Welcome to the celebration of Lindsay & Austyn! They set out to curate an experience that would not only demonstrate their love story but also serve as a heartfelt thank you to those who meant the world to them. From the moment the guests arrived, they were enveloped in an atmosphere of warmth and camaraderie. Good food, soul-stirring music, and an abundance of laughter filled the air – setting the stage for an unforgettable celebration.

Tell us your story…

High school sweethearts! We met back in 2010 in our high school homeroom. Our lockers were
beside one another and we became friends in Grade 10, however, it wasn’t until the start of the fall 2011
that Austyn reached out to me one day (after many months of chatting) he asked to take me to
a Flames game. A few more months following this, we became “official”, and after many, many years
of being at the receiving end of many jokes (10 years later to be exact..), Austyn popped the
question. We booked a weekend away at the Kananaskis Nordic Spa, and while we were out for a
walk one evening (and spending time outside which is something we love to do together), he got
down on one knee and asked if I would marry him and if we would spend the rest of our lives
continuing to adventure and create more memories together.

What did you love about having your Wedding at the Gathered?

Absolutely everything. We think about our wedding day at least once a day, and nearly a year later
we have so many friends and family members who are still talking about our wedding and what a
perfect day it was. Elaine and Alysa provided the most amazing care to us while we were there, and
Ashley went above and beyond throughout the entire process. We would recommend the Gathered
to anyone in a heartbeat, and want to relive this day over and over again! The Gathered provided us
with absolutely everything we envisioned for our wedding day and even more, and we are forever
grateful.

DID YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE MOMENT OF THE DAY?

Lindsay – It’s honestly hard to pick just one. A favourite part was just seeing all your favourite people
in one space at the same time, and feeling so surrounded and supported with love. I would say the
first look with Austyn. It felt as though it was just him and I, and provided an opportunity to get the
nerves out and share a moment alone together.

Austyn – My favourite part was being together in the time we had alone, which is doable because of
the expansiveness of the venue and ability to have different areas, but at the same time know that
everyone is there for you in the area and all it takes is a short walk to a different area to have
everyone you love there with you. The space is perfect to get both personal private time and group
family friends time. As well as sharing our first look.

WHAT VALUES DID YOU HAVE FOR YOUR WEDDING DAY?

We wanted to ensure that it was an event that not only celebrated us and our love story but was an
event where it felt like a celebration with all of our families and friends. They’ve been by our side
throughout our entire journey, and this was also a way to thank them for their constant support and
unconditional love. We wanted to ensure it was a day not only full of that love and gratitude but
also time to celebrate!! Good food, good music, and loooooots of dancing were a big priority (and
definitely achieved!).

IS THERE ANYTHING YOU WISH YOU WOULD HAVE THOUGHT OF?

Taking more time to stop, and soak it all in! It was truly the best day of our lives and we wish we
could relive it over and over again!

IS THERE ANYTHING THAT SURPRISED YOU?

How fast the day goes! As cliche as it sounds, this is something that everyone says. But it truly
does, and it feels as though it went by in the blink of an eye.

IS THERE SOMETHING ABOUT YOUR CELEBRATION THAT PEOPLE KEEP TALKING ABOUT?

The food (the donuts and burgers!!), the location and venue, and the love and joy that just filled the
air. And how much FUN the dance floor and party were! We even managed to get the DJ to come
back on for one more song after closing. They also talk about how both of us looked the happiest
that we’ve ever been, and that you could just evidently see the love between us the entire day.

DID YOU HAVE ANY DIY PROJECTS FOR YOUR WEDDING?

The only thing we had was our DIY cornhole games! Haha, we had our brother-in-law create the
boards, and then my sister-in-law painted them with our wedding colours and initials. About as far as
our creative talents go!

WHAT ARE SOME TIPS TO KEEP IN MIND WHILE PLANNING AN OUTDOOR CELEBRATION?

Having a backup plan should the weather turn is the biggest relief to have. Knowing that the
Gathered had an option if the weather wasn’t going to work out in our favour was a huge relief, but
we also tried not to focus on the weather. In fact, the week leading up to the wedding we tried our
best to not even check our weather apps! (A tip Ashley, our wedding planner shared with us she did
during her wedding planning). It was helpful to not have that hanging over our heads and constantly
wondering about the “what if’s”, and rather focusing on the excitement leading up to the big day.
The weather did work out in our favour, albeit rather windy, with a tornado touching down about 20
minutes from our venue that same evening! However, we were too busy having the most perfect
day that we didn’t even discover this until the following morning.

