Last spring’s unseasonably warm weather meant the beautiful pink blossoms were out 3 weeks early – a welcome surprise for Monica + Sam’s wedding day!

The morning of the wedding was full of festivities, as traditional Chinese Tea Ceremonies were held at both family homes. Tea is the symbol of purity, stability and fertility, and the act of serving tea to family members represents respect and gratitude for all the years of love and care they’ve shown the bride and groom.

The wedding ceremony was held at the Oasis Centre in the early afternoon, and when the bridal party departed for photos we whipped out our wedding wands and transformed the space for the reception. Romantic gold Chateau chairs and timeless ivory linens set the tone, while accents of mint, blush and peach added a hint of whimsy. The Oasis team was top-notch, as usual! We love working with this superb Edmonton wedding venue.

Food was a very important part of the celebration, as Monica + Sam love cooking together and trying new restaurants around the world. We worked with Stir Catering to design a custom 7-course meal served family style, which incorporated Chinese fusion dishes.

Monica + Sam’s gorgeous wedding day was captured by Nicole Ashley Photography and Ring Tail Films – they even had a Same Day Edit shown at their reception for their guests to enjoy!

Jennifer + Team | Jennifer Bergman Weddings
Edmonton Wedding Planners + Designers

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Credits:

• Wedding Planning + Design: Jennifer Bergman Weddings
• Photography: Nicole Ashley Photography
• Photo Booth: Ready, Set, Booth
• Videography: Ring Tail Films
• Officiant: Bill Pisarchuk
• Reception Music: Premiere DJs by Urban Metropolis (DJ Kidslim)
• Stationery: Pinkpolka Invitations & Stationery
• Florist: faBLOOMosity
• Caterer: Stir Catering
• Cake: The Art of Cake
• Décor: Special Event Rentals
• Lighting: Production Lighting
• Transportation: Esquire Limousine
• Hair + Makeup: NewHairLine

This wedding is very special to our team as the beautiful bride was one of our own. Kelsey began working as an intern at JBW and learned quickly, taking on the role as Assistant Wedding Coordinator. She met Dean as part of her own whirlwind love story and moved to Northern Alberta to be with him, sadly leaving the JBW team – but we were so happy for her new adventure! A couple years later we were honoured to be asked to coordinate Kelsey + Dean’s wedding at Buffalo Mountain Lodge in beautiful Banff, Alberta.

Kelsey + Dean chose to do a first look and take their photos before the ceremony. This is a great idea for a destination wedding, as it allows guests to enjoy their day and explore the local attractions. After the most touching and heartfelt ceremony (for real, we were blown away!), guests enjoyed cocktails while we transformed the Wapiti Room for dinner. Ash grey linens and wooden chiavari chairs complemented the rustic setting, while gold mercury accents and soft blooms in creams and blush added romance and elegance.

The stone fireplace was covered in candlelight, and the wedding party sat in front of it at a grand King’s Table – which only partially collapsed due to a faulty table leg! We can laugh about it now as no dresses were harmed during this incident – and what’s a wedding without a funny story to share!?

Before departing, guests were invited to enjoy Sunday brunch with the newlyweds. It was the perfect mountain wedding weekend for the most deserving couple! Enjoy these beautiful images by Nicole Ashley Photography.

Jennifer + Team | Jennifer Bergman Weddings
Banff Wedding Day Management

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Credits:

• Coordination: Jennifer Bergman Weddings
• Photographer: Nicole Ashley Photography
• Ceremony Music: Kyle Sand (Guitarist)
• Invitations/Stationery: Minted
• Officiant: Barbara Parker
• Pie Table: Buffalo Mountain Lodge
• Hair + Makeup: The Pretty Haus
• Florist: Willow Flower Co.
• Rentals: Special Event Rentals
• Transportation: Banff Transportation Group
• Gown: Pronovias from The Bridal House
• Wedding Veil:  bestweddingveil

This post is a long time coming. We’re so thrilled to finally share Ashley + Dave’s romantic fall wedding, which is featured in the current issue of Bridal Fantasy Magazine. 

