Spotlight on Love
In many ways it seems surprising that Tamara Taggart and David Genn ended up as man and wife. After all, both were born and raised in Vancouver, and both are well-known public figures and media favourites. The surprising part is that Tamara, CTV’s Weathercaster and the host of HGTV’s “Love It or Lose It,” and Dave, the guitarist for celebrated
Canadian rock band 54-40, had never heard of one another when they first met.
Tamara and Dave were introduced by mutual friends at a Canucks game in 1999. Tamara was working as one of the co-hosts for CTV’s popular morning series “The Breakfast Show” at that point in her career, but Dave’s late nights onstage or in the recording studio precluded him from being awake in time to see the program. Dave’s unawareness meant that he wasn’t starstruck upon meeting Tamara; however, he was awestruck by her beauty and vibrancy. Unfortunately, he was also in the midst of a 10-year relationship and was forced to minimize any initial attraction.
Tamara recounts a similar experience. She was unfazed by Dave’s celebrity as she was unfamiliar with the Matthew Good Band, of which Dave was a member. Regardless, she was immediately interested in Dave. Upon learning that there was already a girlfriend in the picture, Tamara pushed Dave out of her mind, but did so reluctantly.
Tamara and Dave ran into each other periodically over the next few years, but it wasn’t until December 2002 that their paths crossed romantically. When they bumped into each other at a Christmas party hosted by their mutual talent agency, Dave seized the opportunity to ask Tamara’s friend why she wasn’t with a date. Upon hearing her response that men were afraid of her, Dave immediately stepped up to the plate and told Tamara that he would take her out.
Laughing at the memory, Tamara says, “I told Dave that I wasn’t looking for a ‘pity date.’ But once we were clear on that distinction, I gave him my business card.”
Dave made sure that he placed the first phone call on a day when he knew Tamara would be out of the office. Although he was cautiously optimistic about her interest in him, he purposely placed the ball in her court.
“Well, what did she expect?” jokes Dave. “She hardly sent me a sure-fire signal; she gave me a business card!” Luckily, Dave’s instincts were correct and Tamara returned his call. Their first date occurred less than a week later, and shortly after that the two were officially a couple. Within six months they were living together, and the following year they purchased their first home.
Thinking back to that first date, which occurred at GM Place for a Peter Gabriel concert, Tamara and Dave have strong recollections. Dave picked up Tamara in his 1982 Alfa Romeo and Tamara immediately commented that the car smelled like gas. Despite his best efforts to convince her that the odour was part of the car’s charm, Tamara never rode in it again. Far from being offended, Dave found Tamara’s liveliness and outspokenness part of her allure.
Tamara also experienced a strong attraction to Dave and, in many ways, felt as though she had known him her whole life.
“There was no drama being with Dave,” explains Tamara. “Everything was just easy and natural.”
Tamara and Dave’s dating life was low key and often involved staying home with take-out food and a movie rental. Spending time in public took a bit of getting used to for Dave as he began to comprehend the power of his girlfriend’s recognition factor.
“I was honestly taken aback,” says Dave, explaining that he had to learn to adjust to Tamara’s notoriety. Nonetheless, he wasn’t dissuaded. “I told her that I liked her despite the fact that she was on television!”
The wedding proposal occ
urred after two years of dating, on a night filled with relaxing romance. Marriage had already been a topic of conversation between the two, and Tamara had taken the time to make sure Dave understood that she didn’t want a public proposal.
“I couldn’t think of anything worse than being at a sports event and having the mascot rip off its head at halftime to reveal Dave with an engagement ring,” laughs Tamara.
Fortunately, the actual event occurred much differently. On Valentine’s Day 2005, Tamara and Dave went for dinner at En Japanese Restaurant on Granville Street, one of their favourite eateries. Upon returning home, Tamara immediately changed into her pyjamas as per her routine and prepared to exchange gifts with Dave. Before giving her her present, Dave asked Tamara to close her eyes. As she did so, Stanley, their huge and not-so-graceful Airedale Terrier, and Murray, the cat, jumped on the couch—something they had never done previously. When Tamara opened her eyes amidst the kerfuffle, she saw Dave on one knee, ring box in hand. Surrounded by everything she loved, it was, as Tamara describes it, “the perfect proposal.”
When it came time to select a wedding location, Tamara and Dave chose the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. They then set about the daunting task of creating an unpretentious event in spite of the high-profile guest list comprised of musicians, agents, television personalities and talent managers. Rather than attempt the feat on their own, Tamara and Dave placed the decision-making in the capable hands of Elana Lancit, president of A Sweet Beginnings Wedding Planning and Décor.
