Tess and Erik love Christmas in Edmonton. The couple—who met while working at the Pint on Whyte—planned an evening of winter festivities for a rare night off together.

The Proposal

Despite the -30C temperature (not including wind-chill!) they strolled down Candy Cane Lane and then went to view the lights at the Legislature Building. It was on the steps of the Ledge where Erik got down on one knee. “You know it’s cold when your happy tears freeze to your face!” says Tess.

The Big Day

They wanted a winter wedding and considered having it in Canmore, but ultimately the beauty and sentimental value of the River Valley won out. Hosting their reception at Blue Meadows also meant they didn’t have to limit their guest list. Their top priorities for the day were the photographer, the food, and throwing a huge party.

Fortunately, Mother Nature was much kinder to Tess and Erik on their big day; the temperature was unseasonably warm, but the snow was still pristine. Tess enjoyed laughing with her bridal party and spending quiet moments with Erik during photos. Erik loved the incredible dinner during their warm and luxurious reception—but it’s a close tie with seeing Tess for the first time.

Engagement Ring Cut

Round

First Dance

“Love Story”—Lanco

Newlywed Advice

“Let the experts do their thing! We had a general idea of what we wanted, knew we hired good people and we let them handle the details. We put our trust in our vendors and just enjoyed ourselves!”

Looking Forward to Most Now Being Married

The newlyweds plan to go on a few trips together, renovate their home, and being a big happy family with their dog and two cats.

Honeymoon

Costa Rica

Ice and fire seem to be a motif running through Amanda and Neil’s relationship; the pair met at a friend’s bonfire party, then years later walked down the aisle together on a snowy October day in Jasper. Neil even made Amanda play Hot/Cold on Christmas morning to find her gift hidden in the tree—a diamond engagement ring and her groom-to-be on one knee.

The Big Day

The decision to get married in Jasper was easy for Amanda and Neil.  The park has long been their favourite getaway place to explore the great outdoors by foot or canoe, or even to indulge at the town’s restaurants and spas. Choosing a venue was more difficult as both the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge and Pyramid Lake Resort boast extraordinary views and cozy, rustic atmospheres. Instead of choosing between the two venues they decided to split the ceremony and reception between them to get the best of both.

Favourite Moments

As much as they love Jasper in all it’s beauty, it’s clear that Amanda and Neil cherish their family above all else. Amanda’s favourite moment was walking down the aisle with her dad; “he said some of the sweetest things I’ll never forget,” she says. Neil will always remember watching their daughter come down the aisle and giving him a kiss before sitting with her grandmother.

Engagement Ring Cut

Brilliant Round

First Dance

‘Give in to Me” – Country Strong

Newlywed Advice

“Stay calm; it all really does come together in the end. There are bound to be things that don’t end up the way you had envisioned, but in the grand scheme of things they always turn out to be so minor you don’t even remember.”

Looking Forward to Most Now Being Married

They now look forward to growing their family even more.

Honeymoon

Jasper, AB | Pyramid Lake Resort

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