An Elegant Wedding Reception at the Fairmont Palliser in Downtown Calgary

Alyssa and Antonio celebrated their wedding day this past winter after the pandemic saw them postpone their May 2020 wedding to November 2020. The wedding ceremony took place at Ascension Catholic Parish with the reception following at the newly renovated Oak Room at the Fairmont Palliser Hotel in downtown Calgary.

At the time Alberta Health Services was allowing 50 people at indoor wedding ceremonies and 50 guests at indoor structured events. Calgary wedding planner Moments by Madeleine made sure all guests followed the AHS guidelines and that no mixing and mingling took place during the reception.

It was an absolutely beautiful wedding day that followed all social distancing requirements but was still incredibly memorable for the couple and their guests because of the thought and care that went into planning their special day.

The Oak Room was the perfect setting for A + A’s reception with its soft grey tones and vintage modern decor and lighting. It is ideal for 90 guests seated which worked well with their smaller guest count of 50.

Since the couple wasn’t able to have a formal dance with their guests they had a private dance. The couple arrived at the Oak Room along with their parents before their other guests arrived. They had their reception reveal along with a private dance and cake cutting. Pez Productions set up indoor sparklers that went off on either side of the couple as they shared their first dance as husband and wife. Our videography team captured the couple’s first dance, the dances with each of their parents and their cake cutting and we put together a same day edit to be able to share these special moments with the rest of their guests who, due to restrictions, couldn’t be present.

It was not your “normal” wedding but there sure was love, joy, happiness and beauty to surround the bride and groom making it an amazing day!

We are so glad we could be there to capture your wedding day in video! Congratulations Alyssa + Antonio!

Tips from Moments by Madeleine for creating a pandemic friendly tablescape:

1. No flatware. The venue placed rolled cutlery when guests sat at their seats.

2. Packaged Favours were also used as place cards.

3. Less guests per table. 6 foot round tables were used to seat 4-6 guests by household. Normally this size table would seat 10-12 guests. This left plenty of room for distancing. The Tables were also spread apart in the venue to allow for people to go to the washroom without having to go near other tables.

Design & Planning: Moments By Madeleine

Photography: Heidrich Photography

Videography: Castaño Films

Florals: Flowers By Janie

Rentals: Modern Rentals + Special Event Rentals

Hair & Makeup: Bellamore Beauty

DJ: Pez Productions

Ceremony Venue: Ascension Catholic Parish

Reception Venue: Fairmont Palliser

Cake: Fairmont Palliser

Stationery: Blanche Paperie

Blush & Raven A Bridal Boutique for the Modern Romantic Bride

If you are a bride and in need of a wedding gown we highly recommend that you make an appointment with Blush & Raven. They are an intimate and locally owned bridal boutique located in the Beltline of Calgary, Alberta. Blush & Raven specializes in styling the modern romantic bride in stunning, one of a kind wedding dresses from Canadian and international designers.

We had a chance to talk with the ladies of Blush & Raven to find out more about what makes their bridal store unique and where the name Blush & Raven came from. Owner Liane Knox, had the vision for Blush & Raven after her own bridal gown shopping experience left her feeling like there was a missed mark in terms of an intimate space to feel relaxed. She also wanted to inspire a space where every body could come in and feel comfortable and at ease. Having a team of knowledgeable stylists was important to her and she wanted brides to be able to shop couture gowns at a moderate price point.

Meet Liane, Sara, Madeleine and Maddie and hear what they have to say about Blush & Raven and put a name to a face when you book your appointment. They know dress shopping can be overwhelming and they work hard to reduce the overwhelm for each of their brides!

Watch the video to learn more and get excited for your unique dress shopping experience!

Hair + makeup for the B & R team by Trena Liane Makeup Artist

Video by Castaño Films

Blush and Raven Boutique Photos by Kristyn Harder Photography (above)

Photos with model by Justine Milton Photography

Fireplace Mantel and Bouquet Florals: Flowers by Janie

Planning + Styling: Moments by Madeleine

Hair: Blush and Coco

Make up: ML Artistry

Accessories: Joanna Bisley Designs

Rentals (Candleholders): Modern Rentals Weddings

Model: Anastasia from Mode Models International

7 Reasons Why you Should Hire a Professional Wedding Videographer

The one thing I regret the most from my own wedding was not hiring a videographer. This was before I became a wedding filmmaker myself and realized the importance of having someone document our wedding day in video. My father-in-law tried to do some filming on a newly purchased camcorder but it was an epic fail with mostly shots of our guest’s shoes. My wife and I don’t remember our vows, or my father’s words as he married us. We don’t remember my brothers playing guitar and singing a song they wrote us during the ceremony and we don’t remember our guests speeches. My grandfather has since passed away and I wish more than anything that I had a recording of his voice and interaction with family at our wedding.

