Alyshea + Al-Karim (Part 1): Mehndi Party at Fairmont Hotel Macdonald
Alyshea and Al-Karim celebrated their union with multiple events over a weekend in Edmonton – a destination they chose because of the recently opened Aga Khan Garden at the University of Alberta Botanic Garden.
This wedding weekend was such a delight to plan and design (and there are so many incredible details to share!) that we’re breaking it into three blog posts:
- Part 1 – The Mehndi Party at Fairmont Hotel Macdonald
- Part 2 – The Wedding Ceremony at Aga Khan Garden
- Part 3 – The Gala Reception at JW Marriott Edmonton ICE District
The festivities kicked off with a Bollywood Chic Mehndi party at Fairmont Hotel Macdonald. Guests enjoyed a custom ‘Flavours of India’ menu and could visit a draped Mehndi tent to have professional henna artists adorn their hands with beautiful designs.
The event featured dance performances, traditional Ismaili ceremonies and Vancouver’s Juno-nominated DJ A-SLAM. Stay tuned for Parts 2 and 3 coming soon…
This wedding is not only featured on Wedluxe, but it was also honoured as a finalist for Best Wedding over $150,000 at the 2020 Canadian Event Awards!
Credits:
- Wedding Planning + Design: Jennifer Bergman Weddings
- Getting Ready Location: JW Marriott Edmonton ICE District
- Mehndi Party Venue: Fairmont Hotel Macdonald
- Photography: Mango Studios
- Cinematography: A Love Story
- Live Trio: Indian Music Academy
- DJ: Divinity DJs (DJ A-SLAM)
- Florist: Fabloomosity
- Rentals: Special Event Rentals, Dress My Day, M Weddings
- Stationery: J. Gartner Studio
- Henna Artists: YEG Henna
- Transportation: Exxotic Cars
- Hair + Makeup: Nickol Walkemeyer
- Bridal Attire: Pooja Boutique
- Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo
- Jewelry + Rings: Zameer Kassam
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Jennifer + Team | Jennifer Bergman Weddings
Mehndi and Sangeet Event Planner, Edmonton
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
- Rentals: Special Event Rentals
- Hair + Makeup: Blushed Beaute
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Suzanne, Lead Planner | Jennifer Bergman Weddings
Edmonton Wedding Day Management
Whitewood Barn Edmonton Wedding Planner: Danielle + Jason
Set in the charming Alberta countryside, Danielle and Jason’s wedding was held on a warm summer day at The Whitewood Barn just outside of Edmonton.
After a ‘first look’ and taking photos with their wedding party, they exchanged rings and vows in a quaint clearing of pine trees adorned with café lights and rustic wooden benches. Guitarist Jeff Ramsey serenaded guests while they sipped bubbly from a boxwood champagne wall, and enjoyed tasty hors d’oeuvres by Stir Catering. After dinner, guests danced the night away under string lights and country stars.
See more of this beautiful, rustic wedding featured on the Blush Magazine blog!
Credits:
- Wedding Planning + Design: Jennifer Bergman Weddings
- Photographer: Jess Leigh Photography
- Venue: The Whitewood Barn
- Officiant: Howard Saunders
- Ceremony + Cocktail Music: Jeff Ramsey
- Reception Music: DJ Kwake Entertainment
- Cake: The Art of Cake
- Catering: Stir Catering
- Florist: Laurel’s on Whyte
- Rentals: Special Event Rentals
- Bartending: Strong Bartending
- Marquee Letters: Talent Productions
- Transportation: Blue Sky Limos
- Hair + Makeup: Bliss & Glow Artistry
- Gown: Novelle Bridal
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Suzanne + Team | Jennifer Bergman Weddings
Whitewood Barn Edmonton Wedding Planner
Edmonton Wedding Coordinator: Arianna + Tom
Arianna and Tom didn’t miss a single detail when planning and designing their wedding at St. Joachim Catholic Church and The Fairmont Hotel Macdonald. From their church exit into a floral adorned vintage car to their cigar and bourbon bar on the Empire Terrace, every moment of the day was personalized and well thought out.
It was an honour to work with them to provide Wedding Day Management so they could relax and soak in every minute of the special day they had planned. You can see more of this beautiful wedding in the current issue of Blush Magazine captured by the talented Katch Studios.
Credits:
- Wedding Day Management: Jennifer Bergman Weddings
- Ceremony Venue: St. Joachim Catholic Church
- Officiant: Father Ignacy Warias
- Reception Venue: The Fairmont Hotel Macdonald, Empire Ballroom
- Photography: Katch Studios
- Videography: Integra Films
- Ceremony Music: Terry McDade – Harpist
- Reception Music: Premiere DJs by Urban Metropolis
- Stationery: Windsor Rose Atelier
- Florist: Fabloomosity
- Rentals: Special Event Rentals
- Chiavari Chair Rentals: All West Wedding Rentals
- Furniture for Photo Session: Cory Christopher / Shabby2Chic Wedding Rentals
- Dance Floor Wrap: Talent Productions Inc.
