July 17th 2015
Canandaigua, NY
Chelsea, from Rochester New York and Cobina (“Cobi”) from Ottawa Ontario, met while playing NCAA Division I ice hockey at Robert Morris University in Pittsburgh, PA. Chelsea is now a hockey coach at their alma mater and Cobi is a Fan Service Specialist working at OSEG (Ottawa Sports Entertainment Group).
After dating about four years, Chelsea proposed on January 21st 2014 on the Rideau Canal in Ottawa. Chelsea was coaching at Oswego State at the time and had a Monday off following a weekend of games. She made a surprise visit to Ottawa to visit Cobi. That night the couple went skating on the frozen canal. While Chelsea took off her skates Cobi went to buy two Beaver Tails. When she returned, Chelsea got down on one knee to help Cobi remove her skates. She then asked Cobi to marry her.
Says Chelsea: After saying “No way!” a bunch of times with tears streaming down her face, Cobi finally agreed!
The couple loves spending their summers on the lake, so the brides were married at The Inn on the Lake in Canandaigua, NY, on the grass by the water in front of 250 friends and family. Both brides were escorted down the aisle by their fathers to the song Somewhere Over the Rainbow by Israel Kamakawiwo’Ole—Chelsea opted to go first, knowing Cobi would want to follow. The brides included siblings and friends as bridesmaids and ushers. Cobi’s older brother Vince officiated.
Says Chelsea: Vince officiating our ceremony was a surprise to majority of our family and friends in attendance. Cobi loves social media, so during the ceremony, Vince turned and took a selfie with us and our guests in the background, which made for a great picture!
Though it rained a little during the reception, everyone had umbrellas and the brides preferred rain to a sweltering day. The brides entered the reception to Shut Up and Dance by Walk The Moon, followed by their bridal parties. All of the bridesmaids chose to enter differently, with some added flair.
Says Cobi: Two did a “Tebow” which is holding the back of their head and chugging a beer, two did squats (a hockey workout), two took selfies, two did a chest bump, two danced, two piggy-backed and then our maid-of-honors shotgunned.
The brides danced together to Mean to Me by Brett Eldredge before dancing with their fathers to When You Need Me by Bruce Springsteen. They danced with their fathers at the same time, swapping partners halfway through.
Cobina’s Favorite Moment: The reception and dancing with all our family and friends the entire night.
Chelsea’s Favorite Moment: Our “first-look reveal,” exchanging stories of how we fell in love in front of our closest family and friends during our ceremony, and PARTYING!
Cobi’s brothers made lawn games for guests to enjoy, including corn hole, which was painted with the brides’ college mascot (RMU Colonial) and a jumbo Jenga. The brides also had a cigar bar on a barrel outside of the tent and a build-your-own Bloody Mary and Caesar bar.
Say the brides: This was a unique way to tie in our American (Bloody Mary) and Canadian (Caesar) backgrounds.
The brides also featured two “bridesmaid choice signature cocktails,” which were a John Daly (lemonade, iced tea and vodka) and white sangria (to avoid red wine stains). Finally—not a detail overlooked by these brides—they served a seasonal strawberry shortcake for dessert, as well as a passed dessert for guests who simply could not tear themselves from the dance floor. Macri’s Deli famous chocolate chip cookies were served with milk in authentic “Neeland’s Dairy” bottles once used at Chelsea’s grandfather’s dairy in Alden, New York.
Asked if they would change anything the brides are in agreement: Absolutely nothing. It was an amazing day filled with love and support from our friends and family.
Chelsea Mason was there to capture every detail.
Two dresses for two brides.
Before their first look, Chelsea enjoys a moment with her bridal party, all in blue
Cobina and her bridal party gather at the bar for one final toast for this single gal.
Bottoms up!
Chelsea approaches an emotional Cobina for their first look.
We love this moment, when it all becomes so real.
It’s true what they say, rainy days make for gorgeous photos.
Loving the simple elegance of baby’s breath lining the aisle.
It’s time for the ceremony. Chelsea and her father lead the way.
Followed by Cobina and her father.
The brides take hands as Vince begins the ceremony.
Officially wife & wife, Chelsea and Cobina share a kiss.
The entire wedding, ready to get out of the rain and party.
But first, the brides steal away for a stroll.
We l-o-v-e this playful moment by the water.
It’s time to party, and this bride is packing.
Nothing to see here, just two brides steaming up the elevator.
These bridesmaids are, quite literally, crushing it.
The brides take the floor for their first dance …
And these girls show off some serious moves.
Hockey players are always prepared for a puck to drop.
Chelsea & Cobina offered their guests a variety of desserts, but they set aside this small cake for cutting.
And of course, things got out of hand.
These fun-loving brides danced the night away, telling us, “It was a very FUN wedding with a lot of partying (and alcohol!) haha.”