Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/223347
Erica-May and Hallis chose Brix in Yaletown for their intimate courtyard ceremony and lively reception inside the restaurant. DANCE Two creative souls united in a warm and wonderful occasion filled with personality Written by Tahnée Sanders Photographed by Leslie & Mark Biggar A SUMMER SPENT DANCING at Vancouver's Ice Cream Social 1950s-style dance parties was the start of a character-filled romance for graphic designer Erica-May Chan and television animator Hallis Blaney. Having met through mutual friends in 2007, it wasn't until 2010 that Erica-May and Hallis found themselves both single at the same time and ready to take one another for a spin on the rock 'n' roll floor. Two years and many date nights and dance moves later, Hallis stunned his love with a proposal on the last evening of a family holiday in Hong Kong. "I had no idea. He completely surprised me," says Erica-May. While in no rush to wed, the couple dreamed of summertime nuptials. This meant they either had 10 months to plan their wedding, or else hold off until the following year, which was "just too long to wait." Settling on summer 2013 to tie the knot, the two visited several wedding shows to gather ideas. It was at one of these shows that Erica-May first considered hiring a bridal planner. "I definitely had preconceived notions of wedding planners. I imagined them as being involved in fussy, high-maintenance, extravagant productions, which just didn't suit us. But after speaking with some people I realized that's not what they're about at all." Erica-May discovered Alicia Keats Wedding + Events and, after feeling a connection with the company's philosophy, contacted them for a meeting. After being introduced to planner Aurora Buchanan, the couple recall they immediately knew they'd made the right decision. Buchanan's first step was to help the couple set a list of priorities that would define their day. "We knew we wanted good food and enough of it, dancing, good photography, and for everyone to have a great time and feel like they went to an Erica-May and Hallis wedding," the bride says. With these priorities in mind, they were able to set a budget, confirm a venue and select their realweddings.ca p36-39_Erica+Hallis wedding.indd 37 37 13-11-26 11:59 AM