While Alexandra and Adam’s story sounds traditional at first—they met and fell in love during law school—their wedding was anything but. For a long time marriage was a hypothetical scenario until they were in a financial position to fund the type of wedding they wanted. When that time came, Alexandra and Adam skipped the formal proposal, set a date and started planning.

The Proposal

For a long time marriage was a hypothetical scenario until they were in a financial position to fund the type of wedding they wanted. When that time came, Alexandra and Adam skipped the formal proposal, set a date and started planning.

The Big Day

The couple wanted a unique venue with plenty of character to host both their ceremony and reception for 80 guests. Housed in Calgary’s historic Simmons building, local restaurant Charbar provided a charming atmosphere, fantastic food and gorgeous views of the Bow River.

The first tradition they cut was having a bridal party; Alexandra hosted a tea party the morning of the wedding to include her girlfriends while she was getting ready. Alexandra also loves boy band music, so a string duet played One Direction’s “What Makes You Beautiful” as she walked down the aisle.

Adam enjoyed the first dance with his wife, which was also the only dance during the reception. They entertained guests with board games during the cocktail hour and topped off the evening with coffee and macarons instead of cake.

Favourite Moments

Alexandra:  “Holding hands with Adam during the ceremony.”

Adam:  “The first dance with my wife”

First Dance

‘The Magnet Fields’ – Peter Gabriel Cover

Newlywed Advice

“Put some thought into the details that are really meaningful and separate those that are less important. Consider eliminating aspects that aren’t a big deal. You don’t have to include every usual tradition at your wedding.”

Looking Forward to Most Now Being Married

Alexandra and Adam are looking forward to the next 40 years together.

Honeymoon

Tofino, BC | Wickaninnish Inn

Kara and Kyle met through mutual friends while playing on the same softball team, but it took Kyle over two years to hit a homerun and win Kara’s heart.

The Proposal

One year Kyle sent Kara on a scavenger hunt around their home and neighbourhood to find her Christmas present. The last clue was to find the comfiest bed in the house; Kara ran into their bedroom to find Kyle down on one knee. “My Christmas present that year was Kyle… Forever!”

The Big Day

The couple wanted to hold their wedding in a place near and dear to them: their own property in their hometown of Edson. They exchanged rings in a beautiful riverside ceremony officiated by Kara’s aunt, then danced the starry night away to a live band under a white tent. Their 230 guests were treated to cotton candy, a spectacular fireworks display, and watching the couple cruise around in their 1986 Rockwood motorhome.

Favourite Moments

Kara: Seeing Kyle’s face when she walked down the aisle and being pronounced husband and wife.

Kyle: The combination of gorgeous weather, their favourite people, and marrying the love of his life.

Engagement Ring Cut

Round

First Dance

‘All of Me’ – John Legend

Newlywed Advice

“Stay calm and don’t worry about the small stuff. The day is over before you know it. Hiring a wedding planner can really help to make sure the day runs smoothly without putting unnecessary burden on family and friends.”

Looking Forward to Most Now Being Married

The newlyweds look forward to traveling, raising children, and growing old together. Kara particularly enjoys knowing they get to spend every lazy Sunday cuddled up on the couch watching Netflix.

Honeymoon

Honeymoon Destination: Maldives & Amsterdam

Honeymoon Resort: Constance Moofushi

Chase and Kyle met on campus at the University of Alberta. Kyle had quickly caught the attention of Chase who proceeded to follow him around campus, hoping to engage in conversation. Eventually, Chase convinced Kyle to take his number; however, because he came by it so casually, Kyle did not consider the fact that Chase intended to take him on a date. Their first date was far worse than Chase could have imagined — simply because Kyle was not aware that it was a date. Following a little persuasion, Chase convinced Kyle to go on a real first date, and years later, the couple exchanged marital vows.

The Proposal

Kyle’s well planned proposal to Chase was grandiose. Christmastime, already a magical time, was made increasingly more resplendent with Kyle’s proposal. As Chase arrived at home, he received a text from Kyle that prompted him to find a Christmas decoration with a little scroll attached — the note that Kyle had penned simply provided Chase with a flight number and the instructions to arrive at the airport no later than 8:00pm with one carry on suitcase — nothing more. Shortly after, a friend, without additional clues, arrived with a bottle of champagne and drove Chase to the airport. As Chase stood at the check-in counter with his flight number in hand, he learned that he was about to embark on a journey from Vancouver to New York. As he boarded his flight, Chase received another straightforward text that simply said that more instructions would proceed. 

