Back in 2006, I pursued my very first retail job at Dynamite. And to my luck, I was greeted by a warm, friendly face…none other than my new colleague turned best friend, Elaine. This was the start of our nearly two-decade long friendship. For almost 20 years, we have experienced many milestones together. From attending the University of Ottawa to leaving our hometown to start a new life in Toronto – and so much in between – there is nothing we have not mutually experienced.   Our long-lasting friendship can be attributed to both how different we are, and more so how similar we are. I'm often considered the ‘devilish’ friend with cheeky tendencies. Elaine on the other hand, is the ‘angelic’ friend who has always been the ‘Mother Theresa’ in our close-knit group of friends. But as much as we are ying and yang, we also complement each other like Greek coffee and baklava. We share a passion for experiencing new cultures through travel, food and music. We have an unconditional love for furry friends. Our sense of humour is one that is often unspoken. We could share content with each other without saying a word and make one another burst into a storm of laughter. I'm so happy to be a part of Elaine and Jordi's very special day and am looking forward to seeing these two beautiful souls tie the knot!

Elaine and I met over two years ago, brought together by two passions that are central to both of us—yoga and music. I attended all of Elaine’s classes, and one day, after complimenting her playlist (as I often did), we struck up a conversation. Both single at the time, our chat quickly deepened as we opened up about our relationship experiences and challenges. Hours later, we had shared the first of many long, heartfelt conversations. Since then, we’ve become known for closing down restaurants as we talk for hours or for sending each other long voice notes full of our innermost thoughts. We even joke that we’re soul sisters, a label that captures the unique bond we share. Friendships made later in life can be rare, but when they do happen, they’re often more profound and aligned with who you truly are. With Elaine, I’ve been through it all—crying during yoga, exchanging playlists that capture every mood, laughing together in Costa Rica, and diving deep into life’s details. Our friendship is special for its balance—we can dance salsa with joy just as easily as we can share our most personal thoughts. We celebrate our triumphs and joys with as much openness as we do our vulnerabilities and challenges. Elaine’s positivity, kindness, and determination are a rare and beautiful combination. I’m constantly inspired by her openness and warmth—qualities that have added so much joy and depth to my life. It’s truly an honor to be by her side on this special day, and I couldn’t be happier to celebrate the incredible person she is and the love she’s found.

Growing up with Elaine as my big sister has always been an adventure. From childhood camping trips to summers in Greece and late-night giggles with snacks, a blend of laughter and silliness. I’ve always marvelled at how effortlessly we can shift from being completely goofy—laughing until we're in tears over something no one else would ever understand—to diving deep into meaningful conversations about life, love, and everything in between. Elaine has an incredible way of making everything she touches seem wise—her strength, sense of humour, and even how she approaches life. Watching her grow into the amazing woman she is today has been nothing short of inspiring. I’m constantly in awe of her personal growth and her commitment to serving others. Being a part of her wedding day is such a joy, and I feel so honoured to stand by her side as she marries the love of her life, Jordi. I’m so proud of everything she’s accomplished, and I can’t wait to see all the laughter, love, and happiness that lies ahead for her and Jordi.

I feel like Elaine being one of my best friends was divinely orchestrated in a way…and I’ll explain why, going back to first year of University after briefly meeting at OttawaU’s Greek club I recall running into her everywhere! In the University hallways, the cafeteria, the library and then somehow we ended up in a philosophy class together! I remember thinking to myself what a heartwarming, beautiful young lady and of course I wanted to be her friend! You could say we hit it off as friends and little by little we started hanging out more and more, and our friendship kept growing …and for the past 15 years I feel so blessed to have her as such a dear friend! Elaine has always been so incredibly loving and nurturing, she just has such a beautiful soul…we can go from having deep conversations for hours over a good cup of tea, to salsa dancing the night away lol It’s so crazy thinking back to all our adventures..and we have had many!! From Salsa dancing on Sparks street late on a Thursday night, to Nuit blanche in Toronto, to Greek Concerts in MTL, to exploring Colombia, Vancouver, Spain, DR and Greece together….its really hard to sum up 15 years of this incredible friendship! We have laughed and we have cried, and despite living in different cities for so long we have been there for each other. I consider Elaine to be my sister, not just my friend. Over the past few years it has been such a joy to see Elaine meet Jordi, the love of her life. They truly are such an incredible team together, and it makes me so happy that they have found each other. I can’t wait to celebrate their special day!

