From Texas with love
Surrounded by the stunning Canadian Rockies, the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel in Banff, Alberta was the backdrop for the most gorgeous wedding that crossed borders and united hearts from Alberta and Texas. The day was all about hospitality, family, and, of course, one, epic celebration. It’s the story where Canada’s welcoming spirit merges with the warmth of Texan hospitality.
James and Kristen knew what they wanted for their wedding day: to enjoy the day surrounded by all of their favourite people. Working with the incredible team from Julianne Young Weddings, every moment of the weekend was planned with intention and care.
(Pro-tip: Hire an incredible planner. First, because they will take a tremendous load off of your plate both in the year/months leading up to your wedding, but also, and importantly, on the day of your wedding, so you can simply soak up every minute without a thought or worry about the plan. And second, they will literally bring your vision to life in the most thoughtful and beautiful way. Not once have we ever heard our couples express regret for hiring a planner.)
James and Kristen each spent time getting ready for the day with their bridal party. (Speaking of designing the wedding day to be surrounded by their favourite people, they each had 8 standing up beside them!) Between the two rooms, the atmosphere was full of gratitude to all be together, laughter, celebratory sips of bubbly and excited anticipation. The spaces in the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel have such a classic, historic charm and made the perfect getting ready setting to kick off the day. As a Banff wedding photographer, photographing the significant days in your life, we love the timelessness of the Banff Springs Hotel. Not to mention the all-around stunning views of the Canadian Rockies just a glance out the window.
(Pro-tip: Book the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel for the perfect, timeless setting. If you’re getting married in Banff, Alberta and want your wedding photos to be classic and elegant, you definitely want to book this venue. The historic charm of the architecture is like none other in the area. Especially since the venue has been gradually updating and renovating their rooms and spaces! If you want suggestions on which rooms are best for getting ready photos, send us a message! We’d love to offer any helpful insight and sample images!)
To make the morning even more memorable, Kristen shared a beautiful moment with her dad just before leaving for the ceremony. In the last few quiet minutes before heading into a joy and fun-filled day, she gifted him a kerchief with an embroidered personal letter from her. *Cue all the emotions.* It’s planning and taking the time for moments like these that create those core memories you and your closest family and friends won’t ever forget about your wedding day.
(Pro-Tip: Give extra time in your schedule. If you are very close with your family and want to be able to to create and share in meaningful moments as they unfold naturally, without rush, as well we have time for emotions to be felt, held, enjoyed and cherished, include pockets of time throughout your wedding day where you can simply connect and be present, without needing to hurry off to the next program point. )
James and Kristen’s ceremony was held at St. Mary’s Parish in Banff, and after a sweet service with all of their family and friends, we ventured out to mountain views with their bridal party all in one shuttle.
(Pro-tip: Book a chauffeur. Banff and the entire Banff National Park is very congested in warm weather months. If you want the ease of navigating off-site portrait locations without the headache of the logistics, definitely hire a chauffeur. One vehicle, picking up you, your bridal party and photographers/videographers, celebratory drinks and snacks (yes, you pack snacks, because you’ll definitely need a pick-me-up by then!), and a simple on/off for all of your portrait locations. It definitely eliminates the transportation frazzle that describes, in one word, the summertime traffic situation in Banff National Park. As a Banff wedding photographer for over a dozen years, we’re here to make your experience incredible – including advising on how to best navigate busy season in the area (and also not lose your photo time being stuck in traffic.)
James and Kristen returned from portraits to a stunningly elegant cocktail hour set up in Fairmont Banff Springs’ Riverview Lounge. Between the large, mountain-view windows filling the hall, the stunning champagne wall seating chart greeting guests, and the personal touches, like the couples’ dog imprinted on the cocktail napkins, it was the perfect setting for guests enjoy mingling and drinks before the reception began.
Their evening reception space in the Cascade Ballroom was that straight out of a fairytale. Fall For Florals created the most magical, ethereal head table floral installation, with an absolute dreamy tiered cake created by Kake by Darci. Everything about the space, from tablescape, to food enjoyed, to words shared was perfection, designed entirely around togetherness and the warmth of hospitality. The evening didn’t wrap up, but rather ramped up into an epic dance party. The best, most fitting way to close off the celebration.
If you’re engaged (or soon to be) and planning to get married in the Banff area (or Canmore, Lake Louise, Jasper, Emerald Lake), we’d love to connect to talk about documenting this significant and very exciting chapter in your life! Enjoy browsing this wedding – it will romance you in all the connections between family and friends, and inspire you with its gorgeous details and design. Enjoy!
Xo,
David and Breanne
Planning & Design: Julianne Young Weddings
Videography: Parfait Productions
Band: Side One
Venue: Fairmont Banff Springs
Hair and Makeup: Top Knot Brides
Florals: Fall For Florals
Rentals: Modern Rentals
Stationer: Plush Invitations
Lighting: Stardust Event Group
Cake: Kake By Darci
If you are planning your Banff Springs Wedding in 2024, check out your favourite Calgary wedding photographers!
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