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An Elegant Black-Tie Wedding In Calgary

Updated Feb 03, 2020

| By Kimberly Aglipay

traditional black tie wedding in calgary - bride and groom

Jenna and Steven's wedding was what Jenna describes as a simcha. "It was true celebration rooted in Jewish tradition, surrounded by close friends and family, and filled with incredible food, personalized details and amazing energy," Jenna explains. The couple chose the luxurious Fairmont Palliser as their venue, wanting an elegant black-tie affair. "We wanted something that we could look back on 10, 20, 50 years from now and still find just as beautiful," Jenna explains. "But we didn't want our wedding to feel overly stuffy since we're both sweatpants-and-Netflix kind of people!"

During the day when Jenna and Steven were getting ready for their evening ceremony, the couple exchanged private letters they wrote to one another and gifts. "We stood on opposite sides of a wall so that neither of us could see the other before our official first look, and reached around to hold each other's hand as we read our love notes silently," Jenna recalls. "It was a private and calming moment in the midst of the chaos of getting ready."

Many personal touches were sprinkled throughout their day, particularly during the ceremony. "We had a fairly traditional Jewish ceremony and it was important to us that each of the religious symbols and rituals have personal significance," Jenna says. This included the chuppah, which was made out of Jenna and Steven's grandfathers' prayer shawls, and family heirlooms, which included their wedding rings. "My grandfather, who was a Holocaust survivor, recited the traditional Sheva Brachot (seven blessings), just as he had for my older brother's and cousins' weddings," Jenna shares.

The night ended on a sweet note, with a delicious dessert table and candy bar, one of the couple's favourite details. "We loved the 'his, hers and ours' mini dessert trio which included our favourite desserts," Jenna says with a smile. "The hand-crafted chocolate tree was also delicious, as well as the 'cookie fries' complete with custom cartons and dipping sauces!"

Jenna Livergant and Steven Jaffe, June 26, 2016, Calgary, Alberta.

Photography courtesy of Corrina Walker.

Vendors
Ceremony venue: Fairmont Palliser Hotel Alberta Ballroom
Reception venue: Fairmont Palliser Hotel Crystal Ballroom
Bridal gown: Rosa Clará from Blush Bridal
Bride's shoes: Valentino
Bridesmaid dresses: Jenny Yoo
Groom’s tux: Blair Shapera
Wedding planner: Debbie Krygier Flowers: The Enchanted Florist
Stationery: Megan Wappel Designs
Calligraphy: Maurelle Calligraphy and Design
Hair and makeup: The Pretty Haus
Music: Barry Shaw Entertainment
Photobooth: PHOTOBOMB Photography
Videographer: Dream Day Films
Ketubah: Melanie Dankowicz from Judaica Collection