While our first encounter dates back much earlier where Elaine and I met through friends of the family, it was in 2006 where we connected in what would become an enduring friendship! We met downtown one summer night, quickly bonding on our Greek roots and eagerness to get involved in the Greek Club at uOttawa. As it turned out, we discovered that we were also both working at the mall and enjoyed visiting each other on our breaks ;) Elaine’s sense of humor and big heart have facilitated a friendship full of life-giving laughter, beautiful moments shared, and a zest for adventure. Our passion for cultures, travel, yoga and dancing have taken us on so many adventures locally and globally. Carpooling to traditional Greek dance classes and bussing to Montreal for Greek concerts and bakeries were just the beginning! When we travelled to Vancouver together in 2021, it was undeniable that Elaine felt a deep connection to the region. Who would have known what was waiting around the corner? That only a few years later we would all be coming together to celebrate the beautiful love story of Elaine and Jordi! It has been a gift to witness their love blossom through a deep care and respect, sweetness and playfulness, and a shared sense of adventure. The first time I met Jordi, we went to the Museum of Illusions. Elaine and Jordi were so determined to complete a ring puzzle/challenge they couldn’t pull themselves away until they accomplished it! In that moment I saw the strong team they are and that together they can make it through anything life brings. I’m so happy for you both and your families and can’t wait to celebrate your special day!

Jordi is one of my oldest friends—we first met in high school and quickly bonded while playing together on the basketball team. Over the years, our friendship deepened through university and countless shared adventures—skiing the slopes in Japan, backcountry camping in the Rockies, cycling endless roads, or relaxing on the Sunshine Coast. Many of my fondest memories include Jordi by my side—he’s an incredibly fun person to be around, but more importantly, he is one of the most reliable and thoughtful people I know. I’ve grown up with Jordi, and I’m so grateful to still call him a friend today. I first met Elaine just five minutes after we both finished a gruelling bike race in Whistler. There’s something unforgettable about meeting someone when you’re sweaty, exhausted, and simply relieved to have crossed the finish line. Since then, I’ve had the chance to get to know her better and have come to really admire her warmth and kindness. It’s been amazing to see Jordi and Elaine find such happiness together, and I’m so honoured to stand by their side on their big day. Here’s to more adventures with this incredible couple

Jordi and I first met when he was rushing Beta Theta Pi, the fraternity I was part of at UBC. We hit it off right away and decided to become roommates. From that moment on, we’ve been as thick as thieves. Over the years, we’ve traveled the world together: clinking steins at Oktoberfest, soaking up the British Open in Scotland, and celebrating my wedding in Italy. We even ended up living in the UK at the same time! Looking back on the last 15 years, Jordi has been there for every milestone. He’s always the first to celebrate your highs and the first to show up during the lows. He’s the kind of close friend everyone should be lucky enough to have in their life. The first time I met Elaine, I was visiting Jordi in Toronto. It was a short visit, but it was immediately obvious how much they loved each other. I knew right then that Jordi had found his person. Elaine complements him in all the best ways, and she pushes him to be the absolute best version of himself. Honestly, I’ve never seen him happier. Being one of Jordi’s groomsmen is a true honour, and I cannot wait to celebrate this amazing couple next year!

