Candace + Michael University of Calgary Downtown Wedding
I love shooting weddings in Calgary! This University of Calgary Downtown Wedding is so beautiful! Read on about the day below!
How did you meet?
We met through a mutual friend over a decade ago, we both used to attend a lot of local music concerts and would see each other quite often at these events. After years without seeing each other we crossed paths again while out for two different friend’s birthdays and started talking. Not long after we started dating, then Mike moved to Calgary to be closer to me. The rest is history!
Engagement story:
While Candace’s mom was in Calgary visiting, Mike organized a get together at Candace’s dad’s house. (He had previously asked my dad if he could have my hand in marriage, he said yes yes YES!) When he arrived after picking up the ring he announced to my family and I how grateful he was to each and every one of them for all their help in planning this moment and then he took my hands and told me how much he loved me and that I was his best friend and that nothing would make him happier than marrying me and spending the rest of our lives together. I said yes!
The Wedding Day:
From the bride – the day was beyond my wildest dreams and far exceeded any and all expectations I had. I started my day off with my best friend/maid of honor Malyssa Bent, we went to my hair appointment where she presented me with the most heartfelt and unique gift – letters from my friends and family, ending with a letter from Michael. Needless to say I had tears of joy streaming down my face from the first to the last letter, with some laughs as well. I will cherish these letters for the rest of my life.
After that I had my makeup done professionally alongside my mom, then I slipped into my dress and headed out to my first look photos. A little nervous but more excited than I’ve ever been to see Michael!
When I saw Michael for the first time I was speechless and couldn’t stop smiling. He truly looked like my knight in shining armor (if not a little bit chilly). We had a wonderful time with the wedding party having our photos taken in every type of weather Calgary threw at us in the few hours we were outside (worth every minute of being cold!)
Once we were done at Eau Claire having our photos taken we headed to the venue for the ceremony. I got to see my dad for the first time in my dress and saw a tinkle of a tear in his eyes. Walking down the aisle with my dad towards my future husband was one of my all-time favorite moments in my life so far. During our ceremony Michael tripped over a few words and had the crowd laughing, a great and accidental way to diffuse the nerves! Our reading almost had me in tears but I managed to hold it together, thanks to my strong and intuitive husband. He saw the tears welling in my eyes and squeezed my hands a little harder. We said our vows and I do’s, signed our license, kissed and then went out to receive our guests!
The reception was stunningly set up, decorations and table settings were absolutely beautiful! Lots of tinkling of glasses and kisses from the new Mr & Mrs, the speeches –each and every one touched our hearts, there were laughs and some tears. Our first dance was perfect it felt like it was just the two of us in the room looking into one another’s eyes. The father daughter dance was extra special, we danced to an old song by Red Sovine called Daddy’s Girl, which has been my dad and my song for as long as I can remember, I loved every second of it! Michael and his mom joined us on the dance floor for some of it as well. Then we were able to really let loose and enjoy the dancing and drinks with all our friends and family! Michael and I were the last to leave the venue but we were so happy we didn’t notice how late it was, must have been on cloud nine!
Our theme was Rustic Bohemian and our colors were juniper/hunter green with pops of blush pink for good measure! We had 110 guests coming from all over Canada as far as Nova Scotia and some from Ontario, others came from all around small town Alberta.
Some of our top moments would include the First Look Photos – the anticipation of seeing each other and doing so before we walked down the aisle. Our first dance together was another, and of course the speeches our family and friends made would top that list!
Thinking Out Loud by Ed Sheeran is our song – has been since we first met. It just seems to talk to us and touch our hearts, so of course we had to have our first dance to it.
Favorite details, all the décor was top notch. We left it in the hands of our family, Mike’s mom Vicki, his sister Janelle, my mom Lisa and my aunt and cousin Janet and Amy. They truly blew my mind, both the ceremony decorations and the reception were PERFECT! My aunt Janet made our “guest book” by hand, I was the idea online and just had to include it on our wedding day. It is so beautiful, I cannot wait to hang it on our wall at home.
We plan on going to Greece and Malta for our honeymoon in the new year for a beautiful sunny relaxing vacation to soak up some sun and all the love we feel for each other. If it’s possible to love him more than I did I truly feel like I do!
