Read the inspiring stories of the couples that have entered this year.
Joanna and Jason
How we met: At a karaoke. Jason was enchanted by my singing (okay, maybe he was just humouring me) and we hit it off right away. We bond over outdoor activities such as biking, canoeing and horseback riding.
Wedding Date: July 18, 2011
Wedding Location: We got married in Jamaica but had our reception in Toronto
Number of Guests: 250
How did you find out about the consequences of shark fin soup? We watched the documentary Sharkwater and were deeply moved by it. We learned that shark finning is not only cruel but has a severe impact on the environment.
Why did you decide to protect sharks and not serve it at your wedding banquet? With so much great food in the world, it seems ridiculous to serve one that is so environmentally unsustainable. There are ten dishes (plus hors d’oeuvres and dessert) at a Chinese banquet. Removing or replacing one dish is really not a big deal.
What did you serve at your banquet instead? We substituted with a lobster bisque. It didn’t match the rest of the Chinese banquet. However, it’s even better that it didn’t match because it made a point and people took notice.
What response did you receive? Nobody minded the absence of the soup. In fact, people complimented us on our choice to take it off the menu. Guests don’t actually notice or care nearly as much as we think they do. They comment on how beautiful the bride looks, the venue and decor – I doubt all that many would say, “hey where’s the shark fin soup?”
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Sabrina and Kevin
How we met: By chance.
Wedding Date: August 20, 2011
Wedding Location: Richmond, BC
Number of Guests: 140
How did you find out about the consequences of shark fin soup? Being ecologically minded, we had known for years the awful effects shark fin soup had on the shark population. When we came to be engaged it was a non-issue for us to not include it on our menu.
What was your family’s response when you decided to take shark fin off the menu? There were no concerns – they supported it.
What will you serve at your banquet instead? We haven’t decided yet, but it will be some kind of seafood soup.
What would you say to other couples who are struggling to make this decision? Be true to yourself, it’s your wedding day – do what you want to do.
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Alicia and Judson
How we met: We’ve known each other since high school (which is over 10 years ago now) but love did not find us until university, where we coincidentally entered the same engineering program. Since then we can tell people stories that span cramming for exams together, to working hard at both our careers, to our funny household struggles.
Wedding Date: September 10, 2011
Wedding Location: Diamond Back Golf Club, Richmond Hill, Ontario.
Number of Guests: 130
How did you find out about the consequences of shark fin soup? We are both very concerned about the environment, but up until this year we did not learn the severity of consuming shark fin soup. If we went to a special event and were served it, we, like many others, would just eat it. We would never order it by ourselves, but we were not stepping up and actively stopping it. Lately, though, we have been reading a lot about it. Now, not only are we not serving it at our wedding but we will volunteer our time to raise awareness about the cruelty that goes into producing it.
What three words come to mind when you hear the words “shark fin soup”? Cruelty, Ignorance, Unnecessary
How did your family respond when you decided to take shark fin off the menu? Some were more accepting than others, but when we provided facts about dwindling shark populations, the others caved too. Luckily, we have a family that treasures life more than ‘face’.
What did you serve at your banquet instead? We served fish maw soup, but we added an abalone dish to make the banquet more lavish.
What would you say to other couples who are struggling to make this decision? Most people, maybe almost all people, consume shark fin because it is just there at every big Chinese event. Most of us would not make the extra effort to create change, but as the young generation, we need to push for it. And honestly, most people will listen because it doesn’t really taste good and it does not make you seem any wealthier.
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Bonny and Jason
How we met: We were introduced by a mutual friend, who is best friends with Jason’s sister, and a friend I met through work.
Wedding Date: May 8, 2011
Wedding Location: Dr. Sun-Yat Sen Chinese Garden & Brix Restaurant
Number of Guests: 70
How did you find out about the consequences of shark fin soup and why did you decide to protect sharks and not serve it at your wedding banquet? (3-5 sentences) A good friend of ours has been an enthusiastic advocate of sharks and marine life, and we have always known that shark fin soup is a huge issue because of the way it is prepared. We also believe there is a misconception of the cultural meaning of shark fin soup. Both Jason and I are vegetarians, so it was an easy choice for us not to serve the soup, but we wanted to take this opportunity to educate our guests on the reason behind our choice.
What three words come to mind when you hear the words “shark fin soup”? Vanity, misconception, cruelty.
How did your family respond when you decided to take shark fin off the menu? They were very supportive.
