Lethbridge Weddings & Portrait Photography by Tanya Plonka

Amelia and Abram chose early May for their Lethbridge spring wedding and we had a beautiful day with sunshine and all of the new leaves starting to peak out.

One really fun part about the day is that we did the photos in reverse order, starting with their reception details. Amelia and Abram chose to do their personal portraits before anything else and it worked out hugely in our favor since the early afternoon was beautiful and sunny but it was pouring when we left the church after their ceremony! (I won’t even get into the stupid snow that happened after that.) They couldn’t have timed it better :)

I mentioned before how Abram hates having his photo taken, but you could tell he was so smitten by Amelia because he was grinning all day… he probably forget we were taking his photo ;) Amelia was full of huge laughter around him and their families, and she looked so stunning.

They chose the Lethbridge Lodge as their main location both for getting ready and their reception, so it was a natural fit to do many of the portraits there as well. After photos were finished, we headed over to the beautiful Nobleford Christian Reformed Church for their sweet and thoughtful ceremony.

Congratulations, Amelia & Abram!

(more…)

Michelle & Oscar traveled all the way from Calgary for their Crowsnest Pass “winter” wedding. It may have taken place in the spring, but it sure looked like winter! Just days before, and even the next day, the grass had been turning green and there were no more hints of winter. Out of no where came a heavy snowfall warning for all of southern Alberta. We definitely lucked out as a few places had more of a rainy snow, but the Crowsnest Pass looked like something out of a fairy tale. Plus, by the time we headed outside, most of the heavy snowfall had stopped, leaving only gorgeous snow covered landscapes.

The Crowsnest Pass was a perfect fit for their wedding as it allowed them to get married in the mountains and still include family in a special way. Their ceremony was performed at the Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church in Blairmore by Michelle’s uncle. It was an intimate ceremony with their closest friends and family. Their ceremony was so emotional and full of so many happy tears and laughter.

After the ceremony, we explored the Crowsnest Pass with Oscar and Michelle and their two friends. It was fun having another couple as their bridal party because I could get them to be all cute and intimate too (normally that would be a little awkward!). They were so much fun and I loved all of the excitement they expressed over the landscapes. I sometimes take it for granted having grown up there, but they reminded me just how beautiful it is!

Oscar and Michelle are so sweet together and I know they are going to have such a happy life.

Congratulations, Oscar & Michelle!

(more…)

This was a wedding I’ve been looking forward to for a long time! Erin and Renzo first contacted me early last year all the way from San Diego as they planned their gorgeous Waterton destination wedding. I was even more excited when I met them on their planning visit to Canada – they were so pumped about their wedding and wanted to do their photos before the ceremony so everyone would look their best, not to mention how gorgeous they both are!

The day could not have been more perfect. Waterton was less crowded than normal and the heatwave broke for a day (though the church was still pretty warm!). Their large bridal party was so much fun to work with and they had the sweetest, most helpful families. I’m so happy we got to steal Erin and Renzo away for some early evening photos, which are by far my favorite of the day. With the ceremony and dinner finished they finally had a chance to relax and were absolutely beaming at each other.

It was so great getting to spend their reception with them; it ended up being one of the most fun and energetic ones I’ve ever photographed! The dance floor was constantly full all night long and all of their guests were just so happy.

Congratulations, Erin and Renzo! (more…)

What happens when you combine kilts, light sabers, and a Buddhist temple? Trent and Veronica’s wedding! The two of them planned such a fun little wedding that perfectly showed off their unique personalities (including many references to Trent’s geeky interests – that’s why I’m friends with him, after all!). They are so adorable, and the love between them so obvious (especially in Veronica’s beaming smile all day).

After their ceremony at the Lethbridge Buddhist Temple (where they exited under light sabers, of course!), they danced all night with their family at the Lethbridge Lodge – first with their choreographed dance they took lessons for, and then to the live music of Bandemonium.

Congratulations, Trent and Veronica! (more…)

What a fantastic first wedding of the season! Jamie and Jonathan were married at the beautiful Christ Church near downtown Calgary. We had a few challenges as the wedding fell exactly one week after the horrible flood in the city. A few of our planned locations got washed out (and we just made it to a playground before it got demolished!) but we all adjusted, figured out new routes, and the wedding went wonderfully!

I first met Jamie through work at the U of L and it was so great to see her find love in Jonathan. They just looked so unbelievably happy together all day long, and especially by the reception it was difficult to tear them apart.

Congratulations, Jamie and Jonathan! (more…)

My last big wedding of the year was Dan and Heather’s celebration with all of their family and friends (some even coming from Europe!). Their ceremony was held in the beautiful St. Basil’s Church, and we followed up with photos before their reception at the Coast Hotel. The reception was tons of fun, and it’s rare to see that many people constantly dancing!

Dan and Heather are such wonderful, down to earth people and were so easy to work with again. They are absolutely joyous together in everything from their smiles and laughter to their body language. Their bridal party clearly shared in their happiness and made it such a warm, loving day :)

Congratulations, Dan and Heather! (more…)