Stephanie + Joel
Lake Louise Victoria Ballroom Wedding
My husband is a man who lives in a world of positive hyperboles. This has always been a bit of a novelty to me because surely no one would be that sincere or that wonderful. Cake can’t taste that delectable, and your travel couldn’t have legit been the best thing ever. Then I photographed Stephanie and Joel and I understood it all. These two are literally (no really) the loveliest couple who have ever graced the planet.
Their day was one solely focused on the enjoyment of their guests. Particularly their younger guests, as both Stephanie and Joel have two kids each, so it wasn’t simply a wedding, it was a celebration of their two families coming together. Truly the only downside of their wedding, is that the children in attendance are going to be sorely disappointed all future weddings that they attend don’t have a game and movie room, fries bar, bubble wrap dance, and an entrance to a mix up of The Brady Bunch and Old Town Road. Actually, now that I think of it, this may be an ideal wedding for adults as well.
Lake Louise weddings in 2019 were a bit of a weather novelty – November weddings felt more like December, and Stephanie and Joel’s mid-July wedding felt more like early-June. The clouds hung low around Mount Fairview, and the Victoria Glacier could only be imagined, as they got ready at the Chateau. Stephanie got ready in the Lefroy Room – a wonderful and practical alternative to getting ready in a hotel room on account of the spaciousness, not to mention the proximity to both ceremony and reception, and the stunning overlook of the lake. Her mother took care to steam her floor-length veil, as a friend and hair-aficionado arranged her hair in a chignon bun with a delicate hairpiece. Plans were changed, from an outdoor wedding on the Victoria Terrace to an indoor ceremony in the Victoria Ballroom, from an outdoor first look to one in the Captain’s Room. No one was phased – it was going to be a delightful day and misty weather couldn’t change that. It was such a pleasure to photograph a day where these two embraced whatever the mountains passed their way.
After being helped into her gown and slipping on her shoes, Stephanie made her way to the Captain’s Room where Joel waited. After an emotional first look (oh my heart when there is dabbing of the eyes), we grabbed umbrellas and set off for the meadow overlooking Lake Louise. Despite the rain, these two were happy to lay aside their umbrellas for pre-ceremony portraits. As we enjoyed our brief time outside their closest family and friends began to together in the Victoria Foyer for a pre-ceremony cocktail reception.
For a last-minute change of an outdoor ceremony to an indoor ceremony, an aisle was created in the center of the Victoria Ballroom leading to one of the grand arched windows with greenery-filled pieces by Willow Flower Company. Their guests took their seats at the family-style tables. I have had the pleasure of photographing many ceremonies, and I can honestly say Stephanie and Joel’s involvement of their guests and their children was unique to them. It was a way to honour their blended family and celebrate what was ahead.
Each of the kids was given an opportunity to speak – two opted to share their own words, while the other two wrote their thoughts beforehand and the couple’s friend who was officiating read it for them. Later their guests were invited to check their place settings and seats for pieces of a heart to be brought to the front. Once all were found, as a family of six, they carefully arranged the pieces. They spoke their vows to each other, equal bits of humour and heart. Then as they were declared man and wife, the girls giddily looked on, then the glass was broken to raucous applause.
Everyone gathered in the Victoria Foyer for drinks, congratulations, and a slideshow of their ventures so far together. The Victoria Ballrom was seamlessly reset for the reception to follow.
Now, of course, a wedding that is all about enjoyment wouldn’t have a simple grand entrance. No, these two brilliant souls opted for a hockey stick tunnel grand entrance, led by their children, to a mix up of The Brady Bunch and Old Town Road. Thus set the tone for an evening, of heartfelt speeches and stories of how they met. The children were treated to a buffet all their own, a movie room with bean bag chairs, and games and crafts aplenty.
Following speeches, they took to the floor for their first dance – but there was a pause. A clip came on the screen much to Stephanie’s surprise. Secretly, Stephanie’s brother Michael had written a song just for the two of them. Not only was his customized first dance piece studio-recorded, but Carrie Underwood’s strings artist accompanied him. It was perfection.
The night continued with a grandparent dance, and a bubble wrap dance floor for the kids (I told, my eight-year-old self is swooning at all of these kid-friendly wedding traditions). We slipped outside as the last light hit Lake Louise. The clouds had moved further down the valley and we had the place practically to ourselves.
Congratulations you two – thank you for having me there.
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