Michael & Sarah’s Brandon Wedding
Michael & Sarah (Price) Volkmar
Married on August 23 2008
Brandon, Manitoba
Boy meets girl – Sarah’s parents bought a cabin in Minnedosa close to where Michael’s family cabin. In 2001 Michael was walking on a path close to Sarah’s family cabin and met Sarah. Sarah went to Korea for 3 years to teach English and she and Michael stayed in contact by long distance. When she got back they immediately started dating.
On bended knee – Sarah and Michael spent a lot of weekends at the cabin and their favorite past-time was fishing. On the day Michael decided it was time to propose, he put the ring box in the tackle box. While on the water, Michael pulled the boat up beside a tree and asked Sarah to get him a lure from the tackle box. She pulled out a lure and he said “No, I don’t want that one” so she reached in to get another one, both times missing the ring box. When she finally saw the ring in the box she was surprised.
Fabulous details – Her flowers from Grower Direct were pink roses, the bridesmaids flowers were pink Gerber daisies and the flower girls had white Gerber daisies.
The ceremony was performed at Central United church in Brandon, and the reception was at Royal Oak Inn also in Brandon. The Royal Oak did an amazing job on everything.
Their Time Away – They went to Grand Forks for a few days by themselves after the wedding, and are planning a cruise this winter.
Photography by: Sabine Chorley Photography
Text by Sheila Kolesar
Vendor Credits:
Décor Rentals by Party Professionals
Reception and Catering by: Royal Oak Inn & Suites
Flowers by Grower Direct
Transportation by Ultimate Travel Limo Bus
Words of Wisdom
“Relax, laugh and make sure the day is special to you.”
Unique, Full Service Venues
A full service wedding venue is a term used for wedding venues that offer a variety of wedding day services and resources all in one package. For the bridal couple, these can save a lot of headache by limiting the number of contracts and vendors needed for your wedding day. The actual services included will vary from venue to venue.
One example of a full service facility is Cherry Hill Estate, a 100-acre estate located just 45 minutes southeast of Winnipeg, Manitoba. Cherry Hill brides have the option to choose from a variety of outdoor ceremony locations including a fabulous one mile beach. For their ceremony, they may choose from 3 unique locations: a glass room that seats up to 40, a barn loft that seats up to 75 guests or insulated Marquis tents that can cater groups of 300 and 500 people.
In addition to a variety of accommodation options, Cherry Hill Estate also offers their brides a full private hair and makeup salon with hair and makeup technicians on site, a private bridal lounge, in house music and DJ services, catering by Harry’s Bar Licensed Family Restaurant and a white wedding carriage pulled by heavy black horses for a grand entrance and excite.
When meeting with your full service venue’s wedding, make sure to inquire about additional onsite or add on services that may be available. Often they will be able to help with many aspects of your wedding day, allowing your more time to relax and enjoy your wedding day.
Two rings, one bride?
Dear Diva,
My boyfriend and I are planning to become engaged shortly but we are having a disagreement on the rings. We are both only children and in both families there are heirloom rings that have been passed down for generations. I would like to have my grandmother’s ring but he would like me to wear his grandmother’s ring. Both rings are gorgeous so it’s not a matter of style.
My boyfriend feels that he should get to choose since it is the groom’s responsibility to get the ring but I disagree.
Sandy J.
Winnipeg, MB
You are one lucky bride! Two heirloom rings to pick from! I can definitely understand both sides of this disagreement and I think you may have to reach a compromise. There are a number of different ways you can do this if you work together with a custom jeweler.
One option would be to have the two rings put together into one. Your custom jeweler can help you design a ring that uses the diamonds and materials from both rings to create one fabulous engagement ring or even a complete set. If there are unique characteristics to the rings, see what your jeweler can do to include some of those details. This is a great way to solve your disagreement and you will be creating a one of a kind ring that truly represents the blending of your two families.
Another option would be to use one ring as the engagement ring. Then, when you get married use the other as your wedding ring and wear the engagement ring on the other hand.
Be Fabulous,
The Wedding Diva
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Have a question for The Wedding Diva?
