Faaria + Omar
Mount Stephen Hall Banff Springs Wedding
Faaria and Omar’s destination wedding was bound to be at the historic Fairmont Banff Springs. After travelling from the United Kingdom to visit family local to the area, Faaria and her mother were touring the grand castle in the Canadian Rockies when the story began. Tucked on the slope of Sulphur Mountain overlooking Mount Rundle and Bow Falls, the Banff Springs is a delightful maze to explore with its ballrooms, grand foyers, tea rooms, halls, and galleries. The unique hillside layout adds character, and a bit of adventure as you meander from staircase to staircase, never quite sure of your destination or orientation. It was on one such wandering that the two found their way into Mount Stephen Hall, with it’s towering ceilings, stained glass windows, stone floors and oak beams. It’s hard to not be in awe, and apparent why Faaria decided they must return when she was married.
So they returned for the intimate celebration of Faaria and Omar, with family and friends travelling from near and far.
When I think back to their day the words classic, timeless, and honouring, come to mind. The colour palettes flowed seamlessly. From Faaria’s emerald green and gold lehenga with a cascading cape that contrasted in elegance against the meadows we visited for their portraits, to Omar’s stark black sherwani with contrasting gold buttons, to the softness of the pink and cream florals. How their chosen colours complimented the bluebird sky they received that day and the silvery foliage of the buffaloberry bushes in the forest beneath Cascade Mountain.
The Outdoor Terrace ceremony overlooking the Bow River was simple and sweet. A ceremony that honoured their Pakistani roots, that spoke of companionship and their Islamic faith. As the ceremony drew to a close they gathered around the oak signing table. Amongst laughter and clapping hands, their imam spontaneously declared on this joyous occasion a group photo should be taken. So it was.
Omar and Faaria had chosen Banff not only for the Fairmont, but also for the grand mountainscapes and scenery – so we left the grounds for the wide-open meadows, light-speckled forests, and ribbon waterfalls descending down craggy rock faces. As we ventured from one location to the next Faaria and Omar were the highlight for sunbathers and ground squirrels alike.
They planned their day from afar with the help of Katie from Mountainscape Weddings, who styled Mount Stephen Hall in a way that was delightful to photograph. The long tables created a banquet-like experience with a sweetheart table connecting the two. The candlelight ambiance and subtle warm lighting honoured the grandness of the space, yet made the room cozy for the smaller wedding it hosted. Truly, it’s an honour to photograph a reception such as their’s. With thoughtful speeches, the kindness of each made all the more apparent as they stood up to support their loved ones, of children finding entertainment with their serviettes, of bear hugs from new family members.
Congratulations you two.
To see another small wedding that focused on a wonderful guest experience, check out Martha and Jeff’s rooftop downtown Calgary wedding.
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