Hi Carl,
That is a very complicated answer, as Canada is quite multi-cultural and no two cultural traditions are the same. That being said, there are normally a few stages:
- some kind of "bridal shower" where gifts are given to the couple
- parties to celebrate the wedding: such as a stags / bachelor parties, and also "Stag and Does" which function as fund-raising parties
- rehearsal dinner, where the two families of the couple rehearse the wedding and meet each other
- wedding ceremony
- wedding reception
But I am not the best person to ask, as I have never married and have only been to 10 or 15 weddings in my life.