Reese knew of Kristine through some mutual friends he played hockey with, but he never set eyes on her until he stared a little too hard at an Oilers game. Kristine teased him through a Facebook message the next day and they finally met over coffee at the library.

The Proposal

After nine years of dating, Kristine didn’t think it was possible for Reese to plan a surprise proposal. They took their dog to Kristine’s family acreage to play and Reese laid out a blanket in front of the old barn. He casually opened the barn door to reveal a picnic setting for two complete with wine, flowers and a little red ring box.

The Big Day

The same barn formed the rustic backdrop for their intimate ceremony in front of a small group of family members. Their videographer edited a short video for all the other guests to watch the key moments. Many of the wedding details revolved around family: Reese wore his granddad’s 50^th anniversary ring as his wedding band; they had their siblings make speeches instead of the bridal party; they included five empty seats at the ceremony in memory of their late grandparents and released balloons in their honour; and Kristine’s dance family, the Viter Ukrainian Dancers, performed during the reception.

Favourite Moments

Bride: “The amazing speeches from my parents and siblings and the song my little brother performed on the video and the fact that our dog Tucker could be part of the whole day.”

Groom: “Our first look – seeing Kristine in her wedding dress for the first time was much more overwhelming than I expected, she looked so elegant and naturally beautiful; I will never forget the feeling of that moment.”

Engagement Ring Cut

Oval

First Dance

“Die a Happy Man”—Thomas Rhett

Newlywed Advice

“Decision-making is hard! Reach out to newlyweds who have had experience with your prospective vendors to get honest feedback.”

Looking Forward to Most Now Being Married

The newlyweds are moving to the acreage and look forward to starting their own family traditions.

Honeymoon

Netherlands, Spain and Italy

Chloe and Travis met on her first day in Lethbridge, AB after she moved there for school. He was friends with her cousin who invited them both out for dinner. Travis later posted a picture on his Instagram and tagged Chloe to ask her out on a date because he didn’t have her phone number. She hesitantly accepted and they have been together ever since.

The Proposal

Travis planned an amazing proposal! After a busy day of nursing school she came home to find her floor covered in rose petals and a sweet note saying to be ready for six o’clock. At six o’clock the doorbell rang and a limo was there to pick her up. It drove her to a local art gallery where Travis had an incredible display set up with flowers and letter blocks spelling out ‘Will You Marry Me?’ All Chloe remembers was crying throughout the entire proposal. Travis also planned for a good friend of theirs who is a Photographer to be there and capture the entire thing.

The Big Day

The couple attended a good friends wedding at Medalta (an innovative industrial museum, contemporary ceramic arts facility, art gallery, and community hub) shortly after they got engaged and fell in love with the space.  They opted for a first look before their ceremony even though Travis was against the idea – he wanted the big shock and surprise as Chloe walked down the aisle. She really pushed for the first look, knowing how nervous she’d be. In the end, they were both really glad they did the first look, “it was such an intimate moment for just the two of us. We also got some of our favourite pictures from it.”

Favourite Moments

Chloe: “Its so hard to choose! I truly enjoyed the whole day but I think my absolute favourite part was after the ceremony right before we started pictures when Travis and I just took five minutes together to soak everything in and realize that we were finally married!”

Travis: “Seeing Chloe in her dress for the first time. I cried like a baby.”

Engagement Ring Cut

Round

First Dance

‘You Make Me Feel So Young’ – Frank Sinatra

Newlywed Advice

“Hire a Wedding Planner! And vendors that you are comfortable with and trust! It will take so much stress away from your day knowing that you can count on all the people that you are working with.”

Looking Forward to Most Now Being Married

“Just enjoying our time together, Setting up our home and starting a family!”

Honeymoon

Big Fork, Montana – Marina Cay Resort

Ryan and Dayna met in the summer of 2011 in Tallinn, Estonia. Ryan (from Dallas, Texas) and Dayna (from Calgary, Alberta) had both gone to Estonia on separate mission trip ventures, and their paths crossed at Christian kids camp that they were both volunteering at. They continued to meet every summer in Estonia since that year, became best friends, and fell in love in the process!