What did or will you serve at your banquet instead? Locally sourced and seasonal ingredients, mainly vegetarian dishes.
What would you say to other couples who are struggling to make this decision? If this is what you truly believe, don’t let other people to push you into making a decision.
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Judy and Jason
How we met: Table Tennis
Wedding Date: July 10, 2011
Wedding Location: Floata Seafood Restaurant, Vancouver, B.C.
Number of Guests: 380 (expected)
How did you find out about the consequences of shark fin soup? We learned through conversation with friends and articles, such as the ones you can find on Wikipedia, that sharks are becoming extinct as a result of the demand for shark fin soup. As a biology major, I understand the importance that every species has for the environment. It is just logical not to serve it at our wedding banquet. For 38 tables worth of soup, 38 sharks will have to be killed brutally. Our celebration should not come at the expense of sharks’ lives.
What words come to mind when you think of when you hear the
words “shark fin soup?” Chinese delicacy, cruelty
When you decided to take shark fin off the wedding menu, how did your family respond? My dad was opposed to it at first, suggesting that it would “look bad” to not serve it. He is one of the earlier Chinese immigrants to Vancouver – in fact, he opened one of the first Chinese bookstores in Chinatown. Therefore, he has many friends and acquaintances in the Chinatown neighborhood and believes shark fin soup to be important for appearances. However, with much effort and help of my sister, we managed to convince him that it was cruel and that the “younger generation” would not mind at all.
What did or will you serve at your banquet instead? Fish maw soup.
If you could talk to other couples who are struggling with making this decision, what would you tell them? Weddings should be a joyous occasion, not a cause for grief for Mother Nature. Live in the 20th century! Traditions can be improvised!
Have you been telling friends and family about your choice to protect sharks? What do they think? Yes. My friends typically agree that shark fin soup is not a necessity at Chinese weddings.
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Jenny and Andrew
How we met: We met eight years ago in a Japanese martial arts class – Aikido, actually, that was held at Simon Fraser University. It was love at first flip – I flipped Andrew onto the mat and that’s when our love story began.
Wedding Date: August 6, 2011
Wedding Location: Museum of Vancouver (ceremony), Fortune House Restaurant (reception)
Number of Guests: 150
How did you find out about the consequences of shark fin soup and why did you decide to protect sharks and not serve it at your wedding banquet? We had heard about shark finning before but never really thought too much about shark fin soup as it seemed like just another Chinese delicacy. It wasn’t until we attended a wedding fair and visited the Shark Truth booth that we learned more about it and the devastating impact it has on the species and the environment. We did not want to support shark finning, so we decided to pledge to not serve the soup at our wedding. We want our wedding to be a joyous event, and it’s a chance to spread the word about the impact of shark fin soup to our guests.
What three words come to mind when you think of when you hear the words “shark fin soup?” Cruel, wasteful, destructive.
When you decided to take shark fin off the wedding menu, how did your family respond? They were okay with our decision. We were expecting to receive more objection to it but after explaining why we chose not to have it, they were understanding. They even helped us find an alternative dish to shark fin soup!
What will you serve at your banquet instead? Shredded duck meat soup with dried scallop and yellow chive.
What advice do you have for couples considering omitting shark fin soup? The choice is theirs to make. It might not be the most popular choice at first for a traditional Chinese banquet but if you truly believe in this cause, be willing to lead by example.
*BONUS* Jenny and Andrew created a shark costume – you can make your own, too! Download their instruction guide on their blog.
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Brian and Natalie
How we met: Mutual friends set us up on a double date
Wedding Date: September 10, 2011
Wedding Location: Sunterra Market Bar Lounge
Number of Guests: 115
How did you find out about the consequences of shark fin soup and why did you decide to protect sharks and not serve it at your wedding banquet? We both watched the movie Sharkwater. My new company is DIRTT, which supports the group Sea Shepherd. They were featured in the movie Sharkwater and I was encouraged to watch it by a coworker. When my fiancé and I saw the movie we were appalled by the way the fins are collected. We love all God’s creatures and are amazed by how long sharks have roamed the seas. After learning about how the fins were harvested, we knew we could not support this industry.
What three words come to mind when you think of when you hear the words “shark fin soup?” Endangered, unnecessary, ignorance.
When you decided to take shark fin off the wedding menu, how did your family respond? Since we are having a non-traditional Chinese wedding dinner, they were not offended. However if we choose not to eat shark fin soup if it is ever served to us at other weddings, I’m sure there will be some talk about us. But I think it will be a great conversation starter!
