Weddings in Manitoba with a personal touch

From Star Wars costumes to mashed potato bars to weekday soirees, couples in Manitoba are finding ways to personalize their wedding in new and creative ways.

One of these brides is Kelsey Brousseau.

She said her then-fiancé Kevin Cady was excited about the idea of ​​May 4 when choosing the date for their wedding, as that date is unofficially called “Star Wars Day” and the two are huge fans of the franchise.

Unfortunately, this date didn't work for the couple's family, so they decided on a day in June for their big wedding. However, they still found a creative solution to ensure a May 4 anniversary.

“We just eloped on May 4th just so we could have that date as our anniversary,” Brousseau said.

“So technically I'm planning two weddings.”

The Star Wars theme didn't end with the date. During the secret wedding in Assiniboine Park, Brousseau, Cady and some family members donned Star Wars costumes for photos, including Stormtrooper, Mandalorian and Darth Vader helmets. A local comic book store also loaned them some items.

“We had a giant cardboard R2-D2 on wheels,” Brousseau said.

“Kevin also had some cardboard cutouts of a stormtrooper and I believe a Mandalorian.”

Brousseau and Cady are still planning a larger, more traditional wedding later this month, but plan to incorporate some Star Wars touches.

“I consider myself very lucky that I eloped and got married,” she said.

Another bride from Manitoba who makes her wedding her own is Larissa Mannhart.

Mannhart's wedding this summer in Libau, Manitoba, will feature several DIY elements, including cocktail tables, floral arrangements, garden games and a mashed potato bar.

She said she also adds personal touches, such as putting up pictures of her family and renting items from her local community center. She's also holding her wedding at her home.

She recommends looking for ways to reduce some costs.

“Weddings get expensive very quickly and if you can budget or reduce costs yourself, do it,” she said.

Cost-saving measures

For any Manitoba brides and grooms looking to save some money, Allison Polinsky, owner of Alli Mae Events, has some ideas.

She said that one of the things she is observing is that many people are choosing not to have a wedding reception.

“People don’t know it, but weddings are quite expensive,” she said.

“Between hair and makeup, transportation, bouquets and snacks, and feeding throughout the day… many people prefer to have just themselves and maybe a few siblings and close friends do their hair and makeup.”

Polinsky says other ways to save money include shortening the guest list, sending digital invitations and getting married during a less popular time of year.

“I think you just have to approach things with an open mind,” she said. “Listen to the wedding professionals you've hired.”