From One Candid Speed Date to the Altar: Marcel and Alicia's Catholic Love Story

Marcel and Alicia are the first married couple to meet through Candid. They found each other at a virtual speed dating event on February 18, 2024 - one 7-minute conversation that turned into a long-distance relationship, a move to the same city, and a wedding in June 2025.

If you've spent any time on typical Catholic dating apps, you're probably familiar with conversations that never quite make it to a real meeting, and how difficult it can be to find someone who truly shares your commitment to faith and family.

Marcel and Alicia both knew that experience all too well. Before they ever met each other, they had each spent time swiping through Catholic dating apps, hoping it might lead to something meaningful. Instead, they often felt like they were interacting with profiles rather than people.

Everything changed when they each signed up for the same Candid speed dating event.

Speed dating beats swiping

Marcel had grown tired of what he describes as the "stale format" of many Catholic dating apps. Even when a match seemed promising, it was surprisingly difficult to get someone to actually hop on a video call and have a real conversation.

"From abandoned accounts to flaky prospects," he recalls, "it felt like these apps were selling the illusion of choice."

Alicia felt a similar frustration. While she appreciated that Catholic dating apps existed, many of her experiences left her feeling like she was talking to a profile instead of a real person, and she often found that the men she encountered didn't always take their faith seriously.

Then both of them came across a podcast discussing the launch of Candid, a Catholic virtual speed dating app.

For Marcel, this new dating concept immediately stood out. Instead of weeks of messaging or swiping through profiles, Candid started with face-to-face conversations. Alicia had the same reaction when a friend sent her the podcast episode.

"Before I even finished listening, I was convinced I should sign up," she said. "It felt like I had finally found a more organic way to meet Catholic singles."

A 7-minute conversation that felt easy

When the evening of the event arrived, Marcel tried to keep his expectations simple. His goal was not necessarily to meet a future spouse that night. He just hoped at least one person might enjoy their conversation enough to want to continue it afterward.

As it turned out, his expectations were exceeded.

Alicia went into the event with almost no expectations at all. She had never done speed dating before and did not know what to expect, so she decided to simply stay open and place the experience in God's hands.

Even though both of them felt nervous at first, that feeling disappeared almost immediately once their video call began.

Marcel remembers being struck by Alicia's warm and outgoing personality, describing her as bubbly, witty, and easy to talk to from the very first moments. Alicia remembers something similar.

"As soon as I hopped on the call, Marcel's million-dollar smile and personality made it all worth it," she said.

Within those first few minutes, they began discovering an almost surprising number of things they had in common. Both had grown up in the Northeast, both came from families with three siblings, both loved the Florida coast, and both had spent time in Austria.

For Marcel, the moment the call began, he found himself hoping it would not end.

Alicia felt the same. "I knew right away I wanted to keep talking to him," she said.

The Candid match that started it all

After the event ended, Marcel didn't wait long to reach out. He sent Alicia a thoughtful message through the app, telling her how much he had enjoyed their conversation and asking if she would be open to exchanging numbers and scheduling another FaceTime call.

"He handled everything like a gentleman," Alicia recalls.

Their conversations continued from there, and Marcel quickly came up with creative ways to make long-distance dating feel more personal and fun.

One of their early dates, for example, involved what they jokingly called "Uber Eats Roulette." Each of them ordered a dessert they thought the other person would enjoy and had it delivered during their FaceTime call, turning a simple conversation into something memorable.

Eventually, they decided to meet in person.

Their first in-person date consisted of ice cream followed by a walk near the beach just after Lent had ended.

Realizing something bigger was happening

Even early on, both Marcel and Alicia sensed that their relationship might be different from anything they had experienced before.

For Alicia, Marcel's intentionality stood out immediately. He approached dating with a seriousness and clarity that she had rarely encountered.

For Marcel, the turning point came when Alicia had a job interview near where he lived. At that moment, he began to realize that their connection might not remain long-distance for long.

Within two months of knowing each other, the two were no longer states away but mere minutes away from each other. Looking back, Alicia sees that moment as a clear example of God's providence unfolding in their story.

"That's when it really started to feel surreal," she said.

From a speed date to marriage

Their relationship continued to grow from there, strengthened by shared faith, intentional communication, and the willingness to pursue a relationship seriously.

In June 2025, just over a year after meeting on Candid, Marcel and Alicia were married, becoming the first couple to marry after meeting through the Candid app.

Their single 7-minute conversation during a virtual speed dating event had turned into a lifelong commitment.

Today, they've been together for more than two years, and their story continues to be a reminder that sometimes the smallest steps can lead to the biggest changes.

Advice for Catholic singles

Both Marcel and Alicia know how discouraging dating can feel, especially for Catholics who are trying to find someone who truly shares their faith and values.

Marcel often reflects on a simple idea that helped him stay hopeful during the dating process.

"You only have to be right once," he says.

While there may be disappointing dating experiences along the way, finding the right person ultimately only requires one meaningful connection.

Alicia agrees, and she encourages other Catholic singles not to give up even when dating feels frustrating.

"All the effort that goes into finding the right person is absolutely worth it," she says. "Settling is never the answer."

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Candid Dating?
Candid is a Catholic virtual speed dating app that connects single, practicing Catholics through live one-on-one video speed dates. Instead of swiping through profiles, members attend structured events organized by age group and region, have five seven-minute video dates in one evening, and receive their mutual matches afterward. Every profile is manually reviewed to ensure all participants are verified, practicing Catholics.

Can Candid Dating work for long-distance matches?
Yes, because Candid events are virtual, members can match with other single Catholics from across the country, not just their local area. Marcel and Alicia lived in different states when they met through Candid and dated long-distance before eventually relocating to the same city. Candid runs city-specific events, regional events, and nationwide events open to all US Catholics, so your match doesn't have to be nearby to be the right one.

How is Candid different from other Catholic dating apps?
Candid replaces profile swiping with live, face-to-face video speed dating events. Instead of messaging back and forth with a profile for weeks before meeting, every Candid participant has four to five real conversations in one evening with verified, practicing Catholics.

How can I try Candid Dating?
Download the Candid Dating app on iOS or Android, or browse the Upcoming Events page to see upcoming Catholic speed dating events in your age range and area. First-time members receive 50% off their first event, automatically applied in the app.