
Emma & Bruno
Emma and Bruno’s story began in 2018 in Kisumu, Kenya, when Emma was studying abroad. Bruno worked as a personal trainer at the gym Emma’s group attended, and he quickly became part of their circle of friends. After she returned home, they stayed loosely connected through Instagram, not realizing that their paths would one day cross again in a life-changing way.
In 2020, during the lockdown, Emma posted a photo of Kenyan food she was cooking. Bruno commented, and when she mentioned wanting to learn how to make chapati, he offered to teach her over FaceTime. What started as a simple cooking lesson turned into an all-night call that rekindled their friendship and laid the foundation for something much deeper.
A couple of years later, while Emma was living in Honduras, Bruno reached out again. Their conversations became a source of comfort, and Emma decided to take a leap of faith and visit him in Kenya. That trip changed everything. In 2023, they began dating, and since then they’ve shared countless adventures — exploring the UAE, the Bahamas, Rwanda, and traveling all across Kenya together.
In December 2024, they traveled to Bruno’s ancestral village, deep in rural Kenya, to receive blessings from his family. There, Emma stood on the land that has been in Bruno’s family for generations — the same land where they will one day build their home in accordance with Luo tradition. Surrounded by his mom, grandma, aunts, and uncles, they were prayed over and blessed, marking a sacred moment in their journey together.
What Emma didn’t know was that behind the scenes, Bruno and his mom were already planning something incredibly special. His family’s land is rich with gold, and his mom began working with a local miner to source gold directly from their soil. Meanwhile, during their New Year’s trip to the Bahamas, Bruno spent intentional time with Emma’s family — talking with her parents, sisters, and best friend — to share his vision for a custom engagement ring and to ask for their blessings. The final design was a beautiful blend of both families: gold from his ancestral home and a setting inspired by Emma’s mother’s wedding ring.
On March 6, 2025, during a birthday trip to Lamu, Bruno proposed. He had planned every detail — a private beach lined with flowers, a sunset boat ride, and a surprise Zoom call with Emma’s closest family and friends watching from around the world. It was a breathtaking moment that perfectly reflected their story: love rooted in two families, two worlds, and one future.
It was the most special day — the beginning of their forever.
Welcome Party
WELCOME TO LAKE PLACID!
Please join us in kicking off our wedding weekend:
Friday, September 11th, 2026
Location and timing details to come!
Wedding Day
LET’S GET MARRIED!
Please join us for an intimate and warm celebration of our union with a ceremony, followed by cocktails, dining, and dancing.
Saturday, September 12th, 2026
Location and timing details to come!
Farewell Brunch
HUG THE NEWLYWEDS GOODBYE!
Please join us for brunch before you head home.
Sunday, September 13th, 2026
Location and timing details to come!

RSVP
We have reserved a block of rooms at the stunning Lake Placid Lodge for all of our guests to enjoy for both Friday and Saturday night - it is incredibly sentimental to the Stephens family! In order to assist with the travel costs we know can add up very quickly, we have already paid a portion for each room. Please fill out the following RSVP form below by no later than June 1st, so we can ensure we place you in the best suite for your needs. Our planning team will then reach out to you with total costs due.
Pretty little details...
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Pretty little details... |
TRAVEL
If you are flying, the closest large airport is in Albany (just over 2hr drive away).
We recommend renting a vehicle for the weekend, and perhaps meeting up with others to share.
If driving from Michigan, you can expect a 10-12hr drive.
ATTIRE
September at Lake Placid means mild temperatures and gorgeous fall weather. Plan for a sweater in the evenings and layers.
Friday’s welcome party, dress comfortably in whimsical fall semi-formal attire.
Saturday’s wedding celebration, dress in fun colors and patterns, and cocktail-formal attire.
GOOD EATS
While we have dinner for Friday and Saturday covered, along with brunch on Sunday, you should have a few opportunities to explore quaint Lake Placid! Some of our favorites include Emma’s Lake Placid Creamery, Capisce Coffee Bar, Smoke Signals BBQ, or Mirror Lake Inn.
ACTIVITIES
Lake Placid is known for it’s stunning Adirondak mountain views, and storied Olympic history! We encourage you to explore in any free time you have, including some of our favorites: High Falls Gorge hike, visit the Olympic Ski Jumps via gondola, or the Olympic Museum!
Your presence is the greatest gift! But if you’d like to bless us anyway, please use these links to our registries.
