A Whimsical Warehouse Wedding in Calgary, Canada

Emily Picano and Brett McDermott married in their hometown of Calgary, Alberta. The Canadian duo exchanged their I do's on August 24, 2013, during an intimate celebration that had some whimsical, romantic, and natural touches. Starting with a short ceremony in an antiques store and followed by a reception in an old warehouse space next door, the celebration concluded with dancing and desserts until the wee hours of the morning.

Stewart Innes, a good friend from their university days, designed Emily and Brett's stationery, starting with save-the-dates. "We started the design process by creating a crest," Stewart recalled. "Using minimal, classic fonts and compositional elements, our aim was to create something that paid homage to both contemporary design and vintage sensibility. The crest notably acted as a calendar sticker that was incorporated into the design of the save-the-date, for guests to transfer to their calendars."

Stationery boasted a classic wreath design as well the modern crossed-arrows motif on the outer sleeve.

Surrounded by their close friends, Brett and Emily did a first look prior to the ceremony. Excitement and happiness overwhelmed the couple.

The couple's attendants posed on the porch for group portraits. They wore dresses and suits of their choosing, in a mostly nude and navy color spectrum.

The guys' lapels were dressed up with rosemary, seeded eucalyptus, and variegated leaves.

Bridesmaids carried bouquets of garden roses, hydrangea, wax flower, sedum, euphorbia, and green dianthus. Emily's bridal clutch was similar, with leftover lace from her dress woven in.

Emily's one-of-a-kind satin dress was inspired by the world of ballet. Its open back was finished with delicate strings tied in a bow.

On the morning of the big day, Emily had her bridesmaids over for a light breakfast and strong coffee before they walked to the beauty parlor to have their hair done. All six girls wore Mac Cosmetics lipstick in the Ruby Woo shade.

Eighty-five of the couple's nearest and dearest attended an intimate ceremony at Uniquities, an antiques store specializing in European architectural salvage. During the service, "Postcards from Italy" by Beirut played as the bride walked down the aisle with her father, and the couple exchanged a series of promises as vows in front of an old chapel door. Darlene Love's "Today I Met the Boy I'm Gonna Marry" played after they said their I do's.

Right after the short service, guests gathered in the lobby for a Champagne-and-oysters reception. Guests nibbled from an eight-foot cheese-and-charcuterie spread before dinner. A DJ spun soul and Motown songs, and the couple was first introduced as husband and wife.

Grissini and muffaletta tapenade were set amongst arrangements of greenery and sculpted moss in the reception venue, Westinghouse Foundry.

Garlands were hung over long tables set in a neutral palette while clear chairs added a modern vibe. "We wanted our wedding to feel like a dinner party we were hosting at our home," Emily said. "Keeping with that theme, some of the greenery (like hops) featured on the tables was cut from our backyard."

Sculptural gold arms on the walls of the venue were dressed up with fresh greenery.

Guests dined on a family-style menu prepared by the groom's catering company that included items like grilled flank steak with salsa verde, and Maldon salt and grilled piri-piri salmon with lemon aioli and parsley.

A couple whose wedding Brett catered two weeks prior asked if he wanted to use the faux-flower wall they crafted out of an oversized gold frame and flowers made from colorful paper napkins. It provided a fun backdrop for the bridal party during the reception. 

Guests took home potted succulents as favors, which doubled as decor.

Following dinner, thirty more guests joined the festivities for more cocktails (the signature drink: a Boulevardier), desserts (mostly prepared by Brett's mother), and dancing (that lasted well into the early morning). Emily and Brett selected Elvis Presley's "Can't Help Falling in Love with You" for their first-dance song.

Photography: Phil Crozier of PhotoPhilCro
Locations: Uniquities; Westinghouse Foundry
Event Coordination: Derek McDonald of Boom Goes the Drum
Catering: Our Daily Brett Catering Co.
Flowers: Lea Romanowski of Designing on the Edge
Stationery: Stewart Innes
Music: Kinfolk
Hair and Makeup: Butter Beauty Parlour
Wine and Spirits: Metro Vino; Vine Arts