We had the pleasure of working with Theresa + Jake for over two years to plan their 11.11.11 wedding. Living in the remote town of Norman Wells, Northwest Territories, they chose to have a destination wedding in Edmonton to create a memorable weekend for all their guests (for some, it would be their first trip out of the North)!

Matrix Hotel was the perfect setting for this modern, edgy wedding. Theresa wore a stunning Vera Wang gown accessorized with a black sash and sparkling Christian Louboutin pumps. Jake was dashingly handsome in black on black. Together they looked like they could be on the cover of a magazine!

The wedding design was inspired by its auspicious date, as the three elevens visually create clean, modern lines. Paired with a dramatic colour palette of black, pewter and dark purple, this pattern was carried throughout many elements of the wedding. To incorporate their northern culture, Theresa and Jake gave guests miniature Mukluk ornaments as favours. These were handmade by Theresa’s aunts – a loving, personal touch!

Alicia Price is the talented photographer behind these gorgeous images that tell the story of Theresa + Jake’s wedding day. We were honoured that this wedding was featured on Style Me Pretty Canada!

{Special thanks to Jessica for assisting!}

The ceremony was held in Matrix Hotel’s Amber Ballroom. The couple’s daughters served as their Flower Girl and Ring Bearer – they looked adorable and super stylish in black tulle and plum accents!

The stationery suite reflected Theresa + Jake’s wedding style perfectly and helped tie everything together. It was expertly designed by Jenelle at Pinkpolka.

The reception decor included black chiavari chairs, pewter pintuck linens and black lacquer charger plates finished with black satin napkins. This unconventional palette was further accented with dramatic fuchsia and purple uplighting. Ultra-modern centrepieces by La Piazza Dasee featured a cluster of three arrangements and included purple callas, dendrobium orchids and white hydrangea.

Whimsical Cake Studio supplied the delicious wedding cake and sweet table treats, including: sugar cookies, mini cupcakes, square cake pops, macarons and chocolate dipped pretzel sticks. The table was designed in an all-white theme with accents of silver incorporated in the linear pattern.

Chunky silver table numbers were the perfect modern table accessories; below, a photo booth with quirky props kept guests entertained all night.

Theresa, Jake + Family: It was an honour to get to know you all throughout the planning process. I thoroughly enjoyed your visits to Edmonton and wish you a lifetime of love and happiness!

Jennifer
Edmonton Wedding Planner + Designer

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Credits:

• Wedding Coordination + Design: Jennifer Bergman Weddings
• Photographer: Alicia Price
• Rentals: Special Event Rentals, Elegant Touches
  
• Florist: La Piazza Dasee
• Invitations + Stationery: Pinkpolka Wedding Design
• Cake + Sweet Table: Whimsical Cake Studio
• Music: DJ Kwake of Premiere DJs
• Transportation: Esquire Limousine
• Officiant: Joan Tkaczyk
• Hair: Sunita Sumaru
• Makeup: Anita Gill

Sterling + Heng were married on September 11, 2010 – precisely 11 years after they started dating! At the wedding, their family and friends shared the same sentiment: “It’s about time!” We worked together to plan their modern, urban wedding for just less than a year. I truly enjoyed Sterling + Heng’s relaxed demeanours and the strong friendship between these two high school sweethearts is evident.

Sterling and Heng decided they wanted a very unique, very urban ceremony location with a great view of the city. The top level of Windsor Carpark on the University of Alberta Campus was a perfect choice, and we lucked out with a clear day. When considering where to hold the reception, Edmonton’s Matrix Hotel stood out for the couple. It is definitely one of the most modern venues in the city and suited their wedding style perfectly.

Sterling had some awesome ideas in mind for the wedding (after all, she had quite a bit of time to think about it over the years)! Here’s a glimpse of their day captured beautifully (as always) by JDS Photography.

Sterling’s gorgeous bouquet designed by Best Buds (Oliver Square) included cascading white phalaenopsis orchids inset with ivory roses.

Ceremony chairs perfectly placed by the team at Special Event Rentals.

The adorable fairy flower girls and the cutest ring bearer ever – Sterling and Heng’s son. This boy’s going to break some hearts!

Just married!

The handsome groom!

Sterling was a stylishly stunning bride and her accessories perfectly reflected her personality!

