They say the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, but there’s something undeniably attractive about a man who can cook. Jessica met Steven at one of his famous dinner parties and soon discovered they shared interests in food, wine and travel. They ended up cooking together and trading recipes, which eventually led to a tropical engagement.

The Proposal

The couple booked an overnight catamaran expedition during their trip to St. Maarten, and Steven used the opportunity to propose on the deck under the twinkling stars. They celebrated with champagne and were serenaded by the gentle lapping of waves and the sound of terrible karaoke drifting over the bay.

The Big Day

Jessica and Steven chose to host their wedding at Emerald Lake not just for the spectacular setting, but also for sentimental reasons; when they first started dating they stayed at Emerald Lake Lodge on the recommendation of a friend who worked as an apprentice chef there, and Jessica had fond memories of camping at Yoho National Park as a child. After a beautiful day full of laughter and tears and an evening full of food and dancing, the groomsmen swapped their tuxes for their birthday suits and jumped into the frigid lake.

Favourite Moments

Jessica:“My favourite moment was walking down the isle hand in hand with my soon to be husband.”

Steven:“The first look. It was nice to see each other and bring some calmness to the day before the big moment.”

Engagement Ring Cut

Pear

First Dance

‘Higher Love’ Steve Winwood

Newlywed Advice

“Do what is right for the both of you, don’t worry so much about what everyone else thinks you should do and hire the right vendors! It was wonderful to have Julianne Young Weddings help us with all the planning and the staff at Emerald Lake Lodge were so accommodating. We worked with them to create three wonderful hors d’oeuvres for cocktail hour and they were a big hit with the guests – along with the east coast oyster bar, and the late night poutine take-out containers.”

Looking Forward to Most Now Being Married

The newlyweds now look forward to exploring new destinations around the globe together.

Honeymoon

Osoyoos, B.C | Resort: Watermark Beach Resort

It’s easy to cave and shave when you’re swamped with wedding details. Programs, favours, flowers and rehearsals can have you running around to the very last minute, pushing hair removal to the very bottom of your to-do list. Whether you’re a seasoned sailor or a nervous novice, Sina Zere, waxing expert and owner of Buff Wax Spot shares five reasons with us to ditch the razor and book a wax before your big day.

Avoid Bumpy, Red Underarms

Most wedding dresses are either strapless or sleeveless, meaning your underarms will be on display all day. Razor blades can cause irritation and infection (folliculitis) if pieces of cut hair fall back into pore. Shaving makes you more prone to ingrowns and of course the dreaded never-stop-bleeding knicks that can occur. Bumpy, red or even inflamed underarms is not a good look on your wedding day. You’ll be lifting your arms a lot to hug your hubbie, your friends and family. Not to mention waving your arms around like you just don’t care on the dancefloor!

Stubble Be Gone

There is nothing worse than shaving the day before a big event and waking up to pesky prickles. Save yourself the time and last minute stress of battling with your razor the morning of your wedding day. At Buff Wax Spot, we recommend booking your wax appointment 3-5 days before your nuptials. One more thing off your mind!

Honeymoon Ready

Intimate wax services are the most requested wax service worldwide. Make sure your bikini line is on point for your first night together as a married couple and for your romantic honeymoon vacay by booking a brazilian or bikini wax. While you’re at it, we recommend the Buff Wax Vajacial service – a refreshing, professional treatment for your lady garden. It leaves your skin feeling velvety smooth, fresh, and free of ingrown hairs.

Pictures Are Forever

The truth is, we all have sneaky hair growth in sometimes surprising areas. Maybe you have a little extra fluff on your toes and you’ll be wearing open-toe shoes. Perhaps you’re upper-lip needs some extra TLC. Or maybe you’re insecure about your darker arm hair. Whatever it is, a wax technician can make it disappear in a flash. You don’t want to get your wedding photos back only to find you had a five o’clock shadow the whole day.

Insta-Worthy Skin

Waxing exfoliates the skin by removing dead skin, leaving a beautiful, healthy glow. Exfoliating and moisturizing are absolutely essential for Insta-worthy skin, sans filter!

Buh-bye razor, we’ll never shave together!

For Edmonton couples dreaming of starting their happily-ever-afters in a setting worthy of royalty, the Fairmont Hotel Macdonald has long been the gold standard. Situated on the high banks of the North Saskatchewan River, “The Mac” has been an iconic fixture of Edmonton’s skyline for over a century.

The Grand Trunk Pacific Railway first opened the hotel’s doors in 1915 to tune of $2.25 million (that’s over $35 million in today’s dollars!), and named it after Canada’s first prime minister, Sir John A. Macdonald. The design was adapted from 16^th century French castles, or châteaus, and featured Indiana limestone facing and copper roofing. The hotel was the glamorous epicentre of Edmonton’s social scene for decades until it fell into disrepair and closed in 1983. In an effort to save the historic building from the wrecking ball, the city designated it as a Municipal Heritage Resource. The hotel underwent a massive restoration under new ownership until it was returned to its former glory but with modern amenities.

The Hotel Macdonald is renowned for its luxurious suites, exquisite catering and impeccable service—and let’s not forget Smudge, their beloved Canine Ambassador! Their dedicated team of professionals works closely with each couple to ensure everything from the room to the food is tailored to fit their vision for the day and surpasses their expectations.

