Jade and Greg

Salute to Love

After working together at the same grocery store and attending the same college, Jade Adamson says Greg Fracassi’s proposal was definitely a surprise. “We had been together for five and a half years before Greg proposed, so I thought he was never going to ask me.” Greg, however, says he knew Jade was the one on their first date. “I’m a big sports guy and she didn’t know a thing about sports. But she tried so hard to stay interested in what I had to say. I thought it was adorable.” (Greg admits Jade’s sports IQ has come a long way since that first date.)

Greg’s feelings were confirmed when his job took him out west, leaving Jade in Ottawa. “After six months, she gave up her dream job, moved away from all of her family and came to live on Vancouver Island,” says Greg. “I knew that if she was willing to do this for me, that I had someone very special and I needed to hold onto her.” Staying at a cabin in Ucluelet, B.C., in 2009, Greg asked Jade to be his wife while the pair was hiking on the Wild Pacific Trail along the ocean front.

Two years later, on June 18, 2011, the couple said their vows at St. Anthony of Padua church in Ottawa, in front of 158 friends and family. The colour choices, black and yellow, were inspired by Greg’s wedding attire. “I was getting married in my Serge,” says Greg, an  RCMP officer. “And not too much matches that.” The black would complement the red uniform, while the yellow brought out Greg’s belt and yellow-striped pant. “I thought the colours were very classic and elegant together,” explains Jade, who held a bouquet of yellow and white roses.

The reception, held at Tudor Hall, featured a traditional Italian menu, including a late night pizza party to replenish guests as they hit the dance floor. Sweet treats were also on tap, as guests enjoyed a variety of candy bowls. “Greg and I love candy,” says Jade. “And we always used to go to the Bulk Barn and stock up, so I thought it was pretty fitting.” Tiramisu, lemon raspberry and triple chocolate were the trio of flavours chosen for the cake. Topping the layers was an RCMP officer with his bride. Before hitting the dance floor, Jade, who states she is “not a dress person,” traded in her long gown for a shorter, fitted white dress. “I decided on two dresses because I knew I would get tired of wearing a long wedding dress all night.”

Involved in all aspects of the planning process, Jade created the save the dates and invitations from scratch. “We were hands-on with everything,” says Greg. “And Jade is very particular.” The most cherished moment of the night was the dance Jade shared with her father, who passed away in August 2011. “Words cannot express how special it was to have him at my wedding and there to give me away.”

Compiled by Lindsay Ruck

Photos by Ryan Parent Studios