Why we decided to protect sharks and Stop the Soup at our wedding banquet
How we met: 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?”
Join Jay & Jo in protecting our ocean’s precious shark populations by pledging to Stop the Soup at your wedding banquet. Enter the Happy Hearts Love Sharks wedding contest for a chance to win a grand prize trip to Hawaii!
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