Loring + Ryan
Post Hotel Wedding

So I came into 2018 promising myself I was going to share more colour images – but this day won’t be one of them. Loring and Ryan’s vision for their day was classic elegance with a touch of the 1940s, and when that brings up inspiration from the golden days of Hollywood featuring Rita Hayworth, Katharine Hepburn, and Joan Fontaine the day must simply be shared in black and white.

Winter in the Canadian Rockies seems to exist in the dichotomy of bluebird clear skies or snow squalls that completely hide the surrounding peaks and cloaks the trees with capes of white. Just as I arrived in Lake Louise the last touch of the storm was lifting. The horizon changed from a muddle of grey to a stark contrast of monotone. The romanticized idea of a Canadian winter was confirmed through snowbanks that reached near as high as the eaves in parts while icicles two to three feet in length stretched downward as if daring to touch the wave of snow ever reaching higher. Originally built in 1942, the Post Hotel sits at the base of the road to Lake Louise, sharing the view of Mount Temple alongside the Canadian Railway that made Banff the destination it is today – a magnificent backdrop for a timeless wedding.

Before portraits on the frozen lake Loring and Ryan first saw each other on a path of pines they had cross-country skied on the day before. A quiet way to celebrate the preparations undertaken together leading up to the day. A moment to acknowledge the little details from Ryan’s embroidered sleeves to Loring’s earrings, given to her grandmother by her mother and aunt. Upon arriving at Lake Louise the storm that had returned sighed just long enough for Fairview to be visible, yet signalled our need to leave for the ceremony with a dusting of snow and an ever decreasing temperature.

They were married in the library by Ryan’s family pastors, lit by the last bit of light reaching around the mountains and mantle candlelight. With a high-five, the ceremony concluded and they were surrounded by their fifty-some guests (some joining thanks to technology) and were showered with well wishes and hugs.  The collection of people gradually moved to the dining room to familiarize themselves with other guests with a game of character bingo. They convinced the couple to kiss with songs involving love, including Skinnamarink (which turns out is a marvellous way to identify a Canadian), speeches from their parents, and a round of the shoe game.

My day with them ended with their family and friends surrounding them on the dancefloor. The sound of music muffled through the snow as I left.

Venue and Catering | The Post Hotel in Lake Louise . Hair | The Pretty Haus . Florals | Forget-Me-Not Flowers in Banff . Dress | Rebecca Schoneveld from Everly Fine Bridal in Vancouver . Suit | Samuelsohn from O’Connors in Calgary . Stationary | Blackstone Press in Vancouver