Intentional Garden Wedding at St. Albert Botanic Park and Glasshouse Kitchen & Bar

Who better to tell the story of a wedding day than the woman who dreamed it up, lived it, and married the love of her life in the middle of it? Handing the mic over to Elyse for this one.

The love story

Elyse and Tanner met at school in sixth grade when the Doll family made their return to Canada after living in China. Despite being friends with many of the same people, they wouldn’t reconnect until February 2020, when they ran into each other at a bar. Tanner asked Elyse out on a date a few days later, though the sudden onset of the COVID-19 pandemic kept them apart for another month. On their first date, Tanner cooked his most-liked chicken curry, packed it up with a bottle of wine and a blanket, and met Elyse at a local park for a picnic (in the middle of March in -20 degree weather). They both agree it was the perfect first date, despite the cold, and it left them with a good ‘first-date’ story, as Elyse revealed only afterwards that she is a vegetarian—this would become a running joke that they were still laughing about on their wedding day. Their big day was filled with personal significance. The couple chose to have their wedding close to home. After spending so much time apart, with Tanner often away playing football in the Canadian Football League, they cherished the idea of being together in a place that symbolized their intentional commitment to one another. Home was a reflection of the moments they had shared, in a space where their time together was no longer defined by distance but by connection.

The wedding

The ceremony at St. Albert Botanic Park was just up the road from where Elyse and Tanner had their first date, while the reception at Glasshouse Kitchen + Bar overlooked the spot where Tanner had proposed. The morning was spent surrounded by loved ones—Elyse at their home, Tanner at his parents'— setting the tone for the joyful day ahead. Family and friends brought warmth to the celebration through creative contributions—Elyse wore a veil that was hand embroidered by her mom, her brother surprised her by picking her up in a red Ferrari to take her to walk down the aisle (only after he took her on a "memory drive" through town), a welcome sign made by Tanner’s grandmother greeted guests at the ceremony, Elyse’s sister, and Tanner’s brother-in-law performed the ceremony music, the father-of-the-groom built a champagne wall to serve guests upon arriving at the reception as well as the shot-ski guestbook for them to sign, and the mother-of-the-groom made the exquisite cake and party-favour cookies (she even grew and pressed each flower they were adorned with). The day was filled with love, gratitude, and the creative touch of family and friends, making it a celebration to remember. Upon reflecting on their day, Elyse and Tanner recommend focusing on what’s most important to you as a couple, especially when it comes to budget, and carving out special moments just for the two of you. Their favorite moment? A few quiet minutes together after the ceremony, soaking in the bliss of becoming husband and wife.