‘Getting married no matter what’: Wildfire won’t cancel wedding

Mica McGarry and Andrew Robins booked the venue for their July 19 Waskesiu wedding in 2023.

Two years later, and the day before their nuptials, the Regina couple are facing the reality that a wildfire might ruin their plans.

“I think it was decades since something like this happened up north at this level. So, it’s completely unplanned,” Robins said in an interview with 980 CJME.

The wildfire in question is the Buhl Fire in Prince Albert National Park, which caused Parks Canada to issue a pre-evacuation alert in Waskesiu last weekend.

Read more:

• Buhl Fire still not close enough to Waskesiu to issue evacuation alert, Parks Canada says
• Waskesiu businesses, visitors not concerned about wildfire threat near community
• Wildfires merging into larger blazes, says SPSA president

When the notice came out, Robins said it felt like a, “gut punch,” because “you can’t re-plan a wedding in a week.”

The couple, who’ve been together for seven years, chose the scenic summer hot spot for their wedding after going on a trip to Waskesiu together.

McGarry said it reminded them of their friend’s Manitoba cottage where they got engaged.

“We saw it as a place to go back to every year for anniversaries and eventually, when we start a family, we do family trips up there,” Robins said.

With the ceremony planned to take place at the Waskesiu River Trailhead, the couple thought they had a backup plan for inclement weather by hosting their reception inside the Community Hall. That way, if it rains, the entire wedding day could be hosted indoors.

Now, that backup plan also accounts for smoke.

“If there’s a little smoke, there’s a little smoke, and maybe it’ll make pictures turn out really cool,” Robins said.

That is, of course, unless they need to evacuate.

When answering what they love about each other, McGarry said there’s, “so many things, it’s hard to even put into words.” For Robins, he knew right away that their love, “was something special.” (Mica McGarry/submitted)

Marriage come rain, shine or wildfire

The pair has already contacted guests with existing health issues, assuring them they don’t need to come to the wedding at the risk of jeopardizing their health.

They’ve also told people they can wear masks and McGarry said her brother might try and film the ceremony, giving older family members the opportunity to watch if they can’t make it.

While their Waskesiu vendors have reassured them that the wedding will happen so long as conditions are safe, Robins said they’ll evacuate Waskesiu if they’re alerted to do so.

But that doesn’t mean the wedding will be cancelled.

“We’re getting married no matter what on Saturday. Whether it’s in Waskesiu or whether we have to meet up with our officials somewhere and have a small ceremony in Prince Albert,” Robins said.

What matters most to the couple isn’t the venue, but instead spending the day with their loved ones.

“We just want to have a good time with everyone and move into the next chapter of our lives together on a fun note,” Robins said.

For McGarry, this entire experience has put things into perspective, making her feel less concerned about their first dance or flowers.

The couple has made it through long-distance dating, home renovations, and after this weekend, a wildfire wedding.

It, “just makes us stronger,” Robins said. “If anything, it makes for a really good wedding story.”