Mountain Elopement Inspiration in Banff

September 19, 2016

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Imagine waking up as a child and knowing that today is your surprise birthday party that you had accidentally found out about…aka your best friend can’t help herself and tells you. You didn’t know where the party was taking place. You didn’t know who was going to be there. You didn’t know how long it would last. But you did know one thing. You knew it was going to be so fun! Excitement bubbles up in your stomach all day and your imagination wanders as you consider the options. That is how I felt the whole day leading up to this shoot in Banff. Well, that was sort of a terrible analogy – but just go with it. 😉

About a month earlier I reached out to Stacey of JoyFoleyWed to see if she would help me coordinate a styled shoot. When Thomas and I do out of town styled shoots, we usually do most of the leg work ourselves and keep them pretty low key, but this time I knew I wanted a little more. With a backdrop like Banff, we had to make the most of this! Stacey was kind enough to take us up on our offer and helped us coordinate a photoshoot. She took care of everything. Everything. The day of the shoot, Thomas and I drove to this mysterious location and we really weren’t sure what to expect. We had a few hints of what to expect, but it was ultimately like showing up to our own surprise party!

All of my expectations were blown out of the water.

Stacey concepted a mountainside elopement. We hopped into a motorboat, docked it on the shore, and the magic began. Sarah and Rob, our models, were the perfect real-life couple to bring this inspiration shoot to life. Their chemistry was perfect and I love the way they laughed at each other throughout the session.

Sarah wore an Elizabeth Dye gown from The Bridal Boutique. The gown had almost a light sea-foam green tint to it. She seemed to float in the tulle skirt. The lace, illusion back was to die for. Rob wore a light plaid suit from EW Menswear.

These two read their vows, written by Art and Alexander, atop a stone mound on Lake Minnewanka.

Their escape boat was adorned with a floral garland from the Flourish Flower Shop. Also, how perfect is that bouquet? I love the texture of the different greenery and the organic shape. Finish it off with some frou-frou chic ribbon and you’ve got yourself the perfect bridal bouquet!

We boated over to an isolated beach to celebrate with a champagne toast. A fresh vanilla naked cake sat upon a vintage side table from the Orange Trunk. The sun set behind the mountains, providing us with soft glow-y light.

At the end of the shoot, the rain began to sprinkle down. We cleaned up quickly, carrying items up a flight of stairs  to our cars.

After we were all packed up, Thomas pulled me back down to the beach. “Why?” I said. “We got everything – I know we did.”

“Let’s just double check.”

I followed him down to the beach. He pulled me next to him and just wrapped his arm around my waist. We looked out at the lake together. The rain drops creating tiny ripples on the glassy blue water. It was one of those moments where you just have to stop and say, “Is this real life?” We paused for a moment to simply appreciate the day. The only day we had experienced on our trip that wasn’t covered in gray clouds. The day we had planned to do two shoots (an engagement shoot earlier in the day and the one we had just finished) the weather had held out just long enough for us to create magic with a whole team of new friends. It was a perfect day that I will look back on with a smile on my face – forever.

I couldn’t be more excited to announce that this elopement inspiration was featured on Style Me Pretty! Thank you to everyone that helped make this dream come true: Event Planning + Design: JoyFoley Weddings // Floral Design: Fleurish Flower Shop // Wedding Dress: Elizabeth Dye // Cake: JoyFoley Weddings // Ring: Vintage // Makeup: The Pretty Haus // Hair: Lilies Lace and Beauty Co. // Calligraphy: Art + Alexander // Bridal Boutique: The Bridal Boutique // Film Processing: Richard Photo Lab // Menswear: Ed Williams Menswear // Ribbons: Frou Frou Chic // Ring box: The Mrs Box // Vintage Table: Orange Trunk

Art + Alexander Calligraphy Stacey Foley Wedding Designs

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