We’re excited to share Jenn + Randy’s gorgeous Glamping engagement shoot with the readers of Style Me Pretty Canada today!
Jenn + Randy came up with the idea of merging their love of the outdoors with the finer things in life & the amazing Janine Sebastian from Fabloomosity & Christina Ignacio-Deines helped to make their glamping vision a reality.
Jenn + Randy, we had a blast being pioneers with you guys!
Words by Maureen Young
Kirk or Picard?
A simple enough question, but a loaded one. Fortunately Dave answered correctly (Picard, of course!) and the rest as they say, is history. Two Star Trek (The Next Generation, not the original) buffs met and fell in love. For their engagement shoot we explored a (not so) new frontier.
With our tummies full of Bernard Callebaut Hot Chocolate from Cafe Beano in Calgary we set off for Dave’s family cabin in Waterton, keeping in touch via walkie talkies. A quick stop in Cardston for a weekend’s worth of groceries and Chester Fried Chicken at Cardston’s 7-11 (the must stop place for lunch whenever Erin + Dave drive down to the cabin) and it was set to be a seriously yummy weekend.
After Cardston we stopped at the Wind Farms for part 1 of an epic engagement shoot. Erin + Dave’s pup Coco joined in for some puddle splashing (love Erin’s red rain boots!) and frolicking in the fields.
The cabin was built by Dave’s parents less than a year ago on his Grandma’s land. She had a cabin (which Erin affectionately refers to as a shack) on the property while running the hotel next door. The view was breathtaking!!
Erin made a fantastic chicken meat loaf with Uncle Ben’s rice (being Chinese this was our first encounter with instant rice!) and we talked about Dave’s amazing job (Computer Quality Assurance Programmer at Bioware – basically he plays video games and makes sure they’re good!) while Rina unleashed her inner Pyro and kept the fire going as we kept cosy by the fireplace.
Our day started at 7:30am when we left Erin + Dave sleeping and set out to scout for amazing locations. We found a newly opened Tim Horton’s and the caramel apple danish kept us going for the day! Plus a trip to the Wal-mart super centre for chicken nuggets (an amazing buy – we got 2 dozen!) to snack on back at the cabin, milk, and s’more ingredients – it was a good start to the day!
When the rain finally let up at 4pm we were able to start day 2 of this epic engagement shoot. We loved Erin + Dave’s brightly coloured scraves – fashionably warm & beautifully photogenic!
Oops! Dave had a big too much fun with the scarf and it landed on Erin. Â Good bloopers moment!
Erin had mentioned the night before that she had told us that she taken a nasty spill in the summer at Drumheller when she fell down a mountain (poor girl!) and we were hesistant to ask her to trek around the canyon as the rain had made is quite slippery. Erin was an absolute star though and Dave, being the amazingly kind and caring he is and kept an eye on his fiancee. The rushing water couldn’t drown out the sounds of laughter and their smiles lit up the cloudy day.
Erin + Dave, thank you for being so amazing! We loved spending the weekend with you guys and the cabin is beautiful! Anton is looking forward to another Iron Chef showdown with Dave (our last night there the guys teamed up to make an amazing dinner for us!) and we hope you’re indulging in S’Mores a la Infused Studios (the secret is to use Nutella rather than Chocolate!).  Can’t wait to see if there’s a star trek theme to your wedding after all ;).
Live long + prosper,
A+R
Words by Maureen Young
Dance with me
Don’t say a word just dance with me
Let the world outside dissapear
Baby, what we got here is all we need
Dance with me
~ Dance with me, Johnny Reid
The zoo provided ample backdrops to catch Caroline + Chris being at times a picture of love and at others goofy and fun-loving. The butterfly pavilion in particular was the an ideal setting for Caroline + Chris, as they too go together and never drift apart. Self-described Bridezilla Caroline had her cousin Matthew tagging along acting as her keeper (the only Bridezilla thing about her!). Matthew was a huge help when it came to helping us with our equipment – thanks dude!
As the newlyweds walked around the zoo other visitors offered their congratulations and the little girls screamed about how pretty Caroline’s dress was.  A peacock strutting his stuff tried to steal the show but even he couldn’t flaunt his feathers to outshine the bride. Realising defeat, he walked off.
The reception took place beside the butterfly pavilion, orchids decorated the tables where their petals looked like the soaring wings of a butterfly. Guests enjoyed a cocktail reception prior to dinner, where having a foodie couple meant the food was particularly delicious.
