A beautiful love story and a dreamy real wedding

We are suckers for a good love story over here at Today’s Bride, and this couple has a great one. They met in an unlikely place and then followed each other around the world. And here, Jacqueline gushes about meeting the love of her life.

Tell us a bit about your love story:
All I can really say is that the whole universe conspired to bring us together because our lives crossing paths was nothing short of a miracle!

I am Jacqueline and am Canadian-Egyptian, born and raised in Ontario. My entire life I felt a longing to apply for jobs back in the motherland – to live and work in the land my ancestors called home. I was always an artistic and brave free spirit with huge dreams bursting in her heart. Meanwhile on the other side of the world, Sunday was born and raised in Kampala, Uganda. A cool and calm realist with natural athletic abilities, his life was surrounded family, faith and basketball and he wasn’t drawn to wonder afar. 

In August 2015, I bit the bullet and applied for a job with a Canadian child and maternal health organization in Uganda and got it! Sunday and I met by happenstance; He was friends with my predecessor, so when he heard that one of the “Canadian girls” fell sick (my roommate), he came by to drop off medication. Upon meeting, we instantly became good friends and went out on our first date about a month later. We then went on to graduate to many more international dates; as we each continued to progress in our careers and chase our dreams – we did five years of long distance, with one of us moving to a new country almost every year. This made for great memories as we got lost in the souks of Istanbul, marvelled at the grand mosques in Abu Dhabi, cruised the wetlands of the Serengeti, swam in the Mediterranean waters of Cyprus and toured the great caves in Lebanon.  Finally, as the pandemic hit, I moved home and he followed to Canada shortly thereafter.

What were your original plans for your wedding day? 
We were originally to wed in July 2020 in Cyprus – outside in a lush Mediterranean garden, on the grounds of an ancient monastery that stood half destroyed. The ruins were all part of the glamour. We planned to marry in front of our family and friends and planned for it to be a week-long celebration.

How did you feel about the change in plans?
At first we cancelled our plans thinking we would simply revive them a year later, however, as the months passed and the lockdowns persevered, we knew we had to adapt our plan. After so much nerves and uncertainty (as we both have big extra loving and curious and involved families!), we got everyone’s blessing to move ahead with an intimate wedding, which would include our innermost circle only. We felt so blessed afterwards and ecstatic that we got to share such a special moment of our lives with our closest bunch!

What was your favourite part of the day?
Walking down the aisle with my parents on either side, looking at him, hearing the soft cello play in the background.

Favourite wedding detail?
The florals. Blush & Bloom is the goddess of flowers.

What will guests remember most?
All sitting around one huge table with the candles lit, the food delicious, the florals bursting with magic as we were toasting, eating, drinking, laughing and shedding tears of joy.

What advice can you give to couples planning a wedding?
Go with what brings your heart the most joy and peace, ALWAYS!