When you work in the wedding industry, you start to connect with other vendors and look forward to working with them. I've been lucky to meet some amazing ones so far, and I'm looking forward to working with more in the future. Calgary and the surrounding area is full of talented wedding vendors, so this is by no means an exhaustive list. These are just a few of my favourite vendors that I've worked with and would happily recommend to couples.

 

Venues

Choosing a wedding venue is one of the biggest decisions in the planning process — and often the first vendor booked once couples confirm their date. The venues below accommodate a variety of event sizes and budgets.

 

The Commons
People often refer to the Ramsay Design Centre in Inglewood as The Commons, which houses The Parlour and Hemingway Room (where I had my wedding). But The Commons actually offers a multitude of venues under one name, including Park by Sidewalk Citizen, Theatre Grand and now Contemporary Calgary. The team is fantastic to work with too!

 

The Brownstone (plus Venue 308 and Studios at Vic Park)

This space in downtown Calgary is beautiful in its own right, but it can easily be transformed to suit each couple's wedding aesthetic. The Brownstone also has a groom's room and a bridal suite for getting ready, so that can save finding separate spaces. The team behind the venue also owns Venue 308 and Studios at Vic Park, which is just around the corner. Studios at Vic Park is a smaller space that can be rented out for more intimate gatherings or even an indoor portrait location for your wedding photos.

 

The Gathered
This family-run garden venue is located about 40 minutes from downtown Calgary. It's a gorgeous outdoor space that has a scenic ceremony spot, a cute cottage to get ready in, and a clear reception tent (complete with hanging chandeliers) that's one of my favourites to shoot in because the light only gets prettier as the evening goes on. The venue has also teamed up with Ashley from Fiore Fine Events to offer wedding coordination as an included service in their wedding packages. The farm-to-table food is also some of the best I've had at any wedding.

 

River Cafe
The River Cafe is found on Prince's Island Park in downtown Calgary, but it doesn't feel like you're in the middle of a city. The restaurant itself it perfect for more intimate weddings, and the surrounding area makes for gorgeous photo settings (especially around sunset). The food is incredible, too — there's a reason the River Cafe has been named one of Canada's 100 Best Restaurants.

 

Azuridge
Once a private estate, this venue is nestled in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies. It's gorgeous and feels like a getaway without venturing too far from the city. You can stay on-site in one of the luxe rooms, and every space feels photo-worthy. The team is known for their hospitality and the food is top-notch.

 

52 North
The venue is closer to Red Deer than Calgary, but it still makes the list. It's ideal if you're searching for an all-in-one venue that has indoor and outdoor spaces. You'll find two getting-ready spaces that have been impeccably decorated, an outdoor ceremony space and a large, industrial-style indoor venue that can be used for ceremonies and receptions. The indoor space feels contemporary and can be decorated to fit your style.

The photo above was captured at The Gathered, and the day was planned by Fiore Fine Events.

 

 

Videographers
I highly recommend hiring a videographer to capture your wedding. Photos are a must-have keepsake of the day, but video captures it in another way — especially if you get to listen to your vows, ceremony and speeches again. Those moments go by so quickly, and it's nice to revisit them with your partner (especially on anniversaries).

 

Kord & Co Films
I had the pleasure of working with Emory for the first time this year, and I hope we get to do more weddings together. Her personality is exactly what's needed on a wedding day, and she does beautiful work.

 

RD3 Films
I've worked with Ryan numerous times and his easygoing personality makes him a great team member during a wedding day. He puts clients at ease and creates beautiful videos to capture their wedding day.

 

Wedding Planners

These vendors are often the unsung heroes of the day. They have even longer days than photographers do, and they are key in executing your vision and making sure you can enjoy your wedding without stress. Opt for a full planning service if budget allows, or enlist the help of a day-of coordinator.

 

Lottie Weddings
Charlotte is a gem. She's a pro who creates weddings that are memorable for all the right reasons. She's incredibly organized, has impeccable attention to detail and goes above and beyond.

Locke Wedding Co.
I worked with Locke Wedding Co. for day-of coordination at our wedding, and I'm so glad I did. I was determined to DIY the whole thing but quickly realized I was in over my head and didn't want to have my mom and bridesmaids working during the wedding. I was paired with Stacey for day-of coordination, who did an incredible job. She connected with us about a month out to do a vendor hand-over, review timelines and make sure we had everything organized.

