Special Features - West Kootenay Bride 2018-2019

Taking love to new heights A white wedding at Whitewater Romancing family history, new beginnings at Georama Growers

and more

WEST KOOTENAY BRIDE |2018

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WEST KOOTENAY BRIDE |2018

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A white wedding at Whitewater

Publisher:

Eric Lawson

Story by Ali Keraiff Photos by Bobbi Barbarich

Editor:

Greg Nesteroff

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First wedding in Trail’s new White Garden

Graphic Designers:

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Growing love

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A wedding in Burton

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Taking love to new heights

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A wedding in the woods

Story by Lana Rodlie Photos by Michael Mayrhofer

Story by Valerie Rossi Photos by Jacey Kendall

Story by Valerie Rossi Photos by Bobbi Barbarich

Story by Ali Keraiff Photos by Jacey Kendall

Sandy Leonard

Katelyn Hurley

Advertising Sales: Adam Mandseth Lonnie Inglehart Marc-Andre Hamelin Jennifer Cowan Dave Dykstra

Cover photo:

Cassie Wassick (pictured) exchanged vows with Nicolas Gagnon-Blackburn on a mountaintop near Nelson. See story page 10

Cover photo by Jacey Kendall West Kootenay Bride magazine is published annually by Black Press.

Story by Jacey Kendall Photos by Juan & Angie

publisher@nelsonstar.com

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Dress it up or down Story by Claire Paradis

91 Baker St. Nelson BC V1L 4C8 877-365-6397

This material, written or artistic, may not be reprinted or electronically reproduced in any way without the written consent of the publisher. The opinions and statements in articles, columns and advertising are not necessarily those of the publisher or staff of Black Press. It is agreed by any display advertiser requesting space that the owner’s responsibility, if any, for errors or omissions of any kind, is limited to the amount paid by the advertiser for that portion of the space as occupied by the incorrect item and there shall be no liability in any event greater than the amount paid for the advertisement.

WEST KOOTENAY BRIDE |2018

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A white wedding at Getting married at a ski resort made perfect sense for Julie Cook and David Fairbank

By Ali Keraiff Photos by Bobbi Barbarich/Three Owls Studio

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ulie Cook and David Fairbank met at a bar in Fort McMurray, or at least that’s the way Dave likes to spin it. Julie’s roommate was a colleague of Dave’s and predicted their compatibility. She invited Julie to tag along to a “work dinner” with hopes of a spark. The restaurant was called Town Hall and did have a bar in it, so Dave wins this one on a technicality.

“Dave was so smitten that he ended up staying an extra day in Fort Mac so that we could go on a date, even though he was done his shift and had a free flight home,” Julie says. At the time, Julie was living in Fort McMurray, while Dave was working shifts there and living in Calgary.

Despite being long distance the new couple managed to go on several ski trips and mountain getaways. After a year of bouncing back and forth between Calgary and Fort McMurray, Julie got a transfer to Calgary where they have lived for two years.

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Adventurous pursuits are important to Julie and Dave.

They both enjoy traveling, skiing, snowboarding, mountain biking, trail running and hiking.

For close friends and family it is no surprise that their engagement happened during one of these adventures. It was Aug. 10, 2017 on the Chilkoot Trail.

This is a four day, 53 km backpacking trip through rugged back country terrain in the Boundary Ranges of the Coast Mountains.

The hike begins in Dyea, Alaska and ends in Bennett, BC. On Day 2 of the hike upon reaching the pass, Dave asked Julie to turn around so he could get a photo of her admiring the mountain views. When she turned back around, Dave was down on one knee. Julie was completely shocked and recalls this as the most incredible day of her life.

Dave had his camera ready and managed to candidly capture her expression. “The best part was having no cell service on the trail so it was our little secret for two days,” she says.

When the newly-engaged couple got off the trail and back to civilization they shared their exciting news. The date was set for April 7, 2018. It was Dave’s dream to get married at Whitewater Ski Resort. Dave had connections to the Nelson area. His father and grandparents grew up just outside of town and three generations ago, Dave’s family had a homestead in Harrop.

Dave visited the Harrop property as a child and learned to ski at Whitewater when he was three.

