Amber Marshall's Rustic Ranch Wedding: A Heartland Romance Comes to Life

Amber Marshall, 25, and Shawn Turner, 26, have always bonded over their passion for horses. So when it came to planning their wedding, they knew there was only one place it could happen. On a sunlit afternoon at their ranch near High River, Alberta, the actress—best known as Amy Fleming on Heartland—and her longtime boyfriend exchanged vows before 150 family members, friends and many familiar faces from the show.

“I’m a homebody and so is Shawn,” Amber told Hello! “We thought, ‘Why not get married where we live—where we work and play?’”

The setting couldn’t have felt more fitting. Rolling pastures stretched out under an open sky, and the same horses viewers watch on TV took center stage in real life.

Personal Touches and a DIY Approach

Instead of hiring a wedding planner, Amber and Shawn handled the details themselves. With help from loved ones, they handcrafted many of the day’s highlights:

• Hand-built Altar: Shawn spent weeks assembling a wooden structure that would later frame their first “I do.”
• Family-made Decor: Tables were topped with simple wildflower arrangements, while burlap runners and mason-jar lanterns added a soft glow as dusk fell.
• Homemade Favors: Guests left with small jars of local honey, a nod to Alberta’s bounty—and to Amber’s fondness for sweet, down-to-earth touches.

“I loved every minute of planning it,” Amber said. “Having our families pitch in made it feel like one big celebration.”

A Horse-Powered Grand Entrance

The moment everyone had been waiting for arrived when Amber appeared—astride her trusted horse, Hawk. Dressed in a strapless Private Label by G gown and clutching a lilac bouquet arranged by her grandmother, she rode sidesaddle down the aisle. Her father, who’d spent the morning learning how to lead Hawk safely, held the reins as Amber glided toward Shawn, who waited in a charcoal suit and cowboy boots.

“I expected to be nervous,” Amber admitted. “But riding in felt more like the thrill of filming a new episode—exciting and joyful.”

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An Evening of Laughter, Dancing and Heartfelt Toasts

After their first kiss and a horseback exit (complete with an enthusiastic round of applause that sent the horses “trotting a bit faster than planned,” Amber laughed), guests moved under white tents where the Heartland catering team served hearty Alberta fare. Long farm-table banquets encouraged conversation between on- and off-set family alike.

Special moments included:

1. Michelle Morgan’s Speech: Amber’s TV sister “Mallory” raised a glass and shared memories from set.
2. Chris Potter’s Toast: Amber’s on-screen dad paid tribute to both his real-life daughter and her new husband.
3. First Dance: To Garrett Hedlund’s “Timing Is Everything,” Amber and Shawn swayed beneath twinkling lights.

With a casual dress code—jeans, boots and western shirts welcomed—the reception felt more like a reunion than a formal affair. When the playlist kicked in, guests danced until the prairie night wound down.

What’s Next for the Newlyweds?

While Heartland cameras roll on into another season, honeymoon plans are on hold—both Amber and Shawn have busy schedules. But this springboard into married life seems just right: a foundation built on shared passions, family support and, above all, horses.

“There’s nothing I’d rather jump into—literally and figuratively—than this adventure with Shawn,” Amber said.

Read more about Heartland’s filming locations in Alberta

See Michelle Morgan’s recent interview on working with Amber