Matrix Hotel was the setting for both ceremony and reception, fulfilling the couple’s wish to make the day convenient and easy for their guests. After a first look in the backyard gazebo of Ashley’s childhood home, the Wedding Party spent the afternoon taking photos before arriving for a candlelit ceremony with café lights hanging at the altar.

We designed the reception with a rich, warm colour palette reminiscent of the fall season, including shades of raspberry, marsala, plum, navy and gold. A mix of round and long wooden harvest tables were covered with lush florals, fruit and greenery. Gold accents and soft amber uplighting added extra sparkle to the romantic atmosphere.

After a set of exceptionally memorable and hilarious speeches, Ashley + Dave took to the dance floor to kick off the party. Harman B & DJ Kwake manned the DJ booth – a boxwood hedge with custom marquee letters spelling “A&D.”

This highlight video from A Love Story brings back all the memories from this incredible day – enjoy!

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

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Credits:

• Wedding Planning + Design: Jennifer Bergman Weddings
• Photography: Sharon Litchfield
• Videographer: A Love Story
• Officiant: Tammy Banting
• Ceremony Music: Mathias Silvieria + John Fedor
• Reception Music: Premiere DJs by Urban Metropolis
• Stationery: Pinkpolka Invitations & Stationery
• Florist: faBLOOMosity
• Cookies & Milk Table: Confetti Sweets
• Rentals: Special Event Rentals
• Lighting: Production Lighting
• Transportation: Esquire Limo
• Hair: Bailey Gartner
• Makeup: Eclectica Beauty Studio / The Makeup
• Gown: Novelle Bridal
• Bridesmaids Gowns: J. Crew
• Groom / Groomsmen Attire: Shaw & Co. Tailors

Living in Alberta, winter is something you must embrace, or you’re in for a long 5 – maybe 6, sometimes 7 – months! Erin and Adam chose to do just that by holding their February wedding in one of Canada’s most spectacular destination wedding locations: Lake Louise. Their two main priorities for the wedding were to extend the festivities over the course of an entire weekend, and to provide guests with a quintessential winter experience in the Canadian Rockies.

The weekend began Friday morning with a chartered motor coach driving Edmonton guests to The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. Following a delicious rehearsal dinner in the Alpine Room, guests gathered for hot chocolate and s’mores by the lakeside fire pits and ice bar. On the morning of the wedding, Adam and his groomsmen hosted a pick-up hockey game on the frozen lake, while the ladies enjoyed a leisurely morning in their suite getting ready for the big day.

After exchanging vows in the Victoria Ballroom, the newlyweds went off for photos with their wedding party while guests departed on horse-drawn sleigh rides! Our team spent the next few hours transforming the ballroom with long wooden tables, lush greenery runners, tons of candlesticks and gold accents. The party continued in the Glacier Saloon where late night snacks including poutine and sliders were served, and dancing in hotel slippers went on until the early hours of the morning.

This truly stunning winter destination wedding is featured in the Spring / Summer 2017 issue of Weddingbells Magazine, so grab a copy and enjoy the images below captured by the very talented Brittany Esther Photography.

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

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Credits:

• Wedding Planning + Design: Jennifer Bergman Weddings
• Photography: Brittany Esther Photography
• Photo Booth: Creative Photo Booth
• Officiant: Robin White
• Florist: faBLOOMosity
• Pie Table: The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
• Rentals: Special Event Rentals Banff
• Stationery: Pinkpolka Invitations & Stationery
• Ceremony Music: Music Mosaic
• Reception Music: Premiere DJs by Urban Metropolis
• Transportation: Brewster Travel Canada
• Sleigh Rides: Brewster Adventures
• Hair + Makeup: Botega
• Gown: Delica Bridal

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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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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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