DID YOU INCORPORATE ANY PERSONAL MEMENTOS OR FAMILY HEIRLOOMS IN YOUR WEDDING?

Our rescue pup was printed on our napkins since he wasn’t able to attend the wedding! But he is
our pride and joy and our absolute best friend.

DO YOU HAVE A SPECIFIC MEMORY THAT YOU WILL CHERISH AS A COUPLE?

The love and joy that we felt throughout the entire evening through our families and friends. We
don’t feel at any point that there wasn’t someone smiling, laughing, or having what we feel was the
best time. When we entered into the ceremony, the cocktail hour, the tent for the reception or even
the dance floor in the evening, you could just feel the unconditional love surrounding the space.
Feeling so much love and support from those most close to you, and those who have supported
your love story from the start is a feeling that is almost indescribable and one that we will forever
cherish.

WAS THERE A THEME TO YOUR WEDDING?

We were looking for a very natural, boho, backyard vibe. With the outdoor setting of the ceremony,
the bridesmaids were able to walk down the aisle barefoot (which so many guests commented on
that they loved), and we wanted a vibe that felt like an airy, and a very family-oriented feel. The
Gathered provided that perfectly for us.

WAS THERE A SPECIFIC WAY YOU HANDLED THE STRESS OF PLANNING A WEDDING?

We joke that we actually planned a wedding twice. Our original wedding plans were to be married
on Vancouver Island, but due to a variety of different circumstances, we shifted gears and locations
to Alberta about 4 months before our wedding date. While this might seem stressful, it actually
worked out for the better, both because the Gathered was absolutely amazing and provided the
most seamless transition, but also because it forced us to take a step back and really evaluate what
was most important to us on our wedding day. We rebooked/reorganized these important things
first, and then everything else fell into place. It also reminded us that the day was about us, our
families, and the celebration of our marriage, and as long as we were able to be surrounded by the ones
who loved us most, a lot of the other details didn’t matter. The day however still turned out to be
perfect, and we couldn’t have imagined it any other way.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO COUPLES IN THE PLANNING PROCESS?

Discuss with your partner what are the most important values you have for the day, and ensure that
you’re both being open and honest with what you’re envisioning. Also, try not to let social media or
expectations get the better of you. You can’t please everyone and while you want all your guests to
have the best day possible, the day is for you and your partner. Letting go of these expectations
and false realities really helped to remind us that this was a day just for us and what we wanted.

DID YOU ALWAYS WANT AN OUTDOOR WEDDING?

We did! We have such a love for the outdoors and spend as much time as we can outside hiking,
biking, camping, or just adventuring, that we couldn’t imagine not having the most important day of
our lives be outside as well.

converse and celebration

WHAT EXPERIENCE DID YOU WANT TO CREATE FOR GUESTS?

We wanted to create an experience where guests could enjoy themselves with good food, and good
music, and feel as if it was an evening also made for them. We wanted lots of options for our guests
in terms of drink selection, outdoor games, different spaces for them to sit and mingle, and an
opportunity to relax and enjoy one another’s company.

WHERE DID YOU GET YOUR INSPIRATION?

Pinterest, friends, and just conversations we’d have with each other! We’d be chatting one day and
go “Oh that might be fun to do at the wedding!” like incorporating corn hole, Lindsay “icing” the
groomsmen during the first look, or even songs that we wanted to ensure we’re played. I feel we
always had a running record of “wedding things” to do or add.

WAS THERE SOMETHING YOU STRESSED ABOUT THAT DIDN’T MATTER IN THE END?

The weather. I know I mentioned it as advice to not stress about it, but like any OCD bride, it was
something that was in the back of my mind hahaha. However, the second I appeared at the venue
and saw how perfect it was regardless of the weather, when I saw my future husband for the first
time, and all of our guests arriving, it could have been pouring rain and it still would have been
absolutely perfect. The worry about the weather just took up extra time in mind that wasn’t
necessary and the day still turned out exactly how we envisioned it.

Thanks for reading

Thanks for reading “Converse and Celebration: a Charming Outdoor Wedding.”

photography – @jacquelynburchell
venue – @the.gathered
planner – @fiorefineevents
hair & makeup – @somethingborrowedbeauty
flowers – @amborellafloral & @calliaflowers
decor & signage – @prairiefurnishingand.decor
DJ – @pezproductions
bridesmaids dresses – @azazieofficial
bridal dress – @willowbywatters