English Garden Style Wedding

If it were not for the persistence of one of Stefania and Paul’s mutual friends, they would have never met. Although he is from England, Paul had spent some time living in Edmonton, where he had made a good impression on a friend who was determined to play matchmaker. Paul returned to England, yet the friend persisted and was intent on setting him up with her friend Stefania. Much to the friend’s dismay, Stefania and Paul each rejected any suggestion of a set up. After all, neither of them had any interest in pursuing a relationship with someone who lived on a different continent.

After a twist of fate, Paul returned to Edmonton which only resulted in the friend’s insistence to play the role of matchmaker. Still, Stefania and Paul were adamant that they were not interested in meeting the other. Perhaps their friend knew best, so with a bit of a nudge, a meeting finally occurred—only, it was a surprise. Stefania and Paul each thought that they were going out with their friend individually, but once they arrived, they learned it was a setup. With a little laugh, the pair share that the “first meeting wasn’t good!” The matchmaker continued to persevere. A few weeks later Stefania finally made a deal with her friend. If she promised to let it go, if she at least made the effort to call Paul, then Stefania would do so. The phone call lasted three hours.

Stefania and Paul got along more than they anticipated and, out of respect for their friend, decided to try. What started as an agreement to simply indulge their friend, slowly turned into something more. A friendship was beginning to evolve. They learned that they got along and that they had things in common. Eventually, feelings began to develop and Stefania recalls that it “wasn’t logical.” She remembers “I felt in my heart that something felt right.”

The Proposal

A modest proposal, Paul proposed to Stefania on one knee, with a ring in hand. Seven years into a friendship that blossomed into a relationship, the pair were wed.

The Big Day

The planning of their wedding brought their families, with different cultural backgrounds, together. Stefania and Paul wanted their wedding to be reminiscent of their European backgrounds—hers Italian, his English. From their venues to their English garden style reception, no detail was overlooked. Above all else, their ceremony is the moment that the newlyweds cherish most—Stefania and Paul recall the priest’s homily, before they said their vows. Stefania’s favourite part of the ceremony: “the special moment of saying our vows—we were finally getting married!” A moment that Paul will always remember is when his beautiful bride walked down the aisle: “she looked so lovely.” What he loves most about marriage though is “saying ‘my wife,’ it’s a proud thing for me.

Favourite Moments

Above all else, their ceremony is the moment that the newlyweds cherish most—Stefania and Paul recall the priest’s homily, before they said their vows. Stefania’s favourite part of the ceremony: “the special moment of saying our vows—we were finally getting married!” A moment that Paul will always remember is when his beautiful bride walked down the aisle: “she looked so lovely.” What he loves most about marriage though is “saying ‘my wife,’ it’s a proud thing for me.

First Dance

Coldplay: “Proof”

Advice from the Newlyweds

Take some time out on the wedding day to have a quiet moment together. The day goes by so quickly and there is so much going on around you. It’s important to remember each other.

Honeymoon

Hawaii