True Romance (Josh and Cali)

True Romance
Cali & Josh
Photos by Lani Elias Photography
Wedding Day: September 18th, 2011
Guest List: 165

Blurbs:

“My favourite moment, other than seeing Cali come down the aisle, was our first dance. We had taken a couple of dance lessons and had a song picked out. I was so nervous! I didn’t know if Cali’s dress was going to get in the way, if we’d slip, or if we’d go off beat, but we actually made it through and had a perfect end—a spin into a dipped kiss!” -Josh

Planning Tip: Need to keep the guests entertained while you take photos? Cali and Josh threw a cocktail party for their guests—complete with a photo booth, games, and lots of munchies.

The Story:

Who knew that true love could be just a click away? Cali and Josh had both grown familiar with their small towns and hoped to find something different online. They figured, “If I’m willing to try it, maybe there’s someone else on here that is half normal too.” It turns out they found exactly what they were hoping to find—lasting love.

After connecting online, they planned a date that had an easy escape route, just in case. They met for coffee (even though neither of them drink the stuff) and ended up doing everything except drinking coffee. They went to Moxies, then for some action: off-roading in a gravel pit, a walk on the beach, and to end off the evening, dining on Mexican food, talking and laughing through every minute of it. When their dreamy day came to a close, Josh dropped Cali off at her house. As soon as she closed the front door, she rushed to the phone and called her mom.

“Mom! That’s it, I’ve found him. I am keeping this one.”

Josh and Cali’s first date marked the day that Cali became a believer in “finding the one”. She was right. A year and a half later at Cali’s family cottage, Josh eagerly awaited the perfect moment to pop the question. On the last day Cali agreed to go on a canoe ride and they were finally alone. As Cali sat in the back of the canoe, sipping tea from a travel mug, wearing sweats and rubber boots and completely unsuspecting of what was about to happen, a smitten Josh decided there couldn’t be a more perfect moment. He picked a spot on shore, beached the canoe, and lead Cali up a hill. The two of them sat and watched the sun rise together. Suddenly, Josh turned towards Cali, got down on one knee, and asked her to marry him. It was a perfect happily ever after.

With one month until Cali’s university graduation and four months until the wedding, the chaotic wedding planning began. Even with a time crunch, Cali proved to be a laid back bride-to-be. She let her bridesmaids pick their own purple dresses and choose their favourite white flower for their bouquet. The outdoorsy couple considered having their wedding in a park but ruled it out to give their family a relaxing, fun wedding day instead of worrying about the set up and take down of tents and chairs. Pineridge Hollow provided the perfect alternative. Just outside the city, it has a beautiful outdoor spot for the ceremony and a tent ready for receptions.

After a whirlwind engagement, the day finally arrived. Josh and Cali wanted that special ‘first look’ at one another as the bride walks down the aisle, so they started the day off separately, hearts drumming with anticipation. Josh and his best man decided to drive to the ceremony in one of his dad’s classic cars. En route to the ceremony, Josh noticed the gas was low but assumed it was a broken gauge--until he ran out of gas! Fumes and momentum got the car about a few hundred yards from the ceremony, but they were on their own for the rest of the way. With only minutes to go, the groom and best man jumped out of the car and ran full speed to the ceremony, past the seated guests, and up to their spots at the altar. Music started to play and there she was, the beautiful Cali, making her way down the fragrant aisle lined with baskets of purple hydrangeas toward her grinning groom.

Once the couple came back from pictures, the guests and the wedding party gathered for a tented reception. Mini lights and chandeliers cast a romantic glow across the tent where a seating plan drawn on a chalkboard guided guests to their seats. Chivari chairs laced with white, silver, and purple satin ribbons were tucked under the tables. A bundle of soft purple hydrangeas and white roses adorned each table, and beside it, a number. The numbers on the tables were associated with a random fact about the couple, such as seven—the number of days Cali knew Josh before she had him barefoot on the dance floor.

It was a beautiful day for a beautiful couple.

The Details: 

Ceremony and Reception Venue: Pineridge Hollow
Photographer: Lani Elias Photography
Dress: San Patrick from Chantal’s Bridal
Headpiece: Feathered from Chantal’s Bridal
Flowers: Pineridge Hollow
Stationery: Paper Airplanes
Makeup: Total Look and Glo Makeup Studios
Hair: Total Look Hair Design & Day Spa
Cake: Pineridge Hollow
Bridesmaids Dresses: Modcloth.com and Shopruche.com
Jewellery: WK Chan and Stella & Dot