WEDDING PLANNING GUIDE
southern alberta wedding tips & inspiration
rocky mountain bride southern alberta wedding guide / rockymountainbride.com
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BR I DE
EDITOR’S LETTER
Southern Alberta 2021 digital publication editor Savannah Reynolds
graphic designer Jessica Goldy
u.s. editorial
& sales staff
COLORADO & NEW MEXICO Brit Tucker-Kline IDAHO, MONTANA & WYOMING Mackenzie Stevens UTAH Heidi Zeh
canadian editorial
grace gatto photography
UTAH SALES Hannah Wollenzien
& sales staff
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Celynn Bowman ASSISTANT Carly Cooper
COPYWRITER Lily Harris
digital team
DIGITAL EDITOR - Laura Osborn SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER - Bailey Jameson STYLE EDITOR - Tasha Tagliani CONTENT CURATOR - Lauren Phillips
operations ACCOUNTING Lynn Kieffer PUBLISHED BY RMB Media, LLC
PUBLISHER Erika Oltmann
DISTRIBUTION Disticor Magazine Distribution Services Storefronts in the U.S. & Canada or online at shop.rockymountainbride.com
With spectacular mountain views, prairies and miles of lush forest, southern Alberta is a dreamy destination for a Rocky Mountain wedding because of the endless activities, breathtaking resorts and abundance of indoor and outdoor ceremony locations. This Wedding Guide is full of every vendor, location and resource you may need when planning your wedding weekend in southern Alberta. My hope is that you’ll fall in love with this gorgeous Rocky Mountain location when planning your dream wedding. Whether you’re in the throes of wedding planning or waiting on the start of your forever, always remember that love conquers all.
contact INQUIRIES - hello@rockymountainbride.com ADVERTISING - rockymountainbride.com/advertise SUBMISSIONS - rockymountainbride.com/submissions proudly printed in the rockies
Rocky Mountain Bride Magazine is published by RMB Media, LLC. All rights reserved. No portion may be duplicated, in whole or in part, without the written consent of its publisher. We greatly appreciate those who have contributed to this publication. Contributors’ opinions are their own and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Rocky Mountain Bride. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this publication. The publisher assumes no responsibility for accuracy of information or omissions from the material provided. Rocky Mountain Bride cannot be held liable for the quality or performance of goods and services rendered by the advertisers published in this magazine. We reserve the right to refuse advertising.
Happy Planning! xo
Savannah @savannah_rockymtnbride
RMB’s favorite shops, products, and services! ROCKYMOUNTAINBRIDE.COM/MARKET
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Table of Contents LOVE STORIES weddings
&
engagements
12.
dana + cam - Medicine Hat
22.
lejla + matthew - Countryside Barn
26.
jayna + jaxson - Bayshore Inn Resort & Spa
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I N S P I R AT I O N 14.
lakeside dreams
30.
sunset summit elopement
I N F O R M AT I O N 6.
southern alberta - Seasonal weather and activities
11.
make it official - Where to get your license
36.
essentials - Local places to stay & getting around
38.
restaurants for rehearsal and dinner
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venue guide - Top spots to tie the knot
from top to bottom: brittany ross photo, malorie reiter photo, alyssa redford photography, cedar lane weddings, gh photography
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30.
FOLLOW ALONG WITH RMB
\rockymountainbride
@rockymtnbride
rockymtnbride
rocky mountain bride
In order from top left to right: hannah mann | karli elliott photography | jake anderson | rmb original | keeley mckay photography robin sassi | amanda crean photographers | kate osborne photography | lisa teuscher photos
CEDAR LANE WEDDINGS
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Southern Alberta “Always in Alberta there is a fresh wind blowing.” - Nellie L. McClung
rocky mountain bride southern alberta wedding guide / rockymountainbride.com
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inside scoop what to do, weather to expect & what to pack
BREAKD OWN OF TH E CITY
CITIES IN SOUTHERN A L B E RTA
Mountains, forests, prairies, canyons, Canadian Badlands and foothills await in Southern Alberta as the backdrop for your Rocky Mountain “I do’s.” Home to cities like Medicine Hat, Waterton and Drumheller, Southern Alberta features a bustling cultural hub and charming western history. Plan your wedding weekend at 670m in Southern Alberta!
