Jessie + Mat wanted to do something a bit different to celebrate their wedding. Rather than a formal seated dinner, they decided to throw a cocktail reception style event with food stations and plenty of outdoor space for their guests to enjoy Edmonton’s beautiful summer.

Fort Edmonton Park’s Blatchford Hangar was the perfect venue to host this unique soirée, as it offered us the ability to hold an outdoor ceremony that transitioned directly into cocktails and lawn games, with plenty of space for the youthful guest list to run around.

Jessie’s vision for the wedding design was an ethereal garden party with lots of lush greenery, vibrant tones of pinks and gold accents. Mixed styles of seating ensured party-goers could mingle and experience various areas of the Hangar. This included vintage lounge furniture, cruiser tables with stools, round dining tables and tall cocktail tables. Two stages – one for the band, the other for the wooden DJ booth – flanked a centre dance floor with a jaw-dropping greenery chandelier dripping in plumosa and ferns.

Food stations were themed around summer BBQ-style comfort foods including gourmet potato salad, a perogy station with all the fixins’, a prime rib slider station, and a made-to-order pasta action station.

The Counterfitz Band and DJ Twix alternated sets throughout the night, keeping all ages entertained and on the dance floor until the early morning. The newlyweds served their guests a late night snack of hot dogs from the infamous Viking Meats (Jessie’s hometown), alongside a delicious dessert table with treats from The Art of Cake.

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

+  +  +  +  +  +  +  +  +  +  +

Credits:

• Wedding Planning + Design: Jennifer Bergman Weddings
• Photography: Kelly Redinger
• Officiant: Tammy Banting
• DJ: Happy Life – DJ Twix
• Band: The Counterfitz
• Invitations / Stationery: Pinkpolka Invitations & Stationery
• Florist: faBLOOMosity
• Dessert Table: The Art of Cake
• Rentals: Special Event Rentals, Neat Rentals, Site 6 Events
• Transportation: Apex Limousine
• Late Night Snack: Viking Hot Dogs
• Hair + Makeup: Behind the Blush
• Gown: Novelle Bridal
• Suits: Suits by Curtis Eliot

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

These two high school sweethearts are truly made for one another. Julie lights up a room when she enters – she’s a bundle of energy and positivity, always wearing a huge smile on her face. Kyle is a calming presence – very kind and patient, but still knows how to let loose and have fun. It was such a pleasure working with this duo to bring their special day to life!

After a traditional Catholic ceremony at St. Theresa’s Roman Catholic Parish, Julie + Kyle’s guests made their way to Fort Edmonton Park where the Hangar was staged for the perfect rustic, summer soirée. The big open space allowed kids to run free, while the summer breeze blew in to cool guests down on a warm September day.

Lush floral garlands in warm tones of peach, coral, yellow and blush were swagged down the aisle and hung behind the head table. Antlers, succulents and wooden logs brought the outdoors in, enhancing the organic, natural ambiance of the setting. {More on the inspiration behind this wedding design here!}

We surrounded a large wooden dance floor with cocktail tables, benches and tree stump stools to keep everyone engaged with the party. Once the dance was underway, La Poutine food truck pulled up just outside the Hangar doors to serve the perfect Canadiana late night snack!

Can’t get enough? See more of this lovely day in the current issue of Blush Magazine and on the Katch Studios blog. Enjoy!

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

+  +  +  +  +  +  +  +  +  +  +

Credits:

• Wedding Planning + Design: Jennifer Bergman Weddings
• Photography: Katch Studios
• Officiant: Father Jim Corrigan
• Caterer: Elizabethan Catering
• Late Lunch: La Poutine Food Truck
• Ceremony Guitarist / Singer: Jeff Ramsey
• Reception Music: DJ Sean Hessman
• Invitations + Stationery: Maureen Walsh – Little Red
  
• Florist: faBLOOMosity
• Décor: Special Event Rentals
• Lighting / Drapery: Site 6 Events
• Transportation: Blue Sky Limos Bus
• Cake: Angie Mayer
• Hair: Hairbro Hair Designer
• Makeup: Diane Devine Edmonton Makeup Artist
• Wedding Gown: Prombee Bridal

Melanie + Chris wanted a fun, easy experience for their guests, so they opted to have both ceremony and reception in the same location – Fort Edmonton Park’s Blatchford Air Hangar. The day was warm and sunny which worked perfectly for our outdoor ceremony plans.

The classic black and cream palette provided a neat juxtaposition to the rustic venue. We brought the outdoors in with pops of fresh green throughout the floral arrangements, and the altar was flanked by two gorgeous curly willow and moss “trees” with hanging glass orbs and candles.

As a focal point at the reception, we designed a scrumptious black and white dessert table featuring: apple pies (Chris’ favourite), cupcakes, Oreo cheesecake, chocolate whoopie pies, white chocolate mousse cups, dark chocolate dipped pretzel sticks and more!

Melanie’s father restored a vintage Jaguar for photos which looked amazing parked in front of the Hangar and worked so great as a photo prop! Late lunch came rolling in on a vintage fire truck with a built-in wood fired pizza oven courtesy of Canicus Catering.

