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

A snowstorm nearly kept Natasha home from her friend’s Christmas party, but she braved the weather and met Matthew at the cocktail reception. They talked throughout the evening and went on their first date a few days later.

The Proposal

They spent nearly every weekend together in the mountains, so Natasha didn’t think twice when one morning Matt asked if they could hike alone instead of with their friends. As they neared the peak, Matt found the perfect spot for “lunch”. When Natasha turned to grab a sandwich from her bag, she found Matt on one knee, asking her to make him the happiest man alive.

The Big Day

The Rocky Mountains had been the backdrop for their entire relationship, so there was no question about celebrating their love anywhere else. Natasha and Matt wanted an “elegant, romantic, fairy-tale wedding,” and the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel provided the perfect setting. In the weeks leading up to their nuptials they worried they would have to move the ceremony indoors due to smoke from wildfires, but on the big day they woke up to sunny, clear skies that lasted until just after photos. When Matt took her hands at the altar, Natasha’s nervousness dissipated and she realized she was marrying her best friend

Favourite Moments

Natasha: “My favorite moment was when Matt and I were able to join hands during the ceremony. I was very nervous in front of all of our family and friends that I just needed to hold onto him. Once he grabbed by hand, all the nervousness went away. I was able to relax and i realized I was marrying by best friend.”

Matt: “Finally being able to see Natasha”

Engagement Ring Cut

Oval Baguette

First Dance

“In Case You Didn’t Know”—Brett Young

Newlywed Advice

“Enjoy being engaged and enjoy every moment with each other the day of your wedding; it goes by quickly. Laugh, dance and take a moment to realize that you both put so much time and effort to make this happen!”

Looking Forward to Most Now Being Married

The newlyweds look forward to their honeymoon, starting a family, and “not answering any more wedding emails!”

Honeymoon

Greece

Mark’s biceps caught Natasha’s eye while they worked together at a local restaurant. She would help clean his tables and eventually asked for his number. They discovered how much they had in common over coffee, including their love of mountain adventures.

The Proposal

During one camping trip, the couple rode the Jasper Sky Tram and hiked to the top of Whistler Mountain. Mark popped the question—along with some bubbly—and they spent the rest of the day hiking, fishing and excitedly calling their families.

The Big Day

Family heritage is very important to the couple; Natasha’s mom gave her the Irish Claddagh ring she inherited on her own wedding day and bound the bride and groom’s hands together during the garden ceremony. Mark carried on his grandfather’s tradition by having the same wedding band created by the same jeweller in Roccagorga, Italy. A string duet brought the ceremony to life, and a singer and pianist performed during cocktail hour and the first dance. They chose the Shaw Conference Centre to host their reception for its capacity and flexibility when it came to decorating and catering

Favourite Moments

Natasha’s favourite moments were the private ones she had throughout the day with her family and her groom, while Mark’s was when Natasha pinched his butt at their first look.

Engagement Ring Cut

Oval

First Dance

“Tenerife Sea”—Ed Sheeran

Newlywed Advice

“Do your research and ask lots of questions! Don’t be afraid to ask people for help and to delegate tasks as needed. Don’t sweat the small stuff and remember to be present on your wedding day because it flies by!”

Looking Forward to Most Now Being Married

They look forward to sharing many more laughs and adventures together.

Honeymoon

Italy | Hotel La Perla

Marla and Sorab share many mutual friends, but it took years before they eventually met during an evening out with friends. They went out for coffee a few days later and within a month they both knew they wanted to spend the rest of their lives together.

The Proposal

In traditional Indian fashion, they began planning the engagement with their families and received their parents’ blessings in an intimate ceremony at home.

The Big Day

Their wedding combined north and south Indian traditions in a spectacular multi-day affair. They held a Sikh ceremony at the Nanaksar Gurdwara Gursikh Temple, and a Christian ceremony at the Magrath Mansion. Gajras—hair garlands of jasmine flowers—were given to all the ladies during the Christian ceremony, and Sorab’s mother spent months making pottery bowls and filled them with traditional Punjabi sweets as gifts for the guests.

