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
Powerful earthquake rocks Turkiye and Syria, kills more than 1,300
A powerful 7.8 magnitude earthquake rocked wide swaths of Turkiye and Syria early Monday, toppling hundreds of buildings and killing more than 1,300 people. Hundreds were still believed to be trapped under rubble, and the toll was expected to rise as rescue workers searched mounds of wreckage in cities and towns across the area.
Attracting, retaining pilots an ongoing issue in Canada: industry analysts
Retirements, high training costs and poor pay are fuelling a pilot shortage in Canada, industry analysts say, at a time when travel has surged in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Canadian dollar's outlook for 2023 uncertain as interest rate hikes wane: experts
Experts say the outlook for the loonie in 2023 largely depends on commodity prices, how the U.S. dollar fares, and whether central banks are successful in avoiding a major recession.
China accuses U.S. of indiscriminate use of force over balloon
China on Monday accused the United States of indiscriminate use of force in shooting down a suspected Chinese spy balloon, saying it 'seriously impacted and damaged both sides' efforts and progress in stabilizing Sino-U.S. relations.'
BoC's first summary of deliberations coming this week. Here's what to expect
The Bank of Canada is set to publish its first summary of deliberations Wednesday, giving Canadians a peak into the governing council's reasoning behind its decision to raise interest rates last month.
Beyonce becomes most decorated artist in Grammys history; Harry Styles wins album of the year
Beyonce sits alone atop the Grammy throne as the ceremony's most decorated artist in history, but at the end of Sunday's show it was Harry Styles who walked away with the album of the year honour.
Charles Kimbrough, best known for role in 'Murphy Brown,' dies at 86
Charles Kimbrough, a Tony- and Emmy-nominated actor who played a straight-laced news anchor opposite Candice Bergen on 'Murphy Brown,' died Jan. 11 in Culver City, California. He was 86.
Advocates come together to help sailors stuck for months on tugboats in Quebec port
Groups that advocate for seafarers are expressing concern for 11 sailors who are spending a harsh Quebec winter aboard three tugboats that have been detained for months in the port of Trois-Rivières.
4 Americans, 2 Canadians fined $50K for illegal moose hunting in northern Ont.
An investigation that lasted almost two years has resulted in moose hunting violation convictions for six people and a lodge in Red Lake in northwestern Ontario.
Kitchener
-
Woolwich man arrested for alleged death threats to local MP
Waterloo regional police have arrested a Woolwich man after death threats were allegedly made to a local Member of Parliament online.
-
Jacob Hespeler Secondary School closed for Monday due to flooding
The first day of the second semester will be pushed back for students at Jacob Hespeler Secondary School in Cambridge.
-
Most read stories of the week: Conestoga Mall robbery, house explosion hearing, cancelled Valentine's Day
An armed robbery at Conestoga Mall, a hearing on a 2018 Kitchener house explosion, and a school cancelling Valentine's Day round out the most ready stories of the week.
Windsor
-
Five-vehicle crash impacts E.C. Row traffic
There were no injuries reported after a five-vehicle crash in Tecumseh Monday morning.
-
Chatham-Kent police seize firearms, man charged with uttering threats
Chatham-Kent police seized several firearms from a home when arresting a man for uttering threats.
-
Windsor-Essex starts week with mix of sun and clouds
A mix of sun and clouds is forecasted to start the week in Windsor-Essex.
Barrie
-
SIU investigating death of Barrie man
The province's Special Investigations Unit is investigating the death of a 35-year-old man in Barrie Saturday afternoon.
-
Wanted man busted in Barrie
Rama Police Service took Jacob Bruckner into custody Friday after asking for the public’s help in January in locating the 24-year-old man they considered to be armed and dangerous.
-
Marit Stiles officially confirmed as Ontario NDP leader by majority vote
Marit Stiles officially became the new leader of the Ontario NDP on Saturday after a majority of party members voted in favour of the lone candidate.
Northern Ontario
-
Strongest earthquake to hit Buffalo in decades causes rumbles in southern Ontario
A 4.2-magnitude earthquake that struck near Buffalo, N.Y. Monday morning was felt in southern Ontario, officials say.
-
Two arrested in Kapuskasing police investigation, schools closed
Schools in the northern Ontario town of Kapuskasing are closed Monday after Ontario Provincial Police responded to a threat resulting in two arrests.
-
New study highlights increasing prevalence of muscle dysmorphia among Canadian boys, young men
Canadian researchers are drawing attention to the increasing prevalence of 'a pathological pursuit of muscularity' among Canadian boys and young men, with a new study that found one in four were at risk of developing what's known as muscle dysmorphia.
Ottawa
-
Powerful earthquake rocks Turkiye and Syria, kills more than 1,300
A powerful 7.8 magnitude earthquake rocked wide swaths of Turkiye and Syria early Monday, toppling hundreds of buildings and killing more than 1,300 people. Hundreds were still believed to be trapped under rubble, and the toll was expected to rise as rescue workers searched mounds of wreckage in cities and towns across the area.