“Working with Tamara and Dave was a lot of fun,” says Elana. “They approached the day with levity and romance and gave me free reign to tailor the design to best reflect their personalities.”
Based on the couple’s colour palette of shades of purple ranging from lavender to aubergine, Elana began by incorporating plum uplighting throughout the room to set a sultry yet elegant atmosphere. Next, she used the stunning array of tulips, anemones and orchids supplied by Oasis Flowers to create two centerpiece variations. Half the tables were set with stylish vases of flowers while the other half displayed regal candelabras strung with orchids. The focal point of the decorating, however, was undoubtedly the magical, fifteen-foot “trees.” Supplied by Reel Silks, the trees consisted of satin-wrapped trunks that sprouted a shock of crimped willow branches. The branches were draped with crystals and votive candles and the entire creation was enhanced by lighting.
“It really was like stepping into an enchanted forest,” says Tamara of the finished product. “I was astonished by how beautifully it all came together.”
The couple was also surprised by the intensity of their emotions when the big day finally rolled around. When Dave first glimpsed Tamara walking down the aisle in her strapless, winter white, silk wedding dress from designer Barbra Allin, he was both floored by her beauty and calmed by her presence.
“It was overwhelming seeing the results of all our hard work and being surrounded by everyone I love,” says Dave, “but once I saw Tamara, everything fell into place.”
Tamara began to get nervous as soon as she left her hotel room. Accompanied by her uncle, Wayne Lepore, she made a conscious effort to take in her surroundings and make eye contact with as many guests as possible. Her uncle’s attendance was a blessing of its own; days before the wedding he was involved in a horrific car accident and was still concussed as he escorted his niece down the aisle. His presence was emotive for Tamara, whose father passed away six years earlier.
Emotions also ran the gam
ut for the guests. While experiencing the tenderness and love in the room, there was also the chance to chuckle over some of the whimsical details. The wedding programs contained light-hearted haikus composed by the bride and groom themselves in tribute to the members of the wedding party. Dave explains that the idea was, in part, a nod to the Japanese part of his heritage as well as a way to bring creativity and self-expression into the day. “We also told our guests that if they wanted Tamara and me to kiss, they would have to jump on the haiku bandwagon and deliver one of their own. We figured this would dissuade the majority of the people, but almost everyone rose to the challenge!”
In keeping with the personality of the couple, the ceremony was officiated by the Honourable Larry Campbell, who infused his words with warmth and wit. Tamara had met Campbell several years earlier and developed an immediate bond forged largely on their similar sense of humour. After exchanging their self-authored vows, Tamara and Dave retrieved their wedding bands from Stanley the dog who waited patiently at the front of the room with the rest of the wedding party, sporting the rings on his garlanded collar.
Originality and entertainment were themes throughout the evening. Upon being seated in the ballroom, guests were treated to a sugary indulgence from Cupcakes and a gift bag containing Supply Slipgloss lip gloss and a guitar pick bearing Tamara and David’s initials and wedding date. As the night progressed, “Nearly Neil” delighted the crowd with his Neil Diamond impressions while caricature artist Ted Couling created one-of-a-kind souvenirs for guests until the
wee hours of the morning.
“Everything was perfect,” says Tamara. “I spent the night dancing and laughing in a room full of love.” Dave agrees. “At first I was worried that I wouldn’t be able
to completely enjoy myself, but once I saw how much fun the guests were having I was able to relax.”
When asked about their plans for the future together, Tamara and Dave smile. It seems obvious that Dave plans to continue to make beautiful music together, while Tamara anticipates clear skies ahead.
Wedding Gown
Tamara’s gown was from Bisou Bridal in Vancouver: a winter-white, strapless, Dupeone silk with a tight bodice and bustled bottom by Barbra Allin.
Bridal Hair Accessories
Tamara had her hair done by Mo at A Salon in the Century Plaza Hotel. The hairdo was accessorized by crystal beads from Jeweliette.
Floral Decor
Oasis Flowers used a combination of tulips, anemones and orchids to accentuate the couple’s purple and lavender colour scheme.
Bridal Shoes
Tamara bought her jeweled white satin sling-backs in Las Vegas.
Invitations
Invitations and stationery were by The Write Placein Vancouver.
Wedding Favours
To add an element of fun Tamara and David hired artist Ted Couling to sketch caricatures of their guests.
Cupcakes
Each place setting featured a mini cupcake from Cupcakes on Denman Street in Vancouver.
Videography
Videography was by Gary Barndt and Gary Rutherford, collegues of Tamara from CTV.
Ring Bearer
The couple’s Airedale Terrier, Stanley, carried the wedding rings on his garlanded collar.