As he arrived in New York, Chase was directed to take a taxi to a hotel. Upon checking in, Chase entered his room where another scroll awaited his arrival. This note provided him with the directions to go to Rockefeller Centre. After his red-eye flight, animated by the adrenaline of the adventure, and unsure of what to anticipate, Chase arrived to find Kyle standing at the end of the row of trumpeting angels next to the infamous Christmas tree. As Chase got closer, Kyle proposed.

The Big Day

The tree motif became apparent again at their wedding — the couple exchanged vows under a live tree covered with over 3,000 paper cranes, which is now planted in their family’s backyard. The grooms were escorted to the end of the aisle by their respective parents and, as they met, they walked together toward the tree. All of their guests respected the grooms’ wishes to wear only black, white, or grey, and they were invited to enjoy a glass of sparkling wine as the grooms exchanged their handwritten, personalized vows.

Favourite Moments

Chase: “Walking out with my parents before seeing Kyle. They both looked at me and said we have the keys to the car and if you want to run we will drive you anywhere you want to go. Right after that as we were walking out I caught Kyle’s smile and knew that he had always be someone I was walking towards and that from day on, someone I would walk besides for as much time as we are blessed with.”

Kyle: “The entire ceremony and our first dance. Everyone lit sparklers and crowded around us, and it was exactly what I wanted at the exact moment and it was amazing.”

First Dance

Tracy Chapman “The Promise” Sung By Krystle Dos Santos

Newlywed Advice

“Hire Jennifer Bergman Weddings”

Looking Forward to Most Now Being Married

“The first thing we wanted to do was have our wedding day again. We still do. It literally was the perfect day. Beside that, living life together as much as we can and as true as we can. We are pretty content with that.”

Honeymoon

Italy, Peru, & The Maldives

High school sweethearts, Lindsay and Dave met in grade ten. Dave would always attempt to attract Lindsay’s attention from across the room. He would sit near the window and use his watch to shine the reflection of the sun in her direction. Once he attracted her attention, a friendship began. They began to talk at school, then they went to parties with friends. A year and a half later, Dave asked Lindsay to go on a date. Fast forward fifteen years — he finally proposed.

The Proposal

It was Easter, her favourite holiday, and the Easter bunny brought a special treat for her. Every Easter, Dave surprises Lindsay with a little gift—this time, it was a proposal. He entered the room with two cupcakes and Lindsay quickly grabbed one. In her excitement she had not looked at the cupcakes and accidentally grabbed the one without the ring placed in the icing. Dave asked, “are you sure you want that one?” Lindsay was puzzled until she looked closer and noticed the ring; Dave proposed.

The Big Day

Filled with many unique details, Lindsay and Dave’s personalities were shown in their invitations which read, “Beautiful Bride, Handsome Groom, Booze, Food, and Bad Dance Moves…You In Or What?” Having always been in love with the Mercer Warehouse downtown, Lindsay and Dave decided to hold their wedding ceremony there.

On the morning of their wedding, once Lindsay was ready, she was given a gift and letter from Dave—it conveyed how happy he was that this day had finally come. At a romantic ceremony, Lindsay followed behind her niece and nephews. The boys held signs that read “Dave…here comes your girl” and “last chance to run!” — the flower girl held a book filled with paper hearts. Her final evening as a Ms. was spent at Lindsay’s parent’s house while Dave, along with some help, set up the reception. Dave wanted to ensure that when Lindsay walked into the reception, her breath would be taken away. The ceremony and reception venues shared DIY aesthetics designed by Lindsay. Lindsay and Dave’s family were a very important part of their wedding day and their love story that was fifteen years in the making. Although Lindsay’s 101 year old great Baba passed away before the wedding, a sentimental touch was the inclusion of her memory and her words. At Christmastime five years earlier, Lindsay recorded her Baba saying the Lord’s prayer. Unbeknownst to Lindsay at the time, this recording would later be played at hers and Dave’s wedding.

When asked how their relationship has changed since they have become married, Lindsay shares that she can now call Dave her husband, not just her boyfriend; “you get a little extra something when you get married.”

Favourite Moments

Dave’s favourite moment was watching Lindsay come up the stairs and thinking: “wow, [she’s] going to be my wife.”

First Dance

Joshua Radin: You Got What I Need

Newlywed Advice

Have fun planning the wedding and make it what you want, not what other people think it should be. Remember the small details as they will be the things you cherish.