Moose + Kayla by Jackie Kalch

We wanted the florals to complement the landscape’s natural tones while punching the colour up a bit.

Tell us a little about yourselves, what you do, what you love…

We were born and raised in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, and enjoy outdoor activities year-round—biking, hiking, fishing, golfing, skiing, road-tripping, and camping. Travel is a big part of our lives, whether it’s a quick trip to Montana or a bigger adventure overseas. We like to bring home a candle from each place we visit as a way to remember the trip. In Calgary, we love going to concerts, discovering new restaurants, and trying to visit new spots as often as possible. That said, when we find a place we really enjoy, we tend to return. After Moose proposed, he booked a dinner at Major Tom to celebrate—it’s a place where we’ve shared some memorable nights, so it felt special to mark the occasion somewhere meaningful to us. We also enjoy hosting dinner parties and casual gatherings at home with friends and family. At home, we’re often working on projects around the house—gardening, decorating, or improving the yard. Living in the inner city gives us easy access to great food and cocktail spots, but we also enjoy getting out to the mountains or countryside to explore and relax. Moose owns and operates a spray foam insulation company, while Kayla recently stepped away from her career in event planning to prepare for an exciting new chapter: we’re expecting a baby in October 2025!

How/where/when did you meet – and what were your first impressions?

Kayla’s family owned a scrap metal recycling business, and Moose’s family owned a garbage company and an aluminum railing company. Our families had known each other through the industry for years. Moose’s brother, Truman, started working at Kayla’s family business, and after spending time with both of us, he suggested we go on a date. So, we went on a blind date! We went out for sushi and then to a Calgary Flames game. The conversation was easy, and we found that we were on the same page about what we wanted in life and a relationship. There was a good mix of fun and interesting conversation. Since we both grew up with some similarities, it felt easy to relate to one another. We talked about what we wanted for our future on that first date and found that we aligned with what we wanted and shared the same ideals and values. Kayla was drawn to Moose’s sincere energy, thoughtful questions, and unique life stories. Moose was struck by Kayla’s curiosity, adventurousness, and how natural it felt to be around her. And since it was a blind date, we were pleasantly surprised that we both thought each other were pretty darn SEXY!

Tell us about the vision you had for the mood and style of your wedding. (theme, key styling elements, florals, colour palettes etc.).

At first, we weren’t sure about the style or theme of our wedding, but we wanted it to reflect our love story and prioritize the guest experience. Since we celebrated our engagement at Major Tom, it felt meaningful to host our wedding there. Then, the Karl family—friends of the Wilsons who own the Stampede Ranch—offered to host the event on their beautiful, historic property, the birthplace of Calgary’s cowboy and rodeo culture, and the Calgary Stampede. We blended our inner-city and country backgrounds—Moose grew up outside Calgary in Priddis, and Kayla spent much of her childhood showjumping—so the country setting felt right. Once both venues were secured, our wedding evolved into a two-day event with distinct personalities, just like us as a couple. Two main themes that we did want to keep for both days were to keep decor simple to let the venues shine and focus on elevated entertainment and food. Day One was relaxed, organic, and tender. We embraced a rustic western theme with cowboy boots for guests, the wedding party bride and groom, cowboy cocktail attire, and western-style music, to celebrate the ranch’s rodeo heritage. We added family-made, thrifted, and heirloom touches: homemade benches, homegrown honey favors, vintage ties, ranching ropes, and a reclaimed Defender getaway car. The pink bridesmaids’ dresses were inspired by Kayla’s dried chrysanthemum earrings, while the groomsmen wore deep brown corduroy, which each reflected the changing of season and fall’s warmth. We wanted the florals to complement the landscape’s natural tones while punching the colour up a bit —which they executed perfectly with wheat and fall leaves, and pops of marigolds. Instead of leaning into traditional fall tones like deep reds, greens, and oranges, we opted for a lighter, fresh take on the season. For the reception, we embraced the moodiness of the venue with rich, deep reds that added a touch of elegance and seduction. Day Two was about popping champagne, raging the night away, and eating. For the reception, we embraced the moodiness of the venue with rich, deep reds that added a touch of elegance and seduction. We wanted to play up the seductive, elegant 1960s New York vibe of Major Tom with dim, moody lighting. The restaurant offered large windows showcasing almost 360-degree views of the Calgary skyline. As entertainment was a big way to enhance guest experience, we added these amazing saxophone players to get everyone up and on the dance floor. Hosting locally was our main priority as well, so many friends and family could attend, making the celebration feel like a weekend getaway close to home. The wedding aimed to feel like a warm embrace, intentional, and yet unconventional — a reflection of our love for each other and our guests.

What styling and visual elements worked best for you? (could be things, the florals, particular hire products or your marquee, etc., something the stylist created or simply just the scenic beauty of your location or the existing design of your venue).

One of the first impressions guests have of our wedding was through the invitations, so we made them a special focus. Since both venues had a vintage feel, we designed our invitations to look like vintage menus, setting the tone early. We just let our venues do the talking. The sunsets each day were incredible and so different, which was nature’s added bonus. We were inspired by each location and dressed them up accordingly with a few details here and there, such as florals, linens, lounge furniture, and stand-up tables. The dress code for each day really helped with pulling all the visual elements together. To emphasize the uniqueness of each venue, we chose completely different dress codes for each night that matched their themes. On the first ceremony day, we asked everyone to dress in cowboy cocktail attire, and on the second, all black, classic wear. Boy, did our guests serve serious looks!

What did you enjoy most about the planning process, and do you have any tips for couples starting their wedding planning journey?

