Our styling was simple and organic—letting the stunning natural landscape take centre stage.
Tell us a little about yourselves, what you do, what you love…
Katryna, the bride, was born and raised in Vancouver, British Columbia, where she also completed her degree at the University of British Columbia. Maciek, the groom, was born in Gdańsk, Poland, and grew up in cities across Poland and the Netherlands before pursuing his education in Amsterdam, Moscow, and Vancouver. After graduating from UBC, both of us moved to Montreal, Quebec, to begin our careers in marketing at L’Oréal. It was there that our paths crossed, and what began as colleagues quickly turned into something more.
We spent eight wonderful years in Montreal, discovering the charm of Quebec’s picturesque countryside, before returning to Vancouver at the end of 2024 with our Boston Terrier, Apollo. Whether hiking through BC’s rugged mountains or kayaking along its serene coastlines, we love spending time outdoors, soaking up Canada’s natural beauty.
Travel is another shared passion. We love immersing ourselves in new cultures, sampling local cuisines, and exploring landscapes that feel worlds away. With Maciek’s family in Europe, we’re often across the Atlantic and have been fortunate to visit many corners of the continent. In 2024, we took a two-month sabbatical to explore the south of France and Spain, which turned out to be an unforgettable adventure. Some of our favourite memories include cycling the Col de Fontbelle, wandering the cobblestone streets of Mous=ers-Sainte-Marie, and spotting dolphins off the coast of Málaga.
How/where/when did you meet – and what were your first impressions?
We first crossed paths at a university in Vancouver, but it wasn’t until we both found ourselves working in Montreal that our story truly began. Maciek had been with the company for a year when Katryna arrived as an intern, and by some twist of fate, we ended up on the same team. What started as strictly professional soon turned into something much more meaningful.
The real challenge came when we realized there was more between us—should we keep it a secret from the team or let it unfold naturally? It didn’t take long for the office to catch on, and soon it became a running joke with Maciek getting teased about “dating the intern.” After Katryna’s internship ended, she moved back to Vancouver to finish her degree, and we managed a few months of long-distance before deciding to build our lives together in Montreal. Looking back, those early days feel like such a special chapter—unexpected, chaotic, and the perfect foundation for everything that followed.
When did you first realise that this was someone you’d like to spend the rest of your life with?
There wasn’t a single “aha” moment—it was something that became clear over time as our relationship deepened and we faced bigger life decisions together. Each time we encountered a challenge or needed to align on a major choice, it became evident just how much our values and outlook on life were in sync. These moments weren’t always easy, but they showed us how naturally we approached things from the same perspective, prioritised the same things, and were willing to make similar sacrifices.
We both recognized how rare it is to find someone who shares not just your vision for the future but also the commitment to navigating life’s inevitable twists and turns together. Knowing we could lean on that foundation gave us the confidence that, no matter what challenges lay ahead, we’d always find a way forward as a team.
Tell us about the vision you had for the mood and style of your wedding. (theme, key styling elements, florals, colour palettes etc.).
We took a very untraditional approach to our wedding, which gave us the freedom to focus on creating meaningful moments and symbolism that truly reflected us. Since it was the first time our families were coming together, we wanted the day to feel as much about their union as it was about ours. Involving them was a top priority, and we found ways to make sure everyone felt included and connected.
Our styling was simple and organic—we used what we had in the house and around the property, letting the stunning natural landscape take centre stage. The property we stayed on provided such a magical backdrop that we didn’t feel the need to overthink or over-plan. This relaxed, thoughtful approach allowed us to focus on what mattered most: the people, the connections, and the love we were celebrating.
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).
The most impactful decision we made was to embrace and highlight the natural beauty of our surroundings. Our aisle was lined with seasonal flowers that complemented the landscape, and our florals were sourced from Luca, the local florist we met at the weekly farmers’ market. His enthusiasm and creativity brought our vision to life in the most authentic way. Beyond that, we kept things simple and let the stunning grandeur of the area speak for itself. It was a perfect blend of thoughtful details and the effortless charm of the setting.
What did you enjoy most about the planning process and do you have any tips for couples starting their wedding planning journey?
Leqng go of traditional expectations allowed us to approach our wedding with fresh eyes and focus on what truly mattered to us. The most enjoyable part of the process was sitting down together and reflecting on what a wedding—and a marriage—meant to us. That conversation became the foundation for everything we planned, helping us stay grounded and intentional.
It’s easy to get caught up in the endless to-do lists and external pressures, but our advice to other couples is to always come back to your “why.” When you make decisions based on what’s meaningful to you as a couple, the planning process becomes not only more enjoyable but also a reflection of who you are together.
Tell us about your main outfits, what was unique, is there a story?
For the Chinese Tea Ceremony, I wore my grandmother’s dress—her “Cheung sam” from my parent’s wedding. A few months before the big day, I was rummaging through the closets at my childhood home, hoping to unearth something meaningful. To my delight, I found this beautiful dress tucked away and forgotten for decades. I brought it back to Montreal, where I had my tailor work her magic, ensuring it fit perfectly. When I wore it in France, my parents were deeply moved and surprised, as it added such a meaningful and personal touch to that symbolic moment of the wedding.
What was 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?).
Food and photography were the two elements we were most happy to invest a little extra in. Both of our families have a deep appreciation for great food, so that was a natural priority for us. Since our wedding was a surprise and had such an intimate feel, we also wanted a photographer who could capture not just the moments but the emotions and memories that made the day so special. We couldn’t have been more thrilled with both choices—they truly exceeded our expectations!
Did anything happen on your wedding day that you laugh about in hindsight (even if it was stressful at the time)?
On our wedding day, the sun was shining bright, but so were 50km/h wind gusts! Our ceremony was set up in the middle of a field, so the wind was a real challenge. We were all scrambling to keep the setup intact while guests tried to watch through hair whipping in their faces. It was a true test of our creativity, but it ended up being one of those moments that made the day even more memorable. There’s a hilarious story involving Katryna’s mom that we’ll keep to ourselves—it’s our little family secret! 😉
BRIDE Katryna Cheung, @katrynacheung PHOTOGRAPHER Mathilde Caelicia, @mcaelicia ENGAGEMENT RING Custom made by a small shop in Montreal, Canada BRIDE’S RING Bought at an antique jewellery shop in Rome, Italy GROOM’S RING Bought from a small shop in the UK BRIDE’S TEA CEREMONY DRESS Vintage custom design from bride’s grandmother WEDDING DRESS Muna Dress – Cult Gaia, @cultgaia BRIDE’S SHOE Penny Knotted Lame Sandal – Loeffler Randall, @loefflerrandall BRIDE’S FRAGRANCE Jasmine Sambac & Marigold – Jo Malone, @jomalonelondon SUIT Zara, @zara GROOM’S SHOE Italian Cobbler from Florence GROOM’S FRAGRANCE Eidesis – Aesop, @aesop