-
Eastern Ontario town council to debate mandatory oath to King Charles
The debate on elected officials pledging allegiance to King Charles III will shift to a small town south of Ottawa this week, as Prescott town council discusses a motion on whether to abolish the requirement for newly elected members.
-
Here's how you can have your say on the 2023 city of Ottawa budget
Councillors will be hosting draft budget consultation sessions between Feb. 6 and 20, while each city committee will hear from the public before approving the budgets.
Toronto
-
Strongest earthquake to hit Buffalo in decades causes rumbles in southern Ontario
A 4.2-magnitude earthquake that struck near Buffalo, N.Y. Monday morning was felt in southern Ontario, officials say.
-
Masking alone wouldn't have eased respiratory virus surge in the fall: PHO document
Introducing a mask mandate when respiratory viruses surged in the fall may not have eased the crush on pediatric hospitals, a Public Health Ontario science brief obtained by The Canadian Press concludes.
-
Three people rescued after falling through ice near Toronto Islands
Three people are now in the care of paramedics after a skating mishap on Lake Ontario Monday morning.
Montreal
-
Arson squad investigating building fire in Pierrefonds early Monday morning
A commercial establishment in northwest Montreal was the target of an apparent arson attack early Monday morning. The damage caused by the fire was not significant, and there were no injuries, according to the Montreal Police Department (SPVM).
-
Hydro-Quebec executive vice-president Eric Filion goes to Bombardier
Hydro-Quebec's executive vice-president and chief operating officer, Eric Filion, is joining his former boss at Bombardier. Bombardier president and CEO Éric Martel, who formerly headed Hydro-Québec, announced Monday that Filion will join his management team.
-
Over 1,500 Hydro-Quebec customers still without power in Montreal
In Montreal, more than 1,500 Hydro-Quebec customers remain without power, and more than 2,500 were in the dark as of around 7:45 p.m Sunday. Of the service interruptions in Montreal, a handful were in the Parc-Extension area Sunday afternoon, where Daniella Zanetti witnessed a power line explosion that sparked a fire on Saturday night.
Atlantic
-
Several Maritime schools closed after frigid weekend, thousands without power in N.S.
Thousands of Nova Scotians are without power Monday morning following frigid temperatures and high winds over the weekend.
-
Storm Watch: School closures and cancellations
Here is a list of school closures and cancellations for Monday, Feb. 6, 2023.
-
Cape Breton University, striking faculty reach tentative agreement
Striking faculty members at Cape Breton University have reached a tentative agreement with the university.
Winnipeg
-
‘Those are memories you retain for a long, long time’: Main and Matheson Salisbury House up for sale
An iconic remnant of a beloved Manitoba restaurant chain is now on the market.
-
'Come home to mama': Family seek help in finding missing 14-year-old girl
The family of a 14-year-old girl missing for the last two weeks in Winnipeg is putting out a desperate plea for information.
-
Bonnie Raitt wins Grammy for cover of Manitoba band's song
American singer Bonnie Raitt took home three Grammy Awards this weekend, including one for a cover she did of a Manitoba band’s song.
Calgary
-
'Absolute nightmare': Calgarians call attention to the children unable to leave Ukraine
A group of Calgarians gathered along Memorial Drive Sunday to draw attention to what they call "disgusting" treatment of Ukrainian children.
-
Powerful earthquake rocks Turkiye and Syria, kills more than 1,300
A powerful 7.8 magnitude earthquake rocked wide swaths of Turkiye and Syria early Monday, toppling hundreds of buildings and killing more than 1,300 people. Hundreds were still believed to be trapped under rubble, and the toll was expected to rise as rescue workers searched mounds of wreckage in cities and towns across the area.
-
WEATHER
WEATHER | Another warm spell hits Calgary
If you're driving through Balzac today, give Billy the nod.
Edmonton
-
Family of man slain in northeast Edmonton searching for answers
An Edmonton family is in mourning after the sudden death of their son and brother in the city's northeast.
-
New study highlights increasing prevalence of muscle dysmorphia among Canadian boys, young men
Canadian researchers are drawing attention to the increasing prevalence of 'a pathological pursuit of muscularity' among Canadian boys and young men, with a new study that found one in four were at risk of developing what's known as muscle dysmorphia.
-
Masking alone wouldn't have eased respiratory virus surge in the fall: PHO document
Introducing a mask mandate when respiratory viruses surged in the fall may not have eased the crush on pediatric hospitals, a Public Health Ontario science brief obtained by The Canadian Press concludes.
Vancouver
-
‘It's my only wish’: Grieving Surrey mother still waiting for justice in daughter's slaying
Two years after a young woman in Surrey was gunned down, her family says they still waiting for justice.
-
'I want to bring Blockbuster back': B.C. teen creates free movie lending library
Tucked away on a residential street in Langley, there's a blue cabinet filled with VHS tapes and DVDs bearing the once-familiar logo of Blockbuster video.
-
Vancouver council set to provide $2.8M funding boost for city’s mental health services
The City of Vancouver will be providing $2.8 million in funding to the local health authority to bolster the city’s mental health services, officials announced Sunday.