Couple who found love after tragedy to be married during Santa Claus parade
An Ailsa Craig-area couple has beat out 30 others in a contest to be married on a parade float during the village’s upcoming Santa Claus Parade.
The application of Katie Nigh and Trevor Vanderloo was selected, above all others, based on their personal story.
The pair met through a mutual babysitter a few years after personal tragedies.
"We met at a time in the hardest time in both of our lives and we feel so blessed to have found each other," read the contest submission from the couple.
For Katie, it was the loss of her partner.
“I lost Adam, my first husband to brain cancer. And I never thought I would get married again,” she told CTV News.
But after starting a friendship with Trevor, a relationship blossomed. The couple has now blended their children to make a family of five.
“This was not what I expected but it’s been pretty awesome,” she added.
Trevor, who comes to the marriage with a sense of humour, is thrilled to be tying the knot for the first time.
“I never thought anyone would want to marry me”, he said with a laugh. “So this is pretty awesome. This is a home run for ole’ Trevie!”
A home run that will be witnessed by anyone attending the Ailsa Craig Santa Claus parade on Saturday, Dec. 10.
An early artist rending of the wedding float that has since been expanded to accommodate more people. (Source: Tessa De Almeida) The wedding party will travel down Main Street and in a change of plans, the couple will complete their vows before the parade turns towards the community centre.
The unique wedding contest is the brainchild of Sapphire and Lily, an event planning company.
Tessa De Almeida, a co-owner, says Katie and Trevor’s story touched hearts.
“It came off very much as a Hallmark Christmas movie. Our couple has gone through some tragedy in their lives and found love. That was just touching,” she said.
Initially, the contest included only the float and an officiant to confirm the vows.
But since the original story was broadcast on CTV News London, more services have come on board. De Almeida said a hairstylist, florist, decorator and even a hall have been donated.
“Friends of the old town hall contacted within the hour of the news and said, ‘Hey, we’re willing to offer the space to the couple if they want to have a reception.’ ”
Katie and Trevor have gratefully taken up all the offers while acknowledging the parade wedding is a switch from their original plan to elope to a warm and sunny Caribbean island.
“I love the idea of getting married at Christmas time” Katie said. “Having the kids with us and the memories it will create for them, it’s something we couldn’t do any other way.”
And while the kids will surely be watching the nuptials most of the time, Katie and Trevor acknowledge a jolly guy in red, also in the parade, just might grab more attention.
“Well, we don’t want to steal the show from Santa, but if we have to, we have to!” Trevor concluded with a laugh.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.