Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/307716
realweddings.ca 43 Maisie Cheng Shali Morsara August 31, 2013 Ceremony at Akali Singh Sikh Temple Reception at Villa Amato Ballroom, Vancouver Maisie and Shali opted for a vibrant colour theme of red and white with contemporary hits of turquoise for their traditional Sikh ceremony at Akali Singh Sikh Temple in Vancouver. A hopeful Shali had booked the popular venue months before he even proposed to his wife-to-be. when your university dormitory room is directly below that of the woman you admire, you have to use open windows to your advantage. at was Shali Morsara's reasoning after he met Maisie Cheng in 2005 in a medical terminology class they shared at UBC. Both were science majors and both loved discussing computer games and retro technology. For a couple of weeks, Shali deliberately played potentially meaningful songs on his guitar, near the window, where he was certain Maisie could hear him. "I liked her right away," he admits. "She was cute and had a good sense of humour. We're both very creative and artsy, both play instruments and love theatre, trying new food and listening to music." e two went out for coffee in the days leading up to Reading Week and Shali asked Maisie to join him for dinner a few days later. Anticipating a positive response, he'd already made reservations at Cactus Club Café for their first date, and when he appeared at her door, he carried a bouquet of flowers, a box of chocolates and a gigantic, heart-shaped balloon. It didn't take long for Maisie to fall hard for Shali. After their first date the two spent every day together. Heading east to visit her parents, Maisie found herself missing Shali desperately. So in 2007, when both had graduated from university, they moved in together, accepted jobs in biotech and by 2011, had purchased their first home together. "It became so natural being together, I couldn't imagine not being with Maisie," Shali says. "We were each other's first loves," adds Maisie. In August 2011 Shali suggested they head to Burnaby Park for a week- end picnic, packing a bottle of wine they could share at a perfect, scenic spot. When they found it, he retrieved an engagement ring and asked Maisie to marry him. Of course, in true Shali style, anticipating a positive response, he'd already booked the venue for the ceremony — a full six months earlier. Knowing the Akali Singh Sikh Temple booked up quickly and that they'd want to marry on a long weekend in 2013, Shali wasted no time before procuring the venue. (Luckily, Maisie said yes!) In the two years leading up to their wedding, the couple mulled over how best to combine the traditions of Shali's Sikh religion and Maisie's Chinese background. As they selected vendors and apparel for their big day, they determined they would follow the respective traditions of their two cultures, but add their own unique spin. ey also decided to do as much themselves as possible — including crafting their own invitations, guest book, table numbers and centrepieces. IT UP T p42-45_Masie+Shali.indd 43 14-04-17 1:06 PM