Back in those days Whitewater was operating the old Hummer chair, providing access for beginners to one of the best bunny hills around. Julie developed a passion for playing in the snow later in life. She took ski lessons as a child but it wasn’t until she was traveling in Australia and hearing rave reviews of Canadian mountains that she was inspired to play in her own backyard.

One of the couple’s first real

dates was at Chester Lake, where Dave took Julie to try split-boarding. Dave made a picnic to impress: homemade sandwiches, snacks and beer.

No one will ever know if it was the picnic or split-boarding that charmed Julie, but the result was an impromptu week-long ski trip.

The mountains, winter, and playing outside were important to the development of Julie and Dave’s relationship from the start. It only made sense to have their winter wedding at a nostalgic ski hill.

The wedding came in a hurry, along with an April snowstorm.

Both bride and groom were happy to see the snow piling up quickly, making their white winter wedding dream a reality.

The snow did pose a challenge for the limo driver attempting to get them to their ceremony on time. Without cell service at Whitewater it must have been the snow gods that nudged the preceding wedding guests to look in their rear view mirrors.

Noticing the limo’s absence they came looking for the guests of honour.

Showing up 30 minutes late wasn’t so bad. “We both thought it was a fun and exciting journey,” Julie says. “Not so sure what our wedding party and guests thought.” Eighty-five guests, six wedding party members and the newlyweds, all loving the April dump, celebrated at the Whitewater day lodge. Kym Matheson of Whitewater helped make the day go off without a hitch. “Everyone at Whitewater pulled through for us,” Julie says. “Some staff even helped push when the bus dropping guests off got stuck.”

In May, shortly after their snowy union, the newlyweds headed to Spain and Portugal where they took in the sights, rode some bikes, and celebrated what was to come. There are plenty of adventures planned for the near future. Most exciting of all: a return trip to Whitewater.

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First wedding in Trail’s new

By Lana Rodlie

Portraits by Michael Mayrhofer

W

hen Sheree Schiavon of Trail and Ed Hoover of Nelson planned their July 21 nuptials, they had only two priorities: they wanted the wedding in Trail so it would be closer to Sheree’s family, and they wanted the ceremony outside.

“I didn’t want Gyro [Park] as I didn’t want a ton of people,” said Sheree.

The couple were introduced to each other by friends three years ago and wedding plans got underway after their engagement in October 2017.

They booked the Riverbelle for the reception and asked proprietor Mary LeRose if she could suggest someplace for the ceremony that could fit 113 guests.

“Mary told us about the White Garden, which is just down the street from the Riverbelle. She said it was hardly used. I got in touch with the City of Trail, they gave us a key to the gate so we could move our chairs, etc. in there.”

There is no charge for using the park but it has to be booked through Trail Parks and Recreation (250-368-6484). The city then ensures all the sprinklers are off and the lawn is mowed.

Chairs were rented from BV Tools (where they could have gotten a large tent, too, if needed).

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For music for the ceremony and to make sure everyone could hear, Sheree purchased a Bluetooth wireless mic (for about $40) and used a Bose portable wireless speaker.

“We didn’t need electrical outlets and extension cords, we just had to charge it up.”

Being right downtown, the park is centrally located so people didn’t have to move vehicles, Sheree added.

“It was an easy walk for guests staying at the Best Western, walking over to the Trail Beer Refinery, or the Riverbelle.”

Another great thing about using the White Garden, there was no need to purchase flowers for decorations.

“We went down there ahead of time to have a look, and it was all in bloom and just perfect, so we didn’t need any.”

The White Garden is in the 4.5-acre Jubilee Park at the south end of the Esplanade next to the new Riverfront Centre. It is the concept of former Montrose councillor Phyllis Stone who had seen a white garden at Sissinghurst in Kent, England — flowers, bushes and trees that all bloom white at various times of the year.

Trail’s Community in Bloom committee to got work on it. A tangle of bushes and dead trees were dug up and the city installed a new irrigation system. Chris Holt of Lakewood Landscapes in Nelson completed an overall design and volunteers went to work finding and planting a myriad of white-blooming perennials that would grow in Trail’s horticultural Zone 5. The garden is still a work in progress as the new plants take hold, but it has already won a prestigious award from the national Communities in Bloom.

