Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/391714
to realweddings.ca 59 to S. Mary's Parish was quiet on December 14, 2012, the evening that Andrew Wong led Maia Lamasan through its stately doors. "Dress up," Andrew's parents had told her, adding that they were holding an event at the church that they wanted her to attend. Maia had gladly complied with her boyfriend's parents' unusual request, but when the couple entered the candlelit sanctuary there was no one else there. Light from the ames danced o the shadows and Maia caught her breath at the beauty of the peaceful scene before her. e rst notes of a song she loved echoed in the room and a slideshow of her and Andrew's courtship began playing on a screen as they walked towards the altar. When they reached it she glanced down to nd Andrew on one knee, a marriage proposal on his lips. Her joyful "yes!" echoed through the pews. Maia had moved from Manila to Burnaby at the age of 11, enrolling at St. omas More Collegiate. She and Andrew were both in Grade 8 at the school when they met, and both knew their kinship was meant to be. "It was just right from the beginning," Maia says with a shrug. "Andrew was very shy and reserved when we rst met, but I loved his quiet con dence, his patience and the fact that he's such a good listener." For his part, Andrew says he was drawn by Maia's smile, intelligence and warm, caring personality. Over the next 11 years, the two dated uno cially, each becoming part of the other's family and attending family events. at they would eventually marry was a certainty. e only question was when. Andrew studied family medicine after high school, while Maia became a registered public health nurse. When Andrew completed his rst year of residency, he knew it was time to ask for Maia's hand in marriage. But he knew there were others whose approval he would need rst, speci cally, her father and brothers. "I come from a traditional Philippine family and Andrew knew he'd need to honour our tra- ditions and culture by asking my family for permission to marry me," says Maia. " e slideshow contained a video of my parents talking to Andrew and giving him their blessing to marry me, and that really sent me over the edge! It was such a culmination of all our years together." A year-and-a-half later, 170 guests would line the pews at St. Mary's Parish as Maia walked down the aisle in a gown by Matthew Christopher that she'd customized. It was spring, her favourite time of year, and the scent of lavender and peonies lled the air as Father Pierre Leblond united the couple in marriage. eir ceremony included aspects of Andrew's Chinese heritage and Maia's Filipino culture. Two candles on either side of the couple symbolized the light that would guide their path into marriage, while a veil draped around both of their shoulders symbolized their unity. Andrew poured coins into Maia's hands in keeping with Filipino tradition, symbolizing a sharing of possessions. Written by Lauren Kramer Photographed by Vasia Han, Vasia Weddings Two high-school sweethearts unite in a sweet ceremony blending their two cultures