Our Wedding Day

When Shawn and I first got engaged I had already had an idea of what I wanted our wedding to look and feel like.  I knew I wanted to DIY (do it yourself) most of it.  At the beginning of planning we knew we for sure wanted it to be all about God and His love for us and His ultimate plan for marriage.  We also knew that we wanted to have the day feel like a family reunion more than a party.

Shawn and I like to think that we are old at heart, we love old country houses from the early 1900's and anything else made in that era.  We loved the look of old mason jars, especially the blue ones with mixed flowers in them, I also loved milk glass bud vases.  After researching, Googleing, blogging, creeping and brainstorming I came up with this decor.

My dad build tons of wooden 'props' for us, including these amazing signs.  Our wedding ceremony and reception was in the same church but there was a 4 hour time laps in between.  We had people going around to the side doors, saving the middle isle for only the wedding procession, so I wanted the signs so that there was no confusion.

Shawn and I found this card box at the Rocky Mountain Antique mall here in Edmonton.  We love shopping there, it always becomes at least a 4 hour excursion for us.  We had been searching for the perfect card box for a few months and finally found this 'homemade toolbox'.  The base box was a British Columbia Sugar Refining Co. Ltd. Rogers Syrup box and someone quite a long time ago built it into a toolbox with a tid and an wooden insert.  It had very old hardware (handles) on the sides and very old nails sticking out all over.  We loved the look, only $25!  I made the burlap CARDS banner, super quick and easy, just to finish it off.

 

The isle decor ideas came very early in the game, I thought of these mason jars hanging off of the pews when Kathy came to visit me 2 weeks after we were engaged.  Then they got forgotten and we decided it would be to much work to try and do.  One week before the wedding my mom and I were talking about the isle and decided to try one mason jar.  Before long, there were 20 done and we had isle decorations.   Mason jars from mom's basement (these ones didn't have to be nice at all), small pebbles in the bottom, burlap and lace ribbon around and flowers from my mom's garden.  

My dad also made us our arbor to be married under, made mostly out of old wood from Shawn's grandmothers original farm house and from my grandparents original farm house.  We loved having such a significant piece of our families to stand under.  To the sides of the arbor we had two blue mason jars wrapped in burlap and lace ribbon with big, beautiful dark pink peonies from my grandma Melnyk's garden, it was perfectly beautiful.

 

Blaine and Shawn worked very hard hanging the annoying, ripped, old tulle behind the stage in between the stands of fabric.  I was very appreciative of it though, it transformed the sanctuary in a way nothing else could have.

 
Taking communion together during our marriage ceremony was one of the most important elements of our wedding to us.  We wanted to fully express that we are allowing God to run our marriage and we are willing to follow where ever he leads.  We will sacrifice because He did for us.  We are not only one with each other but one with Him as well.  It was the most beautiful bonding experience I have ever felt in my life.

My flowers were a beautiful pale mix of hydrangeas, garden roses, spray roses, Scarlet O' Hara peonies and dusty millar.  The ladies had the same but smaller and minus the peonies.  My dad wore a Ralph Lauren charcoal grey suit, and Calvin Klein organic weave light grey and ivory striped tie.  He looked so great!

My handsome groom wore a grey Calvin Klein 3 piece tuxedo and a Dion ivory paisley tie (which had little birds all hidden through it...love it!!).  Shawn's groomsmen (from left, Jeffery, Blaine, Larry and Mike) wore grey Calvin Klein 2 piece suits with celadon green satin ties.  They all wore one cream spray rose as boutonnieres, except Shawn, who sported 2!  Lucky guy.

The beautiful ladies on my side of the party (from left, Maria, Kathy, Leigha and Lorriann) wore celadon green dresses by Jasmine B2, Jasmine Beloise, and Alfred Angelo.  They each wore their own rendition of ivory earrings, wooden bangles and dawned matching tan Spring flats.

