Saskatoon was the perfect spot for Erica and Thomas to get married. They both love Europe, and the city has been called “The Paris of the Prairies” for good reason. Plus, the venues and vibe were perfect for Erica’s large Ukrainian family. So, they chose the Ukrainian Orthodox Church for their ceremony and one of the region’s oldest and grandest hotels, The Bessborough, for their reception.
In search of a wedding dress that reflected her classic style, Erica found her way to our Toronto bridal boutique, where slipped on a gown whose plunging V-neckline and vertical back bow made her heart skip a beat. “We both have a passion for Europe, particularly France, and we wanted something that was both timeless and elegant. Thomas and the wedding party went with a tuxedo, and I decided on the Brielle gown with buttons down the train, while my bridal party wore a simple terracotta dress. My favourite part about my dress was that it was elegant, simple, and sexy. It was the second dress I tried on and I knew it was the “one” instantly.”
More of their story (including their virtual first date) from our wonderful bride below.
How did the two of you meet?
“Funny story, but we met through his younger brother, Adam. During graduate school, Adam and I both worked together at the Canadian Sport Institute Ontario as sport scientists and were lab mates at Ontario Tech University.
Over the years, Adam and I became good colleagues and great friends. One day during COVID over FaceTime, Adam asked if I would be willing to have a “virtual date” his brother, Thomas. I think I was too competitive to say no and really didn’t think that things would actually go anywhere… and here we are, happily married having the best time together.”
How did you know the other was “the one”?
“Over time, I think we both realized how compatible we were for each other. Given that we both love travel, wine, food, cycling, and skiing, life with each other has always been easy and a lot of fun. We are also both passionate and genuinely enjoy our careers, which makes the approach to our “professional lives” easy to understand and appreciate. Thomas is my best friend and who I enjoy spending time with the most.”
How did you two get engaged?
“While going for a hike in Revelstoke, British Columbia, Thomas proposed beside a beautiful and secluded lake in the middle of the mountains. I was completely surprised and in shock. It was very special and one of my most favourite days.”
Any special ways you incorporated your family or family history into your wedding day?
“For both Thomas and I, our families are something that has always been an area of high importance. Personally, I am very close with my extended family, so had my cousins, uncles, and sister involved. Given that my dad passed away in April 2023, my cousin, Brett, who is pretty much like a brother, walked me down the aisle while my uncles ushered the wedding. We also got married in the Ukrainian Orthodox Church which is something my Bada and Gido, parents, and all aunties/uncles did. The Priest from my hometown was also part of the ceremony. Overall, everything was very special. From Thomas’s perspective, both of his brothers were in the wedding party, with most of this extended family in attendance. Overall, the wedding was very family oriented.”
Why did you decide to get married where you did?
“Given the size of my Ukrainian family and culture surrounding that, the layout and venues in Saskatoon, and our overall love for the city, we thought it was the perfect place to get married. Both the city and culture are comparable to what you might find in Europe, and has been called “The Paris of the Prairies.”
Both the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and Bessborough Hotel, the church and reception venue, were more beautiful than imagined. The Bessborough is one of Saskatchewan’s grandest and oldest hotels, so has a lot of culture and history. The hotel is situated on the river which also makes it very beautiful. Overall, it was the perfect day, and we couldn’t be happier. Saskatoon was always special but will definitely be more meaningful now.”
What was the funniest moment of your day?
“Definitely parts of the ceremony. The service involves a lot of walking and movement from both the bride and groom, and my maid-of-honour spent most of the time doing stuff during the ceremony and carrying my train. By the end of the service, she mostly likely did close to 100 squats and burned more calories than she would during a workout. The Priest gave her positive feedback throughout and after the service because of the effort she put into it, LOL.”
One detail you couldn’t live without?
“Definitely the plated service during the reception. While it didn’t seem like a big deal when making the decision, I think it improved both the presentation and experience for myself and guests. We also loved our “Welcome Party” the night before. Overall, this gave us an opportunity to spend more time with our guests and provided an opportunity for people to meet each other.”
What part of your wedding day was/is most important to you?
“The ceremony portion at the church was most important to me. Seeing Thomas for the first time while walking down the aisle was very special and the most memorable part of the day.”
Any tips for couples getting married?
“While both the wedding and planning should be focused on what the couple wants, try to make things easy and convenient for your guests. People will come regardless, but the easier you make things for people, the more fun they are going to have. People travel from great distances, so consider and acknowledge the effort that people are making to attend your special day.”
Erica + Thomas’s Saskatoon Wedding Vendors
wedding dress: Lea-Ann Belter Brielle gown with buttons down the train via the flagship Toronto bridal boutique | photographer: Lauren Winter Photography | planning: Infinity Planning, Events and Décor | reception venue: Delta Bessborough Hotel | ceremony venue: Ukrainian Orthodox Church | tuxedo: Ted Matheson’s Men’s Wear | makeup: Holly Decker | hair: Michelle Wells | welcome party: Saskatoon Club