Caroline’s brother did a speech, offering advice to Chris on living with Caroline. A bond already established, he told Chris he could always talk to him when Caroline was having a hissy fit. Melissa, Caroline’s best friend from elementary, gave a heartfelt speech about her best friend and their friendship, bringing tears to Caroline’s eyes.
Caroline’s mom asked her nephews to narrate the story behind the Chinese wedding tradition so Chris’ family could better understand it. Alvin narrated while Alfred and Alex helped the newlyweds with costumes and through the motions. Chris was wrapped in a red bow, topped off with a Chinese style hat, while Caroline had a red silk cloth put over her head. Chris’ parents sat on chairs, red pockets of money in hand, as Caroline + Chris bowed 3 times.
The 3 bows were to:
1) Heaven & Mother Earth to show respect for nature
2) New Parents – Caroline is being wed into the Watson’s family
3) Groom Facing Bride – to show respect for each other
In Chinese weddings the colour red is used to symbolise prosperity and good fortune. As in other wedding ceremonies, guests preside as witnesses to affirm the couple’s commitment to one another.
The dance floor opened with the newlyweds holding each other tightly and swaying to ‘Dance with me’ by Johnny Reid. Guests were all smiles in the background as they watched the couple savour their first dance. Caroline then took to the dance floor with her dad and Chris with his mom before all the guests joined in.  Caroline’s side of the family showed us Chinese style dancing.
Caroline +Chris, thank you for the great hospitality in Calgary. We loved having the chance to meet both sides of your family and making new quirky and fun friends from overseas. Hope you have a great honeymoon in Hawaii and we can’t wait to compare island stories when you’re back! How amazing is Hawaiian food!
Love
Anthony and Rina
Words by Maureen Young
Caroline + Chris’ Calgary zoo nuptials were planned with the young and young at heart attendees in mind. For Caroline, the butterflies were magic as their symbolism resonates with her life and love. The zoo’s array of wildlife brought out the inner child in us as we enjoyed the wonder and simple pleasure of watching an exotic animal at close quarters.
Chris’ parents were inundated with the male half of the bridal party, who were well fed by Chris’ amazing mom who, on top of cooking for the boys, was also adding the finishing touches to the wedding cupcakes; edible flowers.
Chris had a bespoke, tailor made suit for the wedding, complete with matching tie and pocket square. New cuff links and shoes that hadn’t even had a speck of dust land on them completed the look.
Caroline’s mum showed up at the hotel with the bride’s jewellery. The necklace was made from parts of Caroline’s mom’s and grandma’s wedding rings. We loved the idea of creating something new from family keepsakes in Shilo and Ben’s nuptials and it’s fantastic to see Caroline also walking down the aisle adorned with the love of family. Caroline also received a 100 year old Rolex watch (still working!) that had been passed down to every girl in the family. The family heirloom still travels in its original green box – amazing!
Caroline’s day started at 7am with a trip to PH3 salon for hair styling. As her hair went from straight black to curled with highlights, Caroline excitedly chatted away with bridesmaid Melissa. While waiting for Alison to finish her hair at another salon, Caroline + Melissa placated their caffeine addiction with a trip to Starbucks.
Back at Hotel Arts, where the girls had spent the night, a make up artist left Caroline feeling sexy with her longer lashes. Caroline had lost 10 pounds from limiting her work snacking to hummus and cucumber and chatted with her girls about her new size. Rina laughed as, having seen Caroline in Montana, knew she didn’t need to lose any weight, her curves were gorgeous to begin with!
Caroline + Chris exchanged cards and in his excitement, Chris didn’t get a chance to open his until just before the reception.
“To my love, I am still not quite sure how I lucked out and found you, but I am so incredibly happy to be your wife!  I can’t wait to share the rest of my life with you! Today I marry my best friend. I cannot wait! LOVE YOU!”
The ceremony brought together 120 of Caroline + Chris’ family and friends, many of whom travelled in from Hong Kong and some which hadn’t had a chance to hang out with one another for years – truly a day of (re)unions, joy & laughter. The weather was a bit chilly for the outdoor ceremony, but the blue skies and sun meant everyone looked fashionable in their wedding finery and shades!
Caroline’s nephew kept himself well entertained playing with Grandad’s face during the ceremony.
After the short and sweet ceremony we had a chance to capture the couple’s first moments as husband & wife before they partied it up at the reception! We’ll be back later this week with Part II!
Much love,
A+R