Real Wedding – Eric & Diana’s Orchid Oasis (Part One)

This past weekend we had the great fortune to work with a wonderful young couple – Diana and Eric! Their October wedding was held at the Fairmont Palliser Hotel  in the CPR Pavilion. It was an incredible celebration, shared with close friends and family right in downtown urban Calgary!

Originally, when I first met with Diana and Eric, they were looking for something slightly different in a venue. They knew they didn’t want the typical hotel ballroom, but wanted incredible food. They considered a few restaurants, looking for something that would be both trendy, yet offer them the privacy they desired, but were having trouble finding something that fit their guest list (larger than 50, but smaller than 75). However, one look at the CPR Pavilion, and it was love at first sight! This incredible venue is actually owned by the Canadian Pacific Railway, and is a unique venue in its own right. The glass and steel beam structure are actually a “plus 15” overpass in downtown Calgary, connecting the Palliser Hotel to the Canada Pacific Railway Building. Designed to look like a turn-of-the-century European train station, this building actually houses the luxury passenger trains that travel from Calgary to Vancouver through the magnificent Rockies. It has this incredible glass dome right in the center of the room that allows natural sunlight to spill into the room and inspired me the second I saw it!

The glass dome needed something special so we came up with the idea of hanging an “orchid chandelier” which was the centerpiece of the room for both the ceremony and the reception held later in the same venue. – Photo courtesy of Muriel MacRae

With the venue selected, then it was on to the other items. Diana’s white, strapless gown with a sweetheart neckline was found on a trip to China, along with her Chinese dress that she would change into later in the evening. We also started on the décor ideas, including choosing flowers that would make their wedding vision come to life.

The CPR Pavilion dome was the perfect wedding feature. It seemed only natural for the couple to get married in the “round” underneath the center of the dome, with their guests seated in a circle around them. Aisle-ways were left for guests to find their seats, and white aisle runners crossed in the center. What made it even more magical was the decision to hang strings of orchids and LED lights from the dome in a cascading orchid “chandelier” – our new signature piece! 

Diana looked absolutely radiant on the arm of her father as she made her way towards her groom. – Photo courtesy of Muriel MacRae

With a harpist playing their wedding music, Diana walked down the orchid-strewn aisle towards her handsome groom. While the round setting suited the venue perfectly, guests later commented how it seemed so much more intimate, and allowed them to really feel part of the wedding celebration.

Her bouquet, made by Mandala Floral  was made of dark purple orchids, and calla lilies, peacock feathers and ti leaves. It was wrapped in red satin ribbon, as red is an important color in the Chinese culture representing prosperity and good luck.

The bouquet featured more orchids in rich shades of purple along with jeweled tone peacock feathers. – Photo courtesy of Muriel MacRae.

After the ceremony, the wedding party left with the photographer for photos while the room underwent a major transformation. Pewter silver floor length table linens were used with white organza delicately stitched overlays. Metallic ice Chivari chairs were used with an amethyst satin chair sash to add a splash of color, along with matching amethyst napkins. As orchids were the featured flower of the day, they were used throughout the rest of the room décor, including table centerpieces, other floral arrangements, and even on the menu cards. Flowers add such a special touch to celebrations. We wanted guests to have a sense of stepping into an “orchid oasis”.

These “Metallic Ice” Chivari chairs really complemented the steel beams and glass in the venue room. – Photo courtesy of Muriel MacRae

Mandala Floral created these table centerpieces with river rocks and stems of purple mokara orchids. – Photo courtesy of Cathy MacRae

A single white cymbidium orchid was placed on each menu card adding that special touch of elegance. – Photo courtesy of Cathy MacRae

The cake was designed by the Fairmont Pallier’s own pastry chef. It was a tasty chocolate concoction featuring hand-painted cherry blossoms made of gum paste! - Photo courtesy of Muriel MacRae

After a delicious mouth-watering dinner served by the Palliser staff, the DJ got the real party started with guests on the dance floor right until the end. A fun time seemed to be had by everyone, and guests were able to help themselves to a sweet treat on their way out with Diana and Eric’s “purple” candy bar, including gummi bears, salt water taffy, liquorice laces, Ghiradelli chocolate squares, sour balls, and more.

 A candy bar was set-up as wedding favours for the guest in different shades of purple. – Photo courtesy of Muriel MacRae

Special thanks to the incredible staff at the Fairmont Palliser Hotel , marriage commissioner Carollyne Rayner, Photographers Robert Ryan and René Michaud, florist Mandala Floral, DJ Music By Starlite, and harpist, Tisha Murville. Each of these vendors played a critical role in the day’s events. It was such a privilege to work with each and everyone of them in making Diana and Eric’s wedding a wonderful and magical celebration!

Stay tuned for more magical moments in the weeks to come…

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Cathy MacRae is a certified wedding and event planner, and owner of Creative Weddings and Occasions  and Del Sol Destination Weddings . Located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, she plans wedding for couples in and around the Calgary and Banff area, who want a wedding that is a unique and personal reflection of them. She is also a destination wedding specialist, working with couples who desire to wed in various picturesque dream locations throughout the world. For more information about planning your own wedding or for advice from Cathy, please contact her at cathy@creativeweddingsandoccasions.com.