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

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!