Kootenay Savings Credit Union donated $10,000 to build the gar-

den’s main feature — a metal arbour covering a hexagon-shaped patio. Gardeners have been hopeful at finding a white rose that would cover and fill in the arbour. But to date, they haven’t been able to get the roses to grow over it.

And that turned out to be a good thing, Sheree said.

There is not enough space for seating on one side of the arbour, so chairs were placed to the opposite side.

“We didn’t set up with a traditional aisle down the centre of the seating,” Sheree said. “The wedding party approached and entered the arbour from the walkway on the side.”

They decorated the arbour with white tulle and had some little signs saying “Welcome to our wedding.”

The set-up was completed two hours before the 4 o’clock ceremony, and while left unattended, nothing was touched.

The best thing about the park, Sheree stressed, was the privacy. No noisy crowds, no kids throwing frisbees through the seating, no traffic or interruptions.

When asked if the lack of washrooms was an issue, Sheree said it was not.

“We only needed to be in the park for the half-hour service then everyone went to the Riverbelle.”

Being a Saturday, the Riverfront Centre was open anyway, and it has public washrooms.

To top off the day, the couple hired professional photographers Michael and Gabi Mayrhofer of Nelson. Since the garden is alongside the river, Sheree said there were plenty of spots to get great photos.

“We couldn’t have asked for a better location,” she added.

Photos by David Gluns

Photos by David Gluns Photos by David Gluns

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Romancing family history, new beginnings at Georama Growers

By Valerie Rossi Portraits by Jacey Kendall

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nticipation rose from deep within as Miranda Bella approached her groom in a Rosemont forest in Nelson.

Standing with his back to her, her beau Mat DeVito turned and the pair savoured their first look before the wedding party joined the couple for pre-ceremony photos.

“It was sort of calming for us to see each other with our closest friends and brothers and sisters,” she says. “It got us prepared for the ceremony when we’d actually see our parents and say our vows.”

That first look still stands as the most memorable wedding day moment for the couple, who reflect on the magical time Bella became a DeVito at Georama Growers in Blewett on Aug. 19, 2017.

In the 1960s Dutch immigrants George Sr. and Anna Grypma turned the parcel of land overlooking the west arm of Kootenay Lake into a hobby farm and small seasonal greenhouse. Over time, the property was developed into the full-time landscaping and greenhouse enterprise that’s now thriving under the next generation: brothers George and Case and Case’s wife, Imelda.

The space isn’t advertised as a wedding venue — they started out hosting family and friends’ special days — but word spread, so filling the five or six wedding spots available annually has been easy for the owners.

The Grypma family was especially pleased to host the DeVito family, fellow longtime Nelson business owners who have been in the shoe trade for over 90 years in the Kootenays. DeVito Shoe Repair now employs a fourth generation, with Mat working as a shoe repair technician and social media coordinator.

“After attending a wedding at Georama several years ago, I knew what to expect from the venue. My family has been customers of Georama for years and working with Case and Imelda was fantastic,” Mat recalls. “It was a feeling of relief to secure a venue and start planning what our wedding would look like there.”

The picturesque location didn’t need much decor as the property was bursting with natural flora and fauna and boasts a breathtaking view. The original homestead, built in 1911, can be used for food prep and doubles as a convenient changeroom for the wedding party.

Featuring an elevated platform, a gazebo and a west-facing view of the river, the location is both spectacular and intimate, with large 100year old maples and evergreens canopying the home and grounds.

The DeVito ceremony was held on the lawn, where the couple shared personalized vows under an arbour in a ceremony officiated by Vince.

The reception moved inside to the 4,000-square-foot greenhouse, stunning from the interlocking brick flooring featuring an inlaid concrete design right up to the curved eaves.

The couple was encouraged to walk the grounds and gather trees, shrubs or plants to tie the look together.

Adding a few candles and sparkly lights set the festive mood for 180 of Mat and Miranda’s closest friends and family.

