Alyssa and Kyle got married two summers ago, but they will always have a special place in my heart. They were so sweet and wonderful together, and surrounded completely by love on their wedding day. Here is their story.

I arrived at the barn (where we volunteer annually) with a few friends. Kyle was suppose to be there already so when I didn't see him, I started to text him and ask where the heck he was. While I was looking down at my phone texting him, my friend pulled open the barn door. Everyone there yelled at me to pay attention. I looked up to see Kyle was down on one knee, holding out a box with a beautiful ring. With the help of our friends, he had a banner made that read "Alyssa, will you marry me?". There were photos of us hanging  on twine along the barn stall and loads of balloons and streamers. Plus he had a local bakery make us delicious custom cupcakes. It was likely the cutest and and most thought out proposal. I said yes (obviously)!

We decided to wait 2 years to have our wedding. Mainly because we didn't want to rush the planning and we wanted the first pick at venues, vendors etc. We decided to do an outdoor ceremony at the Stone Barn Garden, followed by a reception at Mill Woods Golf Course. The biggest struggle we had was trying to find venues for a large wedding (250 guests). I found the planning process was pretty easy. Pinterest was a huge help but I got a little overwhelmed with so many ideas. My bridal party was very helpful when I needed to narrow things down, since Kyle didn't have many opinions when it came to decor.

It was so important to both of us that we hired friendly and local vendors. We really lucked out! Some vendors that really stand out were Leduc cinemas (popcorn bar), Nutmeg & Co Designs (florals), Keilan's Creamery (ice cream truck), Dress My Day (table cloths), and Gin Quist Photography. 

Our wedding day was perfect. Sure some things didn't quite go a planned but when the day was over, we agree, it was perfect. The weather held up when it needed to. The flowers were beyond what we expected, the bridesmaids dresses looked amazing with the groomsmen suits and everyone seemed to have a blast. I have so many amazing memories of our day, but my favorite memory of the day was looking out at the dance floor and at least half of our guests were up there smiling and having the best time. We will never forget our wedding. I cant believe it has already been so long since that day. Luckily we have tons of pictures to reflect on.

Alyssa and Kyle

Spring is such a fleeting thing, especially in Edmonton. So, when I have the chance to get some families out to take some photos with the beautiful blossoms that fill our city for about 5 days of the year, I take it! We even got photo bombed by a few cyclists lol Here are just a few from my sessions with three lovely families.

​​How did you two meet?
​We met in undergrad, almost 8 years ago. I joined a student volunteer group that Ravin was leading, and slowly got to know him through the organization, and through our shared anxiety over medical school applications. The following year, we were both admitted to the same medical school class, and we quickly became best friends. I remember thinking that I’d never become such good friends with anyone else so quickly; within a very short time, it was hard to imagine what life had been like without him. Over many hours of conversation- whether in whispers to each other behind our laptops in lectures, or across our favourite table in Rutherford library, or over beers and fries on Friday afternoons at the RATT campus bar- we came to know each other inside and out. More than two years later, we realized that perhaps there was a reason we were so inseparable, and we began dating. 

​How did the proposal go?
​The proposal was perfect- it was personal and significant and totally us. We are both huge fans of puzzles, and Ravin has carried out almost every significant moment of our relationship through a scavenger hunt- the first time he gave me a gift, the first time he told me he loved me; so it was a no-brainer.  This time, on a visit back to Edmonton for a friend’s wedding, he set up a scavenger hunt all around the University of Alberta campus. I got to visit all of my old favourite haunts- Transcend, the Sugarbowl, and Remedy café, finding a few of my closest friends and a new clue at each location.  Finally, the hunt led me down on a beautiful walk through the river valley, to our favourite little spot overlooking the footbridge; and there was Ravin, waiting for me in the rain. I was crying so hard, I can barely remember what he said or how I reacted, but I’m pretty sure at some point I said yes!  It was so thoughtful and beautiful, I couldn’t have imagined anything better.