Find out what matters most to brides at - Bridal Fantasy

Blending
Backgrounds
You’re getting married. He proposed and you said ‘yes’. You’re about to
merge your lives forever. From combining your laundry to coordinating your
schedules, compromise and understanding will be crucial to ensure you are
both happy. Beyond the day to day activities and personality differences, an
increasing number of couples have another issue to overcome, blending two unique
cultural backgrounds.
This past April, Statistics Canada released
new dating indicating in 2006 there was over
a quarter of a million mixed-race couples
(married and common law); one third more
than in 2001, the last time a survey was done.
Eighty-five percent of these marriages
involved a Caucasian person and a visible
minority. As travel and immigration continue
to open people’s eyes to the beauty of
diversity, it makes sense that love has become
increasing color blind.
Jordan Rosentreter and Dave Tran, better
known to loved ones as the Rosentrans, share
a love so strong that it has conquered any
couple and cultural diversity they have faced.
Dave’s Vietnamese roots remain an influential
part of his life, as does Jordan’s Catholic faith.
After being inseparable for two years, Dave
proposed this past May. They’re planning to
declare their love for each other in front of
seventy-five close friends and family
members at the Juniper Hotel in Banff on July
18, 2009.
Shallon Cunningham, an experienced and
vibrant Calgary-based photographer shot
couple’s engagements photos this past fall.
“Before I shot their engagement photos, I got
a feel for what they wanted as their backdrop.
Since they had decided to get married in the
mountains in summer, they wanted their
engagement photos to have a different
appeal. They decided to use Alberta’s
beautiful fall colors to their advantage. They
have a dog (who is so cute!) and they wanted
to have him in some of their shots as well. I
had a fabulous time shooting Jordan and
Dave; they’re very photogenic. My favourite
shots were the ones where I felt that they
were being themselves; laughing, talking and
smooching, and I just happened to be there
to capture the moment.”
Bridal Fantasy had a chance to chat with
the newly-weds-to-be and learn more about
their love, what they’ve got planned and how
they’re planning to incorporate each other’s
backgrounds into their wedding.
BF: Was it love at first sight?
Jordan: Absolutely - It was instant
chemistry!
Dave: Besides the physical attraction, we
just "clicked" on all levels which made
everything so comfortable. It reached a point
very quickly where we loved each other's
company.
BF: What happened when you got
engaged?
Jordan: Our engagement was the most
romantic thing that’s ever happened to me. I
came home after work and he had set-up an
elaborate scavenger hunt around our condo.
It involved a dozen red roses, a mirror full of
heart-shaped stickies (each one with a reason
why he loves me), a movie with pictures of us
as babies and of the times we shared
together, Santi (our dog), and a night at the
Hotel MacDonald.
Dave: It was our 2 year anniversary and we
were supposed to have a quiet dinner at
home. But little did she know I had taken the
entire day off to get ready for the proposal; I
wanted to WOW her.
Jordan Rosentreter and Dave Tran with their dog, Santi, Fall 2008
Photography by Shallon Cunningham
BF: How do you plan to incorporate
each of your cultural backgrounds into
the wedding?
Jordan: We are having a Buddhist Blessing
at the Temple in Edmonton a few days before
the wedding. Along with Dave’s mother and
sister, I will be wearing a traditional Ao Dai
(Buddhist wedding dress), which has been
ordered from Vietnam. Dave’s parents will also
be performing the Vietnamese tea ceremony
to both sides of the family. For me to be
included in this type of ceremony is such an
honour.
For our actual wedding a few days later, we
are having a Justice of the Peace marry us on
an out-door terrace in Banff. In order to
honour both cultures and religions, we are
having Catholic and Buddhist readings at the
ceremony. The idea of incorporating our
different cultures was something we both
agreed on early in the planning process and it
has helped shape how our entire day will
unfold.
BF: Have you had any issues that you’ve
had to deal with, which have stemmed
from cultural difference? How have you
dealt with them?
Jordan: I wouldn’t say that we’ve had any
major issues. Both our Buddhist and Catholic
backgrounds have been a part of our lives to
this point and will continue to be a part of our
life together. The key is really to understand
what is important to the other person and to
try to meet in the middle. Opening yourself to
a new idea, a new culture, a new religion is
such an interesting and enlightening
opportunity. I am so lucky that I have met
someone who feels the same way.
Dave: We are both very grateful to have
parents who believe in our happiness and
choices that we make. Although there are
some differences in our cultural beliefs, it has
never become a major issue. I think the
reason for that is because both cultures have
similar values and morals. ■
2009 Bridal Fantasy 129