What did or will you serve at your banquet instead? We are having a Westernized buffet.
If you could talk to other couples who are struggling with making this decision, what would you tell them? This tradition is supporting the black market and destroying a creature that keeps the ocean in balance. Your choice can change the future.
Your wedding is coming up soon. Have you been telling friends and family about your choice to protect sharks — what do they think? Yes and they fully support it.
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Sarah and Herman
How we met: We went out to the same places as one another for about a year, so we chatted here and there and eventually hit it off.
Wedding Date: April 30, 2011
Wedding Location: Shaing Garden, Richmond BC
Number of Guests: 74
How did you find out about the consequences of shark fin soup and why did you decide to protect sharks and not serve it at your wedding banquet? We watched a documentary called “Shark Water” and learned that the sharks were still alive when their fins were cut off, and left to die after being thrown back in to the water, finless and unable to fend for themselves. We never knew the practice was so inhumane and were deeply disturbed that our Chinese community supports the demand for this practice. Plus, it doesn’t even have any flavor so we didn’t find the sacrifice worth it!
What three words come to mind when you think of when you hear the words “shark fin soup?” Sad, painful, inhumane.
When you decided to take shark fin off the menu, how did your family respond? There was a lot of support from our immediate family, which we are very thankful for.
What did you serve at your banquet instead? We served fish maw and crabmeat soup.
If you could talk to other couples struggling with making this decision, what would you tell them? It’s just been a perceived luxury to be ‘able’ to consume shark fin soup, but at the end of the day, your wedding should make you feel like you are doing something good for those that are there. This is such a great chance to educate those who have always just consumed it without thought!
Your wedding was in April – what response did your banquet receive? There were definitely some eyebrows raised, but our parents were so supportive in going around and ensuring that everyone knew why we had chosen to serve a delicious fishmaw and crabmeat soup instead of shark fin. They were so understanding!
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Ed and Melanie
How we met: We worked together.
Wedding Date: June 11, 2011
Wedding Location: Our reception will be at Vancouver Club, downtown. Number of Guests: 160
How did you find out about the consequences of shark fin soup and why did you decide to protect sharks and not serve it at your wedding banquet? We believe that to ensure the our planet remains habitable, we must ensure there is an ecological balance. With the shark population decreasing, we are willing to give up eating this particular delicacy.
What three words come to mind when you hear the words “shark fin soup”? Tradition, culture, guilt.
How did your family respond when you decided to take shark fin off the menu? Though Melanie’s parents are traditional and would prefer us to have a traditional Chinese wedding, they have been supportive of our decision to have a western-style banquet.
What will you serve at your banquet instead? To ensure there would be no commotion or dissapointment from any guest, we have decided to hold the reception at the Vancouver Club and serve a western dinner.
What would you say to other couples who are struggling to make this decision? It’s a personal decision. You really have to go with your heart on this subject. It’s important to remember that there are alternatives to serving this particular dish which are just as classy and hopefully will please your parents and guests. GOOD LUCK!!!
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May and Dennis
How we met: By fate. The stars aligned in our favour.
Wedding Location: Kirin Seafood Restaurant, Vancouver
Number of Guests: 200.
How did you find out about the consequences of shark fin soup and why did you decide to protect sharks and not serve it at your wedding banquet? Dennis found out about it watching the Sharkwater documentary. It was very eye-opening, informative, but graphic. May found out about it through her supervisor, who boycotted it at his own wedding. Sharks are an important part of our marine ecosystem. We all need to be socially and environmentally conscious and do our part to protect the planet.
What three words come to mind when you think of when you hear the words “shark fin soup?” Prestige, delicacy, tasteless.
What did or will you serve at your banquet instead? Bird’s nest soup.
What would you tell other marrying couples having a hard time deciding to remove the soup? Some traditions are timeless, while some need to be broken in order to make a positive impact. Even if you feel that your contribution is minimal, every little bit counts. It takes many people making a minimal contribution to make a big difference.
If you had your wedding already, what response did you receive? If not, have you been telling friends and family about your choice to protect sharks — what do they think? Many of our friends and family are aware that we’ve backed this cause through this contest you’re running. Many of them are unaware of the practices and consequences of the shark finning industry, but your campaign is helping educate them.
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Join these couples in protecting our ocean’s precious shark populations by pledging to Stop the Soup at your wedding banquet. Enter the HappyHeartsLoveSharks Wedding contest for the chance to win a grand prize trip to Hawaii!
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