My dress was a beautiful lace overlay Alfred Angelo piece.  Strapless and a-line.  Just as I always pictured.  Beautifully adorned, shallow sweetheart neckline.  No necklace to complicate things, it was just so perfect on it's own.  I wore 3 bracelets, one given to me by my mother after falling in love with it at Magnolia, and 2 from Aldo, one sparkly and one pearls.  My shoes were dusty rose 2 inch wooden wedge sandals.  A little vintage.  My veil, my favorite part of my attire, was worn by my mother on her wedding day to my father 28 years ago.  What an inspiration.  What beauty in a love like that.  I love my veil.  It is a treasure, just like my mom.

I had an idea quite early on from other wedding blogs and websites of doing our table chart in the panes of old windows.  It seemed like a great idea for us because we had these beautiful old windows from my grandma and grandpa Zornes old cabin at the lake.  They are so sentimental and also just so gorgeous.  I was leery about writing on them with my own handwriting but when I got to the middle and stood back and looked I realized I loved the 'homegrown' look of it.  It turned out amazing and I am so glad we decided to do that.  Got lots of great comments on it.

Our reception was much more decorated than the ceremony was.  We figured we'd be spending much more time in there so we would put more effort into making it what we envisioned.  Unfortunately we did not have a photographer for our reception so these pictures are before the beautiful flowers were put in the vases.  My mom made us a gorgeous banner with our 'theme scripture' for behind our head table, which I just loved.  So unique and special.






 In the reception we wanted a couple really awesome stations for people to enjoy.  We decided early on that we did not want alcohol at our wedding for multiple reasons but we know that many people enjoy that part of a wedding.  So we wanted to make ours fun and exciting without it.  So one thing I created was this drink station.  In the two metal wash basins we had glass bottles of Coke, Diet Coke and Sprite.  In the punch bowls in the middle there was grapefruit fizz punch.  Off to the left was a table full of mason jar glasses for people to fill with their drink of choice and add a beautiful paper straw and an umbrella or three.

 

We also decided on a candy buffet for the favors for the same reason.  Our wedding was a little bit different in setup and timing so we wanted there to be things for people to get up and do.  The candy bar was a huge hit!  I decided to collect crystal bowls and vases for the candy instead of the modern bowls and vases to stay with the feel of the day.  It looked beautiful and was very popular.

 

 I loved making the little signs for all the different candy and picking out candy that we both loved and we knew that guests would love as well.  Shawn's favorite was there, peanut butter cups, and so was mine, Grapefruit Slices (sour!!).  I collected old silver gravy ladles from thrift stores for the scoops to keep those vintage too.

A few weeks before the wedding on the weekend my ladies surprised me with a horseback riding bachlorette I recruited Lorriann and Leigha to help me stamp, cut and punch all 250 candy bags.  We cut the tops with fancy scissors, punched the corners with a doily looking punch, and stamped them with bees making a heart and "Thanks for Everything".  Our hands were very sore and red after that night!  But it was very worth it!

That was our day in a nut shell.  After some speeches, an amazing Ukrainian meal, games and visiting Shawn and I headed out to our little hotel room at Hotel MacDonald.  Our view out our 6th floor window looked down onto the garden grounds and the river valley.  But...the honeymoon story is for another day.  I will probably add more to this wedding post later.

Thanks for stopping by!

-- Kaela (& Shawn)

Short and Sugary

Just a short little note to say, it's been way to long since I've written.  Sheesh.

Planning the wedding was extremely busy but I totally loved it because I love planning and organizing.  I knew I would really like it and I was right.  Everything was really great until about 3 weeks before the wedding I had a little emotional break down (don't even remember what it was about now) but it was over quickly and I got right back on the horse (I wish literally).  The week before the wedding my whole focus was just getting to that day.  Once I was off work (Wednesday before) it went pretty quickly.  We were able to start decorating the church the Thursday before so when that started time flew by.  Kathy was down Friday morning to help set up and be my support system, it was amazing having her here.  She was so great, getting me water all day so I wouldn't dehydrate.  Ahhh, what would I do without her?  Dehydrate, whither...