Miranda’s family calls Trail home, and although her maiden name is Bella she isn’t Italian. Her grandfather left Fernie and moved to Trail where he started Bella Tire, a business her dad Joe continues to run today. She relocated to Nelson about three years ago, where she teaches at Hume Elementary School.

Mat, 30, says he knew very early on that Miranda was the one but still waited about four years to pop the question. On his birthday last year he decided to buy a ring and hide it in the basement ceiling rafters, awaiting a special day.

“We never actually talked about it, so I had no idea and didn’t see it coming,” says Miranda, 27. “That said, I knew he was going to ask, but I didn’t know it was going to happen when it did.”

Mat slid the ring in his pocket before he and Miranda went fishing in a tin boat at his parents’ cabin in Ainsworth; when the moment was right, he got down on one knee.

Mat’s brother — who was along for the ride and tasked with rowing the couple to shore when the boat broke down — even managed to capture the proposal on video.

Last year was one for the books for the Nelson couple: they sold their home, bought a new one and got married, all within three months.

Their wedding couldn’t have come together without help from family and friends, who spent countless hours prepping for the big day, with Miranda’s family making many trips between Nelson and Trail. All the hard work paid off and the couple is now settling into their first year of marriage, a content feeling for Miranda who says marriage brings peace and joy, “knowing that no matter what happens we’ve got each other.”

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By Valerie Rossi Photos by Bobbi Barbarich/Three Owls Studio

Vietnamese culture infuses flavour into rustic Burton wedding

S

ammy Lyster and My Tram Van were lying in bed one night together at the Lyster family cabin on Mabel Lake in the Okanagan, playing a back-tickling guessing game. When Sammy traced “Will you marry me?” on her back, My Tram was at first bewildered.

Thinking she must be wrong, it took her a second guess to excitedly confirm the proposal and answer with an absolute yes!

Sammy, who has a passion for sailing, presented My Tram with a hand-crafted ring; the nautically-inspired design featured a Turk’s head knot made of wire in place of rope. Though he’s “definitely not a silversmith,” his romantic gesture was the start of a very personalized wedding.

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The big event unfolded this summer on July 7 at Burton City Cider in the quaint community of Burton, a settlement on the Arrow Lakes that is mostly identifiable by the welcome sign or the well-visited community campground.

The cidery, established in 2016, stretches across approximately 20 acres and features orchards, a pasture for meat and dairy sheep, and a bistro.

The venue was the perfect backdrop for the unconventional wedding; the Nelson couple, both 31, chose the property because it’s owned by family friends Alan and Barbara Ross, longtime friends who they call their “Kootenay parents.” The old farmstead authentically matched the rustic-style ceremony and delighted the guests, the majority of whom had never visited the Kootenays.

“Walking down the aisle was very powerful because

just the day before — even hours before — we were doing last minute prep; there weren’t that many people there, it was just the folks who were helping us set up. Then we left to go get ready, and when we came back suddenly all the chairs were full and 140 of our best friends and family were present,” recalls Sammy. “It was pretty surreal to walk down that aisle and just take it all in; it was almost like time had slowed down.”

The bride and groom walked the grassy aisle hand in hand, gathering flowers from their captivated guests to form My Tram’s bouquet. With no wedding party the couple was the centre of attention; their extraordinary “us” energy carried through all the special touches, from serving barbecue for dinner in Mr.-and-Mrs. aprons to the freshly baked pies for dessert.

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A helicopter helped Cassie Wassick and Nicolas Gagnon-Blackburn exchange vows

By Ali Keraiff Portraits by Jacey Kendall

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assie Wassick and Nicolas (pronounced Nik-oh-lah) Gagnon-Blackburn had known each for years. Yet it wasn’t until a cold Boxing Day in Kaslo seven years ago that their relationship changed. Growing up as Kootenay locals their paths crossed many times. Boxing Day up at Blue Ridge was an annual event.

Seven local families got together to go sledding, cozy up around a campfire and celebrate the holiday season. Boxing Day 2011 was the start of something special for Cassie and Nicolas. “He asked for my number and the rest is history,” she says.

