Gregory and Ethan: An Effortlessly Chic Black-and-White Garden Celebration
Gregory and Ethan’s love story began in early 2019. What started as a single Tinder date in Seattle quickly unfolded into something undeniable... a connection so immediate that by the end of the night, Gregory was introducing Ethan as his boyfriend. From a long-distance relationship to then being locked down together, their relationship evolved with depth, humour, and unwavering devotion. Their wedding, 6 years later, became a celebration not only of their love but of the journey that brought them there.
Photographer Rebeka Lucija Studio | Location Vancouver, Canada
“I think we have both taken the right to marry as gay men for granted during parts of our lives. Over the past years, it’s become really clear how important and special that right is…”
How and when did you meet?
I came out at the end of 2018 to some of my closest friends, including my ex-girlfriend, who I had always thought I was going to marry years earlier. At the beginning of 2019, I told my family and downloaded Tinder. I met Ethan on Tinder in January 2019. He was my one and only Tinder date. I really wanted a house in Seattle, so I set my location to Seattle. I drove down a week later for our first date.
Tell us a little about that first time you met…
January 30, 2019. I drove down to Seattle on a Wednesday for our first date. Our first date was at a restaurant called Lark, followed by drinks at Ethan’s favorite lounge called the Belmont. At drinks, we FaceTimed a few of my friends and introduced Ethan as my boyfriend. He kissed me on the side of the street, and that was the first time I’d ever kissed a boy. It was mind-blowing and incredible. A few days later, Ethan drove up to Vancouver. He stayed the night, and I left for NYC the next morning, leaving him in my house. Still can’t believe I did that, but it worked out!!!
What was the first thing you noticed about each other?
Gregory: Ethan had the most insane blue eyes and the most beautiful smile.
Ethan: Gregory was well put together in an all black outfit. He had an infectious smile.
Tell us about the standout moments in your relationship…
Ethan moved up to Canada in March of 2020. A week after he moved in, the border closed due to COVID. We went from long distance to being locked up together. It was fun, but a wild transition. Ethan even worked for my company while he got settled and waited for his PR card. That was very difficult for both of us, but we both learned a lot, including that we should never work with each other again 😂. As soon as Ethan received his PR card, he went back into real estate, which is what he had been doing in Seattle. We loved creating our homes together. Real estate and design are something we both love.
My Doberman Sophie quickly chose Ethan as her favorite. She passed away this fall at 11, but we are thankful Ethan got to be such a big part of her life.
Have you ever faced any issues of non-acceptance?
I think something we had both experienced growing up was the negative comments people made about us being gay, even before we had ever come out. It was so weird to be made fun of or bullied for something we hadn’t even accepted about ourselves yet.
Ethan came out when he was 18, and I came out when I was 26; it was a liberating experience for both of us. Ethan grew up in a very progressive family, although in a very conservative small town. I grew up religious, which really slowed down my coming out journey. When I came out, I was fortunate that everyone was really supportive. My brother and his family, however, have really struggled with that and chose not to attend our wedding because of their beliefs, which was hard. I really have sympathy for them, as I can’t imagine living my life in a way that they can only express or condone certain kinds of love. It must be really sad at times.
What does marriage mean to you?
To us, it’s a commitment to always putting your best friend first. I think we have both taken the right to marry as gay men for granted during parts of our lives. Over the past years, it’s become really clear how important and special that right is. I grew up religious, and Ethan grew up in a very conservative town outside of Seattle. It was really important to us that we show kids and families who aren’t really exposed to gay people how beautiful and special a gay relationship can be. That was something we had never seen growing up, and we wanted to do that for younger people we knew would see photos of our wedding. We knew what an impact that would have made on our younger selves.
Who proposed and how?
On September 17th, 2022, I proposed to Ethan in a way that was as meaningful and unforgettable as our journey together. I created a day-long scavenger hunt, leading him through places that held special memories from our relationship. At each spot, one of our close friends would hand him a wax-sealed clue I’d written, guiding him to the next location. Because many of Ethan’s family and friends lived in the U.S. and couldn’t be there in person, they recorded videos sharing how much he meant to them. I wove those videos into the day, adding an extra layer of love and surprise.
