Lethbridge Weddings & Portrait Photography by Tanya Plonka

Jacqueline and Matthew’s Galt Museum late autumn wedding couldn’t have fallen on a better year. The gorgeous fall we had meant they still had fall colours and (sort of) warm temperatures for their wedding day. They chose the exact date of their 10th anniversary to get married since the date was already so special to them. The couple went with a starry night theme with blues and purples, which looked beautiful with the autumn colours.

Their ceremony involved lightsabers and such a huge reaction from Matthew when he saw Jacqueline enter the aisle. So many family members couldn’t stop their happy tears, including Matthew’s grandma who I overheard several times exclaiming, “It’s just so beautiful!” Matthew’s sister performed the ceremony (and managed to just barely make it through without crying too much). Jacqueline has younger siblings so she was able to include them in the wedding party as an older flower girl and ring bearer, matching in the wedding colours. All siblings were included somehow in the ceremony!

Partway through photos, we had their dog Fenrir specially escorted to us. He was so excited to see them that we could hardly get him to sit still! Basically he had an even bigger reaction during his first look with Jacqueline than Matthew did ;)

Congratulations, Jacqueline & Matthew!

Ashley and Stefan’s wedding may have set a new record for the amount of people crying at a wedding. I love all that emotion! Their Galt Museum ceremony and reception took place at the end of summer, where they travelled back to their hometown area of Lethbridge to be closer to family. This also meant access to gorgeous classic cars, and a stylized rental home for getting ready in!

It was such a pleasure to work with this family again. Although it was my first time meeting Ashley’s family, it was obvious why they are such a good fit with Stefan’s. Both families are so kind and welcoming, and also ready to break out into side splitting laughter. While listening to stories from early in Ashley and Stefan’s relationship, it was clear the couple prioritizes each other and knew what a perfect match they were right from the beginning. (Plus bonus points that they met how Cam and I met!)

Congratulations, Ashley and Stefan!

I last saw Lejla when she was a flower girl at her aunt’s wedding, and I hardly recognized her all grown up! Lejla was now graduating high school and I was so happy to catch up with her family during her Galt Museum grad photos. Lejla selected an ornate mermaid-style purple grad dress, which looked so striking against her dark hair and the rich colours during golden hour.

Lejla wanted a bit of nature in her photos as well, so we started nearby at the High Level Bridge in Indian Battle Park. She was up for climbing onto anything for photos (with some family help) and was a natural in front of the camera, already knowing how she prefers to pose. It was hard not to get carried away and photograph her into the night (that particular colour of purple being a favourite of mine did not help this). Even the Lethbridge wind added an amazing element!

Abuelo Alfredo was visiting all the way from Spain, and this trip was his first time meeting his grandchildren. What an amazing trip! This Lethbridge twins candid photo session was so adorable with the kids playing with their abuelo. (We did try to get more posed photos, but the twins were NOT having it!)

We went to the Galt Museum for their family photoshoot so the kids and their abuelo could run around free and not worry about the cold and winter coats. They loved looking out the big windows together and playing tag, plus a lot of fun rolling around on the floor :)

I definitely got my exercise chasing them around, as did Alfredo and their mom!

Emma and Jason planned to have a destination wedding on the coast to be closer to family members, but wanted to start things off by doing photos in the city where they met. I’m glad they did, because they were so much fun to photograph for their golden hour engagement session. We started out in Indian Battle Park (with a few very one-sided tickle fights). The couple then changed into more formal clothes to get a lot less formal with poses! Why do piggyback photos in casual clothes when you can do them in a dress shirt and summer dress?

Congratulations, Emma and Jason!

Amanda and Jason aren’t getting married for a while but wanted a headstart on their invitations and wedding website. We planned for a Lethbridge river bottom engagement session to make use of the space around the high level bridge, then headed to the Galt Museum. They love the look of old brick, and the Galt is one of the best places to find that!

If they hadn’t told me that Jason was new to having professional photos done and that Amanda hadn’t experienced them much more, I never would have known! The two followed directions so well and were able to switch from silly, cute, and cheesy to serious and romantic within moments. I definitely appreciate when couples will follow my instructions to “skip violently”!