In a remarkable display of resilience and community spirit, a Calgary restaurant devastated by an arson attack managed to host a meticulously planned wedding just three days later, fulfilling a couple's eight-month dream.
From Flames to "I Do": A Race Against Time
On December 17, 2025, the Salt & Brick restaurant in Calgary was severely damaged by a deliberately set fire. For bride Alicia Kilmer and groom Michel Maes, the news was devastating. Their wedding, a celebration intricately planned for more than eight months, was scheduled for December 20. With their venue in ruins, they resigned themselves to a small living room ceremony with pizza for their guests.
However, the restaurant's event manager, Emily Sylvester, refused to accept that outcome. "I just couldn't fathom the idea of not being able to do this wedding," Sylvester said. "Because it meant so much to me." Driven by that commitment, she and the Salt & Brick team embarked on a mission to salvage the event.
A Wedding Menu Telling a Family's Story
The wedding was deeply personal for the couple, who met during the pandemic while in the Queens MBA program. The celebration was designed around the theme of how their family's relationship evolved alongside food. Kilmer's daughter, Elle, now 10, had a limited palate when Maes entered their lives, with tacos being a staple meal.
The couple collaborated closely with Salt & Brick chef Alejandro, a childhood friend of Maes, to design a unique seven-course meal that narrated their journey. The dishes had never been served at the restaurant before. Elle even worked with the pastry chef to design a symbolic wedding cake representing what the three of them cherished.
Salt & Brick co-owner Casey Greabeiel said the wedding was highly anticipated by the entire staff. "It's one of the most special days in one's life," Greabeiel noted. "And one of the main reasons they bumped with us in the first place was the relationship with our chef and their love for our food."
Community Effort Saves the Day
Following the fire, the restaurant team scrambled to find solutions. Pastry chef Larissa Costella baked the specially designed cake in her own kitchen. The staff worked tirelessly to secure alternatives and adapt their plans, embodying what Kilmer described as Calgary's unique community spirit.
In an email, Kilmer expressed her profound gratitude: "Calgary is truly a special place to live, and this story is proof of that." On December 20, 2025, against all odds, Alicia Kilmer and Michel Maes celebrated their wedding day surrounded by family, friends, and the dedicated team that made it possible.
The successful event stands as a powerful testament to perseverance, turning a story of loss into one of triumph and human connection.
