Posts Tagged: Edmonton Wedding Day Management
5 Questions to Ask Your Wedding Ceremony Venue
You can visualize yourself walking down the aisle, locking eyes with your partner, saying ‘I Do’ and sharing that first kiss as a married couple. You’re ready to sign on the dotted line to book your wedding ceremony venue! But wait – have you asked all the right questions?!
Not to worry, Team JBW has got your back! Here are 5 important questions to ask when booking your wedding ceremony venue.
1. Are there any décor restrictions? For example, many indoor venues do not allow real flower petals down the aisle. Some churches have restrictions on what (if any) décor can be placed at the altar. It’s important to find out what is and isn’t permitted before booking your wedding ceremony venue.
St.Joseph’s Basilica / Carey Nash Photography
2. What is included with the venue rental and what am I responsible for renting or supplying? Find out what the venue is providing and what you must bring in yourselves or rent. Some examples of items you may require for your wedding ceremony include: chairs or bench seating, a signing table for the registry, a ceremony arch or arbour, a sound system with a wireless or lapel microphone, and easels for directional signage.
Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise / Stoffer Photography
3. When can a rehearsal date and time be confirmed? Some venues will allow you to schedule this upon booking, while others will only confirm your rehearsal a couple weeks in advance. This is important to ask, as it may take some juggling to coordinate the availability of your Officiant, Wedding Party, Wedding Coordinator and rehearsal dinner venue.
The Lake House / Infused Studios
4. Is there an indoor or covered backup space in case of inclement weather? Always have a Plan B! If weather is poor, is there an on site backup space you can move the ceremony into? And when must you make the weather call? Often times this can be done on the day of the event, as late as a few hours prior to your ceremony start time, but some venues require 24 hours notice if utilizing the backup space.
University of Alberta, Botanic Gardens / Kelly Redinger
5. Is only one wedding held per day? Some ceremony venues book multiple weddings on a single day (we’ve seen as many as 4 different timeslots), while others provide exclusivity to a single wedding couple. It’s important to understand if you are restricted to a specific ceremony time, and whether you have to hustle out of there following your nuptials or if you can stick around to take photos.
Fairmont Hotel Macdonald / Romy Young
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We hope this is a helpful resource for you when booking your wedding ceremony venue. Stay tuned for our next blog post outlining 5 Questions to Ask Your Wedding Reception Venue!
Jennifer + Team | Jennifer Bergman Weddings
Edmonton Wedding Planners, Edmonton Wedding Designers
Pigeon Lake Wedding Coordinator: Jada + Daniel
Jada and Daniel pivoted their original (pre-COVID) wedding plans to celebrate with loved ones at a family lakelot. On a warm, sunny day, their backyard celebration came to life with the help of the Cory Christopher and the CC Team, who both designed the event and provided florals.
The evening featured a show-stopping yurt, food truck catering, dancing under the stars and a fireworks display!
Credits:
- Wedding Day Management: Jennifer Bergman Weddings
- Venue: Private Residence
- Décor Design + Florist: Cory Christopher
- Officiant: Dawn Carter
- Photographer: Dallas Curow Photography
- Videographer: Arrow Films
- Food Truck: Curbside Food Truck
- Bartending: The Bottled Bronco
- Cake: Triple L Cakes
- Rentals: Special Event Rentals
- Hair Stylist: Goldie Salon (Shayla Chalifoux)
- Makeup Artists: Filament Hair Inc.
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Suzanne, Event Producer and Designer | Jennifer Bergman Weddings
Edmonton Wedding Day Management
Edmonton Wedding Coordinator: Robyn + Byron
Robyn and Byron are such positive and caring people – one of those couples that lights up the room when they enter. Even the rain on their wedding day and a change to the Plan B ceremony location couldn’t dampen their moods. If anything, it made the day even more romantic!
