Meril & Taavi | Mediterranean beach wedding in Lepanina hotel

As is fitting for modern times, Taavi and Meril met 6 years ago on Tinder. Back then, neither of them intended to find someone but wanted to just swipe left and right for fun, as both of their friends were doing already.

Taavi first noticed Meril’s bright red hair and a Barbie-pink dress and decided to text her. On his profile, Meril saw Taavi’s introduction “Taller than you in heels. Comes with a free cat.”, and felt there was something special about this man. The conversation flowed immediately, though Taavi still had to ask Meril out three times before she finally agreed.

“I didn’t actually say no. I was just waiting for him to suggest a concrete time and place,” Meril reminisces.

On the evening of January 31st, 2017, the two souls finally met in Shakespeare Cafe in Tartu. Taavi proved to be a true gentleman – in addition to the three red roses he brought Meril, he also opened the door, took the bright pink winter coat off her shoulders, and pulled out the chair for her.

To go along with the delicious meal, Taavi had also prepared 33 questions to discuss during the date. Those turned out to be a specific set of questions, with some degree of scientific backing, that were designed to help make two people fall in love! For that, they both had to answer all the questions, and then spend three minutes in silence looking deeply into one another’s eyes.

Supposedly going through all 33 was predicted to take around one and a half hours, but this couple spent a bit over five. The method worked indeed since after that date Taavi and Meril became completely inseparable and only two years later they were engaged.

“The method worked indeed since after that date Taavi and Meril became completely inseparable…”

Wedding photographer: Valdur Rosenvald | Rosenvald Photography

Host: Are Tallmeister

Wedding planner: Maris Lätt

Videography: Markus Mäemets

Preparation place: Lepanina hotell

Venue: Lepanina hotell

Pastor: Peep-Ain Saar

Bride’s makeup: Alice Raidmets

Bride’s hair: Alice Raidmets

Bridal bouquet & wedding flowers: Dia Brillante, Maris Lätt

Bride’s dress: Evelin Temmin

Bride’s sneakers: @custom.d.art & Cleanstep

Rings: Karl Peebo

Groom’s suit: Errier

Wedding invitations: Chandelle Handicraft OÜ

Wedding cake: Black Lemon

Catering: Catering for family

Band: Terminaator

DJ: Siim Kaseorg

“Taavi is 110% my soulmate, and I’ve felt it ever since our magical first date.”

— Meril

At last, it came time for the long-awaited wedding day. In the marvelous Lepanina Hotel, with the sea breeze twirling and waves crashing in the background, Meril and Taavi swore to each other eternal vows.

Taavi:

“Meril, you have been my number one, you are my number one, and you will always remain my number one, until forever and beyond.”

Meril:

“My darling Taavi,

I’ve known for so long that I wanted to marry you, and the day is finally here.

I’m so grateful, that you’ve been by my side all this time, my greatest support.

You’ve put me back together again after I’ve fallen apart so many times.

You always believe in me, even when I’ve given up.

You put me first every day, and treat me like a princess.

I love you so much and am so looking forward to sailing with you into the sunset.

I promise to love you every day more than yesterday.

Now and forever.”

“I vow before our family and friends to love you forever.

To stand beside you as a faithful and loving spouse, being your best friend and partner.

To always set the toothpaste ready for you, when I’m the first to go brush my teeth.

I give you my hand and heart, joining my life to yours now and forever.”

At the wedding, Taavi’s brother Jaan also spoke up, delivering a speech that touched Taavi and Meril’s hearts, bringing depth and beauty to the start of their marriage.

“Taavi,

Marriage has the most effect on how many healthy years and how long a life a man gets – I’ve noticed how you’ve started fitting into smaller and smaller clothes, wearing facemasks, studying, and taking steps toward emotional and spiritual enlightenment. It’s a beautiful sight.

Meril,

The most important thing in a woman is what kind of thoughts she plants in the man’s head. You are very self-aware in being a woman. Your character must stay like this: unforeseeable, unbetrayed by looks, keeping the mystery and whimsy. You have the ability to change the lives around you whenever they truly listen.

One education is from the streets, another from a university – both can be found in every grown person’s CV. Yet I’m convinced that the two of you will keep learning and developing yourselves together.”

“…I’m convinced that the two of you will keep learning and developing yourselves together.”

“Taavi and Meril, the greatest strength is found in the admirable people, such as yourselves, who are joined together by something that brings forth mutual trust and respect. Together they can create miracles into chaos.

I wish for you that even in this mad world the two of you could become people who are unbreakable in love, unwavering in battle, and sometimes so damn insanely happy.”