How high school couples defied clichés with a personal and highly funny wedding day

Our former editor-in-chief tells how she and her now husband celebrated a creative love fest that took more than a decade to prepare.

In 11th grade, as I walked down the hallway of my high school – keeping a respectful distance from my boyfriend – I heard the same screech from friends and enemies alike: “You have to invite me to your wedding!”

Even though it was a joke, I was always embarrassed. I met this guy in the drama club and rarely held hands with him in public; I didn’t want to imagine an indulgent display of affection. And besides, damn it, this was 2012. Who marries their high school sweetheart these days?

I do. Pun intended. On one of the last sunny days of 2023, the annoyingly lucid teenagers were proven right when then-boyfriend Chris became now-husband Chris at the Nikkei National Museum and Cultural Centre in Burnaby. Our high school love affair aside, we were determined not to be an old-fashioned cliche — we planned our wedding with personal, meaningful details around every corner. And I overcame my shyness about public displays of affection. After all, sharing your own wedding story in the magazine you used to work for is as public a display of affection as it gets.

EVERYTHING NICELY DRESSED My wedding dress with tiger lily print is from Truvelleand Chris’ navy blue suit is from Andy Yuena designer made from kits. But it’s not all bespoke and couture – Chris bought his shoes for $8 at a thrift store.

SURPRISE ME We were not picky about flowers, so we simply asked the team at Garden Party Flowers in East Van to create something playful with yellows and whites—and with roses, bright dahlias, whimsical feverfew daisies, and Italian butcher’s broom greenery, they really delivered.

NANA KNOWS BEST Instead of the traditional flower girls, we asked our grandmothers to open the ceremony. The trio of “flower grannies” scattered white petals down the aisle… and onto the heads of unsuspecting guests.

Paper wedding With the help of friends and family, we folded 1,000 Origami cranes: According to Japanese legend, if you fold as many paper cranes as you can, your wishes will come true. They also make great (and inexpensive) decorations for receptions.

EAT UP The sausage platters for the cocktail hour were supplied by Dip and Sip by Unni Pastriesand a sushi buffet was provided by M Sushi Private Catering.

A TRUE GEM The rings were custom made by Ethos mytha local jewelry designer who I interviewed for this magazine in 2021.

PRINT LIFE Instead of a traditional program, we created a wedding magazine (what can I say? I love print media) that included the event schedule, seating chart, wedding party information, and of course, ads from the wedding’s generous sponsors (our parents).

SWEET THINGS Since neither of us are cake fans, we opted for cinnamon rolls from Coffee grounds and cakes from Langley’s Krause Berry Farms instead. Dance floor popsicles were also served.

THE SCORE Music by a local violinist Kurt Chen gave the procession an ethereal but also fun atmosphere – the Beatles’ “Here Comes the Sun”, Queen’s “Somebody to Love” and Katy Perry’s “Teenage Dream” accompanied the outdoor ceremony.