So why should you invest in a heirloom wedding film created by a professional wedding videographer?

I’ll give you my 7 reasons below:

1. Non Photographable Moments.

   Many moments of your wedding day can’t be captured in photographs like the recording of the words said during your first look or vows, the music played during your first dance, toasts and speeches given by family and friends.

2. Missed Moments.

   The wedding day passes by so quickly and in a flash it's over. There may have been things you missed seeing like your grandma and grandpa dancing together or your partner getting ready in another location. Wouldn’t it be extra special to see what each of you were doing separately the morning of your wedding?

3. Relive the Memories.

   Wedding films can be rewatched during anniversaries, on special occasions or anytime when you want to remember the love you and your partner exchanged that day and the people who were there supporting you.

   If you choose to elope, your wedding film will be treasured by family and friends who missed being part of the wedding day but can relive the day with you through video.

4. Remembering Loved Ones.

   How many times will all of your loved ones be in the same room at the same time? This is a celebration when your most important people are there in one room supporting you. Why not have a professional videographer who can document this experience for you, capturing the true experience in a visual and audible way? It is also a very special way to remember loved ones who may no longer be with you (like my grandfather).

5. It’s Easy to Share

   Most professional wedding videographers have online links so that you can easily share your video files through their private gallery or through Vimeo or YouTube. If a friend or family member was unable to attend, this is a great option to let them experience the day with a quality film.

6. Quality Product.

   A professional wedding videographer will have the correct gear and experience to film your wedding day unobtrusively, while creating a quality film and editing with skill and technique. Professional wedding videographers know what equipment is best for capturing certain details and they have special devices for recording beautiful audio. They also subscribe to licensed music software. If you are going to be sharing your wedding videos online you can’t use copyrighted songs, which many non-professionals do.

7. A Cherished Keepsake

   A professional wedding video will turn into a family heirloom that can be passed on through the generations and be enjoyed by your children, nieces, nephews, grandchildren etc.

Hiring a wedding videographer may be an expense you hadn’t budgeted for but I can guarantee you that you will not regret having these memories preserved in film. - Oscar

Photo Credit: Twenty Twenty Photography

If you are still in need of a professional wedding videographer for your Calgary, Canmore, Banff or destination wedding or elopement, I’d love to hear from you! Please get in touch!

River Cafe Downtown Calgary Wedding

Matt and Nat were married on a gorgeous September day at River Cafe on Prince’s Island Park in Calgary, Alberta. Considering that their original venue flooded a week prior to their wedding date, these two were in the very best spirits and simply over the moon happy to be marrying each other! We couldn’t have asked for a kinder, more laid back couple to spend the day with!

The day started off with a first look on the roof top of Hotel Le Germain in the heart of downtown Calgary. You’ll want to watch the full video as Matt cries as soon as he turns around and sees Nat! It’s a really emotional first look and so special that we were able to capture it for them.

The wedding party photos took place at Prince’s Island Park and then the couple slipped away for a private lunch just the two of them at UNA Pizza + Wine. They chose this restaurant because it is where they had their first date- so romantic right?!

The ceremony took place on the outdoor patio at River Cafe with the reception following in their dining room. Matt’s dad announced the newlyweds arrival at the reception in full traditional Scottish dress and a bag pipe serenade which was definitely unforgettable.

Another highlight was the poem written and read by one of the groomsmen; one of the most hilarious poems/speeches we’ve ever heard at a wedding reception.

Watch the full video below and then scroll down to read about the creative editing process that we used to edit this film.

Here is the creative process behind the video for those wanting to know why I (Oscar) filmed and edited the wedding video the way I did.

I used the words ‘Romantic, fun, and casual’ that Matt + Nat had mentioned in the pre-wedding questionnaire that I sent them. These are the words they wanted to describe the ambiance and feel of their wedding day.