The whole time, I was quietly one step ahead, meeting up with friends and capturing little moments to share on Instagram Stories, so everyone could follow along. By the end of the scavenger hunt, we met at a helicopter—one final surprise. What Ethan didn’t know was that his parents had flown in, and I’d met them earlier to show them the ring and let them be part of the big day. We flew up to a mountaintop where I finally asked the big question, with a dear friend photographing that incredible moment. When we landed back in Vancouver, his parents were there waiting to surprise him, making it even more emotional.
We ended the night with a surprise engagement dinner at our favorite restaurant, surrounded by our closest friends and family—including Ethan’s best childhood friend, who had come all the way from Seattle. It was a day filled with love, surprises, and the most beautiful memories.
When did you get married?
July 12, 2025.
What was the main influence behind your wedding day?
We wanted it to feel like a Ralph Lauren garden party. Relaxed and effortless, with a touch of old-school glam. I think the black and white dress code really took it to the next level.
What was the most important thing to you surrounding your wedding?
We were surrounded by people we loved and who had supported us. We wanted the party to be a celebration of all the people who were coming to our wedding. We really have the most incredible friends and support network.
Did you incorporate any family sentiments or traditions?
We didn’t incorporate any traditions; however, something that was really special was having both of our parents walk us down the aisle. That was a really special moment. Ethan and I’s grandmothers held our rings, which was really symbolic for us. We are fortunate that we each had a set of grandparents in attendance. My grandparents have been married for 65 years, and Ethan’s 55 years. At the time of our ring exchange, we both went to each other's grandmothers to get the rings.
Where did you find the bulk of your inspiration?
The venue was an incredibly special place for us and where we drew much of our inspiration. It was our best friend's house. It was a place that had held many incredible memories, not only for us but also for many of the guests in attendance. We selected the venue because of the beautiful setting. The property is quaint and classic but also feels elevated. The rest of our inspiration came from imagery saved over the years. The Ralph Lauren East Coast vibes are what we were really going for.
How did you choose your suppliers?
A lot of our vendors were people with whom we have built long-standing relationships over the years. I own an interior design firm, and there is a surprisingly large amount of crossover. Our florist (Floralista) is someone we have known for years. We have worked together on numerous projects. Both our Studios are in the same neighborhood. White Table Catering has an incredible reputation. Not only have we attended a ton of parties and events that they have been a part of, but we have also used them in the past. We found our photographer at the last minute through a friend. When we started our wedding planning, most of the photographers were already booked. And thank God they were, or we wouldn’t have had the opportunity to use Rebekah. She shot a dear friend's wedding, and we were obsessed with her photos. I did the decor myself, and the remaining vendors came through word of mouth. Our day-of-coordinator was Christie Liang. We knew her through our friend group and have attended many of the same parties over the years. We knew we had to work with her on our big day. She is so organized and a blast to be with.
What was the most difficult thing about planning your wedding?
As an interior designer, I’m used to managing a lot of intricate details over months or even years, seeing the progress unfold bit by bit. But with the wedding, it was a whole different kind of challenge because you plan for ages and then everything comes together in just a few hours. You don’t really get to see it all until you walk in, which is both exciting and a little terrifying for someone who’s a meticulous planner!
Where did you spend your honeymoon?
Florence and the Tuscan countryside. The most incredible part of the trip was when we stayed at the Borgo Santo Pietro.
Any advice for other couples planning their day and finding it difficult to navigate the journey?
Get a wedding planner, it will be worth every penny. Pick vendors that you love, and make sure they are people that you are excited to be around. Do what makes you happy; no one else’s opinion matters but you and your partners.
Gregory and Ethan’s Team
Venue Private Residence, The Cottage at Ponder Park
Photographer Rebeka Lucija Studio
Day of Coordinator EVNT PLNR - Christie Liang
Florals Floralista
Catering and Event Set up White Table Catering
Design Rose and Funk Interiors
Rentals Pedersen’s Event Rentals
Tent Elite Tents
Gregory’s Suit Surmesur Vancouver
Ethan’s Suit Suit Supply
DJ DJ Corday
Cake SugarLove Baking
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