- Wedding Cake: The Art of Cake
- Espresso Bar & Italian Desserts: Canova Pasticceria
- Transportation: Last Minute Limousine
- Hair Stylist: Hairography by Kait / Rock Paper Shears
- Makeup Artist: Glam Artistry
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Suzanne, Lead Coordinator | Jennifer Bergman Weddings
Edmonton Wedding Day Management
Edmonton Wedding Planner: Samantha + Raymond
It was the end of a cold snap in Edmonton, and Samantha and Raymond’s guests were so excited to be out of the house attending a beautiful wedding! Side note: we love winter weddings and don’t think they get enough credit!
One of the most important parts of their big day was ensuring they threw an awesome party for their guests, so Sam and Ray put a lot of thought into the food and drinks they served, the entertainment they hired, and memorable touches. Pops of lavender, mauve and blush added warmth and romance to The Fairmont Hotel Macdonald’s iconic Empire Ballroom, where both the vows and celebration were held.
One of the highlights of the day was Ray’s speech at the reception – his delivery was so endearing, not to mention hilarious! It was among the best we’ve ever heard and everyone was in stitches! A nod to the winter season, a hot chocolate station opened later in the evening with all the toppings you could imagine, as well as cake pops and biscotti to snack on.
Infused Studios delivered a stunning collection of images for the happy couple to look back on their day – enjoy!
Jennifer + Team | Jennifer Bergman Weddings
Edmonton Wedding Planning + Design
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Credits:
- Wedding Planning + Design: Jennifer Bergman Weddings
- Photography: Infused Studios
- Officiant: Pastor Genghis Chan
- Ceremony Music: Terry McDade – Harpist
- Reception Music: Premiere DJs by Urban Metropolis – Harman B
- Florist: Fabloomosity
- Wedding Cake / Sweet Table: The Art of Cake
- Photo Booth: Ready, Set, Booth
- Rentals: Special Event Rentals
- Hair: Carrie’l Salon & Spa
- Makeup: Lydia Yapp
- Gown: Delica Bridal
Edmonton Wedding Planner: Jessica + Jayson
Jessica and Jayson were married on a gorgeous fall day. They held both their wedding and reception celebration at The Oasis Centre with over 300 loved ones in attendance.
One of the first steps in the wedding planning process is identifying what elements of the experience are most important to a bride and groom. For Jessica and Jayson, excellent and abundant food and drinks topped the list, along with photography, good music and an awesome party!
After a beautiful ceremony, we transformed the Grand Hall with three different table designs in a palette of ivory, champagne and a gradient of pinks from blush to burgundy. Bold lighting enhanced the grandeur of the space, adding drama and ambience.
Before heading to the dance floor, guests helped themselves to an expansive dessert table including the couple’s favourites: eclairs, tiramisu, cannolis and mini apple pies. The beautiful images below are courtesy of the ever-so-talented Just Married Photography team. Enjoy!
Jennifer + Team | Jennifer Bergman Weddings
Edmonton Wedding Planning + Design
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Credits:
- Wedding Planning + Design: Jennifer Bergman Weddings
- Photography: Just Married Photography
- Videographer: YEG Wedding Films
- Officiant: Tammy Banting
- Ceremony Music: Keri Lynn Zwicker
- Cocktail / Dinner Music: Don Berner Band
- Reception Music: Premiere DJs by Urban Metropolis (Harman B)
- Caterer: Stir Catering
- Florist: Laurel’s On Whyte
- Wedding Cake: The Art of Cake
- Photo Booth: Ready, Set, Booth
- Rentals: Special Event Rentals
- Lighting: Production Lighting
- Transportation: Esquire Limousine
- Hair + Makeup: Sen Studios
- Bridal Gown: La Sposa
- Bridesmaids: Dessy from Novelle Bridal
Edmonton Wedding Planner: Donna + Olivier
Donna + Olivier are from two very different backgrounds and opposite ends of the country, but love has a way of bringing people together when they least expect it.
Olivier is from Halifax, so they flew out there for their engagement session with Sharon Litchfield and got some incredible, picturesque photos. Their September wedding festivities incorporated several Chinese traditions including a morning Tea Ceremony, door games and a 10-course dinner at Golden Rice Bowl Restaurant.
After an elegant ceremony at Winspear Centre with classical music and timeless décor, the Wedding Party took photos at the newly opened Rogers Place (Donna is a huge Edmonton Oilers fan)! After dinner the newlyweds shared a romantic first dance surrounded with sparklers and continued celebrating with their 250 guests until the early morning.
The whole day was a perfect blend of two families and two cultures. Enjoy this sneak peek at Donna + Oli’s love story!
Jennifer + Team | Jennifer Bergman Weddings
Edmonton Wedding Planning + Design
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Credits:
- Wedding Planning + Design: Jennifer Bergman Weddings
- Photography: Sharon Litchfield
- Officiant: Howard Saunders
- Ceremony Music: Terry McDade – Harpist
- Reception Music: Baseline DJ
- Florist: Laurel’s On Whyte
- Wedding Cake: The Art of Cake
- Sheet Cakes: Garden Bakery
- Rentals: Special Event Rentals
- Transportation: Esquire Limousine
- Hair + Makeup: Sen Studios
Edmonton Wedding Planner: Jessie + Mat
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
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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