The best part of planning our wedding was having an incredible planner. Dani and her team at Lovebirds were communicative, flexible, and genuinely excited about our ideas—even the ones we’d call in late at night. They helped us feel completely stress-free and turned our vision into reality, which was invaluable since both Moose and I were in our busiest work seasons. It was also fun to pull inspiration from everywhere—childhood memories, places we’ve traveled, menus from restaurants we love, and our favorite shared activities. Those personal touches made both days feel like a true reflection of us. It was fun to be inspired by our venues and build unique themes around them. Having two days to celebrate allowed us to fully express ourselves and enjoy two very different styles without compromise, which is always so fun! One tip we’d give is to build your theme around your venue—it helps guide the rest of your decisions. And most importantly: stay adaptable. On our first day, we planned to do our first and family dances, but once we saw the space, it didn’t feel right. Dani pivoted in real time and moved them to the next day—problem solved. Our best advice? Get a great planner if you can, and don’t take it all too seriously. You’re throwing a party to celebrate your love—how fun is that? Enjoy every second of it, even the unexpected ones.

Tell us about your vendors. Were there any standout suppliers you would like to make special mention of?

All of our vendors were absolutely stellar and truly made our wedding unforgettable. From the DJ to the photographer, videographer, catering, invitations, and signage, every detail was handled with professionalism and creativity. Because we worked through our wedding planner, Dani, she communicated our vision clearly to each supplier, which made the whole process seamless and impressive. Each vendor brought something unique and elevated—from the embossed invitations and funky floral designs to the thoughtful hair and makeup. We want to give a shoutout to our photographer, Jackie Kalch, and videographer, Love and Lore, who took an incredible amount of detail, care, and time to capture every detail. Our entertainment went above and beyond, playing well past their set times and keeping the energy high both nights. The food both evenings was so sensational that guests still mention it to this day. What made the biggest impact was the energy of the entire vendor team. From the bartenders and servers to the creatives and planners, everyone brought warmth and positivity. We genuinely loved working with them. We truly can’t thank Dani, Jennifer, and the entire Lovebirds team enough for taking on such a big project and turning it into something so special. On the wedding days, we didn’t have to lift a finger—and if there was any chaos behind the scenes, we never saw it. Their calm, professional presence made everything feel effortless. There were so many details we would have completely missed without them. They understood our vision from day one, kept us organized, introduced us to incredible vendors, and executed flawless day-of coordination. Honestly, without them, we would still be planning. Finally, we’re so grateful to our families, who added heartfelt, personal touches—from the reception day cake to the countless thoughtful details throughout the ceremony day.

Tell us about your main outfits, what was unique, and is there a story?

First Day (ceremony):  Moose’s mom thrifted the ties, adding a special, personal touch. He also wore the same cufflinks his dad wore on his wedding day, which made his outfit feel meaningful and connected to family history. Green, Moose’s favorite color, was a unique choice that reflected his personality. For Kayla, the goal was a natural and simple look to complement the outdoor setting. She incorporated nature into her outfit through a veil adorned with natural elements like Queen Anne’s lace, wheat, and fall foliage—mirroring the season and the wedding florals. Her earrings resembled dried flowers, adding to the autumnal feel. Both Moose and Kayla wore cowboy boots, perfect for dancing the night away and fitting the rustic theme.
Second Day (reception):  The reception allowed for a more playful, elegant style aligned with the classy, retro theme. It was a black-tie affair. Kayla chose a fun, short dress that incorporated floral elements, tying back to the first day but with a distinct 1960s vibe, matching the venue’s mid-century modern style. Moose’s outfit complemented this polished look, rounding out the two very different yet connected wedding days.

Tell us about your wedding and engagement rings.

Moose chose a classic gold band, while Kayla’s ring is a vintage piece from the 1940s, featuring a platinum band, baguette diamonds, and a central emerald. She opted not to add a wedding band, feeling that nothing could truly complement something so unique and meaningful on its own.

What were one or two elements that were most important to you both that you were happy to spend a little more on? (food, photography, florals, the venue, your outfits?).

Honestly, we went a little overboard with all the elements, oops!! But the things we were most committed to spending on were guest experience. We wanted to ensure everyone had a memorable time, so investing in high-quality entertainment was a priority. We carefully selected music and performers that complemented both venues, keeping guests engaged and energized throughout the weekend. It was important to us that our wedding wasn’t just about mingling but about creating a fun and lively atmosphere that everyone could enjoy. To ensure a high guest experience, we went all out with food and drink. We wanted our guests to feel appreciated and win over many hearts through their stomachs. Capturing the moments was also very important to us. Leading up to the wedding, we heard from previous married couples that the day goes by so fast, so do not forget to stop and smell the roses. So to ensure we were able to hold memories dear, photography and videography were important to us. And they nailed it. Surprisingly, our décor budget was easier to manage than expected. This approach allowed us to focus more resources on other areas without feeling like anything was missing visually.

Was there a favourite moment (or two) that you will treasure always?

One of our favorite moments was driving away in the Defender right after the ceremony. It added such a fun and adventurous touch to the day. Just the two of us, we explored the beautiful property and even met some friendly horses who happily posed for our photos. It was a perfect moment to soak in that we were officially married. We also treasured having a two-day wedding. It made everything feel so relaxed and gave us the chance to spend quality time with all our guests. We didn’t feel rushed and truly connected with everyone, which made the celebration even more special. Some unexpected moments became favorites too—like the horses hanging out during our photos, to pulling out the caviar and doing a 2014 Dom Pérignon toast to meet our minimum order on the Reception night, these unexpected moments created such special memories. Visiting the ceremony spot for the first time in March, before the wedding, was special; that is when it began to feel real for us. Lastly, having Moose’s dad, Bradley, officiate was so special. Seeing someone who knows our story and cares for us lead the ceremony made it feel warm, comforting, and deeply personal.