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

Monika and Jeremy’s journey down the aisle started over ten years ago in the hallways of their residence at Copenhagen Business School while they were on a university exchange.

The Proposal

The charming Brit fell for the Alberta girl at first sight, and he brought her back to the scene of their first meeting for a weekend getaway to supposedly celebrate her new job. They snuck into the residence and he proposed outside their old rooms. They spent the rest of the day visiting their favourite spots in Copenhagen reminiscing about the past and planning for their future together.

The Big Day

With half of their guests coming from the UK and elsewhere abroad, Monika and Jeremy wanted an outdoor ceremony site to showcase the best of her home province. They chose Banff for its gorgeous Rocky Mountain views, but also because it was one of the first places they went on holiday together. They added a few personal touches to their wedding day, including a candy bar with a variety of British and Polish sweets to reflect their heritages, a cheese wheel cake in addition to a traditional cake, and a homemade photo booth with a polaroid camera.

Favourite Moments

Monika: “It was incredibly special to have all of our closest friends and family altogether in one place. The wedding speeches and MCs were all wonderful, and walking back down the aisle with Jeremy as husband and wife!”

Jeremy: “Too many to mention really, but seeing Monika in her dress for the first time and watching her walk down the “aisle” with her Dad; our mothers’ reading during the ceremony and all the fantastic speeches are all very special memories.”

Engagement Ring Cut

Round

First Dance

“Strawberry Swing”—Coldplay

Father-Daughter & Mother-Son Dance(s)

Father-Daughter Dance “I wish you love” by Dean Martin

Newlywed Advice

“It was wonderful to have Jessica coordinating all of the events and vendors on the wedding day; it meant we didn’t need to worry about anything and could just enjoy ourselves!”

Looking Forward to Most Now Being Married

The newlyweds now look forward to “spending the rest of their lives together doing what we enjoy most: eating and drinking our way around the world!”

Honeymoon

Spain and France

Shannon met Kevin at his cabin in Pigeon Lake, he was hosting a get together with his friends. Instead of hanging out with them, Kevin asked Shannon to watch the sunset over the lake. They spent the rest of the evening talking and getting to know one another around the fire.

The Proposal

Kevin kicked off their B.C vacation with a surprise stay at the Fairmont Lake Louise, where Shannon had always wanted to visit. Shannon had also never been in a canoe before, so he also took her out on the lake for an unforgettable day. She nervously told Kevin numerous times to not stand in the boat, so instead he got down on one knee and proposed while a photographer secretly following them in another canoe captured the moment.

The Big Day

They loved the idea of having their rustic wedding at the same location they got engaged, and even took a few wedding photos in canoes on Lake Louise. They wed in front of 100 guests in a beautiful outdoor ceremony at Silvertip Resort followed by a cozy family-style reception, but their most cherished moments were their private first look and room reveal.

Engagement Ring Cut

Round

First Dance

“Lost in This Moment”—Big and Rich

Newlywed Advice

“Follow your instincts though the planning and wedding day. If there’s something that is important or special to you make it happen; it’s your day.”

Looking Forward to Most Now Being Married

The newlyweds look forward to growing old together and creating memories as husband and wife.

Honeymoon

Kauai, Hawaii | Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa