Classic. Timeless. Elegant. These three words describe everything about Melanie and Terry’s September wedding, from the proposal to their honeymoon.

The pair met through Melanie’s uncle, who was coincidentally Terry’s neighbour and good friend.

The Proposal

While celebrating Melanie’s birthday at Hardware Grill, Terry got down on one knee and surprised her with a custom ring made in Italy.

The Big Day

Melanie and Terry chose the Fairmont Hotel MacDonald not only for its stunning rooms, but also for the quality of food and service. They dressed the Wedgwood Room in soft shades of white, blush and lavender for the ceremony, and exchanged rings under a lush floral canopy. For the reception they added dramatic pops of berry, pink, purple and green into the floral décor and drenched the tables in gold and champagne tones for a luxe garden vibe. Melanie changed out of her exquisite lace gown into a light and whimsical dress to dance the night away. A live band and DJ alternated sets on separate stages to keep the party going.

Favourite Moments

Melanie’s favourite moment was seeing Terry and all of their family and close friends while walking down the aisle, while Terry’s was landing in Turks and Caicos to have his wife all to himself for two weeks.

Engagement Ring Cut

Cushion

First Dance

‘Can’t Help Falling in Love’—Elvis Presley + Haley Reinhart Compilation

Father-Daughter & Mother-Son Dance(s)

‘ I Loved Her First’ – Heartland

Newlywed Advice

Terry:“We were glad that we hired Jennifer Bergman Weddings. It was huge in making our wedding stress free.”

Melanie:“Hiring a good photographer like Carey Nash made the photos go smoothly and we were very happy with the results!”

Looking Forward to Most Now Being Married

They look forward to traveling through life together as both best friends and husband and wife.

Honeymoon

Turks & Caicos

After surviving breast cancer at 23, five-foot-tall firecracker Leah started volunteering for the Alberta Cancer Foundation. At one event, another volunteer offered to help her carry a large box of t-shirts upstairs. Leah made a smart-ass comment about being more than capable, took a few steps and dropped the box. Despite Leah’s sassiness, Chad helped her pick up the shirts and carried them up three flights. “We’ve been together ever since, and he still has to put up with my sass,” says Leah.

The Proposal

One Friday night after a dinner of chicken fingers and fries (Leah refused Chad’s suggestions for fancy restaurants), Chad drove Leah to the Citadel Theatre, where they are season ticket holders. They always toss change into the fountain and make silent wishes, but this time Chad asked Leah if she wanted to know what he wished for. He got down on one knee and didn’t even have time to pop the question before Leah started crying and said “yes.”

The Big Day

The couple chose the Wedgwood Room at the Hotel Macdonald for its soft colours and classic lines for their small winter wedding. As a unique touch, Chad and Leah made a wine-capsule to commemorate their day. They exchanged letters and sealed them in a wooden box with a bottle of wine, only to be opened on a momentous occasion or when they need a reminder of why they married each other.

Favourite Moments

Leah: “My favourite moment of the wedding was right after the ceremony. Chad and I went to a separate room and it was just the two of us for about 5 minutes. It was right then that I realized that we had just done a very big thing and that I get to spend the rest of my life with my perfect person.”

Chad:“Seeing Leah walk down the aisle.”

Engagement Ring Cut

Oval

First Dance

”If I Had a Gun…” – Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds

Father-Daughter & Mother-Son Dance(s)

“Grace, Too” – Tragically Hip cover by Justin Rutledge

Newlywed Advice

“Get a wedding planner! A wedding planner will help you to cut down the amount of bickering you do about the wedding. Planning a wedding is stressful, and even though you know you’re being crazy and unreasonable, sometimes you can’t help but take it out on the one person you shouldn’t: your fiancé. Our wedding planner was a saving grace”

Looking Forward to Most Now Being Married

“We are most looking forward to all the adventures we will have together and expanding our little family.”

Honeymoon

Moorea, French Polynesia; San Diego, California

Alexis met Arden in Vancouver while the two of them were working for the same company, and she smiles at the memory of immediately being drawn to his piercing blue eyes!

The Proposal

The engagement took place while Alexis was on a work placement down in California for two months. The pair had picked up a boxed lunch from Whole Foods to bring down to the beach for a picnic, and Arden had hidden the ring in the camera bag. When they got to the beach, they found a private area to sit down and eat. Right before dessert, things got really sweet as Arden took Alexis’ hand and got down on one knee. California was already special for the pair as it was where they said “I love you” to each other for the first time, but getting engaged really takes the cake.

