Skyy & Gabrielle’s Intimate Private Estate Wedding
Red Bloom Photography
Calgary Wedding Photographer
This gorgeous private estate wedding was the official start of my wedding season and it
was a beautiful start to my 2017 summer! Skyy & Gabrielle planned a uniquely perfect intimate
wedding at a private estate rental property out in Bearspaw. I love how they made this day all
about their friends and family closest to them and by renting out this estate they had the space
for all of their out of town guests to spend the weekend with them in the house. This day was a short
and sweet one for me but by planning their day the way they did they were able to have all of the
important photography events covered in a short timeline. By getting ready in the same house, in
different rooms of course, I was able to jump back and forth between them and shoot both of them
getting ready for the day. I have said it over and over again but groom prep is one of the reasons that I
chose and love to shoot weddings alone. I love being able to shoot the groom and telling the whole
story of the day, I love keeping the day consistent with my style by shooting everything on my own
and I especially love that I have more confidence in the day and the photos by knowing absolutely
everything that I am capturing….and these are just a few of the reasons why I chose to stop
working with second shooters and I absolutely love that my couples support this and trust me.
Shooting these two and their connection reminds me of why I absolutely love wedding photography,
they put it all out for me. They love and connect and interact like I am not even there and this is
what I love. Posing and interacting for the camera doesn’t have to feel or be awkward. A perfect mix
of my coaching and directing you and you being comfortable and open is what gives you those
connected intimate wedding photos.
Some words from the Bride & Groom
How did you guys meet ?
Bride: I moved to Calgary the summer after I graduated from university without knowing anyone in the area or having any solid plan on what to do next.
I joined OKcupid (dating app) and started getting myself out there, since I had never had a chance to do the dating thing.
Along came this charming man with pictures of himself shirtless and flexing on his profile – which to
some, is a red flag ;). Not only that, but he also asked me why I decided to major in fine arts – when my
profile clearly stated I majored with a bachelor of arts – in Psychology. I almost didn’t reply to his message.. but something
told me I should. He wanted my number, and I was hesitant so we messaged on the app for a while. After
a few days of these ridiculously compatible chats I realized we had too much in common and should meet. It was only
after this that I found out he used up all of his phone data messaging me when he didn’t have WIFI!
He showed up to our first date with the biggest smile, and I was smitten. From the moment we met,
it was like we were old friends. We told each other our stories, talked about our futures, and
barely spent one day apart in that first year.
Groom: I don’t drink, therefore going out to a social event in hopes of meeting new people and
trying to date wasn’t an easy step. I didn’t like to atmosphere or attendees of bars or clubs so
I quickly cast the idea aside. My roommate suggested making a profile on a dating site and using that to talk
meet people. It turned out to be a ridiculous mess, I was given poor advice how to do it, but fortunately I found one
person in particular that I connected with very fast. Her first message to me when I got Gabi’s number was her
pretending not to know me as if she gave me a fake number- she has been just as bratty ever since and I love her for it.
She always keeps me on my toes and pushes the little buttons that should be pushed.
We used our first date as an outline for the night that I proposed to her as well, she likes romantics and it was
an obvious route to take to cement to her that I consider her sense of whimsy.
Please share the proposal story with us?
We have a date night every Friday, where we do something new together, eat out, or just relax at home with a movie.
It’s time for us to wind down from the week and catch up.
June 10th of 2016, on our date night, Skyy wouldn’t tell me where we were going for dinner.
He surprised me by taking me to the restaurant where we had our first date, and we got these delicious
burgers and reminisced about how far we’d come over the years. After dinner, we went for a walk to the benches
where I was sitting when we first met. It was cold and rainy, so we cuddled up together for warmth and watched people hurry by.
He slid off the bench onto his knee and took the ring from his sock (well hidden indeed, but uncomfortable I’m sure)
and absolutely blanked on the speech he’d prepared. He asked me to marry him with those four simple words,
and I couldn’t have been happier to say yes.
Of course, I still tease him about forgetting his speech.. but he did give it to me a few hours later after his adrenaline had worn off.
Most memorable moment from your wedding day?
Bride: As cliche as it is, it would be his smile every time he looked at me throughout the party.
There’s no one moment that stands above the rest, but every time I was reminded of the way he feels about me made my night.
Groom: I didn’t expect to be so taken aback when I first saw her in her dress.. the day before and
morning of the wedding had been full of strict scheduling and running errands. The stress was
good stress but it was building up a little and I felt a little irritable. When we began getting ready and doing the planned “first look”.
It was a wash of relief to see her bright eyes again and genuine stun from seeing her so elegant. Don’t get me wrong- Gabi is all class;
but she was so well put together. It was all to show me how much she cared about us.. that moment was the most
clear in the whole evening that this was for us, this was good, and this is what we both wanted.
Tell me about the special aspects of your day that made it unique to you two?
The fact that Gabrielle’s family came from around the country to share the day with us meant so much.
Also getting the whole weekend with them was such a nice way to celebrate, especially in such a lavish mansion.
Being surrounded by good food and our closest friends and family was all we needed to make this
weekend one of the best of our lives.
Advice to couples planning their intimate wedding day?
Do your research, and start early. There are so many details to keep in mind, lists are your friend. If you
want to keep it small – keep it small! Don’t get wrapped up in what family may want, stay true to what
it is you both want. And – relax! Things will go wrong, don’t let them bother you more than necessary. 🙂
And here is Skyy & Gabrielle’s wedding story
How cool is Skyy’s wedding band?
This estate was gorgeous for bridal prep. I loved this mirror 
I love mixing in some of this dark dramatic light into my work
Mom getting her shot of her beautiful daughter
These two and their mugs…and there was not coffee in those mugs, something with a little more kick ha ha
First looks are without a doubt my preference over seeing each other at the ceremony! I love them
Total goofs! These two call each other swolemates as they love working out together so when Skyy bit her bicep we all died laughing! 
These two though…so so connected. 
Loved her look. She made her hair piece and her bouquet herself. 
After some photos they had a short intimate wedding in the living room before a casual cocktail party and dance with their guests. 
I loved how the speakers went up to this master bedroom balcony for their speeches! 
And when a couple agrees to leave the reception for golden hour you get magic! The light this night was amazing! 
Thank you for visiting my journal and viewing their love story!
xo xo
Monica
~ Vendor Love ~
