Grace + Shane
Winter Lake Louise Wedding
This post is #sponsoredbytarget. Or rather this wedding is. Actually, this marriage.
You are probably thinking it was something awfully romantic. Perhaps they bumped into each other in the sprawling home decor section of neverending things you never knew you didn’t need, or one made a quip about how jarring your face in the security cameras at self-checkout are, or they happened to share the same taste as they marvelled at the extensive wine selection not in a liquor store (oh wait, my Canadian is coming out, that’s just a thing in the States). Linger on that romantic thought, look at their happy faces, now continue.
Target matchmaked indeed. In a layoff meeting.
That’s right, 138 people travelled from all corners of the globe, because two people commiserated after a particularly hard day in Minneapolis.
A connection was made in one city, employment took them to two more. He in Seattle, her in Vancouver. A relationship that withstood moving, and long-distance. Where time together is hallowed, and vacations not in each other’s worktown allow you the time to fall a bit more for each other, consequently falling a bit for the landscape as well. Which is what brought them to Lake Louise, the glacier blue lake gem of the Canadian Rockies. Nestled in Banff National Park, above the hamlet of a town with questionably good pizza bagels (anyone who has been to Laggan’s knows what I speak of), where the mountains starkly rise above the lake and a glacier looks over it all like a gilded throne atop Mount Victoria.
The changing of the seasons is equal parts mystery and game to locals, which makes choosing a wedding date a bit of a challenge. The employees at the Chateau Lake Louise make bets on when Lake Louise will freeze over – taking into account previous years, the weather of the summer season, hopes for the ski season, and dumb luck. In any case, a safe guess would be somewhere about the middle of November. Perhaps there will be sheets of ice that will come and go earlier, but your chances of seeing that particular shade of blue that mesmerizes millions before then is great. So when Grace and Shane decided upon the first weekend of November they knew their guests would see Lake Louise as most have come to know it. But then, a freeze happened.
In a matter of two days, the lake went from canoeable to walkable (alright, that’s a lie several people fell through, but don’t worry everyone is fine, just an involuntary polar dip and perhaps a reminder to check the actual conditions before venturing out onto thin ice). But in a stroke of luck with their uncannily cold weather, was the lack of snow. For once in recent memory, Lake Louise was equal parts best of winter and summer. So made for the most spectacular of wedding backdrops. Not to mention the eerie extraterrestrial sounds of the ice heaving in the evening as it shifted, finding comfort in its new skin.
So on a unicorn day in Banff, Grace and Shane got ready, with their family and friends about, and most importantly Zeus, the littlest dog who must be a perpetual puppy. For having been a companion for a decade or more, he did not wish to miss a thing. There were short and sweet letters, a first look with her father, there were tears of happiness, the watching of college football games, moments alone and many together. Meanwhile, their people gathered on the Lakeview Terrace, each handed a glass of champagne and a blanket on their chair to keep them warm.
The ceremony began with their friend turned officiant, who was also employed at Target, taking the front. The band played as each member of the party made their way down the aisle. I must say as someone who has been to a handful of weddings, there was something oh so delightful how both Shane and Grace acknowledged their guests. There were fist bumps and smiles. Also, how their guests not only looked at Grace as she walked down the aisle with her parents but how so many turned to see Shane. It was such an indicator of connection and shared joy. It started with their story, a shoutout to Target, a personal touch. Jason led them through their ceremony with memories of his first impressions of them both, a third party to the beginnings of what led to that day. Another friend delivered a reading about dinosaurs, but really it wasn’t about dinosaurs at all. They pulled out their vows, offered truths and promises. Then it all ended with a kiss, or perhaps it began because they were greeted with raucous applause and cheers.
After greeting Zeus, who quite frankly could have cared less about napping through their ceremony but was quite delighted to be in both their company once more, Grace and Shane braved the cold for portraits before reconvening with their guests in the Victoria Ballroom. There were tales attesting to their character as a sibling and a friend. A sister of the bride reached out to Target for comment (I’ll pass on the knowledge that apparently Facebook is the best way to get in touch), where an employee who probably hoped for similar happiness delivered a rather corporate wish of marital bliss to the happy couple.
Then the night descended into a dance party to rival the best.
Thanks Target.
If you are keen on wedding photography that specializes in documenting moments in the Canadian Rockies I would love to connect with you.
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