Date

Guests

80

August 16, 2014

Wendy was sure Graham would propose to her during a surprise trip the two took to Italy together, but she left Italy without an engagement ring on her finger. "I have to admit, I was a little disappointed and mostly embarrassed that I had talked myself into the idea," Wendy recalls. Little did she know that Graham would surprise her again.

"After arriving home from a work trip one night, he was waiting for her with dinner and a bucket of gelato, " Wendy explains. "As I opened the gelato container, I was completely taken aback. Inside was a beautiful ring he designed and the words 'Will You Marry Me?' written on the inside of the container. I tearfully accepted!"

The couple decided on a summer garden party wedding with DIY details by Wendy and vintage furniture from Orange Truck Rentals. "We really loved the vintage garden party concept," Wendy explains.

When they stumbled upon Rouge in Calgary and saw the back garden space behind the restaurant, they instantly knew it would be the perfect venue. "We are foodies at heart and had eaten there many times," Wendy says. "Our menu was a feast that included items like a signature cocktail, crostini baked in-house, 36-hour-cured pork belly and even a poutine bar for a midnight snack."

The couple was in for yet another surprise on their big day, this time from close friends. "One of the best moments of the entire day was the mariachi band," Wendy remembers. "Dear friends of ours secretly schemed and surprised us with this detail. It was a throwback to me driving everyone crazy humming the Spanish song 'Cielito Lindo' during a trip to Nicaragua and inviting mariachi bands to join me while I did so."

Vendors
Ceremony and reception location: Rouge Restaurant
Bridal gown: Ethos Bridal
Bridal party attire: Modcloth and BHLDN
Groom's tux: Harry Rosen
Cake: Rouge Restaurant
Caterer: Rouge Restaurant
Music: Pez Productions
Hair and makeup: MaddPretty
Florist: Amborella Floral Studio