Lethbridge Weddings & Portrait Photography by Tanya Plonka

Jillian and Keith held a Galt Museum evening wedding on what turned out to be an almost spring-like winter day. Jillian rocked a vintage movie star look while Keith let his personality out with a plaid suit and red shoes. The marriage represented the official joining of their families, so it was only fitting that their kids were the wedding party!

After a first look at their home and a couple portraits with their dogs, we took everyone to the coulees near their home to make use of the view in golden hour. Next we headed to The Galt Museum to get portraits around the museum’s architecture before their ceremony.

Their night time ceremony and reception was a beautiful tribute to the life they are building together and they were surrounded by the people who are most special to them.

Congratulations, Jillian and Keith!

It’s been quite a few years since I met them for his sister’s wedding, but I finally got to see Trevor’s family again when it was his turn to tie the knot! He and Andrea got married near Park Lake and had the whole family meet at the farm for photos. It was quite windy that day so we’re lucky no one blew away ;)

The farm has such beautiful, rustic spots for photos and I was thrilled to be able to shoot there again. The old barn is far enough away from everyone that Trevor and Andrea were able to have some romantic alone time (well, as romantic as it can be with two photographers spying on them!).

When we were finished at the farm, they headed to Lethbridge in the awesome old truck they borrowed. It very conveniently matched their wedding colors! Trevor and Andrea picked beautiful colors for late autumn Lethbridge wedding photos, choosing gray with bright orange accents.

We had fun with the bridal party at the Galt Museum, then they had a moment of not-so-fun when the truck wouldn’t start… but luckily it came through for them and we made it down to Pavan Park to take advantage of the autumn colors :)

Congratulations, Trevor & Andrea!

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Steve and Wendy may not be from the Crowsnest Pass, but with it being one of their favorite vacation spots they knew they just had to get married there! They had their ceremony at the beautiful Crowsnest Mountain Resort in a small clearing behind the cabins that held gorgeous views of the mountains and big blue sky. It was so tranquil and intimate for their small wedding and it was such a beautiful day.

We spent the next few hours exploring Coleman for photos and I had so much fun! They required so little direction and were constantly breaking into fits of laughter with their friends. After being together for 8 years, Steve and Wendy still act like their love is brand new and it was absolutely joyous to be around them :)

Congratulations, Steve and Wendy! (more…)

Chris and Sheana were married in Pavan Park on an absolutely beautiful, sunny day with their closest friends and family in attendance. Jan and I got to spend a few hours with them that day and we had a great time!

Everytime I’ve met with Chris and Sheana, I’ve been so impressed with how exceptionally nice they are. And when they are together and can be all lovey, they are so absolutely sweet. They are just such a perfect match! I’m so glad I was able to share your day with you :) (more…)

My favorite weddings are always when friends get married, and it means even more when I’ve known them since childhood. Though I didn’t really know Josh in high school, I’ve known Erika since grade 4, or maybe even grade 2! So, when people at the reception watching the slideshow laughed at her school photo where her hair was in a teased mullet, my laugh wasn’t so much of shock because I remember that photo :) I could probably dig up some other equally embarrassing ones out of my mom’s photos of my birthday parties, but I won’t!

Erika and Josh have been together for many years, and decided they wanted to take the time now to celebrate their relationship and bring all of their friends and family together. Though they’ve moved away from the Crowsnest Pass, they decided to have their wedding there. It was so great to be back with a bunch of school mates in the place where we grew up.

They had their wedding on top of the Pass Powderkeg ski hill, which luckily was finally free of snow (I knew a few people who referred to the Pass as “Snow Hell” this spring because the huge snow banks just wouldn’t melt). It was such a beautiful location overlooking the town and mountains, and they couldn’t have chosen a better spot.

I had so much fun hanging out with them for photos. Everyone was hilarious and constantly laughing. Erika and Josh were so crazy in love that I barely had to do anything to get those smiles out of them.

I’m so happy to have been a part of your day :) (more…)

When K and C asked me to photograph their wedding, I was elated. In my early concert going days, I loved to watch C and best man Steven’s band Atrophy Manuscript, but with the band no longer together, I hardly ever run into the guys any more. It was neat after all this time to see Christian getting married (and to such a wonderful, gorgeous girl!).

They had a small evening ceremony at the Galt Museum, so we did the photos beforehand just before the sun went down. The light was gorgeous and we couldn’t have asked for a warmer, more peaceful day. The sun set just as they walked down the aisle. Everything they arranged was beautiful, and I’m so happy they chose the time of day that they did.

Thank you for sharing your day with me! (more…)