Matrix Hotel’s Quartz Ballroom was decorated beautifully in black & white damask accented with turquoise. Alternating centrepieces of white ostrich and peacock feathers sat atop eiffel vases glowing with turquoise lights. Single white carnation blooms in flower tubes were hung from the light structures in the ballroom, creating an amazing chandelier effect!

Small wooden elephants, symbolizing strength and good luck in Chinese culture, were placed on the tables for guests to take home.

Sterling + Heng’s modern wedding invitations and reception stationary were created by PinkPolka Wedding Design.

Sterling, Heng: thank you for allowing us to be a part of your wonderful day. All the best for the future!

Jennifer + Sarah
Edmonton Wedding Planners

{Featured! This wedding was recently featured on Wedding Obsession.}

When I first started working with Tracy + Troy they weren’t exactly sure what they wanted for their wedding, but they knew it had to be very unique. As plans developed, we decided to break tradition and throw a chic cocktail party reception in Shaw Conference Centre’s gorgeous Riverview Room.

Following a beautiful outdoor ceremony at Devonian Botanic Gardens, Tracy + Troy’s guests were greeted at the reception with champagne, live music and delicious hors d’oeuvres. In lieu of standard wedding favours, guests were given portraits of themselves drawn live by two talented caricature artists – Gerry Rasmussen and Laurél Hawkswell. This was a big hit!

The stunning photos below were taken by Sam and Natasha of Sam Ng Photography – they are always so wonderful to work with! Enjoy this look at Tracy + Troy’s stylish day:

Tracy purchased her gorgeous gown from Novelle Bridal Shop.

I know…stunning shoes!

…but Troy would not be outdone!

Terry McDade played the harp beautifully at the ceremony.

All flowers – including these awesome pomander balls – were created by La Piazza Dasee.

As a tribute to her Scottish heritage, Tracy was piped down the aisle by a family friend and escorted by her father who wore a traditional kilt.

Gorgeous!

Tracy and her beautiful bridesmaids carried feather parasols that came in handy on this hot, sunny day.

A champagne ice sculpture allowed guests to keep their glasses filled all night.

Guests took their caricature drawings home in tubes that Tracy wrapped in black and white patterned paper.

Instead of a head table, we setup a V.I.P. lounge area for the bridal party to visit with guests.

Uber-modern lampshade centrepieces worked perfectly with the room and vibe of the party.

Tracy, Troy: it was an absolute pleasure working with you to design your urban chic wedding. All the very best to you both as you begin this new chapter in your lives!

Jennifer
Edmonton Wedding Planner

Photo Credit: Sam Ng Photography

More and more couples are choosing to break tradition and see each other before they walk down the aisle. While this change of format isn’t for everyone, taking photos before the ceremony offers a few key benefits:

• Calm those nerves: If you’re the anxious type, hanging out with the bridal party beforehand will help you relax before the ceremony;
• Feeling fresh: You (and your flowers) will look your best during photos;
• Gone with the gap: If your ceremony and reception are being held at the same venue, taking photos first makes a lot of sense and saves your guests the painful wait in between events;
• Capture the moment: You can still have a wonderful first moment together, and your photographer(s) can ensure it’s captured at all angles.

Check out these adorable pictures of Jacqui + Steve’s first look at each other (photos by the talented Kelsy Nielson):

…and here’s a look at their stylish, modern wedding held at The Westin Edmonton last summer:

Think about it – this might be a great option for your wedding day!

Jennifer

Photo Credit: Kelsy Nielson.

I had the privilege of helping my good friends Christine + Steve plan their fabulous New Years’ Eve wedding. Christine knew she wanted a modern, black & white affair, with simple yet striking decor. Steve knew he wanted an awesome party to ring in 2010. I think they got both! Here’s a look at Christine + Steve’s amazing day, captured beautifully by Sam Ng Photography:

The talented bride designed all the wedding stationary herself!

How cool is this photo?! Steve scored an old Eskimos locker at a team auction!

Fluffy carnation balls with dangling crystals surround the newlyweds as they share their first kiss.

The stunning bride!

The dinner tables were numbered as different years, and framed table cards featured interesting facts and trivia about that year.

Steve and his groomsmen meticulously measured, cut and hung this beautiful crystal curtain behind the head table.

The countdown to midnight was projected over the dance floor!

A big thanks to my assistant Krista for helping coordinate the day!

Congratulations, Christine + Steve – it was an honour to share this experience with you. Many happy years to come!

Jennifer