Lis Simon Bride Katherine

T H E L O V E S T O R Y

In a shared apartment, Katherine was immersed in her studies, living alongside her roommate. What she didn't expect was that her roommate would introduce her to the man who would become her husband. Their connection evolved gradually, bonded through attending the same parties and the occasional nights he spent on her living room couch.

Katherine, an early riser, gifted them with opportunities to engage in meaningful conversations, which deepened their bond over time. Even though she wasn’t looking for love, she couldn’t ignore the potential in what was unfolding.

Just before their wedding, they marked a decade of shared experiences, making their marriage not only a celebration of love, but also a testament to their ten-year journey together.

T H E P R O P O S A L

September 12, 2021

Katherine + Janio went on a vacation to Prince Edward Island. Janio had planned a beachside proposal on their first day on the island. They had rented a cottage by the waterfront, which is close to the Confederation bridge. However, the weather had different intentions for the day, bringing strong winds and high tides that made it impossible for them to continue their beachside walk, but the weather didn’t stop Janio from proposing. He decided to propose in the cottage, making the mood more intimate.

“I felt him getting very nervous and started shaking, which is not like him at all. I vaguely remember that he said some very nice things to me, but I was so moved and excited that I had trouble hearing and remembering what he said”

Janio popped the question and without hesitation, Katherine exclaimed “Well, of course, yes!” Their vacation became a beautiful prelude to their wedding and honeymoon.

T H E D R E S S

“I loved the shopping experience and the feeling that a dress may fit you, but it doesn't make you feel "you”.

Katherine found herself captivated by the warm reception and the splendid array of dresses at Ma Chérie Bleu, the first boutique she visited in her search for her dream dress. During her initial appointment, she was still exploring different styles and didn’t manage to try on the dresses that piqued her interest. Katherine wanted to see what other stores had to offer. She wanted something simple and timeless that would make her feel absolute best.

She returned to Ma Chérie Bleu as the unparalleled service and the MATILDA dress had drawn her back. She had frequently admired the MATILDA dress on the boutique’s website after her first visit but hadn’t had the chance to try it on. The moment she tried it on, she immediately knew it was the one. Katherine felt emotional, as well as her two bridesmaids who accompanied her. The dress made her feel like herself – soft, romantic, and daring all at once. She fell in love with the V-back, the sexy slit, and the romantic bishop sleeves, all elements that she dreamed of.

W E D D I N G & R E C E P T I O N

May 13, 2023 at Verger du Flanc Nord, Mont Saint-Hilaire, Québec, Canada.

After the ceremony, while the couple’s photos were being taken, their guests enjoyed a cocktail party with a live band. The band had thoughtfully included Spanish songs to connect with the Peruvian roots of Janio’s family. The dinner reception was filled with fun games and heartfelt speeches. The couple, together with their parents, shared their first dance, and returned to the reception hall under the Bengal lights. All thanks to the DJs and the musicians for featuring songs from diverse genres and cultures.

“We danced until late, laughing and having fun with our loved ones. What's more, we were lucky enough to celebrate our wedding during apple blossom weekend, which made the event even more magical!”

F A V O U R I T E M O M E N T S

Anecdotes from the bride:

First, we chose the ritual of tied hands. We chose the qualities we wanted for our wedding, represented by different colours of ribbon. We chose people close to us who embodied these qualities to come and tie the ribbons. We didn't tell them in advance, and we loved seeing their spontaneous reaction when they were called. We also did a wedding ring warming, where our parents each warmed one of our wedding rings and made a wish for our wedding.
We took weekly dance lessons for three months in preparation for our first dance, as we wanted to do a mix of three versions of the same song (I'm gonna be [500 miles]). We felt that doing this activity as part of the wedding preparation was a way to have regular dates and connect with each other.
We also wanted to add a special touch to the wedding with an Audio Guest Book
We're not big fans of cake, so we opted for an ice cream bar for dessert.
The night before the wedding and all through the morning I was extremely feverish, to a level I wouldn't have thought possible. I loved it when I saw my husband at the end of the aisle and the closer I got, the more the nervousness dissipated. When I hugged him at the beginning of the ceremony, all the stress melted away, leaving only love and excitement. As always, I felt at home when I found him.
Then there are the many times my husband and I have looked at each other over the course of the evening and looked at all of our resembling loved ones, telling each other how blessed we are to be so well surrounded.
There was also a moment when dinner wasn't yet over and people spontaneously started dancing around the table.

P R E P A R A T I O N S & I N S P I R A T I O N S

Katherine + Janio wanted to create a joyful and festive spring atmosphere for their special day. Their vision was a delicate balance of vibrancy and elegance, aiming to achieve an authentic ambiance that mirrored their personalities.

With the assistance of wedding blogs, podcasts, Instagram, and Pinterest, Katherine was able to envision her dream wedding day. Additionally, their own experiences as guests at weddings in the past served as inspiration that helped them identify elements that truly resonated with their own preferences.

H O N E Y M O O N

After their wedding, the newlyweds went to Costa Rica the following Monday, and it surely turned out to be an unforgettable adventure. Their two-week escapade was a well balanced medley of activities. They enjoyed relaxing moments in the hot springs, strolling along beautiful beaches, and pampering themselves in spa sessions. They also enjoyed thrilling activities such as rafting, zip lining, surfing, hiking, and wildlife watching. In this honeymoon, they took the opportunity to reminisce about their wedding day and talked about future aspirations and shared projects.

“For us, the honeymoon was essential to take the time to savour what we had just experienced and to connect together in this new stage of our relationship.”

From Katherine:

Listen to yourself and make the choices that suit you as a couple. Dare to be yourself in all your choices! Trust the suppliers you choose, so you can fully enjoy this magical day that goes by so quickly.

Special thanks to:

My husband found our wedding planner on Instagram when he was looking for inspiration for his proposal and wedding. Our planner was very helpful in finding other vendors.

Wedding planning and design: Véronique Lasanté (lovepunch)

Venue: Verger Le Flanc Nord

Photograph: Valérie Gay-Bessette

Videographer: Rob Malo

Entertainment, music and DJ: Xperience Applyrs and DJ Kamistry

Celebrant: Pascale Charbonneau

Boutique Wedding Dress: Ma Cherie Bleue

Shoes: Bella belle

Hairstyling: Joel Gagné

Makeup: Geneviève Laberge

Earrings: Jadeoi Studio

Groom's suit and shoes: Blandin Delloye Montreal