Compass Rose Suites

Wedding Day

Ceremony

Dinner

Reception

Bonfire

Fall

By RSVPing yes, you are affirming your respect and full support for the LGBTQ+ community, our rights, and the rights and dignity of Indigenous people and communities. This support extends beyond celebrating our union on the day—it reflects an enduring belief in equality, love, and justice that you carry into your everyday life. We are excited to hold space for all our loved ones who love us, our community, and the values we cherish together.

Our Wedding

Our story begins on June 1, 2021, in the midst of a worldwide pandemic, in two countries, and 112 miles apart. Eli had just decided to download a dating app a few weeks ago in hopes of meeting new people, not expecting much to come of it. Bri had also recently downloaded the dating app, and decided to pay for a premium subscription to see who “liked” her (wanted to chat with her). Eli had come across Bri’s profile, and thought she seemed sweet and incredibly beautiful, and sent a like. Bri saw Eli’s like, thought she looked adorable and easy to talk to, and sent the message that would change the courses of our lives forever. A few days into texting, we decided to have a video call. On this call, we talked nonstop about everything, for seven hours straight. We talked about our pasts, hopes, dreams, goals, struggles, and random thoughts about life. This quickly became a routine for us, staying up late to talk to each other even when we knew we should be getting more rest, lost in conversation and each other’s beauty. Two months later, on August 7, 2021, we decided to become an official couple, despite not having met in person yet due to COVID-19 border restrictions. We vowed to meet each other as soon as we could, continued our phone calls, and fell deeper and deeper into love with each other. On December 5, 2021, the border had finally opened and Bri made the trip to New York to finally meet Eli in person. Eli was incredibly excited and anxious for her to get there, and sat watching at her window until she arrived. Bri was very nervous, and very excited to finally be able to hug and kiss her. We shared our first hug and kiss of many there, in Eli’s driveway in the cold. Throughout that day, we went and ate at Wendy’s for our first date, followed by a tattoo appointment where we both got rose tattoos (it was Bri’s first!). Then we went back to Eli’s house, and spent the following three days talking, cuddling, and watching movies together. Bri also met Eli’s parents and immediately, Bri fit right into the family. All too soon, our time together in person came to a close. The original plan we had made was for Eli to go back for a couple weeks to Canada with Bri to meet her family and spend more time together, but Eli unfortunately tested positive for COVID unexpectedly during a routine mandated border test, so she couldn’t come back yet (fortunately, Eli was asymptomatic and didn’t transmit it to Bri or anyone else). After quarantining for the required amount of time and testing negative, Eli was finally able to visit Canada with Brii on December 20, 2021. Eli met Bri’s family and felt right at home with them! We spent our first Christmas together as a couple, as well as New Year’s, and had the most amazing time together. After getting to know each other so deeply via conversation, it felt nice to finally be able to fall asleep holding one another and to hear each other’s voice in person. These two visits were the start of our frequent trips to spend a few days/weeks with each other when and where we could, given scheduling and border restrictions. Throughout the following months, we would meet more members of one another’s family’s, each other’s friends, and learn the ins and outs of being in an adult relationship. As I’m sure many of you reading this may know, both Bri and Eli can be very stubborn at times, so we definitely butted heads a bit in that first year, but over time we fortunately learned how to work with each other rather than against each other and how to best support each other. Throughout everything that comes with life, the rollercoaster of emotions, sickness, hardship, and loss, Bri and Eli were each other’s supports. When times got hard, neither of us gave up because we loved one another and believed in the life that we wanted to build together. Three years later, we are finally fortunate enough to see the light at the end of the long-distance tunnel! On April 18, 2024, Bri woke up in the morning and thought “Today’s the day, I don’t want to wait any longer.” We had already planned to go to the mall that day, so we headed there and shopped at a few stores. Afterward, Bri asked Eli if she wanted to go sit by the water. What Eli didn’t know is that Bri was taking Eli to Zwick’s park because that was a spot where we had our first summer date, eating pizza and fast food in the trunk of Bri’s car, holding hands and looking at the water, and this is where Bri wanted to pop the question. Bri backed into our usual spot, and told Eli to wait for her in the passenger seat while she moved some stuff around in the trunk. What Eli didn’t begin to suspect was that Bri was retrieving the carefully stashed engagement ring/box from a compartment back there. When she told Eli she was ready for her, Eli turned around and saw Bri on one knee. In shock, Eli dropped everything in her hands and immediately said, “Are you serious?!!”. Bri then asked Eli the question that would start their life together. After a few more “Are you for real!!?” questions, Eli wrapped Bri in a hug and said “Of course”, sobbing with joy. We then sat in the trunk of the car, cried, talked, laughed, and held each other until we got cold, then we went home and told our families the good news! We are both extremely lucky to have found a lifelong partnership based in loyalty, honesty, kindness, and support, and we’re incredibly grateful to share this day with the family and friends that have been extremely welcoming, supportive, and kind to us. On behalf of both of us, we want to thank every single person reading this. Both of us have been accepted and loved with open arms by each and every person present in one another’s lives and we couldn’t be more grateful for the love you’ve shown to both of us, individually and as a couple. After the wedding, Eli is planning to apply to immigrate to Canada to live with Bri. The couple plans to start higher education at Loyalist College as soon as immigration and enrollment allows after the move is complete, and work toward saving up for a place of their own! We’re incredibly excited to share our special day with you! Please join us in continuing our journey of laughter, happiness, uplifting and supporting one another!

