Diane + Kaynan by Emily Hamilton

The entire day felt romantic, vibrant, and exactly the atmosphere we had imagined.

Tell us a little about yourselves, what you do, what you love…

Kaynan and I both live and work in Montreal, and our lives are a mix of busy workdays and trying to make the most of our time together. I work as a coordinator for corporate events at New City Gas, which means I’m constantly planning and organising large events, making sure every detail comes together perfectly. Kaynan works as a data analyst, so while my days are often fast-paced and social, his are a bit more analytical and structured. Somehow, that balance works really well for us.

Outside of work, we love spending our time exploring and discovering new things together. Travelling is a big passion of ours; we’re always dreaming about the next place we want to visit. When we’re home in Montreal, we’re total foodies and love trying new restaurants around the city. Some of our favourite memories are also the simplest ones: organising cozy chalet weekends with friends, wandering through museums, or heading out on a hike to enjoy nature. We both really value experiences, whether it’s a new destination, a great meal, or just time spent with the people we love.

How/where/when did you meet – and what were your first impressions?

Kaynan and I first met when we were 15 years old at a mutual friend’s house. I still remember the moment because, at one point during the evening, I looked at him and said, “I think we’re going to end up dating.” It was a playful comment at the time, but somehow it ended up becoming true.

After that night, we lost touch for about four years and went our separate ways. Then, by complete coincidence, we ran into each other again at that same friend’s house. It felt like such a full-circle moment. We started talking again, spent more time together, and eventually began dating.

Not long after, Kaynan moved to Montreal for school, which meant we spent three years doing long distance. The visa process took much longer than we expected, and at one point, the only way for me to move was by starting a master’s degree so I could get a student visa. Eventually, everything worked out, and we were finally able to live together in Montreal.

Kaynan proposed to me during a tiny private four-seater plane; it was such a special, unforgettable way to start the next chapter of our story.

What styling and visual elements worked best for you? (could be things, the florals, particular hire products or your marquee, etc., something the stylist created or simply just the scenic beauty of your location or the existing design of your venue).

One of the styling elements that worked best for us was simply leaning into the existing beauty of our venue. The castle had these gorgeous yellow and blue tones, and I absolutely loved how unique and colourful it already felt. When I first saw it, it immediately reminded me of the romantic aesthetic of Bridgerton, which is what inspired the overall theme of our wedding.

From there, we built the visual elements around that palette. We used lots of pastel colours in the florals—soft pinks, lilacs, yellows, and blues—which complemented the venue beautifully.

Another element that worked really well was asking our guests to dress in pastel colours and floral patterns. It created such a beautiful visual throughout the day and made everything feel cohesive, almost like everyone was part of the décor. Between the colourful florals, the pastel outfits, and the natural charm of the castle itself, the entire day felt romantic, vibrant, and exactly the atmosphere we had imagined.

What did you enjoy most about the planning process, and do you have any tips for couples starting their wedding planning journey?

One of the things I enjoyed most during the planning process was having the support of my mom. Since Kaynan and I live in Canada and the wedding was being planned from afar, having her in France made such a big difference. She was able to help with so many things on the ground, from visiting places to helping coordinate certain details. It made the whole process feel much less overwhelming.

Planning a wedding can sometimes feel like a lot, especially when you’re balancing work, life, and time differences, but having people you trust to lean on really helps. My mom was such an important part of making everything come together, and it also made the experience more meaningful to share it with her.

If I had one piece of advice for couples starting their wedding planning journey, it would be not to try to do everything alone. Whether it’s family, friends, or vendors you trust, having a support system makes such a difference. It allows you to enjoy the process more instead of feeling stressed by it.

Tell us about your vendors. Were there any standout suppliers you would like to make special mention of?

The two vendors that really stood out for us were Emily, our photographer, and the venue. Emily was incredible from start to finish; her calm and confident presence made us feel completely at ease in front of the camera. She knew exactly how to capture the moments that mattered most, and the photos turned out even more beautiful than we imagined. Her attention to detail and ability to read the room really made the day feel effortless and joyful.

The venue itself was truly a dream. I loved the colourful details, the beautiful staircase, and the long hallways with stunning orange and white tiles. The reception room was just perfect, with elegant chandeliers, intricate moulding, and so much French charm; it really made us feel at home.

Tell us about your main outfits, what was unique, and is there a story?

For my dress, I wanted something very classy and elegant to match the beauty of the venue. I fell in love with a gown covered in delicate French lace, and the back had a deep V shape that felt both sophisticated and a little daring. The moment I put it on, I knew it was the one; it just felt like me, and I couldn’t stop smiling.

Kaynan’s suit was also perfect for him. He told me he felt the best he ever had in it, and seeing him so confident was really cute. He wasn’t afraid to strike poses in front of the camera, which was so different from usual and made the photos even more fun.

Tell us about your wedding and engagement rings.

All of our rings were purchased from Majesty Diamond in Montreal. My engagement ring has a square-cut diamond with a band lined with small diamonds, and my wedding band also has delicate diamonds all around it. Both rings are incredibly sparkly, and I love how the light catches them.

Kaynan’s wedding band is a simple, timeless gold band—classic and perfect for him. We had both of our rings engraved with “K+D” and our wedding date, which makes them feel personal and meaningful.

What were one or two elements that were most important to you both that you were happy to spend a little more on? (food, photography, florals, the venue, your outfits?).

We’re both born and raised in Lyon, France, so it probably shouldn’t be a surprise that our outfits were really important to us. Feeling confident and comfortable in what we wore was something we both cared a lot about. But beyond that, we truly feel like every vendor mattered, from the venue to the food, the entertainment, the coordinator, and of course, the person capturing all the moments. Every detail played a part in creating the day we envisioned, and we couldn’t be happier with how it all came together. A lot of that is thanks to my mom, who spent so much time helping us find the right fit for so many things, from small details to big decisions. Her support made the whole planning process easier and more meaningful, and it really shows in how beautiful and seamless the day felt.

Was there a favourite moment (or two) that you will treasure always?

The ceremony was incredibly meaningful for both Kaynan and me. One of the most special parts was having my father, Patrick, officiate; it made the moment feel so personal and heartfelt. We also asked our friend, the very same friend whose house we first met at, to stand up and say a few words.

Kaynan’s vows were really sweet and touching. He thanked me for moving to Canada for him and for completing a master’s degree—a program I hadn’t even planned on doing, so that we could finally end the three years of long distance. Hearing him acknowledge everything we’d been through together made the whole moment even more emotional.

Another very special moment was the ribbon ceremony. We had made ribbons with all the names of the people who are no longer with us. Each family member placed a ribbon on top of our hands while we were holding hands, and then we tied all the ribbons together, symbolising that we are who we are because of the people who came before us. Now, in a way, we are all intertwined with them, carrying their memory forward in our love.

What does being married mean to you, and are there any special rituals you have that you would like to share?

Being married, for us, feels like a continuation of the relationship we already started; it’s not a beginning, but a deeper commitment to the life we’ve been building together. It means working together through the everyday moments, supporting each other, and knowing we can always count on one another, no matter what comes our way. Marriage is also about looking forward to the future we want to create, including starting a family and building a life filled with love, laughter, and shared adventures.