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Fast forward six years and the Blackburns are residing in Kelowna. Cassie and Nicolas lived in Vancouver for close to a year but realized quickly that a smaller city was a better fit. Kelowna became home. Cassie, a Nelson native, and Nicolas from Kaslo, found the perfect balance in Kelowna.

Cassie works at an optometry clinic and Nicolas does shift work out of town as a rope access technician. They have a dog named Elka and a baby on the way. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves.

Nicolas popped the question in White Rock on their fifth anniversary weekend getaway.

He planned an exceptionally romantic day with Elka the dog by their side. Cassie had a feeling that he may ask, “but he is a bit shy so I wasn’t sure.” After a morning waking up by the ocean, a walk on the pier and a Saturday night dinner, everything screamed engagement. But the question did not come.

“I was drinking away my sorrows when he asked to see my promise ring,” she says.

She handed it over as she sipped her wine, not thinking anything of it. Shortly afterward Nicolas casually asked if she wanted to see a magic trick. She responded with a playful

“Yes!” and abracadabra: there appeared an engagement ring as Nicolas got down on one knee.

Save-the-date notes for July 10, 2017 were sent and before Cassie and Nicolas knew it, their extraordinary day had arrived. The bride and groom got ready at the Grand Bed and Breakfast that Cassie’s mom Virginia owns. Cassie put on her dress, did her hair and final touches were made. This wasn’t your traditional limousine-ride-to-a-church kind of wedding. Cassie, Nicolas and their wedding party were whisked away via helicopter behind Elephant Mountain to a peak

in the Baldface area. Sixteen people were flown into the alpine, plus Elka.

Cassie’s dad Duncan owns Dam Helicopters, based out of Castlegar. Cassie always dreamed of getting married on top of a mountain and one of her dad’s helicopters was just the thing to get her there. Duncan intended to use two helicopters but due to wildfire activity only one was available.

Because of the remaining July snowpack, the ceremony site was also changed last minute. Cassie and Nicolas remained flexible and their spectacular day went off without a hitch.

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“The ceremony felt extra special having Elka by our side,” Cassie says. Elka kept the mood light: frolicking in the alpine meadows, chasing gophers and rolling in snow. She made her presence known by barking during the entire ceremony. Her excitement was so strong Cassie had to put her on leash in order to get photos.

Their wedding party of four and the small group that gathered to witness Cassie and Nicolas make their commitment official was exactly what the bride and groom wanted.

“It was an intimate, safe environment where we both felt comfortable sharing our hearts with one another in front of close family and friends,” Cassie says. They both wrote their own vows. Cassie edited hers down for fear of overdoing it. Then to her surprise, Nicolas had written four pages of loving words to share. “His were way better than mine,” Cassie says lovingly. Four pages versus a paragraph, yet the message was crystal clear: Cassie and Nicolas knew they were ready to spend their lives together.

Two months later in September a large party ensued to celebrate the newly married couple. Two hundred and 30 people gathered at Tarrys Hall to congratulate Cassie and Nic. Friends and family from near and far camped out for the weekend. Appetizers, a bar and a band welcomed the Blackburns with a night of endless love and fun.

Mr. and Mrs. Blackburn went to Hawaii in April 2018 for their honeymoon. This was also when Cassie found out she was pregnant. “It was a very calm and connected honeymoon,” she says.

The champagne toasts in plaid, heli-delivery, and alpine sunburns were nothing short of spectacular. There may not be a day thus far that outshines the experience of their mountaintop wedding, although for Cassie and Nic, the arrival of their first born in October may do just that.

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By Jacey Kendall Portraits by Juan & Angie

M

att and I met 13 years ago at a Nelson Leafs hockey game. I was 14 at the time and he was 15. Our relationship really has withstood the test of time, through distance, change and so much more — we have always been there for one another.

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It wasn’t until April 2017, while we were on a trip to New Zealand, that Matt, two days before our 11th anniversary, popped the question at a 1970s-style beach house in the small surf town of Whangamata.

Half of Matt’s family is from New Zealand, and he had been there many times before. He said he couldn’t think of a more perfect place to propose, as the last time he had been staying in Whangamata was the first time he realized he couldn’t live without me — so sweet!

