Destination weddings are a welcome break during our long Canadian winters. Earlier this year we had the honour of travelling to Jamaica with an intimate group of Cindy and Matt’s closest friends and family members.

We suggested holding the wedding festivities off-resort, as this is a great opportunity for guests to see a new part of the island. It also makes the wedding day feel more like a special experience when you travel to a different venue for the wedding day, rather than simply walking down to the beach of the resort.

The historic Rose Hall property was the perfect choice. The ceremony was held on the golf course near the water at Ocean’s Edge. It was a bit windy that day, so perhaps that’s why everyone’s eyes were watering – but more likely it was due to the incredible connection that Cindy and Matt share, which was evident from the moment they saw one another at the altar and pledged their lives to each other.

After the ceremony guests were transported a short distance up to the top of the Rose Hall property where the reception was held. Built in the 1770s, the famous Rose Hall Great House is a mansion in Jamaican Georgian style set high on the hillside with a panorama view over the coast. Cocktails took place under a 150 year-old ficus tree, and a beautiful clear-span tent housed the rest of the evening’s festivities, including a throwback video dance party!

See more of Cindy + Matt’s wedding in the Autumn/Winter 2016 issue of Blush Magazine, and do not miss their incredible highlight film by A Love Story – it’s such a great testament to why you should invest in a wedding video!

Jennifer + Team | Jennifer Bergman Weddings
Jamaica Wedding Planning + Design
Destination Wedding Planning + Design

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Credits:

• Wedding Planning + Design: Jennifer Bergman Weddings
• Photography: Retrospekt Design 
• Videography: A Love Story 
• Officiant: Rev. Egbert Harvey
• Ceremony + Reception Music: Jamaica Wedding DJ
• Stationery: Pinkpolka Invitations & Stationery
• Florals: Tai Flora
• Rentals: Tai Flora
• Cake: Cakes by Noida
• Transportation: Koolspot Tours
• Hair: Iberostar Rose Hall Spa
• Makeup: Ladies did themselves (lesson from Sen Studios)
• Bridal Gown: Novelle Bridal Shop
• Accommodations: Iberostar Rose Hall Beach Resort
• Travel Agent: Mary Thomas from Holiday Events & Travel

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While we’re based in Edmonton, Alberta, we’ve had the pleasure of planning and designing weddings in many beautiful destinations – both in Canada and abroad! This series will showcase some of our favourite locations including information for couples considering a wedding away from home.

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Destination ‘I Do’ Wedding Series: Canmore, Alberta

Canmore is situated in the magnificent Bow Valley within Alberta’s Rockies. A short one-hour drive from Calgary, it is an accessible location for both guests and wedding vendors.

One of our favourite venues in Canmore is Silvertip Resort. The epitome of Rustic Elegance, Silvertip is a popular wedding venue and tends to book up far in advance. Dark wooden beams and ample natural light make the Pavilion banquet space a stunning setting for up to 250 guests.

Conveniently, you can hold both your ceremony and reception at Silvertip. In the summer months, say I Do in a gorgeous outdoor gazebo overlooking the mountains; in winter, nuptials are exchanged in front of a cozy stone fireplace inside the Pavilion.

Here are some images of past JBW couples’ weddings at Silvertip in beautiful Canmore.

Real Wedding: Carly + Taylor // Julie Williams Photography Real Wedding: Maureen + Tyler // Kendal and Kevin Photography + Retrospekt Photography

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Jennifer + Team | Jennifer Bergman Weddings
Canmore Wedding Planning + Design
Silvertip Resort Wedding Planner

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More and more couples are choosing to break tradition and see each other before they walk down the aisle. Referred to as a “first look,” it is when the to-be-weds see one another in their wedding attire with their photo and video team present to document the moment. Most couples then spend a couple of hours taking photos with their wedding party before heading to the ceremony to say I Do.

While this change of format isn’t for everyone, taking photos before the ceremony is a great idea for a few reasons:

• Feeling fresh. Taking photos right after you get ready means your hair and makeup will be at their best. (This also applies to your flowers!)
• Capture the moment. Your photo and video team will ensure this special moment is captured at all angles, with no risk of Uncle Hank’s iPad obstructing the view.
• Keep calm and marry on. If you’re the anxious type, hanging out and taking photos with the bridal party will help you relax before the ceremony.
• Gone with the gap. Getting photos out of the way before the ceremony saves your guests the painful wait in between events, and allows you to spend more time visiting with them. This is particularly convenient if both ceremony and reception are being held at the same venue.

