Planning a wedding can be stressful. Especially when you’re not into the cliche wedding traditions. For these high school sweethearts, they chose to tie the knot in Golden for the Spring at Hillside Lodge. Their love story reveals a super relaxed and easygoing wedding day that was unique to them.
Tell me about your thoughts leading up to the wedding, did you think about it growing up, did you plan it together? How did you feel to make your choices and marry one another?
I am probably not your typical bride. At least I don’t think I am.
I never thought of getting married growing up. I was quite the tom boy so dressing up and sitting through a nice dinner was not in my thoughts. It was only until I met Kurtis that I started thinking about marriage. We met in high school and I always had a “crush” on him. He was the boy I always said I liked to girlfriends in early high school. We started dating in grade 12 after he asked me to prom and that is when I thought about our future and thinking he was going to be the one I’ll marry some day.
After dating and living life together for quite some time, we both knew we would spend the rest of our lives together and marry each other someday. I still never planned or thought about our wedding too much it was not that much of a need for me. Kurt proposed after 7 years of us being together and of course I was excited. That is when we started planning together. I had nothing planned, no ideas saved in Pinterest, no vision or details of what I wanted. Kurt and I had a blank slate to plan our wedding together.
Why did you choose the venues/ town you did?
Planning a wedding for us was very stressful, but worth it in the end. There was so much to think about. We both searched for venues. All we knew is we wanted the ceremony outside and at the same location as the reception. Location really did not matter as our families are spread all over BC and Alberta. We wanted somewhere the wedding party and family could stay on site. We wanted somewhere family and friends could get together to just relax and have a good time. That’s how we came across hillside lodge and chalets in Golden . It had everything we wanted. The next big thing to plan was food. We wanted something affordable and a more casual buffet style dinner. We both searched for catering in the area and came across Columbia river catering.
What were your favorite details and why? (dress, suits, flowers etc)
We did not worry about the details or some of the traditional wedding things. I had people telling me “are you not going to do this, you can’t see each other the day of the wedding, you are supposed to wear white and your bridesmaids black while getting ready .etc.” we didn’t care. All we wanted is to have a good time, for others to have a good time and to not worry about what we should or should not do.
Kurt and I helped set up together along with friends and family the morning of our wedding. Us girls wore what we wanted getting ready. I did not want elaborate hair and make up done. My friend and I did our own make up. My sister and friend did my hair. We did not practice my hair or make up. Kurt and I didn’t practice our first dance (we knew how to dance though). We kept everything “in the moment” and it sure paid off.
Everything worked out, It was exciting, easygoing, relaxed, casual, and such a good time. Everything came together even though I didn’t plan every little detail. Having all our family and friends together having a good time was so great to see, and Erin did a beautiful job of capturing it all.
Why did you choose me?
I am not one that enjoys getting professional photos done. We never even got engagement photos done. I actually just gave Kurt that job of searching for a photographer in the area. Erin had beautiful photos and great packages. What more do you need? I wouldn’t know. We sure lucked out though she was great to work with, captured so many moments on our wedding day that I didn’t even know I wanted, is so easy going, and made it a really good experience.
Do you have any wedding advice for couples getting married in the future?
My advice for couples is to not worry about what others say you should do, just do what you want to do on your wedding day and keep it genuine.
There is a lot going on the few days leading up to and on the the wedding day. Planning a honeymoon right after our wedding was so nice to take everything in and relax. We did a two week northern BC road trip with our trailer, camping, hiking, backpacking and exploring. Highly recommend planning a honeymoon right after if you can, even if it is just a couple days away from routine life.
What’s most important to you on your wedding day? Are there any traditional wedding rituals that you could do without? I offer guidance in planning your timeline. Whether you’re eloping or having an intimate wedding, I can help shape your day into something that is genuine to you and your guests.
Learn more
