Dylan and Janelle's wedding in Steinbach, Manitoba

At the end of April in 2016, we were driving in the country and stopped in Sandilands to check out the newly planted trees after the forest fires, we took a picture in the ditch and kept on with our day. We always talked about how it would be cool to go back to that spot periodically and check on "our" trees. Little did I know that in September 22nd, 2018 we would head back to our spot in the ditch and Dylan would get down on one knee and ask me to be his wife. 'About time' was the response of our family and friends. We both liked the idea of a fall wedding and picked September 28, 2019, as our wedding date since it was already the wedding anniversary of my grandparents and Dylan's Aunt and Uncle.

The social and wedding planning process was really fun for us, we had a lot of love and support from our family who was more than willing to come to appointments or help out in any way possible. For that, we are beyond grateful. A social is definitely more work and stress than a wedding, but it's great to see your friends fill the dance floor and win prizes! I'd like to think that I wasn't "bridezilla" for a year and prepped my family that I may have a moment the day or two before the wedding; luckily enough for myself and everyone else all the planning paid off and set-up went smoothly.

The big day had arrived! I woke up calm and as the bridesmaids, hair & makeup artists arrived to get us ready I really just got excited. Once hair and makeup were done and I got to put my wedding dress on, it really sunk in that this isn't just a party, I'm preparing to walk down the aisle to meet my husband. Something which Dylan and I had started talking about way back in the 9th grade.

Our wedding day was really a dream. The ceremony was beautiful. It took place at the church I grew up attending and was personalized by our Pastor. We opted out of a first look as the traditionalist in me wanting to first see Dylan during my walk down the aisle with my day. After the ceremony, our guests were able to go to our Aunt and Uncle's for drinks and appetizers while we left to take pictures for a few hours. For photos, it only seemed fitting to go back to the ditch in Sandilands where Dylan proposed 12 months earlier. And later met everyone at Friedensfeld Community Centre for our reception. As a member of the hall, the price was great and we were able to spend more on decorations and rentals to really customize the look of the building.

As both really emotional/sentimental people, Dylan and I loved the speeches! My sister and maid-of-honour really surprised me with turning childhood stories into life lessons, and Dylan's younger brother and best-man took advantage of the opportunity to embarrass his older brother. We had a truly fabulous day and my only complaint is that it didn't last long enough. A part of me wanted to dance and have fun and another part wanted to walk around and talk with all of our guests; with 275 people there simply isn't time to do both. All in all, an amazing day. Worth every penny and late night for the wonderful memories that we get for the rest of our lives.