Andrew & Shawn: A Love Story Written in Adventure

Andrew and Shawn’s love story began with a swipe — a Tinder match back in the summer of 2013. Andrew was immediately drawn to Shawn’s adorable smile and his shared passion for travel and exploring the world. Thankfully, the feeling was mutual, and the two swiped right into what would become a lifelong journey together.

Their first date was casual and classic: an all-you-can-eat sushi spot, followed by a movie night in Shawn’s basement apartment. It didn’t take long for things to feel right. Just a few months later, Andrew moved in, and the pair began building a life side by side. After one more move, they reached a major milestone — purchasing their first home together, a condo in Toronto’s vibrant Gay Village.

In 2019, their family grew by one very important (and very cute) member: Elio, their cat. Small in size but big in personality, Elio is adventurous, energetic, and not afraid to show a little sass. He quickly became an irreplaceable part of their story.

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The Proposal: Cold Temperatures, Warm Hearts

When it came time to propose, Shawn was determined to make it unforgettable. Months of planning went into the perfect moment, including countless emails with Marmot Basin in Jasper. The idea? A surprise proposal on the ski slopes, surrounded by snow-covered mountain peaks, timed perfectly with Andrew’s birthday in February.

The plan began with a trip to Edmonton to visit Shawn’s best friend, Ashley, and her (now) husband, Dante, before heading into the mountains for winter adventures. Shawn even spent weeks researching rings — the only tricky part being Andrew’s ring size. Since Andrew doesn’t wear jewelry, Shawn resorted to carefully measuring his finger while he slept, hoping not to wake him in the process.

After a few days in Edmonton, they made their way to Jasper. The first day was filled with winter hikes, stunning scenery, and exploring the frozen Maligne Canyon. But on Andrew’s birthday morning, plans took an unexpected turn: Marmot Basin was closed due to extreme cold. At a bone-chilling -35°C, the proposal plan seemed frozen — even though the ring was practically burning a hole in Shawn’s pocket.

Not ones to be deterred, Andrew and Shawn pivoted and spent the day winter hiking instead. They visited Athabasca Falls before heading to the quiet beauty of Pyramid Lake. Out on the frozen lake, surrounded by mountains, they stopped to take a few photos. Shawn set the camera on a backpack and used the timer. After a few shots, he went to reset it — but accidentally hit video instead.

With the camera rolling, Andrew turned and asked, “What position should we do for this one?” In that moment, Shawn dropped to one knee and asked the most important question of his life: “Will you marry me?” Against the breathtaking mountain backdrop — cold, surprised, and completely in the moment — Andrew said yes.

And yes, for the record, the ring fit perfectly.

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Wedding Day Highlights & Advice

Andrew and Shawn’s wedding day reflected their personalities perfectly: fun, meaningful, and unapologetically them. One of their favorite moments was doing a photo dash after their speech, capturing a quick photo with every table at the reception — guaranteeing a memory with every guest in attendance.

They loved embracing quirky, unexpected touches throughout the day: their cat Elio being carried down the aisle with the rings, a gong to get everyone seated for dinner, temporary tattoos in the washrooms during dance hours, a piñata to open the dance floor, and even replacing the bouquet toss with the “mingle game” from Squid Game.

Their advice to future couples? If you think of something fun or unusual, don’t worry about whether it fits tradition; just do it. They also highly recommend having a dedicated coordinator (or trusted friend) on the day-of who has the authority to make small decisions, allowing you to stay present and stress-free.

And finally, they emphasize the importance of choosing the right photography and videography team — one that truly captures the moments that matter. For Andrew and Shawn, Mariah and the team at Galaxy Weddings did exactly that.

Andrew and Shawn’s story is a beautiful reminder that love doesn’t have to follow a script — sometimes, the best moments happen when plans change, temperatures drop, and life surprises you in the most meaningful ways. 💙❄️