The Proposal

In December 2015, Dayna went to visit Ryan’s family in Texas. They planned a “Fake Christmas” to celebrate all together as Ryan and Dayna were going to be spending real Christmas in Canada. After all the gifts had been opened, Ryan said he had one last gift for Dayna. She opened it up to find a photo album filled with pictures of their whole journey of knowing each other with hand written notes from Ryan in the margins. When Dayna got to the last page, Ryan had written “I have a question for you…” and then he got down on one knee! Afterwards, a group of their closest friends showed up as a surprise and they all ate Christmas dinner together in Ryan’s family’s home. It was one of the best days they’ve ever had!

The Big Day

The wedding details were about as hands-on as you can get. There was no wedding planner, so the couple had to figure out everything for themselves! Dayna did the calligraphy for all of the stationery, working with Paper Panache to design and print the custom invitation. Dayna also hand wrote all of the place cards and the menu for the reception. Dayna and her mother collected eclectic jars, vases, bottles, crates, burlap, and other rustic items (some from her grandpa’s farm, some from her best friend’s wedding) for about half a year leading up to the wedding. All of the bunting was handmade by a family friend. They used a walnut stain for all of the wood signage, and Dayna hand painted all of the calligraphy to give a consistent feel throughout the venue. Dayna’s Maid of Honour and her mother put together all of the floral arrangements for the venue. Dayna’s cousin made and decorated the wedding cake from scratch: it was a David’s Tea Cream of Earl Grey cake with homemade lemon buttercream icing and raspberry filling. The favours were handmade packages of Estonian tea to tie in Ryan and Dayna’s connection with Estonia. The couple admits it was risky doing everything themselves and a lot of work, but made things all the more special!

Favourite Moments

Dayna: “Saying a quick prayer with my dad and best friend right before walking down the aisle, squeezing Ryan’s hands in disbelief during the ceremony, looking around the reception at all of our favourite people in one place.”

Ryan: “Watching Dayna walk down the aisle, after the ceremony realizing we were actually married, dancing with the ring bearer, doing a Fantasy Football draft in the morning with the groomsmen.”

Engagement Ring Cut

Round with Cushion Halo

First Dance

‘Honeybee’ – Blake Shelton

Father-Daughter & Mother-Son Dance(s)

Father/Daughter: ‘Everything I Do, I Do It For You’ – Bryan Adams 

Newlywed Advice

“If there are ways for you to do things DIY, it is so worth it! Not only is it cheaper, but it adds a personal touch that can’t be replaced.”

Looking Forward to Most Now Being Married

“Never having to do long distance again! We have moved to Estonia together to start out our marriage where we fell in love and to work as missionaries. We are looking forward to travelling together, settling down, and establishing our own family traditions in years to come!”

Honeymoon

Great Exuma, Bahamas – Sandals Emerald Bay

Like many people, Alex and Franky met at work while they were both working at Earls.

The Proposal

It was a warm day in April. Alex and Franky went for brunch at Sugarbowl because Alex had been craving chicken and waffles for a long time. After lunch he asked if he could show her something and they went for a drive to Cloverdale Hill. From the top of the hill he pointed out spots that were meaningful to them. He pointed out one of the locations and asked Alex what it made her think of and she responded “well, it’s where it all began”. Franky was standing behind Alex the entire time, when she turned around he was down on one knee proposing. 

The Big Day

The couple were in search of an old European style church for their wedding day and something rustic for the reception. The grooms family has used the Goretti Centre several times for events and when they met to discuss their vision for their wedding they were extremely helpful. The inside of the Goretti Centre fit what they had envisioned perfectly, adorned with beautiful chandeliers and crown moulding. To add some personal touches the bride and her mother in law made individual tiramisu for each guest and the bride and her mother made her grandmas butter tarts for dessert. Also, the couch used in some photos was the groom’s grandmothers.

Favourite Moments

Alex: “When I walked through the doors and saw Franky standing at the front and saw how many people came to celebrate our wedding with us.”

Franky: “The second I saw Alex standing at the back of the church.”