Our story 

Our Story

Photos

Met in middle/high school, quarantined together during quarantine, friends for 8 years

Fiona Duger

Met in public school, became best friends in high school, coworkers for 4 years, friends for 10 years

Keyonna Maracle

Younger brother and built in buddy of 18 years

Dakota Anderson

The couple’s nephew, son of Eli’s best friend/Maid of Honor, Fiona.

Odin Carlos

The couple’s niece, youngest daughter of Bri’s best friend/Maid of Honor, Keyonna.

Sage Maracle

The couple’s niece, eldest daughter of Bri’s best friend/Maid of Honor, Keyonna. 

Luna Maracle

Wedding Party

Q + A

Jackson’s Falls Country Inn is just a 6-minute drive from the venue and offers convenient amenities like an onsite restaurant, contactless check-in, private bathrooms, smart TVs, free Wi-Fi, coffee makers, kettles, and mini fridges in every room.

Jackson's Falls Country Inn

The Royal Hotel is a 14-minute drive from the venue, offering in-room coffee and tea, a fully stocked mini bar, Wi-Fi, walk-in showers, as well as an onsite spa, gym, and restaurant.

The Royal Hotel

The June Motel is a 15-minute drive from the venue, offering amenities such as glassware, a corkscrew, bottle opener, toiletries from Sunday’s Company, a flatscreen TV, Bluetooth speaker, air conditioning, and a mini fridge. A hairdryer and iron/ironing board are available upon request, and there’s also an onsite bar.

The June Motel

Angeline’s Inn is an 18-minute drive from the venue, offering a charming stay with an onsite restaurant, room service, bar, free Wi-Fi, and in-room coffee/tea. The inn is known for its unique, cozy accommodations, blending historic charm with modern comforts.

Angeline's Inn

Picton Harbour Inn is a 13-minute drive from the venue, offering complimentary Wi-Fi, TV, air conditioning, a microwave, mini-refrigerator, and coffee maker. The inn provides comfortable accommodations with beautiful views of the harbor.

Picton Harbour Inn

TERRY'S TAXI

THE TAXI GUY

Travel

Things to Do

Registry

There is no gift registry and we consider your presence our present, however we will accept monetary contributions to put towards our honeymoon and Eli’s immigration for those who wish. For Americans, you can transfer directly via Venmo @lilackiddo, Cashapp $EliRowlands, or give cash/check. For Canadians, you can e-transfer directly to 2001.briannaanderson@gmail.com or give cash/check. Thank you in advance!

Bri & Eli

Bri & Eli

Gifts/Contributions