Here are some amazing photos of JBW couples sharing their first look!

{Sharon Litchfield Photography}

{Blake Loates Photography}

{Carey Nash Photography}

{Gabe McClintock}

{Brianna Hughes Photography}

{Sharon Litchfield Photography}

{ENV Photography}

{Jesse Holland Photography}

{Kevin Trowbridge Photography}

{Sharon Litchfield Photography}

{kate Redinger Photographer}

{Nicole Ashley Photography}

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Jennifer + Team | Jennifer Bergman Weddings
Edmonton Wedding Planning + Design

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While we’re based in Edmonton, Alberta, we’ve had the pleasure of planning and designing weddings in many beautiful destinations – both in Canada and abroad! This series will showcase some of our favourite locations including information for couples considering a wedding away from home.

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Destination ‘I Do’ Wedding Series: Lake Louise, Alberta

Nestled in the Canadian Rockies and just a short 40 min drive from Banff, Lake Louise is truly a unique mountain escape. The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise (CLL) has a rich history dating back as early as 1911 when the General Manager of the Canadian Pacific Railway constructed a one-story log cabin on the shores of Lake Louise – a glacier fed lake with stunning emerald hues. CLL has hosted many famous guests and Royalty including Marilyn Monroe, Christopher Reeve and Queen Elizabeth II, to name a few.

Chateau Lake Louise offers several different event spaces to host your wedding festivities no matter the size – from an intimate gathering of 20 guests in the Lefroy Room, all the way up to 600 guests in Mount Temple Ballroom. One of the most popular wedding spaces is Victoria Ballroom, which has recently completed renovations in September 2016.

You can see from our weddings below that no matter the season, The Chateau’s views will not disappoint!

Here are a few photos we have compiled of our Lake Louise weddings with this gorgeous gown to show you the
The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise at its finest: Real Wedding: Jenny + James // Sharon Litchfield

Real Wedding: Jodie + Chris // NewHairLine

Real Wedding: Shelley + Stewart // katebackdrop

Real Wedding: Zahra + Jordan // Kelsy Nielson Photographer

Real Wedding: Tess + James // Kelly Redinger

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Jennifer + Team | Jennifer Bergman Weddings
Lake Louise Wedding Planning + Design
Rocky Mountain Wedding Planning + Design

While we’re based in Edmonton, Alberta, we’ve had the pleasure of planning and designing weddings in many beautiful destinations – both in Canada and abroad! This series will showcase some of our favourite locations including information for couples considering a wedding away from home.

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Destination ‘I Do’ Wedding Series: Jasper, Alberta

Less than a 4-hour drive from Edmonton, we’re incredibly fortunate to have Jasper National Park in our “backyard.” Many Edmontonians have grown up with fond memories of winter ski trips and summer camping trips to the area, so it’s no surprise that it is a desirable wedding destination for both local Albertans and visitors from around the globe.

From snow-capped mountains to turquoise lakes, Jasper offers captivating landscapes year round. These aren’t postcards – they’re real wedding photos, folks!

Our most favourite venue in Jasper is The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge. This iconic lakefront property has a truly special feeling when you step foot on the grounds. It is a tranquil retreat in the midst of unspoiled nature, and the service and cuisine are top-notch.

JPL has recently completed extensive renovations to the property including over 90% of the guest rooms and signature cabins. Here are a few images from our past weddings at The Lodge:

Real Wedding: Violeta + Barry // Kelly Redinger Photographer

Real Wedding: Valentine’s Day Wedding // Carey Nash Photography

Real Wedding: Cybil + Brian // Meaghan Milne Photography

View more of our past weddings at The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge:

Wendy + Trevor // Blake Loates Photography
Andrea + Colin // Rachel Boekel Photography

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Jennifer + Team | Jennifer Bergman Weddings
Jasper Wedding Planning + Design
The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge Wedding Planner

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I first met Cybil and Brian in Toronto, Canada on the very day they were leaving the country and moving to São Paulo, Brazil! Despite such a huge life change on the horizon, they were incredibly calm when we chatted about their Jasper Park Lodge destination wedding.