Kelly Redinger captured the day so perfectly – enjoy some images below!

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

+  +  +  +  +  +  +  +  +  +  +

Credits:

• Wedding Planning + Design: Jennifer Bergman Weddings
• Photography: Kelly Redinger
• Marriage Commissioner: Robert Ligertwood
• Ceremony Music: Premiere DJs by Urban Metropolis (Harman B & DJ Kwake)
• Reception Music: Premiere DJs by Urban Metropolis (Harman B & DJ Kwake)
• Stationery: Pinkpolka Invitations & Stationery
  
• Florist: faBLOOMosity
• Décor: Special Event Rentals / Site 6 
• Caterer: Elizabethan Catering
• Cupcakes: Fuss Cupcakes
• Food Truck: Canicus Wood Fired Pizza
• Photo Booth: Your Photobooth
• Hair: Bailey Gartner
• Makeup: Sonia Sajnani
• Gown: Delica Bridal

Kelsey joined Jennifer Bergman Weddings in 2012 as one of our amazing interns, and quickly demonstrated she has what it takes to roll up her sleeves and make a wedding come to life!

+  +  +  +  +  +  +  +  +  +  +

Quick – give us your best Tweetography (tell us about yourself in 140 characters or less)!

I am an elementary teacher who is passionate about teaching and who loves my family, friends and weddings!

What drew you into the world of wedding coordination?

I would have to say I caught the wedding planning bug five years ago when I was helping one of my best friends plan her wedding. I have always enjoyed planning events: dinner parties, birthday parties, bridal and baby showers and I’m often perusing Pinterest and wedding blogs for ideas during my free time. It is something I truly enjoy and when I found out that I was teaching part-time this year, I thought I would use my extra time to pursue my second passion. I had heard about The Wedding Planners Institute of Canada Wedding Coordinator Certification Course and decided to take a leap of faith and register. After completing the course, I got in touch with Jennifer and the rest is history.

Who or what inspires you?

The women in my family inspire me. I always say that I grew up with four mother figures and they happen to all be very strong, independent and successful women. My mother raised me and did everything she could to make sure that I had every opportunity in front of me. I was also lucky enough to grow up down the alley from my grandmother and my twin aunts and I spent just as much time there as I did at my own home. They have all played a huge role in my life and have inspired me and supported me every step of the way.

What is your favourite venue in Edmonton?

I am hoping that working as an Assistant Coordinator with Jennifer Bergman Weddings will allow me the chance to see many more Edmonton venues. As of right now, I would say the Blatchford Hangar at Fort Edmonton Park. It is a big blank canvas and there is something so wonderful and romantic about being able to open those huge hangar doors at night and have the stars and the outdoors as part of the décor.

What is your favourite wedding moment?

Anyone who knows me knows that I am a hopeless romantic, which speaks to my choices. I couldn’t pick just one. One of my favourite moments is watching the groom as his bride is walking down the aisle. I love to watch their facial expressions and the love in their eyes and I always get a little teary eyed if the groom tears up. The other is right after the bride and groom have their first kiss and then they turn to the guests before walking back down the aisle. It is an exciting and joyful moment as the couple have just become husband and wife and they are starting their lives together.

What are your top 3 strengths?

I have always had an eye for detail. I notice the little things, which makes them important to me in my work as a teacher and now in the wedding planning field. Organization also plays a strong role in my life. I love office supplies, lists, and excel spreadsheets and I only feel completely at ease when everything is in its place. I am a very emotional and caring person and I put everything into the things that I am passionate about. My students mean the world to me and I want to make sure that I am the best teacher to them that I can be. When helping to plan a wedding, you want to do the best job you can and help the bride and groom’s ideas come to life. It is such an important day in their lives and you want everything to be perfect for them.

Who would you want to play you in a movie?

I would want Emma Stone to play me in a movie. She is a fellow redhead and I could only hope to be as funny as she is.

+  +  +  +  +  +  +  +  +  +  +

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

Carolynne + Dan had the perfect summer day for their wedding reception at Fort Edmonton Park’s Blatchford Field Air Hangar. They wanted their guests to feel relaxed and have a lot of fun, while still attending a classy event…and I believe they achieved it, no question!

Highlights of the day:

• An awesome grand entrance – the bridal party was escorted from the park gates to the Hangar by a Scottish piper!
• A signature blue cocktail was poured through a monogrammed ice luge and served to guests as they arrived.
• Carolynne + Dan’s toasts to each other were so genuine and from the heart – definitely the best bride + groom speeches I’ve ever heard!

John and his team at Food for Thought Catering did an amazing job with dinner and drinks, and Jana Kendall Photography captured the day beautifully! Thanks to Krista for her wonderful assistance throughout the day.

Here are a few images, and you can find more on Jana’s blog here:

Congratulations, Carolynne + Dan! Thanks for letting me share in your wonderful day!

Jennifer

Related Links: Fort Edmonton Hangar Wedding Sneak Peak.

Here’s a quick look at Carolynne + Dan’s blissfully blue wedding reception held this weekend at the Blatchford Field Air Hangar in Fort Edmonton Park. More photos to come soon!

Jennifer