Rehearsal Dinner

Civil Ceremony

La Plage Resort

Reception

Our Wedding

It all started on Match.com with a finish-line photo that turned out to be the beginning of something wonderful.Among the pictures on Sasha’s profile was one taken after he competed in the Canadian Army Run. Believe it or not, that was the photo that caught Laura’s attention. She had no idea then that the man at the finish line would become the person she would build her future with.For their first date, Laura met Sasha at the Chapters bookstore in Ottawa’s ByWard Market. Her first thought? She could hardly believe that this handsome man was going on a date with her. Yes, really!They headed to The Grand Pizzeria and Bar, where Sasha was introduced to mushrooms on pizza. A new connection and a new pizza experience, all in one evening.But it was the conversation that made the biggest impression. As the evening went on, Sasha listened to Laura talk about her separation and offered advice about things she might want to look out for. To Laura, his thoughtfulness revealed someone who genuinely cared about her. Beyond the handsome face and the finish-line photograph, there was kindness. And that was where their story really began.That August, Sasha was posted to Toronto by the Canadian Armed Forces. With a move to the big city ahead of him, he asked Laura to come along. Her answer was wonderfully practical: why not? If things did not work out, at least Toronto had a larger Romanian community.Fortunately, that backup plan was never needed.Since then, they have enjoyed many, many races together, turning that first finish-line connection into a shared part of their lives. Laura has also followed in Sasha’s footsteps and joined the Canadian Armed Forces. She continues to embrace a healthy, physically active lifestyle, one of the qualities that attracted Sasha to her in the first place. The race-day photo may have caught Laura’s eye, but their shared love of an active life helped bring them closer.More than six years later, things have not only worked out; Sasha and Laura are engaged, building a home and a future together. What began with a dating profile, a race-day photograph, and a first date over pizza has become a love they will carry into every chapter ahead. Together, they are building more than a home: they are building a life in which they get to keep choosing each other.That finish-line photograph was never the end of the story. It was the beginning of theirs, and the most beautiful part is the future they get to share, side by side

A Finish Line, a First Date, a Forever

Our Story

Photos

Christopher J. Paul

Rajwant K. Bhullar

Wedding Party

Dress Code

Q + A

If you would like to explore beyond Taormina in your free time, the excursions below are optional ideas, not confirmed wedding events. Their durations are examples from currently published tour listings, not guaranteed schedules for August 2027.Mount Etna: Explore volcanic craters and lava caves on a guided excursion. A published half-day tour lasts approximately 6 hours.Savoca and Forza d’Agrò: Visit villages used as filming locations for The Godfather. A published tour lasts approximately 4 hours.Siracusa and Noto: Explore Greek and Baroque Sicily on a longer cultural day trip. A published tour lasts approximately 11 hours, so allow a full day.Taormina’s coastal bays: For a shorter outing, consider a sailing trip departing from Giardini Naxos. A published tour lasts approximately 3 hours.Before booking, confirm August 2027 availability, prices, transport or pickup arrangements, walking requirements, and cancellation terms with the operator. Please keep excursions clear of the wedding celebrations on 23 August 2027 and any other required activities once the schedule is confirmed. For Mount Etna, confirm the permitted route and any access restrictions with your guide. <a href="https://www.etnapeople.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Example excursion listings</a>.

Travel

Things to Do

Registry

sashaandlaura.com

Sasha & Laura

Sasha & Laura

Photos