Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/162471
U niversity is often a place where people go to find themselves. But Paul Zaremba, 27, and Lauren O'Rourke, 26, not only found their life paths at school, they also found each other. In 2006, both were studying at the University of British Columbia. While Lauren was pursuing creative writing, Paul was "majoring in football" (according to Lauren, at least). Though the arts and athletics wouldn't ordinarily overlap, Lauren and Paul's paths somehow kept crossing. Before long, acquaintance turned into attraction and Paul asked Lauren out on a first date, a casual affair at Nick's Spaghetti House, a lively Italian eatery on Vancouver's Commercial Drive. By then, an ease and playfulness already existed between the fellow students, and Paul knew he wanted to continue their relationship. "We would have debates about every subject under the sun," laughs Lauren. "Well, I wouldn't say debates," teases Paul, "it was more like she was ranting about something and I had to listen to it!" Flash forward to the summer of 2011. Lauren had just finished teachers' college, while Paul — who had graduated with a commerce degree — was running several Tim Hortons locations in North Vancouver, along with his two brothers. To celebrate their accomplishments, the couple set out on a sixweek European vacation. Unbeknownst to Lauren, a marriage proposal was also part of the itinerary. Paul explains, "I had planned to propose on the trip but wasn't sure when it would happen." As it turned out, he didn't have to wait long. First stop: Kilkenny Castle, Ireland. The date was July 9, and after wandering through the historic town and castle grounds, Paul and Lauren returned to their room, just in time for sunset. With a view of the golden-lit castle from their window, Paul knew it was the moment he'd been waiting for. On the pretense of taking Lauren's photo, he did so, then handed her the camera to look at the result. In the meantime, he quietly pulled out the engagement ring. "When I looked back up, he was down on one knee!" exclaims Lauren. In the glow of their new engagement, the lovebirds toured the South of France, Paris and London. But once sightseeing was over, the future bride wasted no time in starting the wedding planning. "I was buying up all the wedding magazines at the airport," she remembers. Once back on Canadian soil, she enlisted Vancouver's Filosophi Events to help her get organized. The couple quickly agreed on an intimate Opposite page: Before their spring wedding, celebrating with only family ceremony, Lauren and Paul and close friends. For both Lauren and Paul, the had their photos taken in front of the dramatic hedge most important part of their wedding was to maze at VanDusen Botanical commemorate the occasion with those they loved. Garden. Top: For her big day, the As for décor, they settled on a classic romantic bride chose a timeless lace feel, a "vintage elegance meets Midsummer Night's Alvina Valenta gown. Dream," in Lauren's words. They found their Middle: Cocktail hour was held upstairs at old-world ambience at Hycroft, a beautifully Hycroft, where tables were restored Edwardian-era mansion in Vancouver's decorated with framed pictures of the couple, as Shaughnessy area. well as their parents' own With Hycroft secured for both their ceremony wedding photos. Bottom: Personal friend and reception, Paul and Lauren turned their Mark Laird officiated the attention to other details. Together, they combed ceremony on Hycroft's outdoor terrace. antique shops along Vancouver's Main Street for pg48-57_SweetSimple_FamilyMatters.indd 53 12-09-24 1:01 PM