Our Story
The path in which God led us into each other's lives was filled with surrender, trust and wonder. In 2019, we both entered a period in our lives where we were called to a deeper trust and relationship with the Lord. Each of us had committed to seriously surrender our lives to the will of the Father and take delight in whichever vocation He would lead us to. But further than that, it was an invitation to delight in Jesus Himself, and to allow Him to fulfill the deepest desires of our heart.
For myself (Daniel), the few months leading up to our first encounter were filled with healing which gave way to a sense of freedom. Gabriella experienced similar consolations from God, and she was solely focused on Jesus and growing in her holiness, while entrusting her dreams to Him.
At a pivotal moment where both of us were given promptings to pursue the vocation of marriage, we met in a somewhat miraculous (and accidental) way on the dating apps (if you know you know). It turns out that we were always within each other's radius! We had many mutual friends and attended many of the same Catholic events, but had never encountered each other. We were convinced that God was hiding us from each other this whole time! It was this reality that led us to recognize that God was moulding each of us in preparation to become the gift that He intended us to be for the other.
As we met, I made every effort to pursue Gabby (I may have tried a bit too hard at times, but you couldn't blame me.. I mean look at her!). We took a full month of discernment and prayer, including the Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, to understand God's will for us. And as the prayerful month passed, we both were filled with conviction and clarity that we were meant to be together.
When it was time to discern if we were called to marry each other, we prayed the Consecration to St. Joseph. It was through this consecration and new friendship with St. Joseph that we received many graces, consolations and affirmations that God was calling us to the vocation of marriage. It was truly through the intercession of Our Lady and St. Joseph, that we felt confident to embark on this journey together. We believe that the Holy Family has been journeying closely with us throughout our engagement, and will continue to guide us in our marriage.
Thank you for reading along our story and for joining us on our special day where we will become husband and wife! And our dearest friends and family, "Trust in the Lord, and do good; so you will live in the land and enjoy security. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart." (Psalm 37:3-4)
Tidbits
How did you first meet?
We first met on a dating app called Hinge, only to discover that we have actually been to many Catholic events together without ever bumping into each other. Gabby usually skipped the social event following Adoration or Praise & Worship, and whenever DA teases her "We could have met sooner," her response is always: "I went for Jesus and not for boys." ;)
Who made the first move? How?
Gabby accidentally made the first move when her clumsy thumb slipped and clicked "like" on Daniel's profile on the dating app. But it was Daniel who followed up with intentional questions and sincerity, which intrigued the girl who was on the verge of deleting the dating app in complete surrender to the Lord's plan. Little did she know that it was God's plan all along to connect the two together first through the app, then through the Church afterwards.
What's your favorite activity together?
We call it "couch talks" where we just sit on the couch (but can be anywhere really - in the car, on a bench, etc.) where we check in with each other and share the deepest parts of our hearts. We also really love visiting Jesus in the Sacraments, particularly through the Catholic Mass and Adoration. Finally, we really enjoy exploring Toronto's diverse food scene and trying out different cuisines!
What's the most memorable trip you have taken together?
We started dating in Fall 2019, so the pandemic soon after really restricted our travelling. We did however take many road trips together, visiting the different lakes and trails in Ontario. But of course, our most memorable trip would be our Vancouver trip with Gabby's best friend and her husband. With the help of Lydia and Sam, DA meticulously planned for the most perfect sunset proposal at Lighthouse Park in Vancouver.
We’re on the same page about
Our faith and our values. Our love for JMJ!
Schedule
Saturday, March 25, 2023
Wedding Ceremony
1:00 PM
Formal. Please refrain from wearing open toes/shoulders and short dresses.
Q & A
For all our friends and family who have lots of questions, please check out our Q & A first!
When is the RSVP deadline?
Please RSVP by February 25th, so we can have an accurate headcount. :)
Can I bring a date?
Because of the size of our intimate venue, we were unable to accommodate for everyone's plus-ones. Currently attendance is by invitation only, but we would love the opportunity to meet/celebrate with your significant other after our wedding. We thank you for your understanding.
Are kids welcome?
As much as we love your little ones, we will not be including them in the ceremony nor reception. There will be few exceptions such as newborn(s) who need their mama as well certain family members. We appreciate your understanding and arranging the accommodation ahead of time to be present at our celebration!
Where should I park?
For the ceremony: There is paid street parking down King Street West. There is also a Green P Parking Lot on 1313 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M6K 1L8 (located beside the Dollar Store), which is a ten minute walking distance from Holy Family Parish. Please arrive well before the ceremony start time to ensure you find parking in time.
For the reception: There is plenty of parking spots at the Venue as well as at The Pearle Hotel for anyone who is staying overnight at the hotel. From the hotel to the venue is an eight minute walk along the waterfront.
Is the wedding indoors or outdoors?
Both the ceremony and reception will take place indoors.
Is it okay to take pictures with our phones and cameras during the wedding?
For the Wedding Ceremony, we ask that you please be reverent of the Sacrament and refrain from taking photos during the Mass. Once the Mass is over (in other words when the bride and groom are exiting the church), you are free to start taking photos for the rest of the day/evening!
I need a hotel room, where can I stay?
The discount offered by Pearle Hotel was not comparable to other great options nearby the venue and their room option was quite limited, so we have decided not to book with Pearle Hotel. Should you require a place to stay overnight, here are some other options near the venue:
- Waterfront Hotel Burlington (closest to the venue, walking distance)
- Best Western Plus Burlington Inn & Suites
- Holiday Inn Burlington Hotel
- Comfort Inn
Please contact them at your convenience and preference.
What is the dress code?
For the Ceremony Mass, please dress appropriately for church. Ladies, please have your shoulders covered and please refrain from wearing dresses that are too short above the knees. Gentlemen, please refrain from low hanging pants. Formal attire is recommended.
Is there a gifts registry?
There is no gift registry as monetary gifts are preferred. Thank you! :)
Get the app
Download Joy and join our app using our event handle daniel-and-gabriella. View and share photos and stay up-to-date with details on the go.