Marla and Sorab wanted a reception venue that would showcase their mutual love for the great outdoors and accommodate their 275 guests. The Moonflower Room in the Enjoy Centre was the only true contender. “The greenhouse gave us the beauty of an outdoor wedding with all the stability of an indoor wedding.”

Favourite Moments

While Marla wishes she could relive the whole wedding week over and over again, Sorab’s favourite moment was “the awareness that I was entering a new phase of life with my love and sweetheart.”

Engagement Ring Cut

Round

Newlywed Advice

“The wedding day goes by so quickly, so try to be in the moment and take everything in as much as possible.”

Looking Forward to Most Now Being Married

Honeymoon

Belgium and India

Robert noticed Justine long before they met. He noticed the quiet, cute and composed young lady on the bus, and was introduced to her by a friend on the same bus route he had first noticed her on. Initially Justine was not impressed by his attempts to make her laugh and they parted ways. He persisted along anyways, adding her on Facebook. One day she saw that he had an extra ticket to Mother Mother, and she offered to go see the show with him. That was the start of their friendship and within a few weeks, she fell for his silly jokes, sweet gestures, and adventurous approach to life.

The Proposal

Early on in the relationship, Robert had converted Justine to a love of Disney that could hardly rival his own. So he planned a trip to Disneyland – his favourite place on earth – that’s where he decided would be the perfect place to ask Justine to be his wife. Though initially planning to propose in front of Cinderella’s castle, Robert had to improvise when they took one step onto Main Street and saw the castle was under construction. After a morning packed with rides and a Cajun lunch at the Blue Bayou, Robert chose an unassuming moment after sharing a dole-whip in the afternoon sun to propose in the garden in front of the Walt and Mickey statue. He asked someone to take their picture and pretended he was looking for something in his bag. He got down on one knee, looked up at Justine with a knowing smile and asked her to marry him. She tearfully accepted after the initial shock. “You couldn’t have found a sappier pair of lovebirds in Disneyland for the rest of that day,” shared Justine.

The Big Day

The couple wanted a venue in or around Edmonton, with natural beauty in the space, that would accommodate their requested menu for Cajun food and beignets. They fell in love with the Freemason’s hall at first sight, with its 1930s appeal, beautiful architecture, and vintage ballroom. “The staff were friendly and ultimately went over and above to accommodate our requests for the wedding day. Jenn was a joy to work with leading up to the wedding day.”

Music played a special role in Justine and Richard’s day. From arranging epic Disney score music and theme songs to greet their guests in the entrance foyer to the reception, playing 1920s jazz, cajun, and zydeco music during their cajun cocktail hour and dinner service, to arranging a selection of classic and modern rock must haves for their dance – their wedding reflected their deep love of music. An impromptu decision to walk back to their room at the Fairmont Macdonald from the reception not only provided them with one of the most romantic memories of the day, but also an impromptu raucous round of applause from the post- concert crowd as they passed by The Starlight Room, one of our favourite venues to go see shows. “It was serendipitous, hilarious, and made for a wonderful memory for two avid rock fans,” shared the couple.

Favourite Moments

Justine: “Exchanging our marriage vows, our first moments together after the ceremony, and walking hand in hand to the hotel after the reception. Every sweet moment stolen away for the two of us was so precious to me.”

Robert: “My favorite moment was at the end of the night, walking to the hotel instead of cabbing it. Downtown Edmonton was magical! We walked by a concert being let out and were cheered wildly by the crowds, we were honked at encouragingly, perfect strangers connected to us in a way that truly made the city feel alive! The city smiled upon our good fortune having found each other and come together.”

Engagement Ring Cut

Round

First Dance

“Simply Simple” – (Acoustic Version) by Mother Mother

Newlywed Advice

“Remember who you are as individuals and as a couple and plan an event that reflects what you want and who you are. Plan away, but remember what the experience is all about- your love. Plan together! Above all else, have a rule to not care about any detail once the day arrives, and just focus on the experience and savouring the moments you share!”

Looking Forward to Most Now Being Married

“Continuing to build our lives together, chasing our dreams, and every new adventure together!”

Honeymoon

Oahu, Hawaii