San Antonio has offered me a wealth of new photography experiences. Case in point: Rosie and Nick‘s St. Henry Catholic Church wedding. While nearly half of the weddings I photograph are Catholic, this wedding was special because of the traditional, Hispanic rites. In today’s blog post, I will break down all the ceremony details and tell you the special significance of each ritual.

Meet Rosie and Nick

Let’s start out with a quick introduction to this week’s couple. Rosie and Nick met online four years ago. What initially interested Rosie was the fact that she thought Nick attend her high school. He played along, but it turns out Nick actually attended another school. But love finds a way, and Nick was able to win over Rosie despite not attending her alma mater.

St. Henry Catholic Church Wedding – The Ceremony

It took many years for Rosie and Nick to finally make it to the altar, but on October 5th Rosie walked down the aisle. The ceremony was beautifully decorated with Rosie‘s flowers of choice: sunflowers and red roses. She wisely chose faux flowers, making her floral arrangements much easier to manage, plus a whole lot cheaper. There were 75 guests in attendance, and the ceremony took approximately an hour.

As with most traditional Catholic weddings, the ceremony included a procession, scripture, readings, homily given by the priest, and a full mass for all guests. And of course, vows, the exchange of rings, and a big kiss at the end. But this ceremony was extra special for the additional rituals: presentation of a Bible and rosary to the couple, presentation of dimes, lasso ritual, and flowers to the Virgin. While I am very familiar with the flowers to the Virgin ritual, the other three rituals were entirely new to me.

Hispanic Wedding Traditions

In Hispanic wedding traditions, each symbolic ritual carries profound meaning, adding depth and cultural significance to the marriage ceremony.

Lasso Ceremony

The lasso tradition involves draping a large rosary or a cord (sometimes made of flowers, crystals, or even silk) around the bride and groom, typically in a figure-eight shape, to symbolize their unity. The couple usually wears the lasso during the prayer portion of the ceremony. As they kneel together, it represents the couple being bound in eternal love and unity in the eyes of God. The figure-eight shape is also seen as a symbol of infinity, reinforcing the idea of an everlasting bond. Often, the padrinos (godparents) or close family members are responsible for placing the lasso, emphasizing the community’s support for the couple’s union.

Gift of Dimes

The gift of dimes, also known as arras, is a set of thirteen coins given to the bride by the groom during the ceremony. These coins are traditionally blessed by the officiant and are meant to symbolize prosperity and the groom’s commitment to supporting the couple’s future home. The number thirteen represents Christ and the twelve apostles, connecting this tradition to faith and spiritual leadership. In some interpretations, the coins symbolize the couple’s willingness to share all of their material possessions and blessings with one another. This exchange also emphasizes trust and mutual financial responsibility.

Gift of Rosary and Bible

The rosary and Bible are meaningful gifts that highlight the couple’s commitment to faith and spiritual life. These items are often presented to the bride and groom by family members, or sometimes by their padrinos. The rosary signifies their shared faith and is a reminder to pray together, while the Bible represents the importance of Scripture in guiding their life as a married couple. These gifts are often kept as family heirlooms, passed down through generations, representing both the couple’s devotion and the spiritual foundation of their union.

Flowers to the Virgin

The tradition of offering flowers to the Virgin Mary is a deeply meaningful gesture in many Hispanic weddings, symbolizing the couple’s devotion and request for blessings on their new life together. During the ceremony, the bride often presents a bouquet to a statue or altar of the Virgin Mary, which can be accompanied by a prayer, hymn, or moment of reflection. This act serves as a humble offering of gratitude and a request for Mary’s guidance and protection over the couple’s marriage.

The flowers themselves hold significance, often chosen for their beauty, purity, or fragrance. White lilies are a popular choice, symbolizing purity and devotion, reflecting Mary’s role as a pure and loving mother figure. Roses, particularly white or pink, represent love, grace, and respect. In some weddings, the bouquet offered to the Virgin Mary is different from the bride’s bouquet, designed specifically to honor Mary with the finest blooms available, adding a layer of thoughtfulness and reverence.

This tradition is especially meaningful for brides who feel a close connection to Mary as a model of faith and love. By offering flowers, the couple entrusts their marriage to Mary’s care and seeks her intercession, praying that she will bless them with the strength, patience, and love that she embodies. The flowers remain at the altar as a beautiful reminder of the couple’s commitment and spiritual devotion, leaving a lasting mark on the day and grounding their marriage in faith.

St. Henry Catholic Church Wedding – The Portraits

Saint Henry’s is a lovely little gym of a church located on Flores Street in the Lone Star neighborhood. It is a beautiful building that looks like many churches I saw during my trip to Mexico. We chose to take all the family photos in front of the altar of the church for the (air-conditioned) comfort of all family members.

For the portraits of Rosie and Nick, I did not want to travel too far away from the church because the reception was taking place immediately after the ceremony. Our time was also limited since there was another mass taking place right after the wedding. So, after some quick photos inside the church beside the stunning stained-glass windows, we took photos in the vestibule just inside the entrance of the church.

Unfortunately, the ceremony was timed so that it was the hottest part of the day, and there was no shade to be found anywhere. But fear not, I was able to find a colorful mural on the wall of the church school that served as a great backdrop for a few more photos of the couple. If you are in the neighborhood and looking for an additional photo location, you might also check out the one spot of green space located at the corner of La Chapelle and Flores Streets. You also have a colorful graffiti mural at the corner of Flores and Nogalitos Streets.

St. Henry Catholic Church Wedding – The Reception

For Rosie and Nick, the ceremony was the main draw of the day. The reception, held in the banquet hall of the church, was a fun get together for family and friends. The event was catered by Pinkerton‘s barbecue, and the couple had a very moving first dance. At the center of the event was a precious wedding cake created by a friend of the couple.

Final Thoughts

Rosie and Nick‘s traditional Catholic wedding was a wonderful learning experience. I was happy to discover more about these new rituals, and I look forward to photographing many such ceremonies in the future.

Enjoy the photos, and I’ll have more photo adventures for you next week! As it turns out, October is the most popular month for weddings in San Antonio, as it is in New York City. I was swamped with work these past few months, and have plenty of tales to tell. Stay tuned.

Vendors

Wedding ceremony and reception venue – St. Henry Catholic Church
Caterer – Pinkerton’s Barbecue
Wedding cake – Baked by Brooke
Tux rental – Debi’s Rental

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If you found this article on ‘St. Henry Catholic Church Wedding’ useful, then check out these articles:

Also, make sure to check out photos from Rosie’s downtown San Antonio bridal portrait session here.

Are you interested in saying ‘I do’ in San Antonio? Drop me a line and let’s chat about how I can help you. I have hourly rates, and all photo shoots include editing and high-resolution files.

To view more images from my wedding photography portfolio, please visit my website – KellyWilliamsPhotographer.com