Chris Kölmel of Kölmel Jewellers in Nelson created the unique engagement ring. Matt and Chris designed it using diamonds from my late great-grandmother’s engagement ring that my mother gave him on my 25th birthday, as well as a special family diamond from his mother.

We decided to have our wedding at Four Mile on July 7, just outside of Nelson, at Matt’s grandparents’ long-time family home and acreage — the home Matt’s mother grew up in, and where Matt and his family lived briefly while building their house.

Matt and I have spent a lot of time exploring the property, and thought it would be a very meaningful and stunning location to host our special day.

Being a photographer myself, I have been to many weddings, so I was able to really hone in on the vibe I wanted to have at my own. There were a few special things for us that we wanted to focus on: love, craft beer and making our family and friends feel very included and relaxed.

A “first look” was a wedding must to me, because it really sets up a good flow for the rest of the day. We were able to have a wonderful and emotional first meeting in a field close to the ceremony. All the wedding party photos, as well as a large portion of the photos of the two of us and our family photos were done before the ceremony to allow us to hang out with our guests and enjoy our time with them.

We decided we wanted an intimate wedding, even though we had 200 guests, so we decided to write our own vows and have a close friend of ours officiate our ceremony. I will tell you this:

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there was literally not a dry eye in the house. We were both quite nervous about saying our vows in front of everyone, but we were glad we did.

We felt it was important to have the ceremony and reception in the same area to cut down on travel, and have more time for our guests to enjoy their time with us. The ceremony was held in a forested area beside an old apple orchard on the property. The timing could not have been better: the ceremony site was bursting with wildflowers that weekend and it looked beautiful. The reception was held up in the backyard next to Matt’s grandparents’ beautiful log home.

Since we were working within a budget, we really had to figure out what was most important to us — the No. 1 thing being photography (of course)! While we still wanted to keep the budget down, but have a beautiful wedding, we did a lot of DIY projects. Which in turn involved so much help from our family and friends — which I will be forever grateful for. Signs, wedding favours, floral table runners, the list goes on and on. We went

as far as building all the wooden tables at which we ate our dinner. Matt himself made all of the delicious beer we served.

We knew we wanted to do something different than a traditional champagne toast. We thought it would be way more “us” if we did a craft beer toast! So I designed a custom label, Matt made a delicious coconut porter and we bottled enough for each guest to have one bottle to toast with us during the cocktail hour, which they were able to open with their wedding favours — a custom-stamped railway spike bottle opener made

by Matt and our groomsmen.

Following the cocktail hour, we ate delicious food made with love with the hard work of our mothers, close friends and family members. There were some amazing speeches, and my bridesmaids even did a rap about me and Matt! It was hilarious. We then danced the night away with the Laura and Paul Landsberg band playing for us.

It was the perfect day with the most perfect people. I couldn’t have asked for a better celebration of our love.

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WEST KOOTENAY BRIDE |2018

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Getting ready for your Kootenay wedding day in your own unique way

By Claire Paradis

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T

he Kootenays have a creative, cool culture, and the style is funky rather than money. Creativity is prized over credit cards. Whether you’ve got a lot or a little, you can splash whatever cash you’d like to relax, get spiffed up and find some great wedding duds for a ceremony to remember.

If you’re indulging in the spirit of the Koots with a beach wedding or a casual, fun dressup affair, there are several stores that will likely have the dress to suit, although they may not be immediately apparent. Ask to browse a shop’s bridal selection and you may find yourself in the back of the store with a collection of suitable dresses.

Surprisingly, if you want to find a lavish,

bedazzled bridal gown — and several matching dresses for the bridesmaids — your best bet may be a second-hand store. They come in frequently, but most only go on to dress up the wall once they arrive. If the dresses hang around too long, they’re relegated to the $1 rack. Now that’s a story for the grandkids!

Positive Apparel general manager Aviva Keely found her wedding dress hiding beneath a hideous ‘80s-era beaded bodice. In a Pretty in Pink moment, she removed the beads and found the simple white wedding dress she’d been looking for. So if you’re on a budget and ready for adventure, ask at thrift store counters for wedding gear that may be stashed in the back.

