It was getting a little chilly outside for Stephanie Crawford, Brian Croutze and their wedding party while they were taking photos in the Devonian Botanic Garden. So they decided to dip into the Butterfly House, where it was nice and toasty.
“All of a sudden a little butterfly came along and it actually went onto my bouquet,” says Stephanie. The striped creature stuck around, and was easily coaxed onto Stephanie’s hand for a photo shoot with her rings. Later, another butterfly landed in her bouquet. Stephanie recalls thinking it was like being in a Disney movie.
But the butterflies didn’t just present a neat photo op. “My sister was saying how butterflies are a symbol of transformation and transition. Obviously our relationship was transitioning, so it was a really cool thing that happened.”
Even more meaningful was what their photographer, Megan Kemshead, told them: butterflies symbolize rebirth after death, and many believe they are lost loved ones coming to visit you. Stephanie’s father, Ray, died when she was 14.
“I’ve made peace with it,” says the bride. “But it’s still comforting when someone tells you something like that. It makes you feel warm inside, and like ‘Dad’s looking out for me today’.”
Stephanie, a dental assistant, and Brian, a dentist, are both from St. Albert, and met nearly 10 years ago through mutual friends at a party, hitting it off when they realized they shared the same birthday.
Their engagement in 2014 wasn’t a surprise. The two had been ring-shopping and Brian was waiting for the right moment to propose. After trying (and failing) to get Stephanie to go for a walk for a couple of days in cold, early November of 2014, a gift ultimately did the trick.
“I came home and there was a brand new pair of snowshoes in the living room with a bow on them, and we love snowshoeing,” says Stephanie.
“We went to this river lot area in St. Albert and then in the middle of the forest, when we were all alone, he popped the question. It was romantic.”
Their wedding wouldn’t be for almost another two years, but they did book some things straight away: the Yellowhead Brewery (their reception venue), their photographer and their DJ, Joseph Martin.
The couple didn’t have a theme in mind — Stephanie just wanted it to be classy and simple. The Floral Studio was shocked when the bride didn’t present a Pinterest board; and they chose one of their main colours, navy, just because Brian had had a custom navy suit made in Thailand the year before.
The couple, outdoor enthusiasts, knew their ceremony had to be outside. They settled on the Devonian Botanic Garden, whose Alpine Garden was private and perfect for their wedding size, 70 people.
Living in St. Albert and getting married near Devon at 11 a.m. meant an early start for Stephanie and her bridesmaids. But Stephanie’s stepdad Dave drove them from hair and makeup, and they arrived on time.
Stephanie’s mother, Maureen, walked her down the aisle to Elton John’s Your Song (played on acoustic guitar by Stephanie’s brother-in-law and one of his bandmates). But not before the waterworks started.
“Immediately before I started walking, my mom said, ‘I’m going to cry!’ and then I felt the emotions rising, and of course, my dad not being there was a little bit sad, too. So all of the emotions were running high. As soon as I started walking and saw Brian, I just started crying.”
Brian wasn’t immune to the moment, either. “That’s when I started crying too,” he says.
At the reception, Stephanie and Brian put black-and-white photos of their guests at their place settings instead of name cards. They also displayed wedding photos of their family and friends.
The couple honoured Stephanie’s dad — a huge Elvis fan — with their first dance to Can’t Help Falling In Love by the King. It was one of Stephanie’s favourite moments.
“It felt really heartfelt with the memories of my dad. Everyone was standing around us and it felt like such a warm and supportive atmosphere, and it felt really natural.”
MAKING CHOICES
Wedding date: Sept. 3, 2016
Ceremony location: The Alpine Garden at Devonian Botanic Garden
Reception: Yellowhead Brewery, Edmonton
Photographer: Megan Kemshead Photography
Guests: 70
Dress: Maggie Sottero, Bridal Debut, Sherwood Park
Flowers: The Floral Studio at the Enjoy Centre, St. Albert
Cake and cupcakes: Over the Top Cakes, St. Albert
A very co-operative butterfly landed on Stephanie and allowed several different photographs.
A very co-operative butterfly landed on Stephanie and allowed several different photographs.
The sun made a welcome appearance while the wedding photos were being taken.
Stephanie and Brian in the Kurimoto Japanese Garden.
The wedding party.
With a few hours between their ceremony and reception, Stephanie and Brian were able to take their time with photos throughout the Devonian Botanic Gardens.
There was a light sprinkling during Stephanie and Brian’s ceremony, but otherwise, the rain held off for their wedding day.
Stephanie’s mom, Maureen, walked her down the aisle.
Table setting at the Yellowhead Brewery.
Stephanie and Brian had cake toppers made based on their nicknames for each other.
Cutting the cake.
Stephanie and Brian’s first dance.
Reception games.