Then the day came and it went incredibly!  It was the most amazing, fun filled day I have ever experienced in my life.  What a thrill, a ride!  Walking down the isle I was extremely shaky, my bottom lip would vibrate unless I smiled big, so I did.  When I got to the front, dad wrapped his arms around us and prayed for us, then I went up with Shawn and from that point it was bliss.  So amazing to hear such profound words from Rev. Dave.  His words from the Lord were so perfect for us.  We just enjoyed the sermon so much and when we were pronounced, wow, what a feeling!  The photo shoot was super fun, Andy Walton (Something Sweet Custom Photography) always makes it fun!  We had a '69 silver Chevelle as a ride for the afternoon thanks to my father's boss, Nick.  It was an amazing car!  The photos out in the fields were extremely warm to do, it was +30 Celsius.  Not complaining, but just a little.  Very hot!  We were sweaty...I'll tell you that!

The reception was incredible as well, so relaxed and enjoyable, just the way we were hoping it would be.  The food was to die for, the first dance went smooth (phew), the speeches were beautiful, the candy bar was a hit, the tears were flowing (in a good way).  It was a perfect day.  I will definatly tell more details later on and put pictures up as well.  Thanks to everyone who helped with our day, thanks thanks thanks!!!

-- Kaela (& Shawn)

Time Flies

It's been quite a while since I have written.  I've been a very busy bride!  Shawn and I have been run off our feet planning the wedding in all of our down time between work and sleep!  Who knew there is so much to think about!  We have finished the invitation building and envelope stuffing and are mailing out the bulk of them this weekend.  We are really enjoying the planning process and are trying to do as many things DIY (do it yourself) as possible.

Planning our honeymoon is just as much fun and the closer it gets the more excited we get!  It's been years since we have been away together because we chose to save that part of our relationship for marriage when I moved home.  I have a huge respect for my handsome man who has not gone away on vacation for a steady 2 years.  Such a hard worker!

In the past few months obviously lots has happened with planning but other things have happened as well.  Right after we got engaged I found out my child hood friend Carley had gotten engaged the same week.  Later in the month I heard that her wedding day is planned for the same day as ours, here in Devon as well!  How awesome!  Then my good friend from high  school Kyra, got engaged two months later and is getting married July 14, 2 weeks after us.  Guess what...1 month after that, my best friend of a lifetime and maid of honor Kathy got engaged to Devon and is getting married this year in September.  4 brides in one small circle!  How amazing!  I feel blessed to be a bridesmaid for the first time for Kathy, and a bride all in one year!  How lucky am I to be getting married the same year as my best friend?  Very lucky!

-- Kaela

Kaela's Spontanious Trip

Monday morning rolls around this week and I get up and head off to work.  I forgot to write down my schedule for the week but I had worked Monday for the past 6 weeks so I just assumed.  After a 40 minute drive into the city I was informed that in fact I didn't work.  So I packed myself back into my poor little car and made the trek home.  I texted Kathy before I left work because I remembered her saying in an email that she was off all day Monday.  I thought, maybe I can take a trip there.

By 12:30pm she had replied and I was running to my basement room to pack my little backpack with what I would need for a quick over night trip to Three Hills.  I jumped in my car and was humming with excitement because of my extreme rebellion to my usual very planned and organized lifestyle. Driving down south through the beautiful Alberta prairie was most excellent.  I've always loved that drive.  Highway 2 is multi-talented, so smooth and fast while having such a gorgeous view.  Horses and cows, hills and trees.  Just love it.  Arrival in Three Hills was absolutely thrilling...as always.  The very slow little tiny mini town seems to welcome me fully as I drive "through" to the college.  Kathy was just finishing up with a session that she is taking that is held at the school.

She came out to my car and we excitedly jumped and hugged and squealed, as is tradition.  As soon as I see her I have a sense of excitement and lightened spirit, something I cannot explain.  Something that was given to her by God to impress upon me when we are together.  It's radical.  I hadn't ever been to her new abode she acquired since she had finished schooling.  She decided to continue living in Three Hills because she felt like it was where she was supposed to stay (and because she fell in love with a certain dude).

