Chris and Melissa's wedding in Leduc, Alberta

The story of our wedding

I planned my wedding in 4 months while working away every second week on shift work. We got engaged june 17, 2022. It was the most romantic day of my life, well, second most. He had a surprised date planned, we started driving west towards the rocky mountains. Next thing i know, we're flying over top of them in a red helicopter with an eclectic man named Ralph who referenced his Ex-wife way too many times. Upon landing atop Minister Mountain, chris got down on one knee and proposed. Little did he know of how high he had set the standard for future occasions from that point forward. We were engaged. Post pandemic when literally everyone in the world is getting married after being backlogged for 2 years. Did i want to wait? -No! So i started planning.The key to success would be the date: shoulder season. Fall wedding. October 22, 2022- still fall with some sunny days, not winter enough to make things miserable.I started to research local venues when i came across the Black Barn. I loved the uniqueness, the rustic chic, and the elegant moodiness it boasted. The appearance is what had me drawn to it, but the people behind the establishment is what made us stay. They are a wonderfully organized family that will make your day more than what you could ever hope for.Venue locked down. Next step? Making sure i can get a dress in time. Helllloooooo Beautiful! (The name of the most fabulous bridal boutique in Red Deer, Alberta.)First dress, at the first store, thats all it took. She didnt show me anything that couldn't come within my time constraint. She listened to all of my wants and combined them into one. And added a few i didnt know i wanted until after because she knows fashion.You will find modern, sexy, elegant, classic, timeless dresses at hello beuatiful and be absolutely pampered while doing it. Not to mention by booking your own vip consultation, she will make you feel as if you are the only woman to enter her shop on that day. Getting seated in your own room with your gaggle of girls presented with delightful pink drinks and cupcakes is simply the best experience. I found a dress. THE dress.Boys: walk into moores and purchase a 3 peice suit for the soon to be husband, and the boys rent. Bam. Boys are done. (They have it so easy.)Its wedding day. The boys have their own get ready suite at the venue.1 bride, 1 maid of honor, 2 bridesmaids, 1 bridesman, 2 mothers, 2 sisters-in-law, and 2 flower girls all sit above the black barn in the bridal suite getting pampered by an army of prefessionals. This brightly lit suite was a great space to call home as we had coffee and baileys, mimosas, and fresh cobs sweets to keep us content. 2pm.The girls are all lined up at the doorway of a cascading staircase leading from the bridal suite to the meticulous lawn below. As my turn approaches, my mother stuffs my vail into my hair as its the last thing on my mind right now. As i walk down the aisle looking at my feet hoping i dont trip on my dress, i remember to look up and see my tall dark and handsome huaband to be, waiting for me. He's standing there grinning ear to ear behind his thoughtfully curled mustache holsing his hand out for me, telling me how beautiful i look.Everything went wonderfully from start to finish. We played rock, paper, scissors to decide who would say their vows first- chris lost. His were short and sweet, as were mine, and as he got to the last 2 words, he professed that he, "couldn't wait to be my WIFE." (Que laughter.)I should have responded by saying i couldn't wait to be his husband but i wasn't quick witted enough at the time. We had some fun with our photographer, Raelene Shulmeister and whipped some donuts in my daddys trans am, and iced our videographer from wagging tail studios, kevin. He was a good sport about it and drank the entire can. We couldnt of asked for better people to make all our wishes and wants comes true. Although planning a wedding in 4 months is tricky, its not impossible, and i wouldn't change one thing about our amazing wedding day.