An Elegant Wedding Reception at the Fairmont Palliser in Downtown Calgary

Alyssa and Antonio celebrated their wedding day this past winter after the pandemic saw them postpone their May 2020 wedding to November 2020. The wedding ceremony took place at Ascension Catholic Parish with the reception following at the newly renovated Oak Room at the Fairmont Palliser Hotel in downtown Calgary.

At the time Alberta Health Services was allowing 50 people at indoor wedding ceremonies and 50 guests at indoor structured events. Calgary wedding planner Moments by Madeleine made sure all guests followed the AHS guidelines and that no mixing and mingling took place during the reception.

It was an absolutely beautiful wedding day that followed all social distancing requirements but was still incredibly memorable for the couple and their guests because of the thought and care that went into planning their special day.

The Oak Room was the perfect setting for A + A’s reception with its soft grey tones and vintage modern decor and lighting. It is ideal for 90 guests seated which worked well with their smaller guest count of 50.

Since the couple wasn’t able to have a formal dance with their guests they had a private dance. The couple arrived at the Oak Room along with their parents before their other guests arrived. They had their reception reveal along with a private dance and cake cutting. Pez Productions set up indoor sparklers that went off on either side of the couple as they shared their first dance as husband and wife. Our videography team captured the couple’s first dance, the dances with each of their parents and their cake cutting and we put together a same day edit to be able to share these special moments with the rest of their guests who, due to restrictions, couldn’t be present.

It was not your “normal” wedding but there sure was love, joy, happiness and beauty to surround the bride and groom making it an amazing day!

We are so glad we could be there to capture your wedding day in video! Congratulations Alyssa + Antonio!

Tips from Moments by Madeleine for creating a pandemic friendly tablescape:

1. No flatware. The venue placed rolled cutlery when guests sat at their seats.

2. Packaged Favours were also used as place cards.

3. Less guests per table. 6 foot round tables were used to seat 4-6 guests by household. Normally this size table would seat 10-12 guests. This left plenty of room for distancing. The Tables were also spread apart in the venue to allow for people to go to the washroom without having to go near other tables.