The newly renovated RiverCross Ranch, just 15 minutes west of Calgary, now accommodates small retreats, business meetings and events including small weddings. The rustic style, the scenery and the cozy ambiance is perfect for country-styled weddings. Alexandra with Boutiq Weddings, a Calgary based wedding designer and planner, worked with some of Calgary’s finest wedding vendors to create this elaborate setting. Her aim was to achieve elegance in the rustic setting enhancing it with unusual colors of coral, pink and peach floral combined with vintage accents.

Thank you Boutiq Weddings for bringing the RiverCross Ranch to our attention through this beautifully stylized shoot, this venue and it’s mountain backdrop makes for an excellent wedding venue for Calgary & Area couples.

Spring is finally here, which means the school year is winding down and wedding season is coming up. While many couples meet during their post secondary years, most don’t think of heading back to school to get married. Why not? Like every couple, each campus has its own unique history and traditions. Plus, with most universities combining awe-inspiring architecture and lush landscaping, capturing breathtaking photos is a snap. Many offer complete wedding packages with multiple ceremony and reception venues to choose from, onsite catering and event coordination, and even guest accommodations in student residence during the summer months. We’ve compiled a list of the six best universities across the country to get hitched in terms of visual appeal and ease of planning.

1. Royal Roads University, Victoria BC: 

Nothing says fairytale like a wedding in a castle. Start your happily-ever-after either in Hatley Castle or in one of the exquisite heritage gardens. Royal Roads can accommodate events for 10 to 200 guests.

2. University of British Columbia, Vancouver BC

Watersports, natural history, aboriginal artwork–whatever you’re into, UBC’s sprawling campus has unique venues for any wedding style. The Cecil Green Park House, John M.S Lecky Boathouse and the Museum of Anthropology are must-sees with spectacular ocean views.

3. University of Alberta, Edmonton AB:

For a classic and elegant affair, walk down the aisle at Convocation Hall then dance the night away at the Faculty Club. The TIMMS Centre for the Arts is the perfect ceremony and reception space for modern lovers with a flair for drama.

4. University of Manitoba, Winnipeg MB:

U of M has options for both indoor and outdoor ceremonies, and a variety of reception spaces. Host an intimate, historical wedding at Chancellor’s Hall. Marshall McLuhan Hall offers a modern approach with floor to ceiling windows and a large patio.

5. McMaster University, Hamilton ON:

An idyllic spot for nature lovers and history buffs alike, McMaster boasts neo-gothic architecture surrounded by protected natural areas. The Great Hall in the University Club transitions from a rustic cathedral to an elegant dining hall.

6. McGill University, Montreal QC:

A walk down the aisle at Birks Chapel will feel like stepping back through time. The Faculty Club–built as a private mansion in 1887–features everything from a grand ballroom to a billiards room to wow guests.

Looking to take centre stage on your wedding day? You can, and you can invite up to 450 guests to watch the magic happen. Outfitted with fine, subtle finishings, The Oasis Centre has become the destination for couples in the know. The superior structure, with both exterior and interior benefits, is Blush’s Venue of the Year for those of you looking to celebrate with grace.

Beginning with the Grand Hall, the indoor view boasts 24ft. ceilings adorned with German-made stunning rose quartz chandeliers imported especially for the venue. “We have discovered a way to project light on them from the balcony that has them taking on whatever color we choose- whether it be teal, pink or lavender, and we now offer that as a décor option to clients. It’s amazing how it helps pull the color scheme of the room together,” explains Anne McLennan, Wedding Director for the Oasis Centre. The Amphitheatre-shaped Hall allows for theatre-style seating for those of you who’d like to perform your vows onsite, that later transforms seamlessly into a banquet-space. “That is one of the things we have become known for– one stop shopping with your ceremony and reception at the same location. We intentionally only host one wedding per day, which allows for more privacy, relaxed atmosphere and ability to customize things, such as timeline and event flow for the day.”

An additional plus to the exclusive venue is their existing audio-visual network that includes “ceiling mounted video projectors with two 12’ x 9’ remote control retractable screens, and a full range of equipment and services. We include the audio-visual engineer in our wedding package, the rehearsal, ceremony, and reception, along with microphones, in-house speakers, background music and specialty lighting. These elements all work together in contributing to the magical ambiance that is a hallmark for our events. Our latest sought after service is the ability to provide HD cameras for recording and live webcasting to anywhere in the world, for family and friends that can’t attend in person.” For those that are attending in person, accommodating guests depends on the layout that the couple most prefers, says McLennan. “Our average wedding size is about 200, and we are able to make the room work for as few as 90, and for as many as 350 plus depending on the room design and type of catering. We did have a wedding here in the winter for over 450 with smaller lounge tables and gourmet passed appetizers; that was really an innovative refreshing set-up.”