Following their wedding ceremony at UofA Botanic Gardens, the newlyweds brought their cultures together in a beautiful Chinese Tea Ceremony. The couple shows their respect to the elders in their families with an offering of tea; in turn, they receive acceptance of the marriage.
The celebration followed at Edmonton Country Club, where guests dined at long tables and danced on the terrace under the stars.
Credits:
- Wedding Day Management: Jennifer Bergman Weddings
- Ceremony Venue: University of Alberta Botanic Garden, Pine Pavilion
- Officiant: Bob Wyatt
- Reception Venue: Edmonton Country Club
- Photographer: Kelly Redinger
- Ceremony Music: VIF String Quartet
- Reception Music: Happy Life Entertainment
- Donuts: Apollo Donuts
- Florist: Fabloomosity
- Rentals: Special Event Rentals
- Hair + Makeup: Behind the Blush
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Suzanne, Lead Coordinator | Jennifer Bergman Weddings
Edmonton Wedding Day Management
Backyard Wedding Edmonton: Melissa + Gray
Like many others, Melissa and Gray were forced to pivot their original Summer 2020 wedding plans, but it turned out to be a blessing in disguise. They held a wonderful backyard event with their nearest and dearest, dining and dancing under the stars.
Credits:
- Wedding Planning + Design: Jennifer Bergman Weddings
- Officiant: Kaye Steward
- Photographer: Jade Gabrielle
- Videographer: Calvin Kho Films
- Florist: Cory Christopher
- Rentals: Special Event Rentals
- Music: DJ Kwake Entertainment
- Stationery: Wedding Design by Anika
- Cake: Brianne Gabrielle Cakes
- Hair + Makeup: Bliss & Glow Artistry
- Transportation: Apex Limousine
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Suzanne, Event Producer and Designer | Jennifer Bergman Weddings
Edmonton Wedding Day Management
JW Marriott Edmonton ICE District Wedding: Vanessa + Jamie
Vanessa and Jamie were married in February 2020, and while we didn’t know it at the time, they were our last “normal” wedding before the world changed. Lucky for everyone in attendance, these newlyweds know how to celebrate!
Not ones for the traditional wedding reception format, Vanessa and Jamie chose to host their celebration with a cocktail party vibe to encourage mingling and dancing. With mixed style seating, creative food and drink stations around the room, Ukrainian dance performances and an incredible party band (The Barkells), they treated their loved ones to a night to remember at Edmonton’s new luxury hotel – JW Marriott Edmonton ICE District.
Credits:
- Wedding Day Management: Jennifer Bergman Weddings (Suzanne)
- Ceremony + Reception Venue: JW Marriott Edmonton ICE District
- Officiant: Seanna Collins
- Photography: Sharon Litchfield
- Videography: Blushed Beaute
- Cake: Cake Affair
- Florist: Fabloomosity
- Rentals: Special Event Rentals
- Rentals (chairs): All West Wedding Rentals
- Limo: Last Minute Limousine
- DJ + Photo Booth: Revolution Entertainment
- Reception Band: The Barkells
- Hair + Makeup: Blushed Beaute
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Suzanne, Lead Planner | Jennifer Bergman Weddings
JW Marriott Edmonton ICE District Wedding Planner
Fairmont Hotel Macdonald Wedding Coordinator: Irene + Geoffrey
Irene and Geoffrey’s fall wedding was nothing short of a fairytale! A horse-drawn carriage reminiscent of Cinderella was waiting for the newlyweds following their traditional Catholic ceremony at St. Joseph’s Basilica in downtown Edmonton.
Their vibrant reception at Fairmont Hotel Macdonald featured drummers, traditional African dances, indoor fireworks and a magical first dance in the “clouds.” The day’s events certainly kept us on our toes, and we were honoured to be a part of Irene and Geoffrey’s love story!
