When you picture a Winnipeg wedding, you might imagine something grand and traditional. But, for Sharyne and Gavin, small and intentional felt just right. Their celebration at Deer + Almond in the city’s historic Exchange District captured everything they love most: good food, meaningful connections, and creativity. With only their closest friends gathered around, their special day unfolded more like a dinner party than a formal event.

What We Love About This Winnipeg Wedding

• The cozy, dinner-party-style reception with only their closest friends
• A surprise liquid nitrogen dessert that doubled as live entertainment
• Artistic touches like framed photographs by the groom
• Florals bursting with color and personality
• A poetry reading from a friend who happens to be the poet laureate of Canada

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Turning Their Shared Values Into the Heart of Their Celebration

The couple’s story began thanks to a mutual friend, and from the start, something just clicked. “It was extremely clear to both of us from very early on that we were meant to be,” Sharyne shared. “Even after a handful of dates, we were comfortable having deep conversations and realized that our values and perspectives were aligned.”

A few months after they met, they traveled to Paris and spent long evenings talking about the future. Two years later, they returned to the city where Gavin’s father grew up. And he proposed in a nearby park where he had played as a child. “It was a meaningful engagement location to us both and gave us a sense of connection to the city,” they said.

Within hours of getting engaged, they both knew what they wanted: a small, food-forward celebration surrounded by the people they love most. “We wanted all of our guests to be people we’d invite over for dinner at our home.”

Turning a Restaurant into the Perfect Winnipeg Wedding Venue

Once they decided on an intimate celebration they booked Deer + Almond, a cozy restaurant with a creative spirit that matched their own. Chef Mandel Hitzer, a close friend, designed a custom menu inspired by local ingredients like strawberries, morel mushrooms, and wild game. “We gave him very little direction, and he created something incredible. Our guests were raving about the food.”

When guests arrived, they were greeted with a Kir Royale, Sharyne and Gavin’s favorite aperitif, and later treated to a surprise finale: the “Vodka Redbull Surprise.” “All the printed menus said that’s what dessert would be. We had no idea what to expect. Mandel came out with vodka, Redbull, and liquid nitrogen. It turned into the coolest post-dinner entertainment, literally.”

The restaurant’s industrial yet intimate atmosphere needed little styling. “We did very little decor,” Gavin said. “I’m a photographer, so we displayed some of my framed photos around the space. Our favorite was a large portrait of our golden retriever, Sophie.”

Letting the Experts Lead: How Collaboration Shaped Their Day

While they handled the big-picture planning themselves, they brought on Alexandra Lillian Weddings to coordinate the finer details. “We’re both really busy, so having someone to guide us through the process was so helpful. We weren’t focused on the design. So we trusted our planner to be creative and tell us what looked great.”

That same trust extended to their florist, Stone House Creative. “We wanted funky and unique floral arrangements with lots of pops of color. We gave Lauren total creative freedom, and she blew us away.”

Photography was also a top priority for the couple. Gavin envisioned turning their wedding photos into art pieces for their home. After reviewing several pros, they fell in love with the style of Junebug vendor Michael and Melanie Photography. “We wanted local vendors who love our city as much as we do,” they said.

Infusing Meaning Into Every Moment

Before their restaurant celebration, Sharyne and Gavin held a small family ceremony the week before. To bring that same intimacy into their dinner party, their friend and colleague Chimwemwe Undi—the current poet laureate of the Parliament of Canada—conducted a short poetry reading. “It was the perfect way to share some of the magic of our earlier ceremony,” they said. The couple exchanged brief vows and toasted with champagne, marking the start of an unforgettable evening.

How They Made Their Day Stress-Free

Looking back, Sharyne and Gavin’s biggest takeaway is to stay true to your vision and keep things simple. “Have fun and don’t sweat the small stuff,” they advised. “There are always going to be tiny things that aren’t perfect, but being relaxed on your wedding day is what makes the best memories.”