• • • • •
Calgary Drumheller Medicine Hat Lethbridge Waterton
HOW TO GET TH ERE
New Age Travel and Services www.newagetravelandservices.com Cozy Campers www.cozycampers.ca
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Calgary International Airport (YYC)
Via Rail www.viarail.ca Rocky Mountaineer www.rockymountaineer.com
AV E R A G E T E M P E R A T U R E S
SPRING
SUMMER
13° | -1°
25° | 10°
AU T U M N
WINTER
12° | -2°
-5° | -17°
RMB Tip: The Rockies are known for their unpredictable weather. Make sure to pack a waterproof jacket for your visit - even if it’s summer!
rocky mountain bride southernALYSSA alberta wedding guide / rockymountainbride.com REDFORD PHOTOGRAPHY
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gh photography
W H AT T O D O F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N O N S O U T H E R N A L B E R TA , V I S I T W W W . S O U T H E R N A L B E R TA . C O M
R E L A X AT I O N
ADVENTURE
FOOD & DRINK
DINOSAUR TRAIL GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB www.dinosaurtrailgolf.com
BADLANDS AMPHITHEATRE www.badlandsamp.com
OLLIA MACARONS & TEA www.byollia.com
HOODOOS AND HOODOO TRAIL www.traveldrumheller.com/hiking-in-thebadlands
LAST CHANCE SALOON www.visitlastchancesaloon.com
DESERT BLUME GOLF COURSE www.desertblume.com WINDMILL GARDEN CENTRE AND BUTTERFLY HOUSE www.windmill-gardencentre.com NIKKA YUKO JAPANESE GARDEN www.nikkayuko.com
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HIDDEN VALLEY SKI RESORT www.skihiddenvalley.com WRITING ON STONE PROVINCIAL PARK www.albertaparks.ca/parks/south/writingon-stone-pp
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THE SUNNY SPOT www.facebook.com/ thesunnyspotdrumheller SWIRLS ICE CREAM www.swirlsicecream.ca STATION COFFEE CO. www.stationcoffeeco.ca
Make it official HEADS UP! • • • • • •
Make sure you are both eligible to apply for a marriage licence Apply for your marriage licence at a registry agent office with you and your spouse-to-be present $40 for the licence and registry agents will charge a service fee. Service fees vary among agents Bring acceptable government-issued photo identification No residency requirement for the marriage licence in Alberta Must get married within three months of marriage licence application
To find your closest registry agent location, visit www.servicealberta.gov.ab.ca/find-a-registry-agent.cfm
ALYSSA REDFORD PHOTOGRAPHY rocky mountain bride southern alberta wedding guide / rockymountainbride.com
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beginnings
Dana + Cam m e d i c i n e h at
The way Cam and Dana became a couple was not at all romantic, let alone charming... it was actually stalkerish to be quite honest! They were both going to the same gym, and she was dating someone else at the time who had played hockey with Cam growing up. Dana doesn’t remember ever seeing Cam at the gym, but that’s where he first saw her. He approached her boyfriend at the time as they were both working out, while Dana continued to work out and didn’t pay much attention to him because she didn’t know him. Time had passed and she was no longer with her boyfriend. She saw that a guy named Cam started following her on Instagram, and figured he was from the gym and didn’t think anything else of it. He then started liking every photo she posted. She caved and decided to follow him back, which then led to him requesting to add her on Snapchat. Dana for some reason accepted his request, which then led to their first date. They went to a movie and then ended up at McDonald’s and talked until they kicked them out at closing time, 3 years later they’re engaged!
