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

Greg met Christina during his residency at a hospital in New Jersey in 2010. The Canadian physician and American nurse discovered they lived in the same neighbourhood and started walking their dogs together. Their walks led to a first date, and eventually to a surprise engagement in the Rockies.

The Proposal

Greg took Christina on a trip home to celebrate his grandparents 60^th anniversary in the BC Interior. They flew to Calgary and planned a scenic drive through the mountains with a stop at Moraine Lake, where Greg pulled Christina off the trail and got down on one knee. They celebrated their engagement with dinner and an overnight stay at the Moraine Lake Lodge.

The Big Day

“We knew no matter where we had the wedding, half the family was going to have to travel.” Christina and Greg chose the Banff Springs Hotel partly for convenience—it was within driving distance for Greg’s family and Christina’s family could get direct flights to Calgary—but also for its spectacular beauty.

Most of Christina’s family experienced the Canadian Rockies for the first time, but unfortunately her 94-year-old grandmother couldn’t travel. She watched the ceremony over Skype and even had her hair done for the occasion.

Favourite Moments

Christina:“The first look and getting offsite photos done before the ceremony. It was nice to see each other alone, spend time together and settle the nerves a bit. It really relaxed us for the ceremony and the rest of the day. It also allowed us to partake in the cocktail hour and not be rushed after the ceremony.”

Greg: “Sitting at the sweetheart table with my bride at my side, looking out at all our favorite people in one place and all there for us!”

Engagement Ring Cut

Round

First Dance

‘Green Eyes’—Coldplay

Newlywed Advice

“Make time for each other; it’s your day. Do a first look, go to the cocktail hour and eat the food, do a sweetheart table and eat dinner together.”

Looking Forward to Most Now Being Married

Christina and Greg are excited to have each other every day. They look forward to travelling, buying a new house and starting a family.

Honeymoon

St. Lucia

For some women, it’s a guy’s smile or sense of humour that attracts them. For Megan, it was the breakdancing moves J.P busted out at a party that sealed the deal.

The Proposal

After a few years of dating, J.P surprised Megan with a weekend trip to Vancouver for her birthday. By this time Megan had given up all hopes of getting engaged, so she was completely shocked when J.P proposed during a walk along the Seawall.

The Big Day

The fun-loving couple wanted a venue in the mountains that would also deliver the most bang for their buck. They loved the cabin-style charm of Cornerstone Theatre in Canmore, and how it was neutral enough to work with any colour scheme. After sealing their vows with a kiss, they concluded their outdoor ceremony with a fist pump from Megan and a thumbs up from J.P. “I loved that we were able to share our personalities with everyone at that moment,” says J.P. The newlyweds enjoyed some quiet moments together during photos to reflect on the ceremony and share some laughs, then arrived at their reception on top of the limo to kick off the party.

Favourite Moments

Megan: “During photos we were taken to a location where the wedding parties stayed in the limo and it was just us with the photographer. Having that time to reflect on the ceremony, share our excitement, and have some laughs was amazing. Many people told us before the wedding that we should try to take a minute or two just be together and take in the day, this part of the photo shooting allowed us to have 15 or 20.”

John Paul: “My favourite moment was seeing Megan walk down the aisle. She had the biggest smile on her face and I could tell how excited she was to be walking towards me. After our first kiss as husband and wife, and in our true style, we turned to our families, Megan pumped her fist and I gave a thumbs up. I loved that we were able to share our personalities with everyone at that moment.”

Engagement Ring Cut

Round

First Dance

‘Sweetest Love’ – Robin Thicke

Father-Daughter & Mother-Son Dance(s)

‘God Only Knows’ – Beach Boys

Newlywed Advice

‘Knowing what you want to do, what you can afford to do, and starting early made everything leading up to our wedding day go smoothly.”

Looking Forward to Most Now Being Married

“Given that we have been together for nearly eight years and lived together for five, we knew long before the wedding that we would be spending our lives together. At this point, we are looking forward to our honeymoon in spring 2017 then starting a family.”

Honeymoon

Europe

Kim & Riley met 12 years ago working summer jobs in the town of Invermere B.C. A mutual friend thought that they would make a great couple, introduced them and the rest is history.

The Proposal

Riley really wanted to propose on the frozen lake while ice skating in Invermere but the winter was surprisingly warm and the lake wasn’t really that frozen. Instead he prepared a nice dinner and popped the question on Valentine’s day in the town where they first met. 

The Big Day

Kim and Riley LOVE the mountains and all of Canmore’s breathtaking views. The Silvertip Resort has one of the best views overlooking the Three Sisters Mountains so they held their wedding at the property. Riley has many hobbies but one of his favourite is fly fishing around Elbow river and in B.C. They were able to find someone who knew how to tie fly fishing hooks and had him make all of the guys boutonnieres. It was a great personal touch and Riley and the guys loved the fact they could keep them.

Favourite Moments

Kim:“The first look, it was such a intimate moment between the two of us I will never forget!”

Riley: “Seeing Kim walk down the aisle and calling her my wife!”

Engagement Ring Cut

Princess

First Dance

‘Crazy Love’ – Michael Buble

Newlywed Advice

“Get a day of coordinator!!! it really helps to have someone there to tell you what to do and relieve any stress on the day of the wedding. 100% worth every penny!!! Not only did we appreciate all their hard work but so did our family.”

Looking Forward to Most Now Being Married

“Being able to spend a lifetime together and making new memories as husband and wife, it only took 12 years!”

Honeymoon

Belize & Costa Rica

The moment Jessica met Blayne she was completely infatuated- and only 12 years old. In true fairytale fashion, the pair have been inseparable ever since and got engaged on their nine year anniversary!

The Proposal

Blayne took Jessica out for dinner on their 9 year anniversary. He was hoping for a bit of daylight left by the time they left. He convinced Jessica that it was nice enough and that they should go for a walk down to the river. He had to drag her as it was actually dark and starting to get cold. When they got to the river, Blayne took the promise ring off Jessica’s finger that he had given her 5 years earlier, and asked Jessica to marry him.

The Big Day

Jessica and Blayne chose the Silvertip Resort in Canmore to hold their wedding after falling in love with the venue’s beautiful ceremony backdrop and the fact that it was totally private. The Silvertip Resort offers a unique vibe complete with a fireplace, wood beams and outdoor patio.

Inside the venue, the pair laugh that their decor choices were subconsciously influenced by Jessica’s love for Harry Potter and the look of the Great Hall with its rustic character and high vaulted ceilings.

Jessica and Blayne wanted to be able to mingle with their guests for as long as possible so instead of a long dinner, they held a two hour long cocktail party followed by a two course dinner. The pair also chose not to have a wedding party and couldn’t be happier with their decision to spend the day focused on just the two of them.

Favourite Moments

Jessica and Blayne share favourite memories of seeing each other for the first time walking down the aisle and when their families surrounded them on the dance floor in a circle and sang “Forever Young” until the lights came on.

Engagement Ring Cut

Oval

First Dance

‘Wonderwall’ – Oasis

Newlywed Advice

Hire a wedding planner to help you find the most spectacular vendors who will make your day amazing or have a wedding planner to manage the day and keep it on track so you have time to enjoy every second of it.

Looking Forward to Most Now Being Married

The newlyweds are extremely happy to be married now and are looking forward to what the future holds for them.

Honeymoon

Japan