Pamela and Steven spent the first decade of their relationship frequently traversing the globe, but they first met working in their hometown grocery store as teenagers.

The Proposal

Steve surprised Pamela with a trip to Mexico for her 28^th birthday and upgraded to the honeymoon suite for the ocean views. They arrived to chocolate-covered strawberries and champagne, but Steve suggested they save the champagne for another night. The next evening as they watched the sun set from their balcony, Steve asked Pamela to spend forever with him. It was definitely a great time to pop the bubbly!

The Big Day

The couple chose a destination wedding in Mexico so they could spend a full week with their favourite people in a place that was very dear to them. They had been to another wedding at a Dreams Resort and knew their guests would have an incredible experience, and they also brought in some Edmonton vendors to support local businesses at home.

Favourite Moments

Rainclouds invaded their picture-perfect paradise the morning of the wedding, but any stress Pamela felt melted away when she kissed her husband for the first time. Watching his smiling bride walk down the aisle was better than Steve could have ever imagined.

Engagement Ring Cut

Round

First Dance

“Take My Hand”—Emily Hackett and Will Anderson

Newlywed Advice

“Enjoy every moment along the way. Being engaged is such a special and unique time as a couple. Take time to appreciate it and have fun with planning a wedding.”

Looking Forward to Most Now Being Married

They now look forward to building a home and life together. “We can’t wait to see what our future holds as husband and wife. It still feels weird to say that!”

Honeymoon

Vietnam

Tess and Erik love Christmas in Edmonton. The couple—who met while working at the Pint on Whyte—planned an evening of winter festivities for a rare night off together.

The Proposal

Despite the -30C temperature (not including wind-chill!) they strolled down Candy Cane Lane and then went to view the lights at the Legislature Building. It was on the steps of the Ledge where Erik got down on one knee. “You know it’s cold when your happy tears freeze to your face!” says Tess.

The Big Day

They wanted a winter wedding and considered having it in Canmore, but ultimately the beauty and sentimental value of the River Valley won out. Hosting their reception at Blue Meadows also meant they didn’t have to limit their guest list. Their top priorities for the day were the photographer, the food, and throwing a huge party.

Fortunately, Mother Nature was much kinder to Tess and Erik on their big day; the temperature was unseasonably warm, but the snow was still pristine. Tess enjoyed laughing with her bridal party and spending quiet moments with Erik during photos. Erik loved the incredible dinner during their warm and luxurious reception—but it’s a close tie with seeing Tess for the first time.

Engagement Ring Cut

Round

First Dance

“Love Story”—Lanco

Newlywed Advice

“Let the experts do their thing! We had a general idea of what we wanted, knew we hired good people and we let them handle the details. We put our trust in our vendors and just enjoyed ourselves!”

Looking Forward to Most Now Being Married

The newlyweds plan to go on a few trips together, renovate their home, and being a big happy family with their dog and two cats.

Honeymoon

Costa Rica

Katie and Brett met in a hotel hot tub while vacationing with friends in California. They discovered they were both from the same province—Katie from Edmonton and Brett from Red Deer. The next morning they were seated together a breakfast and planned an impromptu group trip to Disneyland for the day. They dated long-distance for two years before Brett moved to Edmonton.

The Proposal

Brett planned the proposal for a hike to a waterfall during a camping trip in Yoho National Park. He was so excited he almost popped the question around the campfire the night before but managed to keep his plans—and the ring—concealed until they reached the cascading waters.

The Big Day

The couple took a DIY approach to planning their wedding; their family and friends helped them create all the décor, stationery and playlist. A ladder displayed wedding photos of their parents and grandparents, and framed love poems by Beau Taplin dotted the tables. For bridesmaid gifts, local artist Giselle Denis painted pictures of the girls’ bouquets.

Favourite Moments

Brett says seeing Katie at the end of the aisle was the happiest moment of his life, while Katie says there was nothing like binding themselves together in front of their loved ones.

Engagement Ring Cut

Oval Halo

First Dance

“Gambling Man”—Doug Haynes

Newlywed Advice

“On the day of, take a moment or two with your spouse alone–just the two of you. It goes by so quickly.”

Looking Forward to Most Now Being Married

The newlyweds are excited for Sunday morning coffee, having kids, and whatever else life brings them.

