Erin and Dustin tied the knot during an intense summer heat wave at the end of July; the forest fires from BC made for some really wicked smoky photos towards the end of the night with a red-tinted sun. There’s something you don’t see at weddings often!
These two are, quite honestly, some of the sweetest people I’ve ever met. Dustin’s care and attention to Erin in particular is something that is so lovely to witness, with their guests giving a very audible “aww” whenever Dustin would kiss the top of Erin’s head (multiple times throughout the ceremony!). My favorite moment was their first look where neither of them could keep it together. Dustin prepared a special surprise for Erin – he “proposed” to her again (for their anniversary) and presented to her another ring. Erin was really taken aback by all of the bling she got that day!
During the speeches, I learned how Erin and Dustin had searched for each other for a long time, and how Erin’s friends set her up with Dustin by creating an online dating profile for Erin without her knowing. When she found out, she was quite livid but agreed to keep the profile up for a bit after seeing the kind things her friends had wrote about her in the descriptions. They had found some matches for her which eventually lead to Dustin – and the rest is history.
Erin and Dustin, thank you both for the fun trip out to Banff and for including me in your special day!
Describe your planning process!
Erin & Dustin: We’re so happy we found the Ranche to get married at. Not only was it the perfect place for our wedding, but we’re thrilled to celebrate anniversaries there too! The food is spectacular! We love taking walks in Fish Creek so the Ranche seemed like the perfect place to get married. We really enjoyed planning the wedding together and making decisions together.
What was your favorite part of your wedding day?
Erin & Dustin: The entire day was so unforgettable that it’s hard to say what the best moment was. We really loved having our first look before the wedding so we could have that moment to remember. We were overwhelmed with the love and support of being surrounded by so many people who love us and were there to celebrate with us. We were really excited to have our first dance together and had been practicing our sweet moves! :)
What is your greatest piece of advice to couples planning their big day?
Erin & Dustin: First of all, make sure you get the right photographer, Anna! :) Seriously, we met with many photographers before meeting Anna and couldn’t be happier about our decision. She’s personable and professional and takes amazing pictures! We took our time with all the major decisions to make sure we were making the best decision for us. Everyone is going to have an opinion on how you should plan your wedding and have lots of advice. Just remember that the day is about the two of you and you have to do what makes you happy. :) We were really organized and kept lots of lists and spreadsheets. The day itself goes by so quickly and it’s important to enjoy every second of it! It is all very magical and there were many tears of happiness. The day was so special and so meaningful. We were thankful that we had the day after the wedding with our families and time to pack before going on our honeymoon 2 days later!
Ceremony & Reception venue: Bow Valley Ranche Restaurant // Marriage commissioner: Jane Paterson // Bridal attire: Truvelle design dress from Pearl & Dot // Bridesmaid dresses: David’s Bridal // Groom’s and groomsmen’s attire: Black & Lee // Mackenzie Veil & Heather Comb by Sara Gabriel // Agustina Belt by Olivia Headpieces // Earrings by Joanna Bisley Designs // Shoes by Vince Camuto from Nordstroms // Cufflinks by Jones New York // DJ/Music by Brett Link // Hair by Dallas Tucker // Florals: Funky Petals // Catering and Cake: Bow Valley Ranche Restaurant // Stationary: Paperless Post // Dress alterations: Ingenuity Couture
