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Modern Love
Charishe Amante and Gabriel Grey, May 3, 2008, Calgary. By Roseanne Dela Rosa
About the Couple
Bride: Charishe Amante
Groom: Gabriel Grey
Occupations: Charishe is an engineer and Gabriel is a computer programmer.
How they met: They were both members of the University of Calgary, Filipino Students’ Association.
Fave date: Strolling through Soho in New York City eating Magnolia Bakery cupcakes. The date was simple, but unique because they were away from home in the most exciting city in the world.
What attracted her to him: “His height—Gabriel is at least a foot taller than me!”
What attracted him to her: “She was (and still is) energetic, funny and pretty!”
Engagement story: They were in N.Y.C. for a couple of weeks on their first big trip together, sightseeing, shopping, attending Broadway shows and catching the U.S. Open tennis tournament. After spending a very late night watching a tennis match and packing for their early flight the next morning, Gabriel surprised Charishe with an engagement ring. It was the best ending to an already unforgettable trip.
The Wedding Day:
Wedding date: May 3, 2008
Guests: 300
Wedding theme: Chocolate brown, gold and chartreuse. We didn’t have a particular theme, but we wanted the wedding to be modern, classic and sophisticated.
Her best moment: “Walking down the aisle with my parents, while hearing my friends singing the wedding processional.”
His best moment: “Our first dance to live music performed by my new brother-in-law.”
What they would have done differently: “Spent a little more personal time with our immediate family.”
Wedding song: Charishe’s brother Noel performed, “Waiting for my Real Life to Begin,” by Colin Hay on vocals and guitar. Musically, it was a challenging song, but Noel worked hard to learn it by ear.
Fave wedding gift: “A gift certificate to CAPO Restaurant. Perfect for us because we love Italian food!”
Best surprise: “Finding out the hotel room provided by the Westin Hotel was the crown suite, complete with a boardroom, bar, two full bathrooms and a grand piano! Too bad we were only in there for a few hours before we had to check out.”
What made her day: “Getting all the wedding prep work done early so that I could spend the night before the wedding relaxing with my bridesmaids. I was well rested and that made the day so much easier!”
What made his day: “The slideshow created by our friends Bryan and Connie. It was so well done I didn’t even mind the obligatory naked baby pictures!”
The day in three words: Exhausting, emotional and exhilarating.
