We gather together to enjoy a good meal, to work towards common goals, and to celebrate life and love. In today’s digital age, spending time together is something we often take for granted. The Hauser family have perfected this seemingly lost art and have made it their mission to share their love of togetherness on their family farm and event space. Welcome to Gathered.

The family of seven had always dreamed of setting up a homestead and living off the bounty of their land, and one day they decided to just go for it. They moved to an acreage in Kathryn, Alberta in 2013 and immediately broke ground—literally. The eldest daughter, Alysa, was planning her wedding and wanted to get married under the open skies. The family planted gardens both for food and to turn the property into a naturally beautiful oasis. The wedding day was a success and sparked a new flame: the Hauser’s wanted to share the fruits of their labour with others.

Located just 30 minutes from downtown Calgary, Gathered is an idyllic spot for a rustic wedding. The transparent tent seats 140 and allows you to dine under the big prairie sky without worrying about unpredictable weather. There’s no pretentious or processed food here; expect a delicious, home-cooked meal with fresh local ingredients—many of which are organically grown on the farm. The gorgeous wood furniture, dishes, glassware and spectacular country views are all included so all you need to add is your personal touch for décor.

If you want to celebrate love, food, family and land—and perhaps roast a few s’mores—on your wedding day, let the Hauser’s share their dream-come-true with you. Your wedding day is all about togetherness, and there’s no better place to get together than Gathered. As they say, there’s no place like home.

Photo: Nathan Walker Photography

The first dance is often the first song decision many couples make, because it’s the centrepiece of the reception, with the newlyweds dancing for the first time with all eyes on them. If you’re searching for the perfect tune for the first dance, we’re here to help. From country to pop to R&B, here are 20  song suggestions that are sweet enough for a first dance.

1. “Say You Won’t Let Go”—James Arthur
2. “Tenerife Sea”—Ed Sheeran
3. “I Choose You“- Ryann Darling Original
4. “Ground Up”—Dan and Shay
5. “Strawberry Swing”—Coldplay
6. “Lost in This Moment”—Big and Rich
7. “Like I’m Gonna Lose You”—Jasmine Thompson
8. “Coming Home”—Leon Bridges
9. “In Case You Didn’t Know”—Brett Young
10. “Let’s Be Still”—The Head and the Heart
11. ‘Give in to Me” – Country Strong
12. “Home”—Cover by Luca Fogale
13. “Who You Love” – John Mayer + Katy Perry
14. “Stay With You” – John Legend
15. ‘You and Me’ – Rose Ave.
16. ‘Green Eyes’—Coldplay
17. “I Was Made For Loving You”-Tori Kelly Feat Ed Sheeran
18. “Love” – Lana Del Ray
19. “Crazy Love” – Michael Buble
20. “No One” – Alicia Keys

More savvy couples are booking restaurants for their weddings, and for many great reasons. Food is the top priority for any successful restaurant, so expect that to be the case for your reception. Plus you can easily sample the menus before committing to a deposit. You’ll also save big on décor since restaurants will already have unique accoutrements, as opposed to standard banquet hall furniture—add a few flowers and creative centrepieces to make the space your own. Relive the romance of your wedding day for years to come by revisiting the restaurant for anniversaries and other special celebrations.

Here are three amazing Calgary restaurants to say “I do” to:

• Cilantro

Cilantro offers an intimate setting in the heart of the city. The interior boasts wood paneling and stained-glass windows that let in lots of natural light, while the enclosed patio features lush greenery and heaters to keep the party private and comfortable. Cilantro can accommodate up to 60 guests for a sit-down dinner or 100 guests for a cocktail reception.

Photo: Grey Lily Photography

• The Lake House

Looking for a rustic lodge within city limits? The Lake House sits above Lake Bonavista and offers breathtaking views both inside and out. The interior features elk antler chandeliers, a massive stone fireplace, glass-encased wine cellar, and a refurbished bar from the 1800’s. The patio offers a tranquil space to mingle and watch the sun set over the water. The Lake House has brunch, lunch and dinner options for up to 250 guests.

Photo: Shannon Yau Photography

• The Loft

The Loft Lounge at the new Granary Road Market offers an open, casual space just ten minutes south of Calgary. The lounge itself sits high above the main marketplace with spectacular views of the surrounding countryside—the perfect setting to dine on locally-sourced menu items and sip Alberta craft beer.

The City of Light is the inspiration for this French brasserie styled shoot; we’ve taken the romance of dining in Paris to an intimate celebration of love at a Calgary restaurant. Decadent shades of merlot, cream and French blue in the décor and stationery are a whimsical nod to the tricolour flag. Crisp white linens and pops of gold in the table setting add a luxurious contrast to the crinkled table runner and rustic floral arrangements. Our bride’s loose chignon and simple drop earrings are the perfect accessories to her flowing gown of lace and chiffon, while her debonair groom pairs a lustrous charcoal suit with a classic black bowtie. If a relaxed vibe and pure romance is the theme for your day, consider a cozy fête at your favourite local restaurant. Indulge in fine food, wine and company, and raise a champagne flute to joie de vivre.

Meeting your future spouse through mutual friends is fairly common, but what makes Amber and Steven’s story unique is that they met through a friend in Indonesia. At the time Steven was working for a travel company and Amber was touring through Southeast Asia. They fell hard and fast for each other on a trip with friends to Thailand, then spent two weeks together on some remote islands in Vietnam. Six months later they finished university and moved in together.

The Proposal

Steven surprised Amber with an early birthday gift—a trip to New York City to watch the US Open. He surprised her again on the trip with tickets to see the Blue Jays play the Yankees, but he saved the best surprise for last. As they were crossing a beautiful bridge in Central Park with bagels in hand and the city skyline in the background, Steven popped the question.

The Big Day

Amber and Steven were married at a private ranch, but wanted a unique reception space. “The Commons had the industrial feel that allowed us to create our vision.” They served a featured cocktail inspired by the official cocktail of the US Open, the Honey Deuce, and called it the Honey I Do.

Engagement Ring Cut

Oval

First Dance

“Say You Won’t Let Go”—James Arthur

Newlywed Advice

“Hire a wedding planner! We trusted Kismet & Clover with our entire day and vision. They kept us at ease and our day was executed flawlessly.”

Looking Forward to Most Now Being Married

They look forward to traveling the world, starting a family, and calling each other “husband” and “wife” every day.

Honeymoon

Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico