Engagement Bliss!!

This, my first post, will be to introduce the Bride ( myself ) and the Groom , to share a little about how we met and what lead up to our impending nuptials! I am hoping that through this, and all of our posts, you will get to know us better and feel that much more a part of our journey.

First things first, I will share with you how Shawn and I met.

Shawn and I met through an online dating site ( surprised? ) a few years ago while we were both on opposite ends of the country. I was finishing my degree in the Vancouver area and Shawn was on leave visiting his family out on the east coast of Canada.  Three months later we had our first date while we were both in Edmonton. Date choice? Steak house and the shooting range. I knew when he told me the plan for the night that I had found my kind of man! We had a great time and a few months later when I moved back to the city we started dating.

Fast forward a few years and Shawn ended his career with the Canadian Forces and I began mine with the RCMP. A year later we found our way to living in the Northwest Territories so that I could accept a northern posting. Life in the north has challenged us, tempered us and strengthened us.  To celebrate our new life and having survived our first winter up here we booked a holiday to  Ireland this past May. It was a dream vacation, years in the making. 

Unbeknownst to me, Shawn had cooked up a scheme with many of you ( you know who you are ) to propose while we were on holiday. The country rejuvenated us from the cold and isolating winter we'd just left, little did I know that our trip would bring so much more.  The best day of the trip turned out to be the very last. On our way to finish up some shopping Shawn suggested we take a detour through Marion Square Park. Shawn stopped me  in a a little private nook off the main path. He got down on one knee right then and there in the glade and proposed. Being my typical self, my first response was a surprised   " no freekin way ". As you all know, my real answer was yes! 

I think I can easily speak for both of us when I say that we were each what the other needed when we met and that remains true to this day. God has blessed us with a love that has acted as a balm to past hurts , a love that supports and a love that carries us through life and all of its capriciousness. 

We are both so excited to be able to share with our family and friends the story of how we met and became engaged. In the posts to come I promise we will give you all the 'goods' on the wedding as we decide on them; venues, hotel bookings, how to get there, what to do, etc, etc!!

Et Voila! Accomodations continued

Hey there everyone! Sorry it has taken me a little bit of time to post some more information about the reception venue, we've been a bit busy up here the last few weeks. Sadly summer is over already and up north the winter comes quickly. Now, back to the wedding! Shawn posted last regarding our ceremony and reception locations, my parents church and the Executive Royal Inn. There are so many reasons we picked this hotel, the main ones are that it was close to the church, to my parents and to most ammenities in that end of the city. You can't beat the location. It's easy access from the high way, close to gas stations, banks, restaurants, movie theatres, shopping, etc. One thing that I wanted to comment on , was that if any of you have searched the hotel website or any other travel sites for this hotel...you won't find up to date pictures of the facilities. Dum da da dum....because the hotel is undergoing some excellent renovations! We toured the hotel and saw all of the facilities, so I wanted to share just a few amateur pictures of the rooms ( don't mind the smudges on the pictures, lense wasn't clean! ) Each room will have good space, new linens, new carpet, granite counter tops in the bathroom and the "wet bar" area as well as a small fridge. The hotel also has a full service restaurant with really good prices and excellent food ( I've eaten there ) as well as a full bar/lounge right outside of where the banquet facilities are. The staff are very compentent are super friendly. We were blown away by the service and and attitude of the staff. I think they are a pet friendly hotel as well, but don't quote me on that just yet.  

Activities :

One of the things we want to really emphasize for our friends/family staying here is that there will  be room discounts ( the booking codes will be provided in the coming months ) and as far as I understand it , guests will also be provided with 50% off purchase of entry to the West Edmonton Mall water park and amusement park. The water park (for those unfamiliar) is phenomenal! Its under full sky light, with huge a wave pool the size of a small lake, dozens of water slides, hot tubs, cafe, drink stands, etc.

The amusement park is fantastic. They have a full roller coaster , not a little baby one, believe me you'll be screaming. They have dozens of carnival style rides, bumper cars, ferris wheels, trains, shooting games, haunted house, laser tag, arcade games, etc. They have a childrens section as well, so don't be afraid to bring the family!  If you want activities outside the water or amusement parks, they have the " put n glow" as well as a mini golf in the mall. There are water bumper cars, underground sea caverns with sharks, penguins, fish, etc. You can go on a "to scale" replica of the historical ship the Santa Maria as well. Suffice it to say, this mall has a lot to offer everyone!

We will keep updating our blog as time goes on, so please make some time to check it out every few weeks.The future holds appointment with photographers, florists, dress shops, etc. Things are starting to make sense to us a little more and I feel a little more organized. You never really know HOW much work goes in to planning a wedding until you have to do it. There are just so many "things" to take care of, more so considering our isolation. Unfortunately the Northwest Territories doesn't offer its residents any bridal shops or mainstream shopping for the most part. I see many flights down to Edmonton in the near future!

Ceremony and Reception venues

Shawn here.  We have our venue finalized and booked.  One year from today, August 18, we will be celebrating our wedding at the Faith Community Church with the reception to be held at the Executive Royal Inn West Edmonton.

http://faithcom.ca/HOME/Faith_Community_Church.html

http://www.executivehotels.net/westedmontonhotels/s_wested_home.cgi

http://maps.google.ca/maps?hl=en&cp=12&gs_id=1a&xhr=t&q=executive+royal+inn+edmonton&safe=off&gs_sm=&gs_upl=&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&biw=1440&bih=781&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wl

The reception is located just 2 km (1.24 mi) up the road from West Edmonton Mall and the Klamm family home.  There are also multiple stores and restaurants in the immediate area.  The hotel will have rooms at a discount for people coming for the reception.  They also have discount passes available for attractions at West Edmonton Mall, such as the Galaxy Land amusement park and the water park.

We will have more information regarding accommodations and reception in the posts to follow, and we will be including information on a variety of activities and attractions for the out of town visitors and families.