Leah & Patrick

June 2025

Their Story

Leah and Patrick’s love story began long before they started dating. The two met over ten years ago and built a strong friendship that naturally wove into their everyday lives. Leah was close with Patrick’s younger brothers, and over the years their connection grew through shared time, easy conversations, and regular board game nights with friends.

After Leah moved to Vancouver, Patrick created a “work trip” excuse to go visit Leah; he just wanted to be wherever she was. The two reconnected over one of their favourite activitied — board games. That evening, Patrick asked Leah out. After three years of dating, their bond — built on trust, laughter, and a decade of history — made it clear that this was a love meant to last.

The Proposal

Leah thought she was heading to Belize for a girls’ trip filled with scuba diving and sunshine — but Patrick had something much bigger planned. With help from Leah’s best friend and her mom, he secretly arranged a surprise destination proposal. Patrick worked with Leah’s mother to transform an heirloom family ring into a custom engagement ring, creating a piece rich in meaning and history. A few days after Leah arrived in Belize, Patrick flew in and surprised her on a tropical pier. Surrounded by turquoise water, hanging sarongs, and the laid-back charm of island life where golf carts replace cars, Patrick proposed. The couple became engaged in March 2024, turning an ordinary travel moment into an unforgettable memory. In a place whose name translates to “Muddy Water,” their proposal was a perfect reminder that love doesn’t have to be flawless to be deeply meaningful.

The Wedding

After arriving at the venue, I began setting up for the ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception, ensuring each space was ready to transition seamlessly throughout the day. With temperatures soaring, thoughtful logistics became especially important. When the Bride’s father arrived with the flowers, I kept them safely indoors until closer to ceremony time to protect them from the heat — one of many small details that helped the day run smoothly.

The wedding décor, including centrepieces, table numbers, signage, and guest favours, was a meaningful reflection of Leah and Patrick’s shared love of board games, inspired by their favourite game, Wingspan. The subtle, personalized touches added character to the space while staying true to the couple’s style.

As guests began to arrive, one of the bridesmaids prepared to officiate the ceremony, making the moment even more personal. Following a heartfelt ceremony, guests moved indoors for cocktail hour, enjoying a welcome reprieve from the heat while sipping on signature drinks as venue staff prepared for dinner.

After a delicious three-course meal, the celebration took a joyful turn as guests surprised Patrick by singing Happy Birthday — it was the Groom’s birthday. Both the wedding cake and birthday cake were lovingly made by the Mother of the Bride, adding another meaningful, family-centred detail to the evening.

Once dinner concluded, tables were cleared to create space for dancing. Leah and Patrick shared their first dance as newlyweds, setting the tone for an evening filled with connection, laughter, and celebration. Guests moved easily between the indoor and outdoor spaces, mingling, dancing, and fully enjoying the relaxed, joyful atmosphere as they celebrated the start of Leah and Patrick’s married life.

Congratulations, Leah & Patrick!

Setting up