They say the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, but there’s something undeniably attractive about a man who can cook. Jessica met Steven at one of his famous dinner parties and soon discovered they shared interests in food, wine and travel. They ended up cooking together and trading recipes, which eventually led to a tropical engagement.

The Proposal

The couple booked an overnight catamaran expedition during their trip to St. Maarten, and Steven used the opportunity to propose on the deck under the twinkling stars. They celebrated with champagne and were serenaded by the gentle lapping of waves and the sound of terrible karaoke drifting over the bay.

The Big Day

Jessica and Steven chose to host their wedding at Emerald Lake not just for the spectacular setting, but also for sentimental reasons; when they first started dating they stayed at Emerald Lake Lodge on the recommendation of a friend who worked as an apprentice chef there, and Jessica had fond memories of camping at Yoho National Park as a child. After a beautiful day full of laughter and tears and an evening full of food and dancing, the groomsmen swapped their tuxes for their birthday suits and jumped into the frigid lake.

Favourite Moments

Jessica:“My favourite moment was walking down the isle hand in hand with my soon to be husband.”

Steven:“The first look. It was nice to see each other and bring some calmness to the day before the big moment.”

Engagement Ring Cut

Pear

First Dance

‘Higher Love’ Steve Winwood

Newlywed Advice

“Do what is right for the both of you, don’t worry so much about what everyone else thinks you should do and hire the right vendors! It was wonderful to have Julianne Young Weddings help us with all the planning and the staff at Emerald Lake Lodge were so accommodating. We worked with them to create three wonderful hors d’oeuvres for cocktail hour and they were a big hit with the guests – along with the east coast oyster bar, and the late night poutine take-out containers.”

Looking Forward to Most Now Being Married

The newlyweds now look forward to exploring new destinations around the globe together.

Honeymoon

Osoyoos, B.C | Resort: Watermark Beach Resort

Despite sharing many mutual friends while living in Calgary, Maxine and Theron didn’t meet until seven years after moving to the city. When their stars finally aligned, their relationship quickly progressed; they packed up their lives and moved across the planet together the following year.

The Proposal

During their two years living in Australia it became obvious they were meant for each other. Theron proposed during a weekend of hiking, picnicking and riding in a hot air balloon in the Gold Coast Hinterlands. “It was beautiful, simple and private,” says Maxine.

The Big Day

The couple wanted a naturally beautiful outdoor wedding and Bottega Farm Inn & Studio in Kelowna provided the perfect inspiration. The forest served as the backdrop for their ceremony and the spacious great hall was decorated with crisp white linens, lush greenery and subtle hints of gold for the reception. Blush bridesmaid dresses and navy suits complemented their wedding palette.

Favourite Moments

Theron was awestruck when he first saw Maxine; her headpiece and jewelry shimmered in the sunlight as she walked down the aisle. The highlight for Maxine was having friends and family from all over the world join them to celebrate their marriage. “It was very special for us and we felt very loved and supported,” she says.

First Dance

“Crazy Love”—Van Morrison

Newlywed Advice

‘Don’t forget to have fun during the process. Planning your wedding is not a checklist or tedious tasks to complete. Also, make your guests feel comfortable and welcomed — they are there to celebrate with you!’

Looking Forward to Most Now Being Married

Maxine and Theron are looking forward to the next big chapter in their lives together—becoming parents in summer of 2017!

Honeymoon

New York City, NY

Chloe and Travis met on her first day in Lethbridge, AB after she moved there for school. He was friends with her cousin who invited them both out for dinner. Travis later posted a picture on his Instagram and tagged Chloe to ask her out on a date because he didn’t have her phone number. She hesitantly accepted and they have been together ever since.

The Proposal

Travis planned an amazing proposal! After a busy day of nursing school she came home to find her floor covered in rose petals and a sweet note saying to be ready for six o’clock. At six o’clock the doorbell rang and a limo was there to pick her up. It drove her to a local art gallery where Travis had an incredible display set up with flowers and letter blocks spelling out ‘Will You Marry Me?’ All Chloe remembers was crying throughout the entire proposal. Travis also planned for a good friend of theirs who is a Photographer to be there and capture the entire thing.

The Big Day

The couple attended a good friends wedding at Medalta (an innovative industrial museum, contemporary ceramic arts facility, art gallery, and community hub) shortly after they got engaged and fell in love with the space.  They opted for a first look before their ceremony even though Travis was against the idea – he wanted the big shock and surprise as Chloe walked down the aisle. She really pushed for the first look, knowing how nervous she’d be. In the end, they were both really glad they did the first look, “it was such an intimate moment for just the two of us. We also got some of our favourite pictures from it.”

Favourite Moments

Chloe: “Its so hard to choose! I truly enjoyed the whole day but I think my absolute favourite part was after the ceremony right before we started pictures when Travis and I just took five minutes together to soak everything in and realize that we were finally married!”

Travis: “Seeing Chloe in her dress for the first time. I cried like a baby.”

Engagement Ring Cut

Round

First Dance

‘You Make Me Feel So Young’ – Frank Sinatra

Newlywed Advice

“Hire a Wedding Planner! And vendors that you are comfortable with and trust! It will take so much stress away from your day knowing that you can count on all the people that you are working with.”

Looking Forward to Most Now Being Married

“Just enjoying our time together, Setting up our home and starting a family!”

Honeymoon

Big Fork, Montana – Marina Cay Resort

Today’s inspiration shoot is dripping with the hottest trends:  marble, gold and tropical greenery! Marble has quite the history so it’s no wonder we’re seeing the rich texture continue to pop up all over, from kitchen tools and accessories to wedding cakes and backdrops. This is a trend that’s going to stick around for a while and we LOVE it!

This shoot united a team of creatives based in Edmonton, pooling their talents to bring the dignified texture to life!

Trinh and Menashe’s story is a true travel love story. Trinh traveled to Las Vegas from Vancouver and was at the same club as Menashe. The two were even at the same table but were not formally introduced that night. Fast forward seven months, Trinh took a spontaneous trip to Miami and was reconnected with Menashe through mutual friends. Sparks flew immediately and from that day on, the couple spent two years travelling to see one another.

The Proposal

The couple were on a trip in the breathtaking Maldives staying in an over water bungalow. Menashe arranged a romantic candlelit dinner alone on the beach. They were the only table under the moonlight and sparkling stars when Menashe proposed. Trinh reminisces,”it was an unforgettably romantic perfect night!”

The Big Day

Trinh and Menashe wanted to host an intimate outdoor reception and dinner somewhere with a beautiful view. So they were thrilled when they found a beautiful estate in Gibsons, B.C – on the Sunshine Coast overlooking the ocean. The venue was large enough for their 40 guests to stay for the entire weekend. It was extra special because Menashe’s family and closest friends flew all the way in from Israel – it was the first time their families were all meeting.

Favourite Moments

“When we lit the huge white lanterns at nightfall. It was so special to see all those lights floating up into the sky! It was so romantic! And I love that all our guests were involved too, they still tell us how much fun they had lighting them!”

Engagement Ring Cut

Emerald

Newlywed Advice

“Stay true to the vision you have for your special day. Don’t let guilt or pressure from others turn your wedding into what you think you have to do out of respect. You will regret not having your perfect day just to make others happy. Eventually people understand and just be happy for you – once they see how happy you are having your perfect day as you see it.”

Looking Forward to Most Now Being Married

“Everything!! Every single moment together. I somehow already wake up happier everyday, than I was the day before.”- Trinh

Honeymoon

France and Italy