Photographer: Brittany Ross Photo | www.brittanyrossphoto.com
beginnings
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inspiration
LAKESIDE DREAMS For this elopement inspiration, the creative team wanted to show the world that elopements are still possible in epic and wild places. Yes, COVID has changed everyone’s plans worldwide, but the day you spend with the love of your life can still be epic and fearless.
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inspiration
COLORFUL & EPIC Cedar Lane Photography, Taylor Oseen and GH Photography planned this colourful, epic lakeside elopement with a dream team of Alberta vendors. The reallife couple stuns in a bohemian wedding dress from AW Bridal and a carefully-curated suit from Gentlemen III. The colourful macarons from Pretty Sweet Bakery and intricate floral display created by Bloom Diggity ties together the bohemian, vibrant style of this styled elopement.
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inspiration
ADVICE FROM A PHOTOGRAPHER “The safest way to get married right now is by celebrating your union with just yourself and your partner – and your 3rd wheeling photographer in tow too, of course!” - Cedarlane Weddings
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creative team Photographer & Planner: Cedar Lane Weddings | www.cedarlaneweddings.ca Planning & Styling: Taylor Oseen | www.tayloroseen.com Planning & Styling: GH Photography | www.gh-photography.ca Hair: Maisey Hicken | @maiseyhicken Makeup: Nelette Gibb | @letjegibb Flowers: Bloom Diggity | www.bloomdiggity.ca Bridal Boutique: AW Bridal | www.awbridal.com Menswear: Gentlemen III | www.gtmw.ca Menswear Styling: Natasha Mark | @natashasfinery Hair Accessories, Ring Boxes & Arch: Birch & Bloom | www.birchnbloom.ca Silk Ribbons: Silk & Willow | www.silkandwillow.com Stationery: Loft Designs Weddings | www.loftdesignsweddings.com Macarons: Pretty Sweet Bakery | www.prettysweetshop.square.site Rentals: Special Events Rentals - Calgary | www.specialeventrentals.com Rentals: Crate & Barrel | www.crateandbarrel.ca Models: Mattlen & Keaton
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LO C A L W E D D I N G I N S P I R AT I O N
Lejla + Matthew countryside barn
Lejla stood Matthew up five times before finally agreeing to meet in person because she thought he was too good to be true and didn’t want to end up heartbroken. They’ve been inseparable ever since. The couple dated for five months before Matt asked Lejla to move in together and he proposed four months later on New Year’s Day! As much as their family wanted them to get married quickly, they decided to wait until September 2020, not realizing the whole world would shut down, but despite the circumstances, their wedding day was something out of a dream. Matthew and Lejla pride themselves on being mellow, family-oriented people, which is exactly what they planned their wedding day as. The two planned a fall wedding at the Countryside Barn. They shared sweet moments throughout the day during their first look and first dance as a married couple.
real wedding
ADVICE TO FUTURE COUPLES “Don’t do the wedding for everyone else, do it for each other, you can always celebrate with everyone else later!”
-VENDORSVenue Countryside Barn | www.countrysidebarn.ca Photographer Alyssa Redford Photography | @alyssaredfordphotography Videographer James Atwood Video | @jamesatwoodvideo Catering LA Chefs | www.lachefs.ca Cake Made by Matthew’s Baba! Florals BLOOMdiggity Florals | www.bloomdiggity.ca Bridal Boutique Once Upon a Bride | www.facebook.com/LethbridgeBridal/ Beauty Lili Atwood | @lili_chromesalonspa Tiffany Reamsbottom Groom’s Attire Moore’s Clothing for Men | www.mooresclothing.com Western Stockman | www.westernstockman.ca Hats The Best Hat Store | www.besthatstore.com Bridesmaids Dresses Blissful Bridal | www.blissfulbridal.ca
Jayna + Jaxson b ay s h o r e i n n r e s o rt
&
spa
Jaxson and Jayna are high school sweethearts. They dated for five and a half years before Jaxson proposed at Jayna’s work. Jayna is an x-ray technician and was already off work for the day when Jaxson asked her to meet him at the hospital because he was having severe chest pain. Jayna arrived after Jaxson’s “x-rays” were done and was told they didn’t look good. Her coworker pulled up a chest x-ray on the screen that said “Will you marry me?” Jayna turned around to find Jaxson on one knee, proposing. They planned an intimate wedding at Bayshore Inn Resort & Spa with only 12 guests in attendance. Both Jaxson and Jayna were lucky enough to have all four of their grandparents there to celebrate their wedding day with. While their wedding planning was pretty stress-free, they used the uncertainty of Covid to plan a relaxed, small wedding.