Email your questions to diva@imaginemagazine.ca
Evan & Valerie’s Winnipeg Wedding
Evan & Valerie (Fetalvero) Vermette
Married on July 05, 2008
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Boy meets girl – They have known each other since grade 4 when he moved here from Regina. They started hanging around in University and that’s when they started dating.
On bended knee – The proposal was a complete surprise to her. They are both Chartered Accountants and both had to write the UFE exam. He wrote his first and she had hers to write the following year. She thought he would wait until after she was done her test before he proposed. While she was back home for a visit they went out to his parent’s cabin to celebrate. They were standing on the dock in the rain when he proposed.
Fabulous details – During the rehearsal she told the priest to make sure that when he introduced them as Mr. and Mrs. that he state Mr. and Mrs. Evan and Valerie Vermette.
Her father gave a speech at the Winnipeg wedding and that was very special to them both. He was able to recount the details of their courtship that Valerie never thought her father would remember.
Photography by Charmaine Toews Photography
Text by Sheila Kolesar
Vendor Credits:
Wedding Rings/Jewelry by Epsilon
Flowers by Whyteridge Academy Florists
Music/DJ by Platinum Productions
Words of Wisdom
“Pick one thing that you want to be perfect. Don’t stress about the other stuff.”
Raw/Uncut Diamond Wedding Rings… A Trendy Alternative
Rough gemstones have a primordial quality that their multi faceted counterparts have lost. Raw/uncut diamonds offer an unrefined elegance and a more natural, earthy look that is beginning to emerge in all aspects of popular culture.
No longer available just through specialty houses, these unpolished diamond rings are now available at upscale retailers. Often more affordable than their highly polished cousins, a raw/uncut diamond wedding ring creates great interest and is definitely a conversation starter.
Text by Norma-Jean Alt
Beaten To The Proposal?
Dear Diva,
I had been planning to propose to my girlfriend on New Year’s Eve. We will be attending a party and I planned to pull her aside right before midnight and propose while everyone else is kissing. I even have the ring paid for and ready to go and she has no idea.
Yesterday, I went to see her father to ask his permission and he mentioned how fabulous it is to have both his daughters spoken for. Apparently, her sister’s fiancé plans to propose on Christmas day!
Now I am rethinking my proposal. I don’t want her to feel like I am just doing it because they did and I don’t want her sister to think we are trying to steal her thunder either. Should I put off the proposal?
Trevor F.
Morden, MB
Your proposal sounds fabulous and I wouldn’t change a thing. Chances are, if two proposals close together was going to cause hard feelings, her father would have thought of that and said something already. Go ahead with your proposal as planned and afterwards be prepared to duck and cover! Two sisters planning weddings together? You guys have no idea what you’re in for!
Make sure you discuss wedding dates together with the other couple before you begin any planning though to avoid any conflicting dates.
Be Fabulous,
The Wedding Diva
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Have a question for The Wedding Diva?
Email your questions to diva@imaginemagazine.ca
Dave & Crystal’s Kenora Wedding
Dave & Crystal (Oldford) Giesbrecht
Married on August 08, 2008
Kenora, Ontario
Boy meets girl - David and Crystal went to a local outdoor skating rink with some mutual friends 15 years ago in December and hit it off. They were high school sweethearts
On bended knee – They had been dating for 11 years already, and decided to do a day trip into Winnipeg to celebrate Crystal’s birthday. Once they got home, he popped the question.
Fabulous details – They decided to have an outdoor ceremony at the home of David’s sister. The property has a breathtaking view of Black Sturgeon Lake. The wedding party was small with Dave’s sister and brother-in-law. The flower girl was Crystal’s niece.
Dave and Crystal decided to use peacock feathers for their color scheme. Flowers were blue orchids, white calla lilies and peacock feathers. Centerpieces were tall vases with peacock, calla lilies and bamboo as well as candles on the tables. From the ceiling were white lanterns, fabric and lights, with white fabric and lights decorating the head table. Favors were heart shaped cookie cutters and black and white matchboxes. The wedding cake consisted of 3 round white cakes decorated with intertwining hearts and blue orchids, calla lilies and of course peacock feathers
Their time away – Crystal and Dave decided to take a two-week vacation and drove to the west coast and back with no schedule or plan.