One of the details that further sets this venue apart? The Oasis Centre is partnered with Aerial Fireworks to really make your big day outstanding. “We discovered quite by chance that our unique garden setting was zoned for fireworks when a gentleman came to us wanting to do something unique and spectacular while proposing to his bride-to-be.” Talk about tying the knot with a bang!

In our Fall Winter 2014 issue look for the full details on The Oasis Centre, Blush’s Venue of the Year. Enjoy this web-exclusive advice session with Anne McLennan, Wedding Director for The Oasis Centre, and see how you can best make your event dreams a bridal reality.

Maximize the Garden

“Whenever we can, we love to treat our guests to our spectacular garden. We have created wedding event plans that allow for taking advantage of this wonderful option. Because the weather here in Alberta can be unpredictable, we always have a back-up plan such as the marble foyer in case the weather isn’t favourable. Our favorite is to open the two back double-doors immediately following the ceremony and invite and delight guests to a champagne celebration in the garden. Everyone can then enjoy a glass of champagne while the newly married couple takes photos with family and friends. After 30 minutes or so, people can make their way back into the marble foyer when the full bar opens for the reception.

Another option is to invite your guests out into the garden for a surprise after dinner to watch fireworks, or for fun, to enjoy some innovative cuisine from one of Edmonton’s trendy food trucks like The Lemon Grass Grill for a delicious and unexpected late lunch snack…”

Capture the Cuisine Element

“The caterers we partner with have been selected because they have proven themselves to be reliable and professional while providing delicious and quality cuisine to our valued clients. We have selected a wholesome variety of catering options that can suit our client’s preferences whether it is for a classic and elegant buffet or something creative or innovative such as family style or passed appetizers. Nowadays, we also get lots of requests for gluten-free or specific cultural types of cuisine that we love to be able to accommodate and offer our clients whenever possible. Presentation is always important with not only the food, but the catering staff and customer service as well. It all reflects on our business and shapes the experience for our clients.”

Lighting is Everything

“We’ve had some amazing lighting arrangements working with our high ceilings, especially over the past year. One that stands out was where floor to ceiling draping was added around the whole room and up lit in a soft incandescent amber. Another event layered striking royal blues and a moving night sky on the ceiling that gave an otherworldly romantic outdoor garden feel. Some of the concerts we’ve had here have brought in some amazing lighting designers that we have of course learned from to add to our repertoire. We discovered a way to project a film of a running 20ft tall waterfall on the wall behind the stage, with soft pink up-lit drapes framing it on either side. It was breathtaking, and provided a stunning and unique backdrop for the bride and groom to sit in front of during speeches.”

Make a Dramatic Entrance

“The Grand Hall and the main foyer lend themselves to dramatic entrances, the best way to take advantage would be to have fun with it and be willing to try something untraditional. Some of the more dramatic, or creative grand entrances came from inspiration from our clients, for instance, coming into the Grand Hall through the double mahogany doors on a Harley Davidson motorcycle. That was a real show stopper. We enjoy helping clients come up with new ways to enter through those doors, such as a wedding ceremony recently where perfectly choreographed bridesmaids burst through the doors all in a row with impeccable timing to Diana Ross singing “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough”. It took the crowd by pleasant surprise and added a hip and refreshing contrast to the more traditional elements of the wedding.”

For years there has always been a gap in the Edmonton International Airport for a quality accommodation . The Renaissance Edmonton Airport Hotel has answered the call with a luxury hotel that raises the bar for airport accommodation. The property opened it’s doors to travellers and locals in the Spring of 2014 and Blush Magazine was honored to attend the soft opening.

Here are some cool facts:

– The modern hotel was designed by Mike Goldsmith with GCD. The curiously arctic theme resonates throughout the entire property.

– The lobby area directly connects to the EIA departures through a heated skybridge making traveling convenient on those -30 winter days.

– The grand ballroom can host up to 500 guests depending on the set-up/design.

– Onsite HALO Bar | Bistro, a full service Starbucks and a cozy library equipped with all your electronic plug-ins to recharge before you travel.

– 213 guestrooms and 12 stylish suites

– The bar manager Tony Britton separates himself from other mixologists by focusing on fresh ingredients and premium products served with style and entertainment.

– Executive Chef Andrew Ihasz spent seven years between Fairmont Hotel & Resorts in Bermuda and San Francisco, Edmonton is extremely lucky to have him!

Your main contact for weddings & events is the lovely Sara Scott, she can be contacted by email at sara.scott@marriott.com

This won’t be the last time you’ll be hearing about this property, until then go enjoy a drink at the ultra modern HALO and enjoy the photos courtesy of FO Photography.