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

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

Tiffiney and Jeff met working together at Ikea.  Five years after their first bump in, Ikea held a summer party. After the party, Tiffiney asked him for a ride home and the rest is history!

The Proposal

Jeff proposed to Tiffiney in London, England on the London Eye Ferris Wheel. Tiffiney had a feeling he was going to propose on the trip but played along until the proposal.

The Big Day

Tiffiney and Jeff tied the knot and celebrated in two unique venues. Their calm ceremony was at the Devonian Botanic Garden and their reception party was at the Edmonton Country Club (ps. you don’t need to be a member to host your wedding there). Jeff and his dad love classic cars, his father has a Chevy Nova that the couple were able to use for photos and for an alone time spin.

Music and dancing was one of the couples priorities and highlights. They walked down the aisle to an acoustic guitar playing ‘First Day of my Life and Daft Punk’s ‘Get Lucky.” The couple love hip-hop and R&B music so it was really important that they hired a DJ that would help them throw a party to remember. They arranged for their dance floor to be outdoors and hired DJ Kwake to play their favourite tracks. The newlyweds and their guests were on the dance floor the entire night.

Favourite Moments

Tiffiney: “Our vows, it took a lot for Jeff and I to write our own vows but I thought it was important. I think Jeff made everyone cry and I was really proud of him for writing them and expressing himself that way. They were touching and funny at the same time, and everything I hoped they would be.”

Jeff: “Our first dance, it was really amazing to have my cousins sing for us. We are very family orientated and that was just a special moment for the two of us. My cousins are also very talented, they live in California so not many of our friends in Edmonton have heard them sing so it was a treat to share that with our guests.”

Engagement Ring Cut

Round

First Dance

Christina Perri – “Arms” sung by Jeff’s cousins band – Brightenner

Newlywed Advice

1) Hire a day of coordinator to handle all the details and vendor calls the day of the wedding. 2) Have your beauty team come to you so you can relax in your own space. 3) Plan some alone time with your partner, your wedding day is so high paced and goes by really fast.

Looking Forward to Most Now Being Married

“We are looking forward to relaxing in each others company and supporting each other through life.”

Honeymoon

Iceland, Amsterdam, Nice and Paris

Keeley and Braden’s story is one of missed connections; they would often meet at parties, but the timing never seemed right. Braden asked her on a date in the spring of 2011, which Keeley nearly missed due to car and phone troubles, but after that first date they knew they were right for each other.

The Proposal

Shortly after the couple moved back to Camrose, they celebrated Keeley’s birthday together. Braden made the same meal he did when he first cooked for Keeley, then proposed on a walk through the valley.

The Big Day

Friends and family put in hours of hard work to fulfill Keeley’s vision for a handmade outdoor wedding on her family’s land. Keeley’s mom and sister made her wedding gown, veil, bridesmaids’ dresses and getting-ready robes. Everything from the eclectic décor to the cookie bar was handmade—the bride and groom even made the patties for their gourmet burger dinner. Despite the cool and wet weather, everyone enjoyed dancing and clinking glasses of local craft beer served on tap.

Favourite Moments

The newlyweds obviously loved the moment Keeley walked down the aisle, but her sister’s hilarious speech was a close second; it finished with a video of friends and family from all over singing Queen’s “Somebody to Love.”

Engagement Ring Cut

Round Halo

First Dance

‘Northern Wind’ – City and Colour

Father-Daughter & Mother-Son Dance(s)

‘Have You Ever Seen The Rain’ – CCR 

Newlywed Advice

‘Go with the wedding you envision. Ours was challenging and a lot of work, but being able to see ourselves in all the details made it so worth it.’

Looking Forward to Most Now Being Married

With the hard work of wedding planning over, Keeley and Braden look forward to relaxing and traveling before starting a family.

Honeymoon

Maui, Hawaii