Matylda + David
Banff Springs Ivor Petrak Wedding Photography
It is always such a delight to photograph weddings at the iconic Banff Springs. The castle in the Canadian Rockies is perched on Sulphur Mountain, overlooking the Banff Townsite and the Bow River as it weaves its way from the Bow Glacier towards the prairies and eventually the Atlantic Ocean. The most wonderful thing about Banff Springs weddings, is that there are such a wonderful number of places to get lost – and by lost I mean discover and use for stunning and timeless photographs. There are stone laden hallways with massive grantie fireplaces, and pristine lawns looking back on arched windows that reflect the mountains, there are curving dimly lit staircases, massive grand halls, and private rooms tucked along a wine cellar like the Ivor Petrak room. Matylda and David’s wedding was one that celebrated the coziness and the grandness of the Banff Springs.
Throwing their Banff Springs wedding at the end of October meant it could have been a fair autumn day with blue skies and a touch of briskness, or it could have felt and looked much like a wintery January day. Matylda and David prepared for both, with indoor ceremony and receptions, and bringing jackets for offsite wedding photographs.
After getting ready separately they first met on the Banff Springs Golf course tee infamous for photographs of Marilyn Monroe taken in 1953 as she was filming River of No Return. A perfect ode to the classic wedding day ahead. The three of us left the Fairmont Banff Springs grounds to meander the old buffalo paddocks below Cascade Mountain and riverside old forests for two distinct feels.
Overlooking the original reception courtyard and the Bow Valley towards the golf course is the Ivor Petrak Room, which serves as an intimate ceremony venue in the Canadian Rockies. Minimally decorated, but still with character with arched stone walls, large oak doors, and a statement chandelier. Everyone took their seats and David looked on. Matylda entered with her mother – their walk down the aisle was an emotional one, swinging between tears and laughs, as their friends and family looked on. The ceremony began, the arch simply the window overlooking the valley, the couple framed between two pieces from Willow Flower Co. A simple ceremony, followed by a signing in which a neice was quite insistent on wanting to stay close to her mum. An exit to cheers.
They joined their guests in the expansive Riverview Lounge. So began a timeless evening. Of long tables lined by candles and greenery. Of Polish shot tradition, and heartfelt speeches from sisters. Of a cake cutting that reminds me of one in my grandparent’s album. Of a low dinnertime murmur of conversation that became a roaring party an hour later.
Congratulations you two.
To see a Banff Springs wedding in colour see Faaria and Omar’s wedding on the Outdoor Terrace and reception in the Mt Stephen Ballroom. You may also be interested in Grace and Shane’s winter wedding at Chateau Lake Louise.
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