Since the wedding ceremony didn’t have personal vows, I had to approach the subject from ‘outside’ rather than from the subject's point of view. Thus, the groomsman’s poem in the reception worked perfectly to tell the story in a fun and casual way. I saw this approach visually like a circle with the couple (the subject) in the middle. The idea of the circle was reinforced later when Matt’s dad mentioned the Celtic circle in his speech and how “it has no beginning, it has no end, it just keeps going around and around… family is everything”.

This can also explain the structure of the video with music that goes from a more upbeat vibe to a slow and romantic song, and then back to the upbeat music. It also places the couple in the centre with the moment at UNA exactly in the middle of the video (where everything started). I took the liberty of finishing the part with the romantic and serious vibe with a groomsman’s joke since Matt + Nat mentioned that they like not taking each other too seriously. The groomsman’s poem was the main thread keeping all the parts together and ‘closing the circle’. I also used the windmill to consolidate the concept as it was the only circled object moving around and around that I could capture on the wedding day. The windmill is present in the beginning, middle and closer to end of the video. The video also has a 80’s vibe since Matt really likes ‘indie and 80’s’ music and because a Mad Max parade took place just outside of the venue before the reception (it was the Beakerhead Festival Weekend).

For the colour grading, I used a LUT with moody teals and tonal greens that enhanced not only the floral arch but the mood inside the venue.

I hope this explanation give you a little more insight into the creative process that goes into producing a wedding film!

A special thanks to all of the amazing Calgary wedding vendors that Mark + I had the pleasure of working with!

Florals: Flowers by Janie

Photography: Mint Photo

Bridal Gown: Pearl + Dot

Planning: Paper Doll

Officiant: Vows by Judy

Hair + Makeup: Something Borrowed Beauty

Bridal Jewelry: Joanna Bisley Designs

DJ: Local DJ

Photo Booth: Silly Booth

If you are still looking for a wedding videographer for your Calgary, Canmore, Banff or destination wedding. Please get in touch!

Wedding Inspiration at The Nash YYC

I want to start off this blog by saying that if you have never had the rotisserie chicken at The Nash YYC, you are missing out! I had never filmed at The Nash before and I enjoyed working with the creative team on this spring styled shoot. Christy and Alexis from Beyond the Proposal were amazing to work with and, with them in charge, the day ran smoothly even with very limited time. It was also a pleasure to work alongside Calgary wedding photographer Tara Whittaker and I’m really looking forward to our real wedding together this July in Banff!

This spring styled shoot had a heavy floral focus as much of my videos do. It’s a perk of being married to a florist (Flowers by Janie) and getting to film her creations. The venue was unique and I loved the natural light as well as the feature wall with the original town map of Calgary!

Enjoy the video below as well as some of my favorite images photographed by Tara.

Scroll to the end for a complete list of all the Calgary wedding vendors who participated in this styled shoot.

Planning + Design Beyond the Proposal | Photography Tara Whittaker Photography | Florals Flowers by Janie | Rentals Modern Luxe Rentals | Videography Castaño Films | Hair + Make up Glamaway Beauty | Cake Pretty Sweet | Venue The Nash YYC | Dress Blush & Raven | Accessories Joanna Bisley Design | Stationary Bexley Design Co. | Model Victoria Lang from Mode Models

Pearl & Dot Bridal Boutique For the Modern Bride

If you are recently engaged and bridal gown shopping you’ll likely have heard about Pearl & Dot, a lovely and intimate bridal boutique located in downtown Calgary. Their boutique is located on the second floor of a sun soaked loft apartment and is really a stunning place to visit, full of all things pretty + wedding!

We recently had the privilege of interviewing Alyssa Conrad, owner of Pearl & Dot, so she could answer all of the questions brides typically inquire about. In the video below Alyssa talks about what you can expect at Pearl & Dot, how long appointments are, how to figure out your bridal style and what her favorite things are about owning a bridal store. She tells us all about the current and upcoming trends for 2019 and 2020 wedding dresses and the trend that she is most excited about! Alyssa also shares tips for wedding dress shopping and how to reduce your stress and not become overwhelmed with the process.

One piece of advice that Alyssa gives is “don’t overthink it, trust your instinct, trust your gut, you’ll know when you’re in a dress that feels like your dress”.

If you are searching for the perfect wedding gown or accessory and want to know more about the Pearl & Dot experience we invite you to watch the short interview below!

Happy shopping!