ADVICE TO FUTURE COUPLES The wedding is a one-day event, so do not get caught up in the stress of it all. At the end of the day, it’s about the marriage and life you get to share.”
-VENDORSVenue: Bayshore Inn Resort & Spa | www.bayshoreinn.com Photographer: Malorie Reiter | www.maloriereiterphoto.com Florals: C&D Floral | www.pinchercreekflorist.com Bridal Boutique: Ethos Bridal | www.ethosbridal.com Dress Designer: Pronovias | www.pronovias.com Bride’s Shoes: Calvin Klein | www.calvinklein.ca Jewellery: Artemis Jewellers | www.artemisjewellers.ca Bridesmaids’ Attire: Davids’ Bridal | www.davidsbridal.ca Makeup: Makeup by Kristyn | www.makeupbykristyn.com Groom’s Attire: Moore’s Clothing | www.mooresclothing.com Officiant: Bride’s Grandfather Invites: shutterfly | www.shutterfly.com
SUNSET SUMMIT ELOPEMENT Bears Hump was the obvious choice for this glowing sunset elopement inspiration. Brittany and Peter of GH Photography planned this styled shoot for the adventurous couple looking to plan a hiking elopement in the hidden gem of Alberta, Waterton Lakes National Park.
STUNNING FEATURES Every inch of Bears Hump features stunning views: misty haze coming off the peaks when the sun starts to hide and summits lighting up with the sunset glow. Sunset and earth tones play off of the vibrant colours in the bride’s bouquet to complete this sunset elopement styled shoot.
ADVICE FROM A PHOTOGRAPHER “What we really wanted out of this shoot was somewhere accessible for the couple, that had stunning mountain scenery.” - Brittany and Peter, GH Photography
creative team Photography & Styling: GH Photography | www.gh-photography.ca Bridal Boutique: My Samantha Victoria | www.mysamanthavictoria.ca Bride’s Jewelry: Birch & Bloom | www.birchnbloom.ca Hair & Makeup: Bethany Earl Makeup | www.bethanyearlmakeup.com Florals: Bloom Diggity | www.bloomdiggity.ca Bride’s Hat: West Von | www.westvon.ca Models: Lotus & Brayden
essentials local places to stay & getting around
A C C O M M O D AT I O N S
NAIL SALONS
MEDICINE HAT LODGE RESOR T www.medicinehatlodge.com
EUPHORIA www.euphoriainc.ca
E L K W AT E R L A K E L O D G E A N D R E S O R T www.elkwaterlakelodge.com/index.php
A L B E R TA M A S S A G E A N D S PA www.medhatlodge.com/alberta-massage-spa
GUESTHOUSE 71 www.guesthouse71.com
P L U S H S A L O N A N D S PA www.plushsalonandspa.ca
WAT E R T O N L A K E S L O D G E R E S O R T www.watertonlakeslodge.com
CESY NAILS LETHBRIDGE www.facebook.com/cesynailslethbridge
B AY S H O R E I N N & S PA www.bayshoreinn.com PRINCE OF WALES HOTEL www.glacierparkcollection.com/lodging/prince-of-wales-hotel
EMERGENCY SERVICES I N C A S E O F E M E R G E N C Y, D I A L 9 1 1 C H I N H O O K R E G I O N A L H O S P I TA L 403-388-6111 Lethbridge, Alberta M E D I C I N E H AT R E G I O N A L H O S P I TA L 403-529-8000 Medicine Hat, Alberta
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dining rehearsal dinner & day-after brunch
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ZUCCHINI BLOSSOM CAFE www.zucchiniblossomcafe.com
VA L L E Y B R E W I N G www.valleybrewing.ca
