UPEI alumni tie the knot on campus

UPEI alumni Michelle (née MacDonald) and Tyrrell Hughes recently tied the knot on June 30, outside of UPEI's Main Building. The pair both graduated from UPEI in 2009, she with a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology and sociology before moving on to complete a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Victoria, and he with a Bachelor of Science degree in biology. Tyrrell is entering his second year of the Bachelor of Education program at UPEI.

The couple dated for the first time in junior high school-and on-and-off for a couple of years-after they met in the seventh grade. They reconnected again in 2005 at UPEI, where they found themselves enrolled in the same anthropology class. And the rest is history!

When asked how they chose UPEI to be their wedding venue, Tyrrell explained that the University seemed like a natural place since it was where they both graduated from, and where they had reunited as a couple after so many years apart. 'When we found out that the University was on board with the wedding, we were thrilled, and thought the meaning of having it there, coupled with the amazing campus renovations, would make for a perfect venue.'

Michelle was equally impressed by the venue and the ceremony setup-from the white satin that covered the guest chairs to having one of the sunniest days of the summer. 'I was blown away by how amazing the venue looked as I walked down the aisle, it was perfect,' said Michelle. 'We had walked those stairs of Main Building so many times throughout our undergrad, we felt more than comfortable standing up there in front of our family and friends,' she added. 'UPEI brought us back together, so we thought it was only fitting to come together through marriage at the place where we found love all over again.'

Michelle and Tyrrell recently returned home from a relaxing honeymoon in Maui, Hawaii.

Michelle and Tyrrell as a couple in junior high: The couple gave this out as a souvenir photo to wedding guests