An Forest Wedding in the Rain – Moose Jaw

Two Brides get married in a forest in the rain

With a shared love for hiking and adventure, Kayla and Kirsty decided to marry in an outdoor ceremony in the forest, undeterred by the rain on their wedding day.

How did your love story begin?

We have been together for 3.5 years! We met through Kristy’s gym where Kayla was a member. We instantly gravitated to each other and that is where our connection started!

Aside from your wedding, what is your favorite memory together?

I would say our favorite memory/memories would have to include all our hiking trips to the mountains together. There is something about being together in nature, surrounded by the most beautiful scenery and the best company, that is therapeutic. Those days were always physically challenging but on those hikes is where our connection grew. All of the deep-hearted chats and so many laughs always created the best memories.

Tell us about the two proposals.

Kristy proposed in August at Fairy Creek Falls in Fernie, BC.

We hiked to the beautiful waterfall and spent some time taking pictures there. I had the ring in my backpack and sneakily pulled it out and stuck the box inside the band of my sports bra on the side of my body.

Kayla asked to take a picture together. After the picture, she looked at it and told me to tuck my arm in as it looked funny.

Little did she know I couldn’t tuck my arm in as it kept hitting the ring box.

I moved the box around to my back and she fixed the camera. Then, she walked out onto a rock that was close to the falls. I stood behind her, and when she turned around, I pulled out the ring, told her how she is the love of my life and I couldn’t imagine my days without her and proposed.

It was quiet at the popular spot at the time, and we shared an intimate moment together after Kayla said yes!

And, Kayla’s proposal…

Kristy was away coaching at a high school cross-country running championship and wasn’t going to get home until after 8pm. I kept texting her to see how close she was. Kristy thought it was because I was going to order supper in for when she got home.

She walked through the back door into our backyard when I met her with a magical outdoor picnic with lights, pillows and cozy blankets, all her favorites on a charcuterie board, and warm clothes so we could lay under the stary sky together.

I walked to her as she walked down the walkway and we hugged while I told her I couldn’t imagine spending my life with anyone else.

I proposed, she said yes, and we enjoyed the most beautiful evening picnic together.

She is a hard person to surprise and this proposal totally surprised her!

Talk us through your wedding day.

We woke up on our wedding day and met all our guests in the main lodge for breakfast. This was the joy of having such a small wedding. We could visit with our guests and it made it feel less stressful and nerve-racking.

We each got our hair and make up done from Caitlyn Dixon, who is absolutely amazing. The weather caused us a bit of stress as we wanted an outdoor reception and dinner, but the rain was coming down hard all afternoon.

Right before our 4pm ceremony time, the rain let up.

Kristy walked down the hill to “I Do” point, and that is when the sky opened up and the sun came out. It was like nature knew that it was our special moment and it needed to cooperate with us. The backdrop was magical with the lake, mountains, cloudy sky with the sun peaking through.

We shared the vows we wrote for each other, said “I do” and then spent some time with our photographer McKenzie. She was the absolute best and such an awesome human.

From there we made our way to the lodge where our reception awaited. We ate an amazing meal, shared some speeches and then danced the night away!

And, now you’re married, do you have any advice for other couples planning a smaller wedding?

Make your decisions on what is important to YOU. It is your day. It goes by so fast, so you want to make sure the whole day is enjoyable and exactly what you wanted.