A Purple Schoolhouse-Inspired Celebration In Thornhill, Ontario

About the couple

Bride: Dallas Marie Orr

Groom: Patrick James McAlpine

How they met: “We met at Niagara University in Ontario’s teachers college,” says Dallas. “Patrick and I were both studying to become high school teachers at the time and were also both in long-term relationships with other people. Coincidentally, both of our relationships fizzled out at around the same time and we decided to go out for a drink after our final exam of the term to chat. Patrick was an excellent listener and gave me the advice to stay single for a while and not settle down into a new relationship right away. Two weeks later, we were dating.”

Engagement story: “We were on a vacation in Cancun, Mexico when Patrick proposed,” explains Dallas. “The story is that I had joked for two years that we should be ‘scrapbooking’ our relationship so that we would never forget it. Well, after a sunset dinner served on the beach, Patrick told me he had a special gift for me and he pulled out a scrapbook he had prepared, complete with photos and even ticket stubs to our first movie together. On the last page of the scrapbook, was a single message asking “Will you marry me?” Patrick pulled out a ring, got down on one knee, and just as the sun was setting, asked me to marry him.”