We are overjoyed to invite you to celebrate this special day with us. Our wedding is not just a ceremony, but the beginning of a beautiful journey together filled with love, joy, and countless adventures. Each of you has contributed to our story in meaningful ways, and we are thrilled to have you witness this significant moment as we embark on our new life together.

Last year, Jade, her parents, siblings, and mama (grandma) had the privilege of travelling to Seoul to meet Sam’s family and celebrate a traditional Korean ceremony in a hanok village, wearing hanboks. As part of the celebration, we participated in a traditional tea ceremony (paebaek), where we offered tea to Sam’s parents and received blessings for our future together. During the ceremony, we also embraced the symbolism of wedding ducks — a pair of wooden ducks representing fidelity, peace, and lifelong partnership. Additionally, we caught chestnuts and jujubes (Korean dates) thrown by Sam's parents, a tradition symbolising a prosperous future and the number of children we may have, with chestnuts representing sons and dates representing daughters — we ended up catching three dates and two chestnuts, symbolizing three daughters and two sons! This year, we are thrilled to welcome Sam’s family to Canada and to incorporate Filipino traditions into our wedding ceremony, honouring Jade’s culture and family roots. Similar to the hanboks worn during our Korean ceremony, several of Jade’s relatives may choose to wear barong tagalog and filipiniana attire. The barong tagalog is a lightweight, embroidered formal shirt, traditionally made from natural fibers such as pineapple leaves (piña) or banana silk (jusi), and worn untucked over dress pants. It symbolizes elegance, pride, and respect. The filipiniana is a traditional dress, often featuring butterfly sleeves and intricate embroidery, representing grace, cultural pride, and the beauty of Filipino heritage. As part of the ceremony, you’ll also see three special rituals that hold deep meaning in Filipino weddings: Unity Candle: Together, we will light a central candle using two smaller candles, symbolizing the joining of our individual lives into one, guided by faith and love. Veil Ceremony: A white veil will be draped over our shoulders, representing being clothed as one — a symbol of unity, protection, and togetherness. Cord Ceremony: A ceremonial cord will be gently placed over us in a figure-eight shape, symbolizing an everlasting bond and the infinite nature of love and commitment. These traditions are rich in history and meaning, and we are so excited to share this part of our heritage with you. Thank you for being part of such a special celebration!