This particular weekend in Mid-July proved to be my most challenging yet. For starters, I booked my first back to back nuptials that just happened to be 400 miles apart! I drove down to Banff after my Wedding in Camrose & stayed the night at a relatives house (Sooo thankful!) then woke up early Saturday morning to meet Jessica at the salon!
When I arrived Jessica was reading sweet notes from her loved ones, & she received the sweetest notes from her girls, scribbling ‘i Lov U’ on the hotel paper pad – SOOO cute! Her Maid Of Honor was running around prepping & making sure Jessica ate & drank, making a Timmie’s run in-between hair. Not to mention the girls at the salon were so helpful in giving us great location ideas for around Banff!
Brady & Jessica had originally planned on saying I do on top of Mount Norquay lookout, overlooking Banff National Park. Unfortunately the weather had other plans & they booked a room at the YMCA last minute to avoid the rain. Luckily the staff at the YMCA were absolutely incredible setting everything up & helping this couple out in any way they could. Everything turned right around & the space was absolutely beautiful! Nice natural light, stone fireplace, wooden floors – AHHHHHH!
We stuck around inside for some family photo’s in front of the stone fireplace, then I asked reeeeally nicely if we could go outside with the bridal party for some portraits 😉 We counted up our umbrella’s & headed down to the river & this sky was like my own personal soft box. It was raining but luckily in the trees it was somewhat dry, so we got things rolling & captured the whole Bridal Party outside before I ran off with my Bride & Groom! I took them alone to a few different spots then made our way up to Lake Minnewanka as I hadn’t been there in forever! On the road up we came across this huge wildflower field so I immediately stopped! My second shooter Raelene helped my couple across the road as I was grabbing a new card from my bag… & as I was crossing the street to get to the field, I saw this big black thing coming down the road on the corner of my eye. BEAR! I casually walked towards everyone suddenly turning around calmly yelling “bear, BEar, BEAr, BEAR, BEEEEARR!!!!!” I have never seen anyone move so fast than Raelene running from this bear HAHA! But we all ran as fast as we could back to the car! & You know the #1 thing you shouldn’t do when you see a bear? RUN. But now that I have come face to face with a bear on foot, you definitely run, there’s no question LOL! With our adrenaline pumping, we waited a couple minutes before getting out again & finishing up in the field – which was SO worth the intense encounter!
Brady & Jessica arrived at Melissa’s Missteak for a good meal with all their guests & they had everything set up just like a reception hall. Loved ones gave toasts & the best part of all was a gift certificate to go towards their honeymoon from their family! & You can tell by their faces how much this gift meant to them. After dinner they said their goodbyes & got themselves ready for a night out to celebrate with friends who travelled near & far to be with them, & from what I’ve seen online, it was definitely a party well deserved haha!
Thank you both for not only being great clients of mine, but being great friends too. I hope our playdates continue & that we see each other more & more even long after the delivery of your images. I’ve had the best time getting to know you both & I absolutely loved our adventures in Banff together!
Congratulations Mr & Mrs Olson!
Ceremony Venue: YMCA, Banff AB
Reception Venue: Melissa’s Missteak, Banff, AB
Hair & Makeup: Salon 1463
Dress/Bridesmaids Dresses: Bridal Couture Designs
Men’s Suits: John’s Men’s Wear
Florals: Panda Flowers
Rings: Wares
Second Photographer: Raelene Schulmeister
© Chloe photo 2023
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