Traditional DIY Wedding

Jalene and Matt first met in high school, but remained “just friends” for years. Despite both being interested in each other, the timing never seemed to work out. On a Wednesday night in 2009, Jalene ran into Matt while out with friends, and he ended up walking her home. They (finally!) shared a kiss on Jalene’s doorstep and the rest is history.

The Proposal

Matt proposed to Jalene one night on their walk home. Arriving at a park overlooking the river valley, a violinist was playing their favourite song. The pair’s dog Coco was tied up close by with the ring around his neck. Matt popped the question, Jalene said yes, some (possibly illegal) fireworks went off, and their family and friends emerged cheering from hiding spots close by!

The Big Day

There were so many aspects of a traditional wedding that the couple wanted to incorporate into their special day. Their ceremony was held at the beautiful historic McDougall United Church, where they took full advantage of the pipe organ and opted for classic wedding songs like the Bridal Chorus and Wedding March. Their reception was at a community hall where they shared a family style meal (including mac and cheese) with 200 of their family and friends and ended the night with a truly epic dance party. Halfway through the mother- son dance, the groom and his mom busted out into a fully choreographed Ukrainian dance, wowing the crowd with their impressive moves and setting the tone for the rest of the night. Most of the wedding day decor was DIY, from the floral table arrangements to the signage, none of which would have been possible without the help of family and friends. They also made sure to include their 15 year old rescue dog Coco where they could, having him there for the family photos.

Favourite Moments

Jalene: “Everything about our ceremony was perfect. I really can’t put into words the amount of love and happiness I felt in the room with us, not just from Matt but every other person there!”

Matt: “I can’t pick just one moment! The entire ceremony and all of the speeches from our family members were my favourite part of the day.”

Engagement Ring Cut

Vintage Round Cut

First Dance

‘Can’t Help Falling in Love’ – Ingrid Michaelson

Father-Daughter & Mother-Son Dance(s)

‘Four Strong Winds’ – Neil Young

Advice from the Newlyweds

“Everyone says this, but seriously, don’t sweat the small stuff. All of the little things we worried about were the things that nobody noticed or cared about in the end. And be present!!! The day goes by so fast, you will hardly remember it unless you take time to relax and enjoy the little moments.”

Looking Forward to Most Now Being Married

“Continuing to enjoy our life together as we always have, but with much better kitchen appliances! We received an automatic coffee machine as a wedding gift and it has been pretty life changing as far as mornings go. We are also looking forward to (after 8 years of dating) being allowed to sleep in the same bed when we visit Matt’s parents over the holidays.”

Honeymoon

Copenhagen, Denmark