I pulled into an awkwardly shaped front driveway/yard/pull through/confusing parking lot in front of a big two story blue house from the 70's.  It's one of those houses that was definatly meant for two families or boarders in the basement.  Up or down...your only choices when you walk in the door, both doors closed at the end of the stairs.  Kind of like a bad nursery rhyme.  We went up.  As we walked through the house, Kathy began a running narrative about the details that lay in each room.  I dropped my bags in her little room at the end of the hall.  Finally Garth came in the door from the back yard, cold and slobbery.  So excited to see me.  He knew it was me.  I could almost hear him saying, "this is the girl who lays down with me and rolls around on the floor like a dog!! Wooo!!"  I think dogs think I'm a first-rate human.

The evening went on and we decided to take a drive to the Guzoo.  There, I was in heaven.  I got to run with tigers!  And wolves, and cougars!!  They all loved to see us, it was amazing.  They actually noticed our presence, unlike other zoos.  They would run up to the cage and put their paws on the fence and purr and meow and run and jump with us.  It was unbelievably awe-inspiring.  I would love to work at a place like that.   You NEED to go there.  It's incredible.  But go on a day that it's not busy, because then you really get a unique chance to get close to the animals and see how they actually notice you and...love you!!  Anyway...tangent about Guzoo.

The rest of the evening was pretty chill, eating delish homemade sour dough pizzas and major cleaning Kathy's room.  The next morning I took Kathy to work and headed home back north.  The scenery doesn't seem as amazing on the way home.

Only when heading south, down to Thrills.

-- Kaela

Wintery Wonders

I am pleasantly overwhelmed by the beautiful snow.
It makes everything feel so serene.
When you walk outside and the snow crunches under your feet making you shiver.
The sounds seem to float on top the snow covered ground right into your ears.
It feels as though the whole town is right there in my front yard as all of the noises wash around me so clearly.
Winter makes me appreciate the beautiful home that I can run to and the warm air that resides there.
It has a way of making all buildings look cozy as the white puffs of cloud come billowing out their chimneys.
I feel like I smile more in the winter, maybe because it reminds me of the warmth I have to look forward to.
Maybe it is because it feels so crisp and new.
Every flake that falls is a new beginning to a landscape that seems, so suddenly, to take hold of our neighborhoods.
That landscape that we are so accustomed to and yet every year it seems to take us by surprise.
How cold it can be, how icy the roads get, how much snow can really fall, how many cars hit the ditch, how every flake is actually different.
It seems we forget all of these things and every year they stun us over again.

-- Kaela

Planning Our Wedding

In the midst of planning our wedding I decided I wanted to open up a blog to go along with Shawn and I as we plan and then as we live after the wedding.  There will be lots of things going on the years to come with moving, homes, renos, family updates and changes.  I want to be able to share these things with everyone in a written form.  I have always loved writing and I think this would be a good way to do it while keeping everyone updated on our lives.

At the moment Shawn and I are planning the wedding.  We have been engaged for 2 months so we are just in the early stages of planning.  We are trying to get as many things done as early as possible.  I know that as Christmas comes and passes and the New Year comes around time will fly and there will only be 5 months left until the day!!  I have purchased my dress, we know what we are doing for invitations (we're making them), just need to buy the paper and get to it.  Center pieces are figured out just need to collect all the items.

The bridesmaids and I are trying to get dresses under wraps.  It seems to be a bit more of a process than I thought it would be.  The color that I have chosen for the ladies to wear is no where in stores right now because it is a summery color, not a Christmasy/wintery color.  So we are now switching gears from buying from stores randomly to ordering from a website/store specifically meant for bridesmaids.  It's also been hard to find the time to get together with each of the ladies, we all have very different schedules.  But we're trying! 

We are not going to give away to many details anywhere in either this blog or on our wedding website.  We want most things at our wedding to be a surprise to everyone and to be special.  But I'll definatly keep everyone updated on our lives here as I have the time!  Check back regularly!

-- Kaela (& Shawn)