Honeymoon

Honeymoon Destination: Hawaii & Las Vegas | Honeymoon Resort: Aqua Kauai Beach Resort; The LinQ

Katie caught Jordan’s eye at the University of Alberta where both were studying design. She was dating someone else, but Jordan persevered until his charm and commitment won her over.

The Proposal

One year when Jordan suggested they leave for their annual Jasper ski trip a few days early, she knew he was up to something. What she didn’t know was that he had her ring custom-made with design elements inspired by her grandmother’s wedding ring. Jordan nervously proposed on a hike in Maligne Canyon. “It was a really special moment because we both knew what was happening.”

The Big Day

The couple wanted their wedding to focus on togetherness, so it was important to keep everyone together between the ceremony and reception. After the emotional vows and a group photo—including their dog, Phoebe—a school bus whisked everyone away for a cozy dinner and craft beer at Otto. They knew the staff would make everyone feel welcome, but they were completely blown away when they walked into their reception. “I wanted our wedding to feel like a warm family dinner, and it was the perfect atmosphere for the night.”

Katie—Blush’s own graphic designer—designed all the stationery and created a time capsule guest book. The husband and wife will open one envelope on each of their next 50 anniversaries, revealing a polaroid photo and words of love and advice.

Favourite Moments

Jordan: “Seeing Katie for the first look, and seeing her walk down the aisle. And being able to incorporate our dog, Phoebe, into the day in some way. We arranged to have her dropped off for some of our portraits.”

Katie: After a highly emotional day, walking into our reception at Otto and seeing how welcoming the space was, and how they had gone above and beyond setting up for us made me instantly relax and enjoy the intimate evening together!

Engagement Ring Cut

Emerald

First Dance

“Coming Home”—Leon Bridges

Newlywed Advice

“Focus on what is meaningful for you and build your day around that!”

Looking Forward to Most Now Being Married

“To have a partner and friend that I can share everything with. Creating a home to call our own, and eventually starting a family. We are always pushing each other’s comfort zones, and I look forward to future adventures and accomplishments together.”

Honeymoon

Netherlands and Belgium

There is nothing more romantic than holding a rustic wedding in a secluded spot surrounded only by nature and your loved ones. Unfortunately, the logistics of planning and executing such a vision can burst your bubble well before you pop the champagne. Barriers to accessibility, lack of different options for accommodation, and high travel costs can all negatively impact your guest list—not to mention our notoriously unpredictable weather.

The Lake House in Calgary offers the quaint charm of a lakeside cottage with the conveniences that come with a big city. The full-service restaurant is perched directly over Lake Bonavista and has breathtaking scenery both inside and out. Ornate elk antler chandeliers cast a warm glow over the grand stone fireplace and the 21-foot antique bar. The bar dates back to the 1800’s and was previously housed in a mercantile shop in Montana. Large glass windows provide views of the lake from the comfort of your table, or you can savour the warm summer nights from the spacious patio.

The Lake House is managed by Canadian Rocky Mountain Resorts, so if you’ve ever dined at Cilantro in Calgary or Emerald Lake Lodge in B.C, you know the food and service will be exceptional. Chef Thomas Neukom and his award-winning team create inspired Western Canadian dishes sourced from local ingredients—most of the bison and elk meat come from CRMR’s own ranch just outside the city. You can view the extensive and diverse selection of wine from the stunning glass-encased cellar as you enter the restaurant. But it’s not all fine dining; there are fun options for midnight lunch such as mac and cheese, poutine, and pierogi stations.

The Lake House can accommodate weddings year-round for nearly any size and budget. The Private Dining Room holds 60 for a banquet-style dinner and the Bonavista Dining room can seat 130 (or 160 for a cocktail reception). For even the grandest of parties you can book the entire venue to accommodate 190 guests for dinner or 250 guests for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. If you really want to save some cash without skimping on quality, there are discounted rates for Sundays and weekdays.

Take a moment, breathe deeply, and let your dreams fly. Invite the nostalgia of a summer night at the family cabin watching the sun set over the serene waters to your wedding. Welcome the romance of a crisp autumn day as the backdrop of trees shimmer in shades of crimson and gold. Let love and a crackling fire keep you warm as snow envelops everything in a wonderland of white. Or delight in new beginnings with a sunny spring brunch affair. The possibilities are endless. Whatever your dream, hosting your wedding at The Lake House ensures you can share it with everyone—from your little old granny to your frugal aunt and uncle.