Credits:
- Wedding Day Management: Jennifer Bergman Weddings (Suzanne)
- Ceremony Venue: St. Joseph’s Basilica
- Reception Venue: Fairmont Hotel Macdonald (Empire Ballroom)
- Photography: Carey Nash
- Videography: A Love Story
- Reception Music: DJ Paddy Entertainment
- Cake: Cake Affair
- Florist: Therese Lopez Florals
- Rentals: Exquisite Affairs
- Dance Floor Wrap + Sparklers: Talent Productions
- Horse-Drawn Carriage: Diamond B Ranch
- Limo: Apex limousine
- Drummers: Afrah Al Majd Group
- Hair Stylists: Hair Designs by Maggie
- Makeup Artist: Allure by Mariam
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Suzanne, Lead Planner | Jennifer Bergman Weddings
Edmonton Wedding Day Management
Edmonton Wedding Coordinator: Ania + Matthew
Ania and Matthew began their wedding day with a traditional ceremony at the spectacular Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral of St. John the Baptist. After the marriage was official, they took off for photos in a gorgeous red vintage Porsche!
The newlyweds celebrated with their loved ones later that evening at Fairmont Hotel Macdonald in the Wedgwood Room – one of our favourite Edmonton wedding venues – infusing several Ukrainian and Russian traditions to personalize the event. It was such a pleasure to provide Wedding Day Management for this happy couple! Enjoy this beautiful snippet of their day.
Credits:
- Wedding Day Management: Jennifer Bergman Weddings (Suzanne)
- Ceremony Venue: Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral of St. John
- Reception Venue: Fairmont Hotel Macdonald (Wedgwood Room)
- Photography: Nicole Ashley Photography
- Reception Music: DJ Kwake Entertainment
- Cake: The Art of Cake
- Florist: Fabloomosity
- Pet portrait As wedding Gift: mooportraits
- Hair + Makeup: Blushed Beaute
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Suzanne, Lead Planner | Jennifer Bergman Weddings
Edmonton Wedding Day Management
Edmonton Backyard Wedding: Lisa + Alex
Even before the COVID-19 pandemic made backyard weddings the new norm, Lisa + Alex chose to celebrate their marriage with an intimate guest list at Lisa’s childhood home. Their vision for the soirée was a relaxed evening with their favourite people, dining al fresco and dancing under the stars!
If you’re planning your own backyard affair this summer, here are some of our top tips for ensuring a successful event.
- Expert evaluation. A large, empty lawn can be deceiving – involve an expert to evaluate your space for grade and access to power, and to advise you on the right tent, layout and rental requirements.
- Bathroom basics. If you don’t like the idea of guests coming in and out of your home to use the washrooms, consider renting portable toilets. The options have expanded over the years and now there are luxury models available with fantastic lighting and ventilation.
- Be a good neighbour. If neighbours aren’t invited but may be affected by your wedding (more traffic/cars parked on the street, noise late into the evening) it’s courteous to let them know you’re hosting a big event.
- Consider guest comfort. Use your wedding invitations to inform guests the events are outdoors so they can prepare accordingly. Having sunscreen, fans, bug repellent, lap blankets and umbrellas on hand will make you the ideal host.
- Prep a ‘Plan B’. Weather in Alberta is unpredictable – be prepared for the worst case scenario. Rent extra tents in case of rain, heaters for chilly evenings and fans to help cool down a hot day.
- Hire help. You want to enjoy your wedding day so let others handle decorating, bartending, catering, serving and clean-up. Hiring professionals will allow you to relax and avoid placing this burden on family and friends.
Credits:
- Wedding Day Management: Jennifer Bergman Weddings
- Officiant: Howard Saunders
- Photographer: Jacinta Daniele Photography
- Catering: Stir Catering
- Dessert Food Truck: Ohana Donuts
- Florist: Laurels on Whyte
- Rentals (Dinnerware): Special Event Rentals
- Rentals (Chairs, Tables): All West Wedding Rentals
- Hair + Makeup: Filament Hair Inc.
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Elyse, Lead Coordinator | Jennifer Bergman Weddings
Edmonton Wedding Day Management
Edmonton Backyard Wedding