Ange and Joyce: A Multicultural Melody
Ange and Joyce’s love story started in November 2019 when they connected on the dating app Hinge. They met for the first time at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel, and from there, their journey has been a celebration of their diverse backgrounds. This culminated in their multicultural wedding, where they fused French and Hong Kong traditions with their queer joy, resulting in a truly joyous celebration.
Photographer 515 Photo Co | Location Toronto, CA
“…A multicultural wedding fused French and Hong Kong traditions and incorporated elements to celebrate queer joy...”
How and when did you meet?
Ange and Joyce: We met in November 2019, via Hinge, a dating app.
Tell us a little about that first time you met…
Ange: We met at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel, in downtown Toronto. Joyce was supposed to find a coffee place, but somehow (!?) could not find one close to Union Station.
What was the first thing you noticed about each other?
Ange: I thought Joyce's style needed some work
Joyce: I questioned Ange's sexuality because she looked too "femme" with long nails
Tell us about the standout moments in your relationship…
Ange and Joyce: Navigating conflicts. Conflicts cannot be avoided, but we are always willing to both put work into figuring out why we feel the way we do and make sure we solve the root of the problems
Have you ever faced any issues of non-acceptance?
Ange: Joyce initially did not invite family other than her parents and her sister because she thought "they would not come to the wedding."
Her mom forwarded the invite to the family group chat and everyone wanted to come (so we ran out of space :)
What does marriage mean to you?
Ange and Joyce: Commitment, trust, openness, compromise.
Who proposed, and how?
Ange: I surprised Joyce at Elora Mills when she thought we were going to celebrate a dating anniversary. I had bought the ring in a boutique in Montreal months prior, and popped the question when we were about to take a photo in front of our room's fireplace for our 'Christmas Card'. The proposal was all caught on video! Our dog Booboo was wearing the ring-box.
When did you get married?
Sunday, October 8, 2023.
Ange and Joyce’s story continues below ↓
What was the main influence behind your wedding day?
Ange and Joyce: A multicultural wedding fused French and Hong Kong traditions and incorporated elements to celebrate queer joy. We had a drag performer for our wedding officiant and MC. We carefully chose a pescatarian menu paired with French wines as Ange is a pescatarian. We wore Western gowns but also had traditional Chinese wedding outfits and had a tea ceremony. A traditional lion dance opened the dance floor at the end of the night.
What was the most important thing to you surrounding your wedding?
Ange and Joyce: Bringing people together. Also realizing that for most of our guests (queer and non-queer) this was their first queer wedding (including Joyce and Ange). Celebrating queer joy, the right to same-sex marriage and knowing how lucky we are to be in a place where we are celebrated not persecuted.
Did you incorporate any family sentiments or traditions?
Ange and Joyce: We wanted a non-traditional multicultural queer wedding so we deliberately omitted some traditions like parent-child dances or 'walking' the bride down the aisle- we didn't feel that synced with our vibe, and as independent women, we walked ourselves down the aisle!
Where did you find the bulk of your inspiration?
Ange and Joyce: We combined everything we loved into our day - queer joy, good food, wine, friends, chosen family, and honoured some traditional Chinese wedding rituals like the tea ceremony and lion dance.
What was the most difficult thing about planning your wedding?
Ange and Joyce: We both have very busy careers, and finding extra time was a challenge. Ange is very organized and more into planning. Very thankful for Laura Olsen, our wedding planner.
Any advice for other couples planning their day and finding it difficult to navigate the journey?
Ange and Joyce: We could not have done it without a wedding planner to keep us on track. She understood our vision and delivered it. We joke it was actually Laura's wedding.
Ange and Joyce’s Team
Photographer 515 Photo Co
Planner Laura Olsen Events
Flowers Rosalie Villanueva
Makeup Sonia Dai
Wedding Officiant Andy Althoff-Burrow (Cherri)
MC Molly Amoresse / Thomas Speta
Venue University Club of Toronto
Lion Dance Hong Luck Kung Fu Association
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