Engagement Ring Cut

Oval

First Dance

‘Remind Me’ – Conrad Sewell

Father-Daughter & Mother-Son Dance(s)

‘My Little Girl’- Tim McGraw

‘Never Alone’- Lady Antebellum

Newlywed Advice

“Hire a wedding planner, even if its just for the month/day of. It will save you so much stress and grief.”

Looking Forward to Most Now Being Married

“We haven’t lived together before so we’re most excited to finally moving into our house together and be able to wake up next to each other every day and go to bed next to each other every night. As cheesy as that sounds”

Honeymoon

Barbados – Sandals Resort

Chloe’s father resides in Dubai, so she took a few months off from her work and life in Vancouver to visit him and catch a break. Near the end of her trip, Chloe’s father threw his annual Rugby kick-off party and encouraged Chloe to invite her friends. Chloe reached out to her friends, who also brought guests of their own. Lo and behold one of her friends brought Faris to the party and the rest was history!

The Proposal

Faris surprised Chloe with a trip to Cappadocia, Turkey. When they arrived, there was a table set for two with traditional Turkish breakfast, coffee, a bottle of champagne and flowers. Chloe felt that he was up to something. Faris’ “cue” for the hotel staff was him taking his jacket off. Chloe was standing in a separate area taking photos and when Faris gave the signal, a violin started playing. Chloe turned to Faris, he was on his knee, trembling and that is when she realized that it was happening. He had also hired a local photographer to capture it all on camera. “It was such a unique moment and so special” Chloe shares. To top off the proposal trip, Faris then surprised Chloe with tickets to Portugal! So they flew to Istanbul for a night and then went to Portugal for 10 days. 

The Big Day

The couple held a stunning natural wedding at Chloe’s family’s horse ranch in Millarville, AB. It’s a place that has been her oasis since she was a little girl. Most of their guests traveled from all over the world. Chloe rode in with her parents in a horse carriage, a magical experience in itself. The food was incredible, organic and farm-to-table, Chloe is a natural food chef and holistic nutritionist, so the expectations were very high.

They offered carriage rides for all of their guests and as favors left memory cards that Chloe and Faris’s caricature that her best friend and maid of honour made especially for them.

Favourite Moments

Faris: “When the clouds cleared as Chloe arrived to the ceremony site and the sun literally shined down on everyone we know and love.”

Chloe:“Moments before we arrived at the ceremony location, at the top of a hill where Faris and everyone awaited. It was as if everything had come to this moment – the question of whether or not we would get poured on. I remember, sitting there, in the carriage, which was pulled by two beautifully gentle horses, in between my parents- and feeling that “bridal moment” that you always hope to feel. Anticipation, wonder, disbelief, excitement, butterflies, love, light, transformation…all of it, in one breath. Right before the carriage driver asked “where would you like for us to pull up to, Chloe” and I answered with “right at the barrels please”. And the clouds parted just for the ceremony. Just in time for my entrance.”

Engagement Ring Cut

Round

First Dance

‘Save Tonight’ – Eagle Eye Cherry

Father-Daughter & Mother-Son Dance(s)

‘She’s the One’ – Robbie Williams

‘Wonderful Tonight’ – Eric Clapton 

Newlywed Advice

Trust your original instinct. To put it in perspective our first thought, when we sat on the edge of Portugal, on the coastline, drinking bottles of wine and watching the sunset- we knew it would take place on the ranch. However, we then started to follow stories of fear, worry and anxiety- and went into fantasyland. So, we went castle hunting in England for a prim n’ proper British affair for a week. I distinctly remember, after a long day of driving around the Cotswolds, we sat in a pub, eating fish and chips, and feeling SO disheartened.

When we gave ourselves space from this, and reconnected to what we love- we realized that we had to follow our hearts.

We ended up at the Calgary Stampede with country music on blast, with a beautiful rehearsal dinner/welcome party at River Cafe and ending with a picturesque ranch ceremony and saloon party. 

Looking Forward to Most Now Being Married

“Creating a beautiful home that reflects our visions, light and love. Growing and evolving together. Waking up and falling asleep in a big and beautifully comfortable bed that is ours, together.  Working and moving through all of the rises and falls of life together. Hanging up some of our favourite wedding photos on the wall.”

Honeymoon

Deciding between New Zealand, Japan or Africa.