 

Glenna Mann
Glenna's attention to detail is amazing. She's always on top of things and executes incredible days for her couples — who you can tell she genuinely cares about.

 

Lynn Fletcher Weddings
This team is incredibly professional and beautifully executes the couple's vision — all while keeping the day running smoothly.

Officiant Cole Hofstra performing a ceremony at Silvertip resort in Canmore.

 

Officiants
Your officiant is an incredibly important part of your wedding day, but couples don't always put the same thought into who they book as they do for other vendors. It's important to find someone who has plenty of experience, but also someone you connect with personally.

 

Married by Cole
Cole Hofstra is one of my favourite officiants, hands down. He used to be a wedding photographer, so he knows how to make things look good on top of delivering an incredible ceremony — like moving aside for the first kiss and making sure you're centered in your decor. He always gets to know each couple he works with an tailor a ceremony to them, adding plenty of personal touches (and laughs) throughout.

 

 

Makeup Artists

Professional makeup is key on your wedding day. Experienced artists know how to make products last in all kinds of conditions and create a look that enhances your natural beauty — plus look amazing in photos.

 

Smudge & Smoulder
Avery is my go-to artist in Calgary, and we love working together. We've collaborated on all kinds of shoots, and she's a pro at executing a wide range of looks — whether it's ethereal, edgy, glam and everything in-between. She's a truly inclusive artist and also one of the few I know of who offers men's grooming services, so the guys can get a bit of pampering on the big day too. I can't recommend her enough.

 

Nicole Saxton
Nicole has a wealth of experience working with brides and photographers. You'll often find her on sets for large-scale commercial productions (in addition to weddings), so she knows her stuff. I always love when I see her name on the vendor list because I know clients are in good hands.

 

Amber Prepchuk

Amber is based in Edmonton, but she's always up to travel (and I recommend her to brides in both cities). I love working with Amber, and she's another one of my go-to artists. She has nearly 20 years of experience and is incredibly knowledgeable about techniques, products, and working with every client's unique features. She also has a ton of experience working with photographers, so she knows how to create makeup looks that not only look incredible in-person but also on camera. Amber's energy is also incredible and she makes every bride feel confident.

 

 

Florists

Florals can be a large expense at a wedding, but they’re worth it! Sometimes I wish we’d done more florals at ours, but we decided to focus on other aspects of the day and keep them fairly minimal. Look for a designer with plenty of experience and knowledge of the best flowers for the season — they also know how to make flowers last.

 

Flower Aura by Natasha
Natasha's creations are stunning. Her designs are classic yet contemporary, and she uses top-quality products. She works to capture each client's unique vision, and she's worked at many of the top venues in town. I feel like I can always spot her work even before I know she's done it!

 

Creative Edge Flowers
Rhonda has been creating gorgeous wedding florals for 25 years, so she knows her stuff — whether it's creating the perfect bouquet, arch arrangement, flowers to add flair to your wedding cake or centrepieces. Her work is exceptional.

A tablescape created by the team at Chair Flair.

 

Decor Rentals

Decor catalogues can be overwhelming! There are so many options, and the cost can add up quickly. The companies below offer plenty of options at a variety of price points, so you’ll be able to find what you need to execute your vision.

 

Chair Flair
Shannon, the company owner, also works with The Commons, which is a great combination. Chair Flair offers an extensive array of decor, from chairs to linens to dishware and plenty in-between.

 

Modern Rentals

You’ll find everything you need here, whether your wedding aesthetic is classic, trendy or anything in-between.

 

 

Wedding Cake

I've seen some gorgeous cakes at weddings, but I don't often get to try them. The recommendations below are vendors whose creations I've been lucky enough to sample, so I know they taste just as good as they look.

 

Black Dog Bakery
The cakes from Black Dog are absolutely delicious. The cake I tried was Early Grey flavour, and I've been tempted to order it for myself.

 

Whippt Kitchen

Anything I've had from Whippt has been so, so good — even their gluten-free products, which can be difficult to execute well.

 

DJs
I strongly recommend hiring a DJ over a DIY approach to music. They're pros who know how to read a crowd and keep the party going.

Pez Productions
This crew knows how to create an unforgettable party. I've never seen a dance floor empty at a Pez wedding.

Sounds Unlimited
This was the DJ company we hired for our wedding, and they did a fantastic job keeping the energy up and playing a mix of music went down well with our guests.