A Love Story

Your life is not the grandiose statements, it is just the sum total of all the little things that you chose to do next. - Chris Hadfield. When I became an entrepreneur 18 years ago, one of the things that I really loved was the control it gave me. Control on when to work, what to work on, and most importantly who I chose to spend my time with. It turns out that control does not have unlimited reach, and for the first time in 18 years I have been forced to do nothing and ju...st wait. I feel for our couples and know what you must be going through. Eileen and I (and the Village) did five rounds of IVF to get our little girl, Londyn Avaya, so I know what it is like to get super excited for something only to be told to wait, or that it might not happen. I learned a lot about control and patience during those 8 years. I feel for the vendors we are lucky enough to work beside and call our friends. I remember the excitement and joy I felt the day we got approved for a $30,000 loan to start our business and I also remember the uncertainty and fear that immediately followed. It is like we have been thrust back into that moment, but we got through it before and we will get through it again. When I had my Jerry Maguire Free Falling moment in 2003, I could not have dreamed of what this business was going to give me. My job is to be surrounded by people who are experiencing some of the happiest moments of their lives, that’s pretty cool. I have been able to see the World, weddings in Italy, Scotland, Iceland, Greece projects in Sweden, Japan, Singapore and India. But most importantly, I have met amazing people. People that have become part of my Village. This business would not exist without those two elements, the vendors who promote us and the couples that choose us. To both of you, thank you, and we will see you soon. Raj @ A Love Story. Please Tag anyone that is in this video that I may have missed: Matrix Hotel Sharon Litchfield Jennifer Bergman Weddings EarlGray Images Blushed Beaute Deserae Evenson Photography The Makeup Parlour Sen Studios-Makeup Artists/Stylist/Educators Fairmont Hotel Macdonald Eldorado Resort Behind the Blush: Professional Makeup Artists/Hair Stylists Just Married Photography Kelly Redinger Special Event Rentals Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge Calgary Marriott Downtown Hotel The Foundry Room Silvertip Resort Cocktails and Details Buffy Goodman Photography Simply Maria Rentals Christina Louise Branding Jacinta Daniele Photography DQ Studios Natalie Andrusiak Photography Shandro Photo Carey Nash Photography Nicole Ashley Photography Tracey Jazmin, Photographer Jill Coursen Photography Eileen Kapoor Patel Sam Ng Photography FaBLOOMosity Sandra Bettina Weddings & Events Flower Artistry KAKE by Darci Royal Glenora Club The Magnolia Banquet Hall Opulent Occasions Ltd Fazman Patel Two Mann Studios Rb Khera Music Harman B of Urban Metropolis Summerhill Pyramid Winery Vijay Masih Archie Caraang

Rain on your wedding day is said to be good luck as it signifies that your marriage will last. As you know, a knot that becomes wet is extremely hard to untie therefore, when you tie the knot on a rainy day, your marriage is supposedly just as hard to unravel! We can thank Hindu traditions for this belief. The rain held out just long enough for Brittany + Rajan to have the outdoor ceremony they had been dreaming of. But as junior high sweethearts we don't think they needed the luck, its clear to see their love is made to last. Photographer: Retrospekt Photography

"Our love story has upheld thousands of miles, the highs, and the lows proving our love can conjure both distance and the tells of time. From the moment our paths crossed, I knew you would forever be in my life" Thank you Emi and Chris for sharing your beautiful day with us. Photographer Retrospekt Photography | Venue Silvertip Resort | Dress The Bridal Boutique | Suit Simons | Flowers Willow Flower Co. | Hair and Makeup - Annikmations

It is extra special when we get to film some of our closest friends getting married! Carolyn and Marlon had us out to Carmen's Banquet Centre in Hamilton to capture some amazing moments with friends and family. There were so many unique aspects incorporated into their wedding day... check out Marlon's bow tie! You can see their Highlight Film on our website, www.alovestory.ca... Photography: Retrospekt Photography Dress: AllureCouture Men’s Suit: INDOCHINO Flowers: Jean's Flower Shop Venues: Carmen's Banquet Centre - Huge thanks to Nick who made the wedding day go flawlessly! Decor: Marquee Letters Toronto

Love is what we all share, it's the one great unifier and universal truth. No matter who we are, where we've come from or what we believe, we know this one thing...Love is what we are doing right. Photographer Kristin Zabos | Hair and Makeup Blush Artistry Edmonton | Dress @Novelle Bridal Shop | Suit @Derk's Formals | Decor Special Event Rentals | Cake The Art of Cake | Planner and Design Sandra Bettina Weddings & Events

"Loving you, and being loved by you, is my favorite part of life" Photographer Retrospekt Photography | Hair & Makeup Elizabeth Segura, Blushed Beaute | Venue Summerhill Pyramid Winery | DJ Harman B of Urban Metropolis | Cake Kakes by Kathie | Band Sons Of Granville | Dress The Bridal Boutique | Suits Suits by Curtis Eliot

Imagine getting married in the same church that your parents AND grandparents were married in. Slave Lake was a gorgeous destination to have a wedding. Thank you Kaylee + Matthew for including us in your day! Photographer @Retrospekt Photography | Hair & Makeup @Edmonton Makeup Artists | Dress @nNovelle Bridal Shop | Suit @dDerks Formals

We met the sweetest couple on Wednesday. "While I was writing this... I was starting to get butterflies" Photographer: Retrospekt Photography... Ceremony: St Joachim Catholic Church Reception: Matrix Hotel See more

We wanted to check out our new toy, our VR camera, so we tagged along with Eileen at Retrospekt Photography for Becky + Akhil's Engagement Session and captured some moments. Let us know if you can think of any cool uses for this camera. Make sure you move around to check out the 360 view and the beautiful mountain backdrop.

"What fortune lies beyond the stars Those dazzling heights too vast to climb I got so high to fall so far But I found heaven as love swept low" (Touch the Sky - Hillsong United)... Some of the special moments we found touching were; Shaking it like a Polaroid picture (1:05), Maria holding her Dad's hand (1:50), and of course Mark's reaction as he sees Maria at the end of the aisle (2:35). Please let us know what you think! Photographer EarlGray Images | Hair & Makeup Blushed Beaute | Dress Pure Bridal | Men's Suit Eph Apparel | Flowers Therese Lopez Florals | Ceremony St. Joseph's Basilica, Edmonton | Reception The Sutton Place Hotel Edmonton

Happy Anniversary Alyssa & Steven! We love how Alyssa & Steven's wedding celebrated the strong relationships surrounding them, and their focus on spending time with the people they cared about was inspiring. Often we get asked what a "Feature Film" is, so we thought we would take this opportunity to share one of our favorites. Our Feature Films are typically around 15 minutes long and use toasts, vows and/or letters to build the narrative of the day.... We worked with an all-star team to put this wedding film together: Wedding Planner & Design Jennifer Bergman Weddings, Photographer Sharon Litchfield Photography, Hair & Makeup Blushed Beaute, Dress Delica Bridal, Suit INDOCHINO, Florals FaBLOOMosity, Venue St Joachim Catholic Church @Matrix Hotel, Rentals Special Event Rentals, Cake The Art of Cake, DJ Harman B of Urban Metropolis Enjoy!