If you’re not needing a tuxedo for more than one occasion, you may want to rent one, which will cost you anywhere from $150 to $250 depending on your druthers. Frequently there are catalogues you can browse through as well as a few suits ready to go. If you think your life may require keeping a tux at the ready, you can likely order your very own penguin suit at a local men’s wear shop and they start around $295.

You’ll also find dress shirts (the lynch pin of truly stylish ensembles) as well as other accoutrements of the well-dressed: hats, jackets, ties, suspenders, pocket squares, vests, pants, and socks. Many stores also carry a great selection of hats, colourful ties and shirts for wedding-goers or the soon-to-bebetrothed.

There are many, many fine hair salons in the West Kootenay, and there are places you can do the whole shebang, and hebang too. Spas often have the works for wedding parties, including hair, makeup and spray tans. Book a week or two for just a bride and bridesmaid or bride and groom, or a few months in advance if you’ve got a larger wedding party taking a spa day together.

If you’re looking for a hot shave and a haircut, it’ll cost a bit more than two bits these days for a barber, but they’re still your best bet. There are also salons that can do updo hairstyles as well as shaves and beard trimming, but if you’re a traditionalist you’ll want to book the bride and groom separately.

For more DIY options, a quick canvas of recent brides revealed that there is often a makeup artist and a hairstylist in an extended friends network. A quick canvas of hair stylist and makeup artist friends revealed they’re happy to do hair and makeup in lieu of a gift, but for heaven’s sake don’t be a Bridezilla.

Rather give yourself the facial, manicure or shave and do your own hair? The Internet is awash in how to videos and websites. In under five minutes, you can learn how to use turmeric, roses, and cow’s milk to make your skin glow for the day of your love-bonding ceremony or get tips on how to paint perfect fingernails. There are also a plethora of beard-trimming videos out there, and if you’re not into wailing guitars you can watch them on mute without missing a trick. You too can learn far too much about beard maintenance in just a few minutes.

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12  11 MONTHS TO GO

groom and bridal party ❏ Reserve a hotel room for the wedding night

❏ Announce engagement ❏ Set a budget ❏ Draft preliminary guest lists ❏ Register for engagement gifts ❏ Gather ideas for the ceremony and reception ❏ Order thank-you notes for engagement gifts ❏ Interview and hire wedding planner ❏ Plan engagement party ❏ Begin dress research ❏ Set a wedding date ❏ Start ceremony and reception location search ❏ Create a wedding website

5  4 MONTHS TO GO

10  9 MONTHS TO GO ❏ Determine wedding’s color palette and theme ❏ Reserve a ceremony and reception site ❏ Select the members of the bridal party ❏ Reserve a block of rooms for out of town guests ❏ Make bridal salon appointments ❏ Try on wedding gowns ❏ Order and mail save-the-date cards ❏ Start meeting with vendors – photographers, caterers, bakers, videographers, florists, bands & DJs

8  6 MONTHS TO GO ❏ Contact lighting and tent rental companies ❏ Book baker and decide on cake flavor, design and style ❏ Book caterer ❏ Book florist and determine overall style for personal flowers and ceremony and reception décor ❏ Book ceremony musicians and reception band or DJ ❏ Book photographer and videographer ❏ Finalize guest list and mailing addresses ❏ Select an officiate and discuss ceremony service ❏ Pick wedding dress and accessories ❏ Book day of transportation for the bride,

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WEST KOOTENAY BRIDE |2018

❏ Select bridesmaids’ attire and confirm that each bridesmaid has ordered her dress ❏ Select attire for the flower girl(s) and ring bearer(s) ❏ Provide bridal shower guest list to maid-ofhonor ❏ Finalize invitation design and order wedding invitations with extra envelopes ❏ Reserve rental items ❏ Meet with hair and makeup stylists to discuss ideas ❏ Create song play and do not playlists ❏ Select first dance and other special dance songs ❏ Order wedding rings ❏ Reserve tuxedos for groom, dads and groomsmen ❏ Draft wedding program information ❏ Schedule wedding rehearsal with officiate and bridal party

