Sure, Alberta winters can be tough, but this winter photo shoot is proof they can also be breathtakingly beautiful. Brought to us by Sandra Bettina Weddings & Events, it channels winter elegance while including something old, something new, something cold and something blue.

With a light winter colour palette, festive individual pies and cedar trees- it will leave you appreciating the beauty of winter. 

After surviving breast cancer at 23, five-foot-tall firecracker Leah started volunteering for the Alberta Cancer Foundation. At one event, another volunteer offered to help her carry a large box of t-shirts upstairs. Leah made a smart-ass comment about being more than capable, took a few steps and dropped the box. Despite Leah’s sassiness, Chad helped her pick up the shirts and carried them up three flights. “We’ve been together ever since, and he still has to put up with my sass,” says Leah.

The Proposal

One Friday night after a dinner of chicken fingers and fries (Leah refused Chad’s suggestions for fancy restaurants), Chad drove Leah to the Citadel Theatre, where they are season ticket holders. They always toss change into the fountain and make silent wishes, but this time Chad asked Leah if she wanted to know what he wished for. He got down on one knee and didn’t even have time to pop the question before Leah started crying and said “yes.”

The Big Day

The couple chose the Wedgwood Room at the Hotel Macdonald for its soft colours and classic lines for their small winter wedding. As a unique touch, Chad and Leah made a wine-capsule to commemorate their day. They exchanged letters and sealed them in a wooden box with a bottle of wine, only to be opened on a momentous occasion or when they need a reminder of why they married each other.

Favourite Moments

Leah: “My favourite moment of the wedding was right after the ceremony. Chad and I went to a separate room and it was just the two of us for about 5 minutes. It was right then that I realized that we had just done a very big thing and that I get to spend the rest of my life with my perfect person.”

Chad:“Seeing Leah walk down the aisle.”

Engagement Ring Cut

Oval

First Dance

”If I Had a Gun…” – Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds

Father-Daughter & Mother-Son Dance(s)

“Grace, Too” – Tragically Hip cover by Justin Rutledge

Newlywed Advice

“Get a wedding planner! A wedding planner will help you to cut down the amount of bickering you do about the wedding. Planning a wedding is stressful, and even though you know you’re being crazy and unreasonable, sometimes you can’t help but take it out on the one person you shouldn’t: your fiancé. Our wedding planner was a saving grace”

Looking Forward to Most Now Being Married

“We are most looking forward to all the adventures we will have together and expanding our little family.”

Honeymoon

Moorea, French Polynesia; San Diego, California

James and Erica met after both receiving last minute calls to join the cast on the Norwegian Jade cruise ship. Through their travels, James, a professional singer, and Erica, a professional dancer and aerialist, developed a deep connection.

The Proposal

James took Erica to a boutique hotel in New York City with views of the Empire State Building. He placed the ring in an oak box he had hand made and presented it to her when they woke up Sunday morning overlooking an amazing view. The meaning of the oak box was the sweetest gesture Erica had ever been given and she knew. They spent the rest of the day enjoying all that NYC has to offer, brunch, shopping, dinner at their favourite restaurant and of course calling all of their loved ones to share the wonderful news!

The Big Day

When it came time to say “I do”, the couple wanted a classic and elegant wedding. The Wedgewood room at the Fairmont Hotel Macdonald offered the perfect setting!

The day went off without a hitch, Erica had such a great time that her bustle broke while busting moves on the dance floor! James will never forget the loving and humorous speech made by his mother and the personal gift his bride gave him; a bottle of bourbon suitably aged at sea.

Since it was a destination wedding for James family, traveling from the states, the couple had welcome Canadian gift bags consisting of Hudson Bay Mittens and Tim Hortons Gift Cards for the Americans to feel welcomed.

Another memorable moment was when the couple’s wedding coordinator Monica heard them mention in passing that they really enjoyed a traditional Filipino dessert cake called Ensemada, and took it upon herself to go to the only Filipino bakery in Edmonton and have two of the delicious treats waiting in their room at the end of the night.

Favourite Moments

Erica: “It was the most incredible day and picking a favourite moment seems impossible. Something last minute and unexpected was taking a last minute selfie with my dad and bridesmaids as I waited to walk down the aisle and marry my best friend!”

James: “Listening to all the speeches from our family and friends was truly wonderful, but I will always remember my Mother’s speech to us on our first day as a married couple. She is a speech writer by trade and her personal, humorous, slightly embarrassing and loving affirmation of both her love for me and her approval of and excitement for this new chapter in my life was just the best.”

Engagement Ring Cut

Round Brilliant

First Dance

‘For Once In My Life’ – Frank Sinatra

Newlywed Advice

Do what makes YOU happy and stay true to yourselves as a couple. It will all come together even when it feels like it might not and on your wedding day let it all go and just enjoy yourself!

Looking Forward to Most Now Being Married

The newlyweds are excited to share their adventures together on land, in the air, at sea and wherever their journeys may take them!

Honeymoon

Jasper, AB | Jasper Park Lodge

Reanne and Ryan first met through mutual friends at Laurier Lake, then reconnected several years later when Reanne commented on Ryan’s Facebook photo of his new snowmobile.

The Proposal

The couple eventually built a home at the same lake where they met, and Ryan proposed to Reanne on the same sled; he got down on one knee, told her he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her, and asked her to marry him. An ecstatic Reanne said “yes!”

The Big Day

The bride and groom wanted to have all of their friends and family celebrate with them, so they held their New Year’s Eve wedding in Reanne’s hometown of Vermilion, AB. They decked the hall in blush, gold and sequins to evoke an era of vintage glamour. A boutique lounge area created with antique furniture made for fun indoor photos, and guests indulged in a champagne bar. Reanne wore her dream dress, Monroe by Hailey Paige, which she fell in love with after seeing it featured in Blush Magazine.

Favourite Moments

Reanne’s favourite moment was when Ryan sang her down the aisle to “Never Stop” by SafetySuit. Ryan’s favourite moment was, of course, seeing his beautiful bride for the first time.

Engagement Ring Cut

Princess

First Dance

“It Goes Like This”- Thomas Rhett

Newlywed Advice

“Enjoy every moment of your day and take some time to cherish it and take it all in together. And of course, hire a day-of-coordinator!”

Looking Forward to Most Now Being Married

The newlyweds now look forward to starting a family and seeing what the future has in store for them.

Honeymoon

Cayo Santa Maria, Cuba | Warwick Cayo Santa Maria Beach Resort

This winter wedding styled shoot designed and captured by Silver Nest Photography makes us want to cozy up next to the fireplace – even at the end of March! Shoots like this always remind us of how fantastic winter celebrations can be. Enjoy!