I can't quite recall the first time I met Jordi, but from the very beginning, fate seemed to always bring us together, even though one of us was often living abroad. Whether it was clay pigeon shooting, a round of golf, an event at UBC, or dinner at the Wyder-Hodge residence, our paths always crossed through mutual friends. Since then, Jordi has become one of my closest friends. We’ve shared so many unforgettable experiences—slurping ramen in Japan, climbing Mount Robson, passing down the family 4Runner, and exploring flights of Scotch whisky. Jordi is thoughtful, precise, and never fails to elevate the energy of those around him. I first met Elaine in Vancouver, sharing hand-rolled sushi from Hello Nori ahead of her big bike race. It’s been an absolute joy getting to know her—she leads with empathy, embraces new experiences with enthusiasm, and is always ready to embark on the next adventure. Jordi and Elaine are the perfect match! I’m so lucky to have you both in my life and truly honoured to celebrate this special day with you.

I met Jordi while I was at UBC. I didn’t know it then, but it quickly became clear that I had met a brother for life. It wasn’t long before we were sipping whiskey one night and sparked the conversation about applying to law school in the UK together. The next thing I knew, we were accepted into UK universities, the bags were packed, and off we went to have countless adventures exploring Europe. I’ve known Jordi for over a decade now, and looking back, since meeting, I don’t think I’ve made a major life decision without consulting him first because he often knows me better than I know myself. He’s always been there to support me during the tough times and celebrate with me during the happy times. I can very confidently say I would not be where I am today without having him as a friend. No matter where in the world we are or how busy, he somehow always manages to make time for those he cares about, and I’m incredibly grateful to consider him a part of my family. I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting Elaine yet, but I already know she’s his person. I remember when he first told me about her and how fast he said, “I’m going to marry this girl.” I didn’t question it at all, because I had never heard him talk about anyone the way he spoke about her. I’m honoured to be a part of this wonderful occasion and absolutely stoked to celebrate my boy beginning this amazing new chapter of his life.

Jordi and I have been friends since our high school days. From camping trips all over BC to spontaneous road trips during the pandemic—we've turned ordinary moments into legendary stories. Jordi and I have always found the perfect balance between earning our beers and enjoying them. One of our most epic adventures was road-tripping through the Rockies for camping, canoeing, and hiking, then driving 8 hours straight to the Pemberton Music Festival and then back to camping again without missing a beat. We lived together for 2.5 years during the pandemic, which wasn't exactly how we planned to experience Commercial Drive, but we made the best of it. Jordi is the morning person between us, always up early and ready to chat. Me? I need my coffee before I can handle his energy. Mornings often consisted of him talking a mile a minute while I listened, slowly waking up—he talks, I listen—it's worked out pretty nicely. When Jordi first mentioned Elaine, I could tell she was someone special. Meeting her during a weekend in Whistler confirmed it. It was clear she was "the one" for him. I'm excited to stand by Jordi's side as he marries Elaine, and I can't wait to celebrate with them. Here's to their next big adventure together!

I first met Jordi when he joined the uni ski club in Leicester. Skiing in England, you might ask? Well, it was mostly drinking, partying, and attempting to ski on artificial slopes. From day one, we got on like a house on fire, and it’s been the same ever since. Jordi is always up for an adventure, and that spirit has taken us on incredible journeys around the world. We honed our friendship during ski trips in France, tearing up the Alps, and later in Canada, where I followed Jordi after uni, inspired by his endless stories about how amazing it is. He was right—I’ve been back multiple times, always excited to catch up and spend time together. Earlier this year, we took an unforgettable trip to Japan, packed with incredible memories. Jordi, of course, was the ultimate late-night drinking buddy, always up for one more adventure. Jordi is a top-tier friend. He’s always been there with sound advice, always ready for the next adventure, and he made my time in Canada truly special. He showed me the best spots and introduced me to unforgettable experiences. I haven’t met Elaine yet, but the way Jordi talks about her and how happy he is when he does says it all. He’s always surrounded himself with great people, and I have no doubt that Elaine is one of the best. I can’t wait to meet her next year and see these two amazing people start this exciting new chapter together!