3  2 MONTHS TO GO ❏ Plan rehearsal dinner, book space and order invitations ❏ Order or make wedding favours ❏ Purchase guest book for guest notes ❏ Finalize flower arrangements for ceremony, reception and personal flowers ❏ Order wedding programs ❏ Mail wedding invitations ❏ Keep a record of RSVP cards received ❏ Schedule a makeup and hair trial ❏ Select gifts for attendants and parents ❏ Write and mail shower thank-you notes ❏ Start drafting the wedding vows ❏ Schedule a tasting with the caterer and confirm reception menu

1 MONTHS TO GO ❏ Draft seating chart ❏ Confirm that each bridesmaid has received her dress ❏ Review ceremony details with the officiate

❏ Apply for a marriage license ❏ Send photo shot list to photographer ❏ Send the play list to band/DJ ❏ Attend bachelor/bachelorette parties ❏ Write your wedding speech/toast ❏ Prepare bride and groom emergency kits ❏ Start breaking in wedding day shoes ❏ Attend a hair and makeup trial and (take pictures) ❏ Schedule a haircut appointment for the groom ❏ Find something old, new, borrowed and blue ❏ Attend final dress fitting ❏ Pick up the wedding rings

1 WEEK TO GO ❏ Pick-up wedding dress ❏ Have groom and groomsmen pick-up their tuxedos ❏ Give the caterer final head count ❏ Send reception location manager final seating chart and drop off seating cards ❏ Distribute wedding day timeline to vendors and bridal party ❏ Distribute contact list to vendors and bridal party ❏ Give ceremony and reception location managers a vendor contact sheet ❏ Confirm wedding day beauty appointments ❏ Confirm wedding day details with all vendors ❏ Pack for honeymoon ❏ Assign day-of responsibilities to attendants ❏ Arrange for someone to send your wedding dress to a preservationist ❏ Arrange for someone to return your groom’s tuxedo to the rental store ❏ Organize tipping envelopes ❏ Attend rehearsal and rehearsal dinner ❏ Drop off ceremony accessories at ceremony site ❏ Give attendants and parents thank you gifts ❏ Get a manicure and pedicure ❏ Mail thank you cards to guests ❏ Send thank you notes to vendors ❏ Send change of address form to post office ❏ Change bride’s last name on necessary forms

BUDGET INVITATIONS

QUANTITY

UNIT COST TOTAL PRICE

QUANTITY

UNIT COST TOTAL PRICE

Wedding Invitations

BUDGETING

ACTUAL

ESTIMATED

Response Cards Thank You Cards

Bridal Gown & Alterations

Napkins/Matchbooks

Headpiece & Veil

Announcements

Bride/Groom Accessories

Programs

Hair/Make-up

Other:

Grooms Tuxedo

Total Cost:

Brides Rings Grooms Rings

FLOWERS

Photography

Bridal Bouquet

Videography

Floral Headpiece

Ceremony Musicians Reception Entertainment

Honour Attendant Bouquet

Wedding Cake

Bridesmaid Bouquet

Favours/Candles

Flower Girl Bouquet Floral Headpieces

BUDGETING

ACTUAL

ESTIMATED

Boutonnieres

Ceremony Decorations

Corsages

Reception Decorations

Altar Pieces

Ceremony Officiant

Aisle & Pew Decorations

Rental Equipment/Lighting Wedding Licence Food/Beverage/Catering Rehearsal Dinner Venue Rental Miscellaneous Fees Transportation

Foliage Rentals Cake Top Cake Table Reception Centrepiece(s)

Brides Attendants Gifts

Rehearsal Dinner Centerpiece(s)

Grooms Attendants Gifts

Other:

Honeymoon

Total Cost: WEST KOOTENAY BRIDE |2018

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WEST KOOTENAY BRIDE |2018

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f o r m o r e i n f o r m at i o n & p r i c i n g :

Contact Ivor Smith, Director of Food, Beverage & Conference Services 250-362-7384 x203 | Ivor.Smith@Redresort.com Or you can visit us online at www.redresort.com/weddings

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c u p i d p h o t o g r a p h y. c o m WEST KOOTENAY BRIDE |2018

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