The Big Day

The wedding itself was small, beautiful, intimate and everything they could have hoped for… perhaps minus the surprise snowfall over the labour day weekend! Other unique details included Alexis’s “Bro of Honor”, a no camera request to keep their guests in the moment, and a special lion dance to commemorate Alexis’ Chinese heritage.

Favourite Moments

Alexis: “Our first look. I loved how it was just us two in that moment.”

Arden: “Our first look. She got me a Rolex!”

Engagement Ring Cut

Cushion with Halo

First Dance

‘You Are The Best Thing’ – Ray Lamontagne

Newlywed Advice

“Forget about the noise. At the end of the day, it’s just about the two of you and nobody else.”

Looking Forward to Most Now Being Married

As newlyweds, Alexis and Arden are most looking forward to everything marriage stands for; simply having someone that is forever on your team and forever by your side.

Honeymoon

Cook Islands | Aitutaki Resort & Spa

Academic climates seem to draw Amanda and Irfan together. While technically meeting in pre-school at the age of four, Amanda and Irfan reconnected in a business communications course their second year of University. They spent time together on group projects, became friends and soon thereafter fell in love.

The Proposal

Irfan expressed his love to Amanda by whisking her away on a surprise trip to beautiful Tofino, BC, where he planned a candlelit dinner proposal at The Pointe restaurant. Overjoyed by his romantic gesture, Amanda whole-heartedly said—yes.

The Big Day

When it came to wedding plans, everything neatly fell into place. “Deciding on the wedding theme wasn’t really a decision,” says Amanda, “when we found our venue, it blew both of us away, and we knew we had to get married there. The venue certainly guided the rustic part of the theme.” Bias towards whimsically romantic flowers, Amanda chose to accent the rustic deep red and rich green colour scheme with elegant hints of pink, purple and ivory.

Favourite Moments

Soaking in every minute of that perfect day, the newlyweds’ most magical moments were being sun kissed on a cloudy day during the vows and sharing the last dance to an acoustic version of Latch by Sam Smith with loved ones around.

Engagement Ring Cut

Round

First Dance

‘Don’t Wanna Miss A Thing’ – Aerosmith

Newlywed Advice

“Remember to be inspired by who you two are a couple and don’t get too caught up in excessive details and trends – stay true to what details reflect the two of you.”

Looking Forward to Most Now Being Married

Amanda and Irfan most look forward to creating memories through the everyday adventures that life brings.

Honeymoon

Mexico and Europe

Blind dates don’t always end well. Fortunately that wasn’t the case for Nicole and Blake, who were set up by a mutual friend. “We hit it off right from the beginning and from that point we became best friends,” said Nicole.

The Proposal

The couple often have a hectic holiday schedule but always spend Christmas day together. One year Blake gave Nicole snowboarding gear for Christmas, but mentioned that the snow pants were defective. When Nicole went to look at them he pulled a ring box out of the pants’ pocket and got down on one knee. Nicole was so shocked that Blake had to ask a few times before she said yes. “It was really nice being in the comfort of our home,” said Nicole, who was thrilled to get a fiancé for Christmas.

The Big Day

The breathtaking Rocky Mountains served as the backdrop for their winter wedding; Nicole and Blake held both their ceremony and reception in the Mt. Stephen Hall at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel. They also incorporated Nicole’s love of fishing and Blake’s love of hunting into their decor: the wedding cake featured fondant fish topped with flowers and antlers. Guests danced all night to duelling pianists then took home saplings to plant in memory of Nicole’s late father.

Favourite Moments

Nicole: “I think my favourite moment was getting up for our speech and being able to acknowledge everyone who helped put our wedding together and getting to say something special to Blake in the presence of all the special people in our lives.”

Blake: “Seeing my beautiful bride for the first time in her wedding dress walking down the aisle towards me.’

Engagement Ring Cut

Pear

First Dance

‘I Won’t Give Up’ – Jason Mraz

Newlywed Advice

“Do not procrastinate on making decisions – if you can decide in the moment, do it! There are so many things that need to be decided for your wedding so commit to the moment that you are looking at the item/detail and usually your first impression is the right one! And if possible hire a wedding planner – best decision ever!”

Looking Forward to Most Now Being Married

“Getting to create new memories as a married couple and realizing that we have succeeded in choosing the best partner to do that with!”

Honeymoon

Africa