Erica & Storm

Sometimes, the traditional choice is also the most personal. Case in point? Erica and Storm Gould’s 250-seater Catholic wedding mass. The celebration didn’t skimp on time-honoured details, with the couple choosing the classic bible reading about when Gabriel visited Mary. “When she says ‘Let it be done according to your word’—it’s very cliche catholic girl here but…we applied that to our relationship, Storm and I,” Erica explains.

“It was really beautiful for everyone in our life to experience [our faith] because we don’t really always get to say it,” Erica says. The couple, who got engaged on a sunny day at their special, secret outdoor prayer spot, dated for three-ish years before pledging their love before god and family. “We first met through Twitter, actually. I kinda had the hots for him so I slid into his DMs,” Erica says with a laugh.

Before the 50-minute ceremony that pronounced them partners for life, Erica spent the morning with another tradition, being apart from the groom and surrounded by her dearest pals at the Lord Nelson Hotel (where the reception was also hosted). “All these friends come from all different parts of my life. It was really fun for me because I had all my favourite people in the same room as we got ready together,” she remembers.

“The majority of our congregation was from Cape Breton and everyone came to Halifax for us. It was the first time ever I felt so appreciated. I never really realized how much I’m loved by all our families and friends,” Erica continues. “What really made it less stressful for me was the support of all the people around us. We had so many people behind us who wanted it to work out.”