When Rick Arkell met Alicia, now his wife, their first encounter was anything-but love at first sight. Although Rick may have acted like a jerk, it didn’t stop the two from, eventually, finding love together.
The duo met at an 80’s cover band concert and Alicia admits she was “smitten upon first glance.” “He ignored me the whole night. As I was getting ready to leave, I figured I would give him one more chance to ask me out,” shares Alicia, describing the first time they met. “Instead of being suave and charming, he ordered me to write my number on a napkin and put it in his pocket. I was appalled!”
“Instead of leaving, I approached the bartender and asked for a pen and a napkin. He handed me a piece of receipt paper and a pen. I scribbled down my number, and a message: ‘I couldn’t get a napkin so go screw yourself!!!’ The next day Rick found it, had a laugh, and called me.”
The couple tied the knot at a Great Canadian Winter-themed wedding on January 21, 2012 in front of 125 guests. Both their ceremony and reception were held at the Pillar and Post in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont. The bride’s favourite moment was when the officiant asked for any reasons the couple shouldn’t get married.
“Our 18-month-old ring bearer, Bob, began to get a little fussy. Trying to calm him down, his father picked him up,” says Alicia. “Unhappy with being restrained, he began to cry ‘no, no, no!’ His father quickly whisked him out of the room, but not before announcing, ‘He didn’t mean any of it!’ – The whole room burst out into spontaneous laughter.”
Their wedding song was Hysteric by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, which was chosen for its lyrics. The bride says her favourite wedding detail was their souvenir hockey pucks given to guests.
Photography: Nikko Lim / Venue: The Pillar and Post / Bridal Gown: Watters / Bridesmaid Gowns: Two Birds / Accessories: Oh Dina! / Groom’s Tux: Hugo Boss / Cake: Caroline Greenway (freelance, Toronto, Ont.) / Favours: Promo Shop / Music/DJ: Robin Haman / Hair & Make-up: Shannon of Redd Hair Studio / Flowers: Belinda Baugnet, from Pretty Room / Invitations: Paper Things / Decor: Cathy Martin Flowers / Table Settings: Christine Rideout of Made in Windsor
