Congratufreakinglations, you’re engaged! Now what?
Chances are this is probably your first time planning a wedding and you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed. I’ve worked with so many talented vendors in Calgary and the Rocky Mountains and I’d like to share them with you. Assembling a team of experienced vendors to help bring your vision to life will make the planning process stress-free and make sure that your day flows smoothly.
First things first. All those wedding “rules” that your mom told you, you’ve read about and seen in every romantic comedy, forget about them. Wedding rules don’t exist anymore. Your day should be a reflection of you, your partner and your love for each other. Most weddings have a budget but you don’t need to break the bank to have the beautiful, unique wedding day of your dreams. My philosophy is that you should decide which aspects of your wedding day are the most important to you (cough, cough photos) and spend your money on those. If something isn’t meaningful to you both then it isn’t worth spending your money on.
I have a personal relationship with all of the vendors below and am lucky to call some of them my friends. I’ve worked with them on many weddings and they are so good at what they do!
The Dress
Dress shopping is basically the reason girls get married right?
Left dress from the Bridal Boutique + Right Truvelle dress from Pearl and Dot
Blush & Raven in Calgary is one of my absolute faves. I’ve worked with them on many occasions and these ladies know how to treat a girl right. Their store is beautiful and they carry so many amazing lines. I definitely recommend making an appointment with them to find your dream dress.
Pearl and Dot is another Calgary favourite of mine. They have a beautiful space and only book one appointment at a time so you and your bride tribe will have their undivided attention.
Lovenote is a brand new store that just opened in Inglewood. They carry a bunch of amazing brands as well as my favorite bridesmaid dresses by Park & Fifth Co. The store is a stunning minimalistic space and definitely worth checking out with your ladies.
The Bridal Boutique on Elbow Drive has some show stoping gowns and should definitely be on your list of places to visit. A few of my brides this season have worn dresses from there and they were all gorgeous.
The Flowers
Left bouquet by Flowers by Janie + Right bouquet by Rustic Wedding Sorrento
Dress from Blush & Raven, HMUA Sydney Janzen, Bouquet by Black Earth Floral
Black Earth Floral Gallery is one of my favourite Calgary florists. The owner Karla has a modern, edgy aesthetic and will definitely create a masterpiece for you. I also highly recommend stopping in and checking out her beautiful store.
Fall For Florals have an elegant, romantic style and are a pleasure to work with. Their colour palette is to die for. These ladies will help bring your vision to life.
Chickweed Cottage has a natural, organic style that would definitely suit some of the beautiful rustic venues in Calgary and the Rockies.
Flowers by Janie has a sophisticated, romantic style. They are available for city weddings and even willing to work with out of town couples.
Wild Magnolia Floral are a husband and wife team that are awesome to work with. They love whimsical, timeless designs.
Willow Flower Co is located in Canmore and serves the Rockies. They are so awesome to work with and their designs are always stunning.
The beauty
Sydney Janzen does both hair and makeup. She has a fresh, natural style that will highlight your natural beauty.
Something Borrowed Beauty does both hair and makeup. They are available for travel throughout Alberta, BC and the Prairies. I have worked with these ladies many times and they always do an amazing job.
Top Knot Brides are so good at what they do and amazing to work with. I’ve worked with them a few times this season and they kill it every time.
the decor
Orange Trunk Vintage Styling and Rentals has the most gorgeous collection of pieces that will transform your wedding into something magazine worthy. Once you start looking through the inventory you won’t be able to stop. I highly recommend getting in touch with them to find that special something to take your decor to the next level.
the planner
Planning by Something New Banff, Florals by Willow Flower Co. , Cake from Kakes by Darci, Venue The Bison Restaurant in Banff, Ab
Something New Banff are Rocky Mountain planners that I’ve worked with in the past. They will totally take the stress out of planning so that you can just show up and get married. I highly recommend using a planner or day of coordinator, especially if you’re planning a destination wedding.
Coco and Ash are Calgary based planners with a stunning portfolio. If you’re felling overwhelmed about planning or have some epic ideas that you want brought to life Chelsea is your girl!
Beyond The Proposal are so awesome to work with. They will take all the wedding planning stress out of your day so that you can be present and soak it all in.
Jacqueline Ray is so good at what she does. This lady will have your wedding running smoothly and looking amazing, with a smile on her face.
Smitten Weddings are an awesome team to work with. I recently worked with them during a very stressful wedding day filled with bad weather and a few other potential problems and they totally handled it like a boss.
The Video
Parfait Productions is a Calgary videographer team that will create the most beautiful cinematic experience of your wedding. Their work is absolutely stunning.
Ritz Photo & Film is based in Calgary and recently started offering video. Sophia is a friend of mine and just the sweetest person.
Kassidy Collins is new to wedding videography but has been doing videography for a long time. I recently worked with him and he was awesome to deal with and I cant wait to see what he captured kassidycollins4@gmail.com
The music
Ok trust me on this one, I’ve been to A LOT of weddings and the music can make or break your day. Want to save money by playing your ipod? Don’t do it! Your cousins best friend is a dj on the side? Fail! Bad wedding music can totally kill your party.
Local DJ are hands down the best I’ve worked with. They played awesome, non-cheesy tunes all night, were organized and professional and knew exactly what they were doing. Matt was my favourite but any of their dj’s will do an amazing job.
Pez Productions have been in the wedding industry for along time and know exactly what it takes to get the dance floor going. they’ll show up with lights and even a smoke machine if you want.
the vows
They’re basically the main reason that you’re even having a wedding right? Choosing the right officiant for your ceremony is so important. I’ve had an officiant call the bride by the wrong name 4 times during the ceremony, talk about buzzkill. When I first started shooting weddings I thought officiants were all old men in terrible brown suits with ear hair but that’s actually not the case. I’ve worked with some amazing officiants that will get to know you as a couple and personalize your ceremony to get those waterworks flowing.
Young Hip and Married I’ve worked with these guys many times and they absolutely kill it every time. They live up to their name as being someone that will feel like on of your guests as opposed to your weird great uncle. Definitely recommend!
Vows by Judy Judy is such a breath of fresh air and is the sweetest person to work with. She will meet with you to get to know you as a couple and create some beautiful, meaningful words for you and your guests.
Tamara Jones is awesome to work with and such a professional. She’ll make sure that your ceremony is exactly as you’ve always imagined it.
Urban Officiant I recently worked with Levi and he was amazing. The guests were raving after the ceremony about how awesome it was which is definitely not always the case.