A winter elopement with loved ones and two puppies — Lis Simon Bride Shirley + Andrew sealed the deal in a breathtaking Canadian Rockies, Emerald Lake Lodge. From the stunning natural backdrop, intimate elopement, Champagne for two, and customized wedding dress, everything from this day is beautifully planned with love.

THE LOVE STORY

It all started when Shirley + Andrew was swiping on dating apps. The two briefly chatted before deciding to set a date and meet. They went out for drinks and instantly connected – “the conversation between us was easy and just flowed”. A second date was planned as they couldn't wait to see each other again. Little did you know, it wasn’t long before they started spending all weekends together and planning hike dates as they both love the outdoors and the mountains. “One of the many reasons we knew we had to get married in the mountains”.

THE PROPOSAL

December 2021

Every year in the weeks leading up to Christmas, Shirley + Andrew always spend a day out in Banff, enjoying the festivities and picking up gifts and ornaments. They usually end the day with a drink at the Fairmont Banff Springs, however due to COVID restrictions that year, the lodge was restricted to guests only – the couple ended up booking an afternoon cocktail class at the Rundle Bar.

Andrew had planned to propose outside on the terrace afterwards, however a wedding was just getting out when they arrived. They walked around the grounds for a while before returning to the terrace, which unfortunately got interrupted by a family. Andrew's proposal failed once again when a small child ran right by them. The couple ended the evening by grabbing dinner in town, and when he had suggested a walk afterwards, “I couldn’t bring myself to go as it was -30 and so cold!

At last, the proposal happened the evening they returned, magically in front of their Christmas tree with their dogs by their side.

THE DRESS

“It was fantastic. I had such an amazing experience at Cameo and Cufflinks and my associate Grace knew exactly what to show me”

Shirley knew from the start that she didn’t want a big poofy ball gown or anything super sparkly or embellished. She had tried on 4-5 gowns and while they each had something she liked, she did not like any of them as is. It was then that Grace suggested she try on the two dresses [modified Lola bodice + Kenzie skirt] together and “I fell in love. I never really had a vision of what I wanted exactly, I just knew I wanted it to be elegant and flowy” The two dresses together ended up being exactly what she was looking for.

That was her first appointment of the day and had 3 others lined up. While she found a close second at a different boutique, she just couldn’t get the dress off her mind. Shirley booked her follow up appointment the moment she got home, “I knew I had to see the dress(es) again”.

THE ELOPEMENT

February 2nd, 2023 at Emerald Lake Lodge

Shirley + Andrew spent their Christmas out at Emerald Lake with their pups every year since they first got together. Since then, they’ve always known that when the time comes, they would get married there in the winter with their dogs by their side – “We couldn’t imagine the day without them”.

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO ELOPE?

Ever since, the two knew they didn’t want a big wedding. Neither of them wanted a big production with people they weren’t close with in the ceremony. “An elopement was perfect as we got to enjoy the moment with just a few of our closest family and friends present as our witnesses”.

HIGHLIGHTS

Shirley: We were so thankful the weather worked out. There was a fresh dusting of snow the morning of and the sun came out right before our ceremony. We always knew that there was a risk of it being a deep freeze in February and we were thrilled that we lucked out with mild (for winter) temperatures.