Helen and Rana went to university together at St. Francis Xavier University. They were in the same management class and in their second year of university they saw each other at the local pub. Helen went up to Rana and said “I think you’re cute, wanna dance?” They’ve been dancing together ever since.
After a five years together, Rana planned a trip to the Caribbean – an exceptional 27th birthday present and the perfect setting for a wedding proposal. On March 3rd, Rana surprised Helen with an all-inclusive trip to Playa del Carmen, Mexico, for that upcoming October. Unbeknownst to her, Helen would be leaving chilly Calgary with a boyfriend but coming back with a fiancé.
On the second evening of their stay in Mexico, they were sitting out on the balcony relaxing and enjoying the end of a luxurious Caribbean day. As the sun began to set, Rana got down on – not one – but both knees and asked Helen to marry him. How could Helen resist such a perfect proposal?
One of the couple’s favourite wedding moments was Helen’s walk up the aisle with her dad towards Rana. “I was just looking at all our friends and family, those I have not seen in many years and many of whom had flown great distances to be with us,” says the bride. “We just felt so loved!”
Helen and Rana’s favourite wedding details included their wedding cake, their head table and the horse and carriage ride they had on their big day. “We had a 5-tiered chocolate fudge cake that was covered in gold fondant, with pearls and a white flower on top – it was so beautiful,” recalls Helen.
And as for that horse and carriage ride? “We were picked up from the church in a beautiful 2-horse carriage that carried us all the way through downtown Antigonish to the Victorian Inn where we had our family photos,” says Rana. “We really felt like celebrities!”
Take a look behind-the-scenes of Helen and Rana’s big day!
Photographer: Jordan Mattie Photography
Video: Jordan Mattie Photo + Film on Vimeo.
Ceremony location: St. Ninian’s Cathedral/ MacGillivray Family Cottage
Reception location: St. Francis Xavier University/ MacGillivray Family Cottage
Reception décor: Bride, mother of the bride and Jake Chisholm (1-902-921-3832)
Bridal gown: Mikaella Bridal from Deza’s Bridal (white gown); sari provided by groom’s mother
Bridesmaid gowns: Their own little black dress
Bridal/ bridesmaid accessories: Bride’s bracelet by Kate Spade, earrings by Swarovski; bridesmaids wore their own accessories
Hair and Makeup: Hair by Visible Changes; bride did her own makeup
Cake: Provided by the couple’s friend Ashley
Favours: DIY by the bride and her mother
Flowers: Elm Gardens
Invitations: Wedding Paper Divas
Wedding planner(s): Bride, mother of the bride and Jake Chisholm (1-902-921-3832)
