A Wedding at Fairmont Winnipeg

“...knew that this was going to be my reception venue for my big day!”

Congratulations on your wedding! What made you decide on having your wedding with us at Fairmont?

It has always been my dream to have my wedding reception at the Fairmont Winnipeg. Ever since I attended my cousin’s wedding back in 2007, I fell in love with the chandeliers in the Winnipeg Ballroom and knew that this was going to be my reception venue for my big day!
When it was renovated and I first saw the Ballroom again, I fell even more in love with the modern decor and once Allan and I were engaged, we booked the venue and didn’t think
twice of where we were going celebrate!

Where did you have your ceremony?

Our ceremony was held at St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church on 748 Keewatin St in Winnipeg. We both serve in the Music Ministry for this Parish and we personally know the Parish Priest. We incorporated many of the Filipino Wedding traditions. During the ceremony, in the Filipino culture, we have Principal Sponsors and Secondary Sponsors. The Principal Sponsors act as Godparents to the newlywed couple, guiding and supporting them through their married life. There are 6 people, 3 pairs, that were our Secondary Sponsors. One couple served as the Candle Sponsors, the Candles they light symbolize the Light of Christ, the same light the couple received at Baptism and now receive again to lead them in their new life as a couple. The second couple were the Veil Sponsors who drape the veil onto the couple which symbolizes purity and God’s protection of the marriage. The last couple are the Cord Sponsors, the cord is a symbol of the couple’s bond. They are no longer two, but one in their new life as a couple. The last tradition that we incorporated in the ceremony is Presentation of the Arras (Coins). The groom gives the bride thirteen coins, which represent the sharing of resources with each other. This also signifies the hope for future prosperity and the promise to take care of one another. During the reception, we incorporated a very important tradition that is seen in many Filipino Wedding receptions, the Prosperity Dance. The Prosperity Dance is usually done after the dinner and formal program. The newly weds dance to a song or two, while their family and friends pin dollar bills on their garment. This is a sign in which the couple can start a prosperous life with the help of their loved ones.

Tell us about the flowers you chose. Did you go traditional or contemporary?

The flowers that we chose were a variety of our favourites. In hues of reds, ivory and white, we wanted to make sure all of our flowers stood out to make a bold statement. In the bride’s bouquet, there were red freedom roses, orchids, ranunculus, anemones, gladiola blooms, garden roses, tinted pin-cushion proteas, variegated organs and burgundy tinted feather eucalyptus. In the groom’s boutonniere were red ranunculus’ and red orchids with the burgundy tinted feather eucalyptus. In the reception, plenty of white hydrangeas and red roses adorned the sweetheart table and the 2 bridal tables.

Tell us about the meal you served your guests. What type and flavor cake did you have at your reception?

During Cocktail hour, guests enjoyed 5 different types of passed Hot Hors D’oeuvres. “Farmery” Beer Battered Prawns with Tomato Onion Chutney, Home-style Miniature Chicken Pot Pies, Jacob’s Hindi Butter Chicken Kebab with Bel Puri, Prosciutto wrapped Diver Scallops with Gremolata Sprinkle and Chili Beef Stix with Ginger Honey Varnish. And of course, the open bar!

For dinner, the guests were served Freshly Baked Rolls, Crisps and Lavosh with Butter to start. Forest Mushroom and Potato Chowder with Medeira Cream for their soup. For the entree, guests enjoyed a 5 oz. Wild Mushroom and Roasted Garlic Top Stuffed Beef Tenderloin, and for
their sweet tooth they were served Dark Chocolate Pyramid with Cherry Sorbet and Fresh Berries. Each guest table were also served Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon throughout dinner.

Our cake was artistically created by the wonderful team of Cake Studio. Guests enjoyed a red velvet cake with salted caramel buttercream

What element(s) did you add to make the wedding uniquely 'yours'?

During our ceremony, we wrote our own vows, and with the approval of our Parish Priest, we were able to use our own words and combine them with the Catholic Vows that are universally heard in all Roman Catholic Churches. During the reception, instead of serving traditional baked Filipino desserts for the late night snacks, we thought we would incorporate our all time favourite fast food… McDonald’s! We served Jr. Chicken’s, Bacon Cheeseburgers and French Fries enough for everyone to munch on while enjoying dancing and the open bar!

Another integral part of the day is the wedding dress! Tell us about what you chose to wear. Did you follow the old English saying "something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue"?

My wedding dress was not the dress I imagined I would be wearing on my wedding day! I always saw myself in a ball gown and nothing with lace… But the day I walked into Helene’s Bridal Salon and looked through the dresses, I found a dress that I thought was THE dress. I tried it on and didn’t love it. My sister in law gave me one to try and I thought I wouldn’t like it, but once it was on, I fell in love wit the dress and said yes! It’s by Enzoani, Ferrara. It was strapless, made of etherial tulle with a mermaid bottom, sweetheart neckline, feminine floral appliqués and a ruffled tiered skirt.

My something old was my late mother’s silver tennis bracelet. My something new were my earrings from Bliss Bridal Boutique. My something borrowed, was not something I wore, and it was our cake knife and server set from my brother and sister-in-law’s wedding. My something blue was my wedding garter.

What was the first song you danced to as newlyweds?

Our first song was a cover of our favourite song, By My Side by David Choi. This song is near and dear to us because Allan first played it on one of our dates in the beginning of our relationship. The lyrics sum up our love for each other. We chose to revamp it when we recorded in Allan’s basement studio because it was an upbeat song that we wouldn’t be able to dance to. We slowed it down and he and I both sang in the recording!

Now that you are married and have had time to reflect on your wedding day, what was your favorite moment?

Our favourite moment was definitely the ceremony, most particularly during our vows. Of course, the whole day was very memorable for we had well over one year of planning and we were excited to see everything we have envisioned come to life!

Vendors & Service Providers:

St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church - Ceremony (http://www.stpeterrcchurch.ca)
The Fairmont Winnipeg - Reception (http://www.fairmont.com/winnipeg/)
Just_in Couture - Wedding Planner & Stylist (http://www.just-incouture.com)
Just_in Florals by Just_in Couture - Centrepiece Florist (http://www.just-incouture.com)
Floral Fixx - Bouquets, Corsages, Boutonnieres, Flower Girls Pomanders, Phoenix Chairs and Clear Pedestals (http://www.thefloralfixx.ca)
Cake Studio - Wedding Cake (http://www.cakestudio.ca)
Liane V. Bergen - Photographers (http://lianebergen.com)
Roston Digital - Videographers (http://www.rostondigital.ca)
Swank Event Rentals - White dance floor, Dance floor name decal and Royal throne chairs (http://www.swankeventrentals.com)
Bridal Hair & Make-up: Jackie Cacapit (Calgary) and Heavenly Saromo
Entourage Hair & Make-up: Chantel Alcera, Vanna Bonifacio and Karrie Lee Artistry
DJ: Ben Magcawas
Live Band: Sir Luke and the Dukes
Wedding Invitation: Kenneth Uy (Philippines) (http://kennethuyinvites.com)
Stationery: Euan Garrido (Winnipeg Graphic Designer)
Day-of Transportation: Ambassador Limousines (https://limowinnipeg.com)
Backdrop and Curtain Linens: Dream Day Decor and Specialty Linens (http://dreamdaydecoratorsonline.com)