A Vintage DIY Wedding in Winnipeg, Manitoba

About the couple

Bride: Jaylene Barkman

Groom: Steven Plett

How they met: “We met at Camp Arnes in Manitoba when we were 16. We were both doing a four-week leadership training program. I thought he was nice, but it didn’t go beyond that for me. He, on the other hand, really liked me and made an effort to keep in contact with me after camp. I really appreciated that. And after a few months, I was smitten,” says Jaylene.

Engagement story: “In December 2010, we, along with Steven’s entire family, had the privilege of spending three weeks in New Zealand,” explains Jaylene. “One late evening, after spending a long day volunteering at a camp, Steven asked me to go for a walk with him. I was tired and a just little bit grumpy, but I said I would go for a walk as long as it was short. Earlier that day we had been teasing each other and I had threatened Steven that I would stick my tongue in his ear. So, during our walk I impulsively decided to bring it up again and asked Steven, ‘What would you do if I stuck my tongue in your ear?’ He replied, ‘I would… ask you… to marry me!’ It took a few seconds for me to realize that he was proposing to me! After several times of asking, ‘Are you serious?’ I realized that he wouldn’t joke about proposing. So, I happily said yes! He then proceeded to tell me that he had written a song for me. First he sang it for me, and then he taught me the chorus so we could sing it together.”