B U G L ER S R E S TAU R A N T www.elkwaterlakelodge.com/buglersdining-room-and-lounge
MOCHA CABANA CAFE www.mochacabana.ca
THAI ORCHID ROOM www.thaiorchidroom.ca
MEDICINE HAT BREWING CO. www.medicinehatbrewingcompany.ca
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Q + A with
Malorie Reiter Alberta Wedding Photographer www.maloriereiterphoto.com @maloriereiterphoto
this or that
What is your favourite part of the job? My favourite part is that I don’t consider this a job. I have the ultimate privilege of documenting special moments for couples, and nothing is more fulfilling to me than that. Do you have a favourite tool of the trade? My 35mm lens never leaves my camera! It is so versatile, and it takes the most clear and crisp photos. What is one thing you wish you could educate your clients on? I do my best to educate my clients on what to wear for their session, or now to prepare for their wedding day, but I always want them to remember to stay true to themselves in the process. To me, that is the most important! Which occupation would you like to try for a day? I would love to step into the role of an elementary school teacher for a day. It’s something I considered pursuing, but never did! Where do you come up with your ideas? I gain a lot of inspiration in the outdoors. In my free time, I love heading to the mountains for some peace and quiet. This almost always sparks the creativity in me!
EARLY BIRD
NIGHT OWL
AUDIBLE
REAL BOOKS
MOUNTAIN LOVER
BEACH BUM
SPRINGTIME
AUTUMN LEAVES
BAND
DJ
SOUP
SALAD
DONUTS
CAKE
HAIR UP
HAIR DOWN
NATURAL MAKEUP
BRING ON THE GLAM
TULLE
LACE
DOG
CAT
SOUTHERN ALBERTA Woodland + Wildflower Weddings
The Gathered
Badlands Community Facility Coulee Creek Farms
Coutts Centre for Western Canadian Heritage Countryside Barn The Norland Historic Estate
The Bayshore Inn Resort & Spa Waterton Lakes Lodge Resort
Lakeside Chophouse
Medalta
southern alberta V E N U E S
80 veterans way drumheller, ab 403 823 1370 www.drumheller.ca/play/badlandscommunity-facility
+ wildflower weddings range road 26427 township rd 650 westlock county, ab 780 689 9679 www.woodlandwildflowerweddings.ca
coulee creek farms
countryside barn
range road 215 gleichen, ab www.couleecreekfarms.ca
103042 rr23-5 lethbridge county, alberta 403 320 7702 www.countrysidebarn.ca
badlands community facility
woodland
coutts centre for western canadian heritage
lakeside chophouse
willow creek no. 26 lethbridge, ab 403 915 6497 www.couttscentre.ca
111 waterton avenue, suite 101 waterton park, alberta 403 859 2211 www.lakesidechophouse.com
medalta
713 medalta ave. se medicine hat, ab 403 529 1070 www.medalta.org
& spa 111 waterton ave waterton park, alberta 403 859 2211 www.bayshoreinn.com
the bayshore inn resort
the gathered
waterton lakes lodge resort
264169 range rd. 273 east kathryn, ab www.thegathered.ca
101 clematis ave waterton park, alberta 403 859 2150 www.watertonlakeslodge.com
the norland historic estate
5801 1 ave. s lethbridge, ab 403 320 7702 www.thenorland.com
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honeymoon collective
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