Jenna Bitove Freda and Nick Freda.
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Who: Jenna Bitove Freda, 34, stylist and socialite; Nick Freda, 35, entrepreneur
Relationship status: Together since 2016
Location: Toronto
Kismet over cocktails
Jenna: We had all of these mutual friends – it’s actually crazy that we didn’t meet for so long. When we did meet it was at this party that Nick was throwing. There was a spark. It was like, “Oh, hello.”
Nick: It was definitely a moment. I asked if I could get her a drink, but then we lost track of each other. And then we met at a party again the next night. I said, “Maybe I can get you that drink now.”
Jenna: Once we started talking, we couldn’t stop. And then at one point I ordered a Don Julio on the rocks.
Nick: That’s my drink too. I couldn’t believe it.
A playoff proposal
Nick: I knew when I decided to propose that Jenna would want to have her family nearby. They are so tight-knit. One of the places where you can guarantee they’ll all be together is at a Raptors game during the playoffs. Jenna’s family brought the team to Toronto. They’re huge fans.
Jenna: It was Game 4, Raptors versus Cleveland, do or die. And he tells me that he has to skip it because he has a business meeting. On a Sunday! I was like, What?! Are you sure you can’t cancel?
Nick: We know the guy who is the mascot so I convinced him to go into the box at halftime wearing a tuxedo and holding a rose.
Jenna: As soon as the mascot came in I knew something was up. My first thought was, wait, is Nick in the mascot costume?
Nick: I was out in the hall waiting. And then Drake walked in to say hi to Jenna. And I couldn’t get past his security. I was worried the whole plan was going to be ruined, but Drake left. And I burst in with flowers and then got down on one knee.
Jenna: It was amazing. I said yes!
A vision of love
Jenna: We knew we wanted to get married at my family’s cottage in Collingwood, Ont. The location really inspired us. The vibe was sort of Marie Antoinette, Versailles garden party. I was obsessed with this idea of having a carousel. I’ve always loved rides and fairy tales and fantasy.
Nick: I tend to be pretty laid back about these things. I totally bought into Jenna’s vision.
Jenna: He’s used to me having these extreme ideas.
Nick: That’s true. In my speech I joked about how the same way that Charlie’s Chocolate Factory was a window into his mind, looking around our wedding gave a glimpse of what goes on in Jenna’s head. For me it wasn’t so much about the aesthetic, as the energy of the group. I love that everyone there was someone who really matters to us. I picked our first dance: I Only Have Eyes For You.
Jenna: It was perfect. That’s how Nick always makes me feel.