Whether you are hosting an intimate reception or a grand fête, The Mac has a room to suit every style. The most popular options are the Empire Ballroom and the Wedgwood Room, both of which carry the heritage designation. The regal Empire Ballroom boasts 21-foot decorated ceilings, opulent chandeliers and a pillar-free space so all your guests will have an unobstructed view of the festivities—up to 250 of them! This room also includes access to a private terrace in the manicured gardens so you can soak in the spectacular view of the River Valley. The Wedgwood Room shares the intricate detailing of its namesake, Wedgwood China, within its domed structure. The soft, muted colour palette makes it a favourite for both ceremonies and romantic receptions for up to 110 guests. Couples who book either room also get a complimentary View Room for the wedding night.

There are also stunning options for cozier affairs for 30 to 60 guests; The Jasper Room features rich oak paneling and original stained glass windows, while the Drawing Room has an airier atmosphere with pale blue walls and white woodwork framing a trio of tall windows. During the brief yet beautiful summer months, the enclosed Gazebo is also available for garden receptions or even bridal showers.

The event coordinators at Fairmont Hotel Macdonald also have a specially selected list of recommended vendors to ensure you are treated like royalty from the first plans to the last dance. There really is no need to look further than The Mac, “where modern luxury meets historic, old-world grandeur.”

Despite sharing many mutual friends while living in Calgary, Maxine and Theron didn’t meet until seven years after moving to the city. When their stars finally aligned, their relationship quickly progressed; they packed up their lives and moved across the planet together the following year.

The Proposal

During their two years living in Australia it became obvious they were meant for each other. Theron proposed during a weekend of hiking, picnicking and riding in a hot air balloon in the Gold Coast Hinterlands. “It was beautiful, simple and private,” says Maxine.

The Big Day

The couple wanted a naturally beautiful outdoor wedding and Bottega Farm Inn & Studio in Kelowna provided the perfect inspiration. The forest served as the backdrop for their ceremony and the spacious great hall was decorated with crisp white linens, lush greenery and subtle hints of gold for the reception. Blush bridesmaid dresses and navy suits complemented their wedding palette.

Favourite Moments

Theron was awestruck when he first saw Maxine; her headpiece and jewelry shimmered in the sunlight as she walked down the aisle. The highlight for Maxine was having friends and family from all over the world join them to celebrate their marriage. “It was very special for us and we felt very loved and supported,” she says.

First Dance

“Crazy Love”—Van Morrison

Newlywed Advice

‘Don’t forget to have fun during the process. Planning your wedding is not a checklist or tedious tasks to complete. Also, make your guests feel comfortable and welcomed — they are there to celebrate with you!’

Looking Forward to Most Now Being Married

Maxine and Theron are looking forward to the next big chapter in their lives together—becoming parents in summer of 2017!

Honeymoon

New York City, NY

Florals have really made a surge in the wedding industry lately. It’s no wonder with these floral artists using their creativity and unique blooms to create stunning masterpieces. They photograph beautifully and are a great way to really customize your special day.

We love how natural and organic bouquets are on trend right now. We are seeing a lot of muted jewel-tones, as well as romantic monochromatic blooms. The use of unique and creative materials are on the rise – two of our featured bouquets have artichokes in them! These add charm and a different dimension to the bouquet we have never seen before. Check out the 7 bouquet trends of 2017 in detail below.

Natural

We can’t help but swoon over the romantic look – soft, natural and simply beautiful. With plenty of greenery surrounding these delicate florals it’s no wonder this look is so popular right now.

Floral: Lavender and Lace Floral Farm | Photo: Heidrich Photography

Creative

Notice the use of artichokes in this incredibly unique bouquet. The colours are soft, yet still manage to create a bold statement. The use of greenery in this one adds a natural feel.

Floral: Fabloomosity | Photo: Carey Nash Photography

Jewel-Tones

We are in love with the jewel-tones in this bunch of blooms. The burlap wrap and lace add a romantic feel. We can truly appreciate the thought that goes into the whole look, from the hair, to the dress to the florals – each compliments each other beautifully.

Floral: Flower Artistry | Photo: Nathan Walker Photography

Monochromatic

In this bouquet we have a more monochromatic look with no leafy greenery which really puts the focus on the soft florals.The different mix of soft blooms creates a lovely dimension and a romantic feel.

Floral: Tickled Floral | Photo: Jill Coursen Photography

Make It Pop

Next up we have more gorgeous jewel-tones. We love the use of a similar colour palate to tie everything together, but different enough to make the blooms pop from one another. Place some soft greenery throughout and we have another gorgeous trend.

Floral: Fabloomosity | Photo: Carey Nash Photography

Mix It Up

For a truly unique look, this bouquet has everything from calla lilies, to succulents to artichokes! We completely appreciate the creativity behind this one. The tones are perfection and the trailing greenery is everything!

Floral: Bloomin’ Chickadee | Photo: Megan Kemshead Photography

Moody-Romantic

Another on-trend look is this moody, romantic bouquet. We have some bold blooms completely surrounded by cascading greenery. This is a natural, organic look at it’s finest.

Photo: Carey Nash Photography