Photography by Colleen Serban
Text by Sheila Kolesar
Words of wisdom
“Start with a plan but realize that things may not always go as expected. Don’t try to do everything yourself. Don’t worry about trying to please other people. Be flexible. Have fun. Remember the reason why you’re getting married.”
Printable Planning Pages
Your Wedding… Imagine Magazine offers a variety of planning pages to help you get started, keep track of important details and keep organized through-out the process. Four of our planning pages are now available for download so you can print additional copies as you need them!
To save to your computer, right click the images below and pick Save Link As.
To print immediatly, click on the image to open a PDF version of the planner that you can print and use immediately.
Choosing The Best Wedding Books
Dear Diva,
What is the best organizational book to use to plan the wedding?
Melanie Boryskavich
Winnipeg, Manitoba
That’s a really tough question to answer. There are literally thousands of options out there! Here are a few tips and recommendations to help you narrow down the field! Wedding books generally fall into one of the two following categories.
Information & Inspiration Books
Mindy Weiss’ new book, The Wedding Book, is an example of this type of book. They are meant to give you ideas and answer your questions as you plan you wedding. They may include photos for inspiration, checklists, etc. The Wedding Book, while it doesn’t contain any photos, is by far the most informative wedding planning book out there. It’s been called “The Wedding Bible” for good reason. If you are looking for a book that will help you with wedding planning questions and advice, this is the book I would recommend. You can also enter to win a copy!
Planner Books
The other category includes books that are more interactive. These may or may not include wedding planning information and advice as well, but their primary purpose is to provide you with a place to keep all of your plans, notes and ideas together. One example is the new Wedding Inspiration Journal recently released as a green business collaboration between Pulp & Circumstance and With A Flourish. This planner offers places for you to keep notes, pockets to store swatches and other inspiration and wedding planning tips all compiled together into one beautiful journal that makes a perfect keepsake after the wedding as well. The best thing about this journal is that it is printed on FSC certified, 100% Post Consumer Waste!
If you’re newly engaged and looking for the best options for yourself, pick up a copy of The Wedding Book for a complete planning resource, the Wedding Inspiration Journal to keep your notes and ideas together, and a copy of Your Wedding… Imagine Magazine for photos, real weddings and other inspiration!
Be Fabulous,
The Wedding Diva
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Have a question for The Wedding Diva?
Email your questions to diva@imaginemagazine.ca
Allen & Ashley’s Grandview Wedding
Allen & Ashley (Stevens) Collins
Married on August 23rd, 2008
Grandview, Manitoba
Boy meets girl - For a few years Ashley and Allen had been going to the same bar in Red Deer Alberta every Tuesday night to play a game Name that Tune.
On bended knee – Allen and Ashley had been ring shopping and found the one they wanted but it had to be re-sized. After Allen picked up the ring from the jewelers, he told Ashley the jeweler had the wrong ring ready (the jeweler didn’t); the ring was actually hidden the house for two weeks while he was away. Allen drove them to Cold Lake Alberta one day and they went for a walk on the frozen lake and that is where he proposed.
Fabulous details – Ashley is originally from Grandview, Manitoba and the couple decided to get married in her home town. One of Ashley’s bridesmaids in Manitoba was able to make some of the arrangements and then she would call Ashley in Alberta with information. The ceremony was at Ashley’s Mom and Dad’s acreage and the reception was at the Parish hall.
The bridesmaids wore dark purple, lilac and silver, and the groomsmen wore black tuxedos and vests with black and purple striped ties.
Cherished moment – During the rehearsal, the justice of the peace asked Ashley what she prefers to call Allen. One of their friends piped up and said, “She normally calls him “Dude””. So during the wedding when it was time to say “kiss your bride”, the Justice of the Peace said, “Dude, you may kiss your bride.”
Photography by: Carol’s Photography
Text by Sheila Kolesar
Vendor Credits:
Flowers: Fountain of Flowers (bouquets)
Rings & Jewelry: People’s
Words of wisdom
“Start planning early and do things ahead of schedule.”
