calgary weddings

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An Elegant Wedding Reception at the Fairmont Palliser in Downtown Calgary

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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

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Blush & Raven A Bridal Boutique for the Modern Romantic Bride

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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

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7 Reasons Why you Should Hire a Professional Wedding Videographer

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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

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!

Pantone Colour of the Year 2018 at Silvertip Resort Wedding Inspiration

The Pantone Colour of the Year 2018 is ultra violet 18-3838, according to the Pantone website, Ultra Violet communicates originality, ingenuity and visionary thinking that points us toward the future. It is a dramatically provocative and thoughtful purple shade.

Last fall a group of Calgary wedding vendors participated in a styled bridal shoot at Silvertip Resort in Canmore, Alberta to create an organic, dramatic and original wedding set up with a colour palette that is rare among weddings in Alberta. We chose to design with marigold yellows, lavenders and ultra violet, even before knowing that ultra violet would be the colour of the year in 2018. The British Columbia grown purple hydrangeas sourced by Flowers by Janie, where the perfect touch! Wedding planner and stylist Kari or Emerson & Co. created a unique wedding set up with mixed matched seating, a throw rug, a sweetheart table and more! Silvertip Resort is a beautiful venue for your Rocky Mountain destination wedding!

 

Design & Styling  Emerson & Co | Photographer Tara Whittaker Photography | Venue Silvertip Resort  | Floral Design Flowers by Janie | Videography Castaño Media | Bridal gown Flora from Blush & Raven | Bridesmaids dresses Joanna August from Blush & Raven | Jewellery Perla Mia | Vintage Rentals  Orange Trunk Vintage Styling & Rentals | Sweets  Sweet Relief Pastries | Tableware Crate & Barrel | Chairs Special Event Rentals  | Hair & make-up  Something Borrowed Beauty | Wedding signage Love Built | Models Ngele, Jan and Brittany from Numa Models

Urban Botanics with Rocky Mountain Bride Wedding Inspiration

Rocky Mountain Bride Magazine Regional Volume 3 will hit newsstands at the end of January 2018 and we're elated to be apart of it! We're happy to share this film from our Urban Botanics shoot featuring a modern botanical styled wedding at Charbar Calgary. Located in the heart of downtown Calgary, Charbar blends historic charm with contemporary style. The culinary influence of Argentina is a treat and the ceviche mixto is a must to try! Housed in the historical Simmons Building along the Bow River, beautiful city views, history and delicious food make Charbar the perfect venue for your Calgary wedding!

Rocky Mountain Bride V3 will be available in Canada at Chapters, Indigo, Shoppers Drug Mart, The Bash YYC and other independent retailers.

 

 

Summer Brunch Wedding Inspiration

Small jars of honey...dark moody colors contrasted by bright florals...this is the perfect summer brunch to inspire any celebration. Tucked away in a beautiful private acreage north west of Airdrie, it's the perfect backdrop for an intimate wedding. With a touch of vintage paired with a modern approach, this styled shoot was delivered perfectly by all.

 

Romantic Garden Wedding Inspiration

Fresh, timeless and oh so elegant. This styled shoot is inspired from spring gardens and romance. The color palette is carried through seemingly...from the classic and airy calligraphy to the breath taking spring florals, every detail was thought of to bring together this elegant inspired shoot.

 

We were thrilled to see our Calgary garden inspired bridal shoot featured on Rocky Mountain Bride! Click here to see the full feature and even more lovely photos!

Photography www.parrishhousephotos.com | Styling + Design www.socialandcoevents.ca | Florals www.flowersbyjanie.com | Venue www.thecommonscalgary.com | Hair + Makeup www.katiekerr.ca | Dress Designer: Daalarna Couture www.pearlanddot.com | Model www.sophiamodels.com/model/peyton-gastel | Rentals www.gatheredtablesupply.com + www.greateventsrentals.ca  | Calligraphy www.shastabell.com | Cake www.whippt.ca | Earrings www.cinderandsage.com