbsp;written&nbsp;in&nbsp;our&nbsp;next&nbsp;chapters.&nbsp;His&nbsp;plan&nbsp;brought&nbsp;us&nbsp;together&nbsp;and&nbsp;has&nbsp;made&nbsp;us&nbsp;strong&nbsp;and&nbsp;understanding&nbsp;of&nbsp;each&nbsp;other,&nbsp;and&nbsp;his&nbsp;plan&nbsp;will&nbsp;bring&nbsp;us&nbsp;into&nbsp;our&nbsp;future&nbsp;together&nbsp;where&nbsp;we&nbsp;will&nbsp;be&nbsp;even&nbsp;stronger&nbsp;and&nbsp;even&nbsp;more&nbsp;secure&nbsp;in&nbsp;our&nbsp;love&nbsp;for&nbsp;each&nbsp;other&nbsp;and&nbsp;in&nbsp;His&nbsp;love&nbsp;for&nbsp;us.

Where It All Began

Our Story

Hey, I'm Aida (yes like the opera) and I'm Christina's big sister. I love makeup, and I am a proud mom of 2 girls.

Aida Marie Yawn

I'm a friend of the Bride, a brother of the Groom, and still waiting for my invitation (at this point I'm a little worried). Currently studying social work, and looking forward to the fame and fortune it will undoubtedly bring.

Kevin Rohman

My name is Giana and I've been friends with Christina since my sophomore year of college! My favorite memories with her are definitely sleeping over her house after D&D and our late night talks!

Giana Castelli

Hello! I'm Tim, and I have the dubious honor of being Christina's very first Dungeon Master for Dungeons and Dragons, and also of killing her very first character on only her second play session.  Little did I know that two members of that table all those years ago would honor me with a spot in their wedding party. 
I'm a born and raised Jersey Boy, a teacher, and soon-to-be-husband who enjoys long walks to the fridge and the tears of my players.

Timothy O'Donnel

"I'm Jennifer and my favorite drink is a dirty chai :)" 

Jennifer Sosa

Hello, my name is Thomas and I am a proud jersey-boy, nurse, and husband. I find myself being in the honored position of being dubbed one of Arthur’s harmlessly delinquent groomsmen and could not be anymore excited for the big day.

Thomas Greey

Writer, crafter, outdoor lover, and rock climbing addict, I like to spend my free time seeking out adventure and working on my first novel. I graduated from Rutgers University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and now I dream of one day being a published author and owning an old cottage in the middle of the woods that I can fill to the brim with novel antiques.

Sarah Thuel

Hi! I'm Alex, and I've known Arthur and Christina since college. I love spending time with my fiancée Briana, playing D&D, chilling with my cow Lucky, and making (I am told) really good mead!

Alexander Eldridge

Hi! My name is Paola and I am Cristina’s friend. A fun fact about me is that the more I listen into Holy Spirit, the more my face will show it 😂 and I love bubble tea!


Paola Arteaga

Often mistaken for Ryan Gosling, I am in fact a normal Jersey boy-as normal as Arthur's friends can get, anyway- whose only claim to fame is introducing Arthur to his beloved Dungeons and Dragons. In my spare time I enjoy holding musical instruments and pretending I am good at playing them.

Nicholas Bonini

Wedding Party

Our Betrothal

As most know, and many are about to find out, Christina is half Ukrainian and was baptized Ukrainian Catholic. According to Ukrainian tradition, couples that are about to be married seek the blessing of their parents and godparents for their upcoming marriage and then the blessing of the church. This ceremony is called the Zaruchyny, or the Rite of Betrothal. In ancient days the Zaruchyny would have happened anywhere from one year to one day before the wedding, but nowadays it is done on the morning of the wedding itself. Because we are having our wedding at Arthur's parish church, we chose to do ours one month ahead. It was a beautiful and intimate day for us as we sought the blessing of our families and the church surrounded by our families and wedding party.Below is a timeline of the day and ceremonies and then an album containing the day's photos. We hope you enjoy!(Please disregard the dates on the photos. They're just to keep the pictures in the correct order. They were all taken on May 2nd, 2025)

Find the full Photo album <a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/zP2yAifYs7GEj2au8" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here!</a>

Q + A

Hotel Info

With the understanding that there are those who are either traveling in or who live far enough away that they would prefer to stay nearby, we have compiled this list of hotels convenient either to the reception venue or to the Church. This list includes both mid rage cost sites and low cost sites.

Convenient to the Church

Low price

This hotel is about 15 min from the Church and about 1 hour and 30 min from the reception venue. Near Washington Rock State Park, Make yourself at home in one of the 70 air-conditioned rooms featuring refrigerators and microwaves. Complimentary wired and wireless internet access keeps you connected, and cable programming provides entertainment. Conveniences include phones, as well as safes and desks.With a stay at Howard Johnson by Wyndham North Plainfield in North Plainfield, you'll be within

Howard Johnson by Wyndham North Plainfield

This hotel is 30 min from the Church and 1.5 hours from the reception venue.

The Garden Executive Hotel

Mid price

This Hotel is 10 min from the Church and 1 hour and 30 min from the reception venue. Near Shackamaxon Country Club, Make yourself at home in one of the 41 guestrooms featuring refrigerators and microwaves. 42-inch flat-screen televisions with cable programming provide entertainment, while complimentary wireless internet access keeps you connected. Private bathrooms have deep soaking bathtubs and complimentary toiletries. Conveniences include safes and coffee/tea makers, and housekee

The Westfield Inn Best Western Signature Collection

This hotel is 15 min from the Church and 1 hour and 30 min from the reception venue. Near Baltusrol Golf ClubMake yourself at home in one of the 170 guestrooms featuring refrigerators and microwaves. Wired and wireless internet access is complimentary, while 49-inch LCD televisions with cable programming provide entertainment. Private bathrooms with bathtubs or showers feature complimentary toiletries and hair dryers. Conveniences include laptop-compatible safes and complimentary

Hilton Garden Inn Springfield

This Hotel is about 20 min from the Church and about 1.5 hours from the reception venue

Holiday Inn Clark - Newark Area, an IHG Hotel

Convenient to the reception venue

This motel On the less expensive side. It is 1 hour and 30 min from the Church and 7 min from the reception venue.

Motel 6 Glassboro, NJ - Rowan University

This hotel is also on the less expensive side. It is 1 hour and 40 min from the Church and 20 min from the reception venue.

Red Carpet Inn Williamstown, NJ

This hotel is on the less expensive side. It is 1 hour and 40 min from the Church and 15 min from the reception venue.

Hampton Inn Turnersville (Philadelphia Area)

This Hotel is about 1 hour and 30 min from the Church and about 20 min from the reception venue.

Howard Johnson by Wyndham Blackwood Near Philadelphia

Higher Prices

This Hotel is about 1 hour and 40 min from the Church and 5 min from the Reception venue.

Courtyard Glassboro Rowan University

This hotel is about 1 hour and 40 min from the church and 20 min from the reception venue.

Christina & Arthur

Christina & Arthur

Photos