A Frostbitten Canadian National Park Elopement (With Bison!)
With the stunning backdrop of Riding Mountain National Park in Manitoba, Canada, Brianne – a librarian by profession – exchanged vows with her partner Dale, a teacher, on a crisp winter day, February 20th, 2016. The picturesque location was aptly captured by Pale Green Star for the ceremony, while friends and family lent their photographic skills to immortalize the joyous moments at the reception.
Our offbeat wedding at a glance:
Our whirlwind winter elopement at Riding Mountain National Park was a true adventure, followed by a reception several months later. The unseasonably warm Manitoba February weather allowed us to incorporate an unforgettable element into our special day – snow-covered bison as our guests! With only a month’s notice, we had to make quick decisions. I designed and hand-dyed my dress and cape, while Dale acquired his ring from an Etsy vendor specializing in Viking-inspired designs.
We also asked our close friend Chad, a filmmaker, to capture the day, and he enthusiastically agreed. The morning of our elopement, we drove with our immediate family to chalets within the park, making a spontaneous stop at Tim Hortons along the way (a quintessential Canadian experience). As we prepared for the ceremony, the temperature dropped significantly, but we were determined to make it work.
Our families were troopers and went along with our plan to have the ceremony ‘wherever the bison are.’ We eventually found them, albeit a bit late in the game, and hiked out to the field. After the ceremony, we took a brief detour to admire the snow-covered landscape before heading back to the cabins to warm up. My dad grilled some delicious sirloin on the BBQ, while my mom prepared scrumptious cakes. It was a truly unforgettable experience, and one that will always be cherished.
Tell us about the ceremony:
Tell us about your reception:
As we prepared to welcome our child, we wanted to make sure that our out-of-town family could join in the celebration. We decided to host a reception in October, which proved to be a huge success thanks to the efforts of our friends and family. With over 200 guests attending, we were grateful for the opportunity to share this special moment with loved ones. One of the biggest challenges we faced was planning an environmentally friendly party that would still be enjoyable for everyone.
Fortunately, my aunt came through with a generous donation of stone paper, which we used to create a stunning leaf garland measuring over 500 feet in length. We also asked our guests to bring their own reusable drinking vessels, and the creativity on display was impressive, with everything from Mason jars to vintage beer steins making an appearance. PEG Beer Co., a local brewery owned by one of our friends, kindly provided us with a keg of their new ISA, which was a huge hit with our guests.
To make the party feel more personal, we decorated the tables with painted beach rocks, wildlife fact cards, and some of our favorite photos from our elopement. We also created giant cut-outs of our heads for guests to take photos with and even had a dance area set up. The food was another highlight, with cheese plates and gourmet Rice Krispie treats (flavors like citrus hops and browned butter) made with personalized wax chocolate seals.
To keep everyone entertained, friends hosted trivia games, while we set up a craft table for those who preferred more low-key activities. We were even fortunate enough to have a friend help us create a voiceover for a slideshow of our elopement, which added an extra layer of personalization to the celebration. In the end, we were thrilled with how everything turned out, and it was amazing to see how our guests responded.
Despite having over 200 people in attendance, there were only two garbage cans worth of waste at the end of the night, which was a testament to everyone’s efforts to reduce their environmental impact.
What was your most important lesson learned?
Despite initial reservations about the legality of our elopement, it turned out to be an incredibly fulfilling decision for us. By opting for a small, intimate ceremony surrounded by family, we were able to avoid unnecessary extravagance while still celebrating with loved ones in a meaningful way.
Our friends and family were surprisingly understanding of our unconventional approach, and we managed to incorporate them into the reception’s festivities, ensuring that everyone felt included and celebrated our special day.
Vendors
As the big day approached, the couple’s attention turned to capturing its essence through various forms of visual storytelling. Ceremony photography was entrusted to Pale Green Star, who would freeze time and preserve memories of this special moment. The reception, where friends and family gathered to celebrate, also received meticulous coverage by a photographer. The bride’s dress and cape were custom-made by the talented hands at House of Kim, reflecting her unique style and flair.
Fache Florals took care of the floral arrangements, adding a touch of elegance to the entire setting. Pi ties were designed by Spiecher Bow Ties, providing an extra layer of whimsy to the proceedings. To further emphasize the couple’s connection, Heart Stone Paper crafted stunning stones that served as tokens of their love. Swank Metalsmithing worked its magic on Bri’s ring, while Ancient Adornment did the same for Dale’s.
Finally, the enchanting atmosphere was made possible by the rustic charm of Elkhorn Resort’s chalets, a testament to the beauty of nature and human connection.