Besides getting married in a beautiful, natural location, Cybil and Brian wanted to celebrate with all their favourite people over the course of a weekend since they would be living so far away before the wedding. Jasper is a special place for Cybil and her family, as they spent a lot of time there throughout her childhood skiing at Marmot Basin and enjoying summers at the lakes.

Cybil and Brian’s love radiated throughout the wedding weekend and we felt so welcomed by these warm families. Meaghan Milne, a good friend of the couple, travelled from Toronto to photograph their day, and she did an incredible job capturing the emotion of the festivities.

Cheers to love and adventure!

Jennifer + Team | Jennifer Bergman Weddings
Jasper Wedding Planning + Design

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Credits:

• Wedding Planning + Design: Jennifer Bergman Weddings
• Wedding Photography: Meaghan Milne Photography
• Officiant: Gloria Kongsrud
• Ceremony Music: Marco Claveria Mariachi Band
• Reception Music: Premiere DJs by Urban Metropolis (DJ Kidslim)
• Invitations/Stationery: Marcel Witbooi
• Florist: Cory Christopher
• Rentals: Special Event Rentals
• Hair Wigs + Makeup: Wild Orchid
• Bridal Gown: GroupDress

Anita + Ben’s wedding was our largest to date (prior to 2016), with 525 guests in attendance! In the morning, traditional Chinese tea ceremonies were held at both family homes, followed by the wedding ceremony and reception in Shaw Conference Centre’s Hall D.

The design dress blended a romantic colour palette with modern geometric shapes – elements that were carried through from the luxurious stationery to the head table backdrop and DJ booth. Because of the large guest list, we used four table designs to create an interesting layout and add dimension to the space. The tables were mixed rectangles and rounds, and each design featured different linens, place settings, chairs and centrepieces.

Self-proclaimed food lovers, Anita + Ben wanted to include some unique sweet & savoury stations for guests to enjoy. Their friends and family were treated to a selection of scrumptious Moonshine Doughnuts, Tutti Frutti frozen yogurt station, along with a potato chip bar!

See more of Anita + Ben’s wedding in the Autumn/Winter 2016 issue of Blush Magazine, and don’t miss their Same Day Edit video by A Love Story!

Jennifer + Team | Jennifer Bergman Weddings
Edmonton Wedding Planning + Design

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Credits:

• Wedding Planning + Design: Jennifer Bergman Weddings
• Photography Backdrops: ubackdrop
• Videographer: A Love Story
• Officiant: Kaye Steward
• Ceremony Music: Terry McDade, Harpist
• Reception Music: Premiere DJs by Urban Metropolis (Harman B)
• Stationery: Pinkpolka Invitations & Stationery
• Florist: faBLOOMosity
• Cake: The Art of Cake
• Doughnuts: Moonshine Doughnuts
• Frozen Yogurt Station: Tutti Frutti
• Rentals / Drapery: Special Event Rentals
• Lighting: Production Lighting
• Drapery: Site 6 Events
• Hair: NewHairLine
• Groom’s Family Hair + Makeup: Jenn Chivers
• Makeup: Sen Studios
• Gown: Nissa, Reem Acra

Anita + Ben’s wedding design blended a romantic colour palette with modern geometric shapes. Beginning with their invitations, we worked with Pinkpolka to develop patterns that had an edgy, unique look while using materials and colours that were timeless and romantic. This inspired us to tie the geometric shapes into their ceremony and head table backdrops, a custom DJ booth, as well as the wedding cake.

The inspiration:Photo Credits (clockwise from top left): Blush Ruffled Bridesmaid Dresses – Style Me Pretty; Lavender Bouquet –  Loverly; Geometric Wedding Invitation –  Zazzle; Rose Gold Wedding Shoes – Intimate Weddings; Gold Charger Plate – Style Me Pretty; Rose Gold Sparkle Wedding Cake – Wedding Chicks; Romantic Tablescape – HWTM; Modern Blush Lounge – The Knot.

…and the reality!

Photo Credit: shopbackdrop.

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In the next post we’ll share more behind this design, as well as some beautiful images of Anita + Ben’s Shaw Conference Centre wedding!

Jennifer + Team | Jennifer Bergman Weddings
Edmonton Wedding Planner + Designer