The Wedding of Stephanie Clarke & Kyle Golinsky
Photographer: Carmen Freemark
Date: July 29, 2017
Their Story: The bride, Stephanie Clarke, remarks that her, and her husband-to-be Kyle Golinksy wanted a wedding that was natural, easy, and as much about their children, family, and friends, as it was their love. It was, after all, family that brought them together. Stephanie, a registered nurse, was working at the University of Edmonton hospital, alongside a fellow nurse, who just so happened to be Kyle’s brother-in-law. “He was persistent in trying to set us up,” says Stephanie, “finally, I decided that we should meet up on a blind date.”
As they say, the rest is history. The couple share a great love of the outdoors and a passion for their children. Kyle is a retired bareback rider, who still trains horses from time-to-time. Both Stephanie and Kyle enjoy packing into the mountains with their horses and hunting, and are both parents from previous relationships. “We are kind of a story of second chances. We spend a lot of our time in the summer camping and being outdoors with our children. Our wedding was just as much for our children, as it was for us.” Kyle’s Best Man was his son Carter, and Stephanie’s daughters, Hope and Reese, shared the Maid of Honour duties.
Stephanie says their wedding came together quickly and easily, because they both knew exactly what they wanted. “We wanted to be surrounded by family and friends, and we really just wanted to have a good evening. We wanted to enjoy each other, and celebrate our love, and that’s what we did.”
Two of the more tender moments from their day came in the form of gifts to one another. Stephanie and Kyle had talked in-depth about taking his last name, “it was kind of something that played a little on my heart strings because of our children. I wanted to honour him, and our farm.” In a special moment, Stephanie had custom shoes designed by Eamor’s saddlery in Nanton, Alberta. “Our shoes had his last name, and brand, carved into them. That’s how he found out I was in agreement to taking his name. We partook in a foot washing ceremony, which is symbolic also of our close relationship with god, which helps keep our own relationship so close. During the ceremony when he went to take off my shoes, he saw my new last name. It was a special gift to both of us.”
Kyle’s gift to Stephanie was also spectacular. “We were trying to figure out a way to get to the wedding, a carriage was suggested, but I’m not really a fancy cinderella-style girl,” says Stephanie with a laugh. “So the day of the wedding a knock came at the door and it was Kyle and our very good friend. He asked if me, and my girls, were ready to go. We got into a car that took us to the airport, and there was a helicopter waiting for us. It was the most fun and fantastic experience ever, especially to be with my girls up there, we flew over the North Saskatchewan river before landing at our wedding.”
Ceremony & Reception Site: At a friend’s beautiful private home, near Stony Plain, Alberta.
Dress: Modern Vintage Bride Collection by Alfred Angelo from The Bridal House in Edmonton.
Jewelry: Stephanie chose to borrow jewelry from friends in an effort to continue with the laid-back theme. Her earrings and cuff bracelet were her splurge, custom from Elegance by Carbonneau in silver and rose gold.
Hair & Makeup: The bride wore her hair down and curled, and makeup natural. Her long-time hairdresser, Shallyn Rathgeber, of Calgary, was on hand, and her makeup was done by Katie Soliman of Blush Artistry in Edmonton.
Cake & Deserts: “Our cake was a natural cake by Cake Affair from Spruce Grove, who also did an amazing desert bar afterwards,” says Stephanie. “We also had Marble Slab Creamery come out and cater a variety of ice creams and toppings for everyone. It was thirty degrees out that day, so the ice cream was a huge hit.”
Dinner: The couple opted for a pig roast, which they said was absolutely delicious, and was catered by All Seasons Pig Roast of Red Deer.
Entertainment: “We had fireworks in the evening, and two live bands that kept us dancing long into the evening. We had a traditional country music band play, and then a rock band come in between sets. Our wedding was a lot of fun.”
1 thought on “Western Wedding: A Story of Second Chances”
Gorgeous as always Stephanie my Friend!