Lani & Daniel

"Dan and I first met at TD in 2013. I started working part time in January of that year while finishing up my Education Degree at the UofA. A couple of months later Dan joined our branch to take the role of our new Small Business Advisor. New people at a workplace always captured my interest, because well, I loved making friends!

Dan and I were instant friends. On the first day we met, I found out all about his family and that his Mom was a teacher too. I knew we'd get along just fine. Every shift we had together we'd get lost in conversations and there'd always be a line of customers waiting to be helped. Most times when I needed help, I found that he was the first person I'd ask. He was patient and kind. Dan was the best person to defuse a stressful situation or calm me down when I had to deal with a difficult customer. And if you worked at a bank, you know those scenarios can get quite heated.

Despite the busy days and crazy moments at the bank, we always found time in our day to tease and make fun of each other. After two continuous years of flirting and laughing together, one day we decided it would be fun to use up a Swiss Chalet gift card I had won at a bonspiel. On what was supposed to be two friends hanging out, we met up at Earls for drinks, dinner at Swiss Chalet, bought some candy and watched 22 Jump Street....or was it 21 Jump St? Either way, that night turned out to be our first date and a lifetime of memories ahead for us. 

It took me 3 months, 5 shops and 20+ dresses later to find my dream dress. It was not an easy task to do as every dress I had tried on, I loved! Everyone always says, you will know when it's your dress and frankly, I felt like every dress was THE dress. I had gone dress shopping each time with women that have and always have empowered me, and that is probably why it was so difficult to pick one. I am so grateful for each and every one of them as they helped me narrow down what I wanted in a dress. So one day I decided to go on my own. 

I had previously gone to Novelle and I loved one of their dresses. Julia with her beautiful smile and kind energy took the time to listen to my interests. She was super supportive of my decision to be there on my own. However, I really felt like I was shopping with one of my girls. I tried on what I remember were three dresses, and Julia decided to pull one for me. She honestly picked it out at the right moment because I was ready to settle with the three before. I wasn't even fully in the dress yet, and knew this was the one! Julia zipped me in and it's so true, either you cry because you know, or you're overwhelmed with all the emotions. I was the latter part. The dress was by Enzoani and it paired beautifully with a cathedral length veil that Julia helped me pick too. At our first look, Dan was brought to tears and the rest of our guests were all blown away. 

We did not have the wedding we originally planned. Dan and I were struggling with whether we should postpone it to 2021, or risk having to cancel our wedding at the last minute. Due to the pandemic we were unsure. With the help and support from our vendors, we decided that having a smaller wedding with all of our closest family and friends would be best, and the day couldn't have been more perfect. It was October 3rd, a warm fall day with no snow! The morning was exactly what I wanted: music blasting, Prosecco flowing with all my amazing ladies to fill the vibes. A flawless day of getting ready. 

Dan and I had our first look prior to the reception, at one of our favourite buildings in the city. I am so glad we had that time to ourselves to enjoy our last moments before becoming husband and wife. It was just what we needed. Later we met with our nearest and dearest to exchange vows and seal our marriage at The Creative Hive. A very intimate wedding that all came together beautifully with the help of our wedding planner. We wanted to ensure everyone's safety so to take care of the dance portion that we could not have, the entire wedding party did a Tik Tok dance for our guests to The Weekend's Blinding Lights. The wedding was definitely "Beyond" our dreams."

Vendors

Reception Venue: The Creative Hive

Photographer: Sharon Litchfield

Cake: The Art of Cake

Florals: Corinthia Flowers 

Groom's Attire: Zara

Dress: Enzoani

MUA: Beauty by Barbie

Hair: Stephanie Strazza

Rentals: Birch and Bloom, Knotwood Rentals, Special Events

Catering: A Cappella

Veil: Toni Federici