Lethbridge Weddings & Portrait Photography by Tanya Plonka

Donna and Rob were gifted Crowsnest Pass extended family photos from their children. After a few blizzards forced us to reschedule and we waited for one more grandbaby to arrive, we were finally able to book a summer session. I’ve known this family since elementary school, though it’s expanded quite a bit since then!

Although the location was selected for how it looks, The Miner’s Path has been so special for photos for this group. I did one sister’s maternity photos and the other sister’s wedding photos there. I was happy to continue that tradition with the three generations. Plus he cousins loved playing in the forest together!

Ashley and Stefan took a detour while on their way to visit family and made a special stop for Crowsnest winter engagement photos. We lucked out with a fresh snowfall just in time because even the Crowsnest Pass was looking a little brown and dry for this time of year!

The couple were involved with another wedding I’ve photographed, so it was so much fun to get to focus on them this time! They have such great energy and are so cute and snugly together.

We started with the Miner’s Path for a forest look then headed into the wind to get a mountain view. (At this point Stefan pondered why he let his hair grow long, ha ha.)

I can’t wait for their wedding!

Nancy and Brett had their hearts set on the mountains for their session while still capturing rustic engagement photos. Coleman in the Crowsnest Pass had just the right feel for everything! After some woodsy vibes at the Miner’s Path, we went to the wide open valley that overlooks the mountains and then to downtown. They had one of their first dates in downtown Coleman near where we did the later portion of their photos. As soon as we arrived, they started smiling and reminiscing!

Despite having to get up early for the drive to the Crowsnest Pass, Nancy and Brett were so cheery and energetic. Their adoration for each other is almost contagious. Only a few minutes into our session, Nancy apologized: “Sorry if we’re kissing too much; we just can’t stop!”

Kristine and Kenneth decided that Alberta mountain engagement photos would be a fantastic idea. Neither of them are originally from Alberta and this landscape is one of our most defining features! We traveled to Coleman and Sentinel so we could take advantage of the forest along the Miner’s Path and the mountain vistas along Crowsnest Lake.

We were surprised with COLD. We were supposed to have one more day until the polar vortex swept through our edge of Alberta but it decided to come earlier! Despite the early spring look of everywhere we went, Kristine and Kenneth had to keep hiding their hands in each other’s pockets. At least it gave a perfect excuse for more snuggling!

They are so adorable together. Kenneth needed no direction to shower Kristine in cute kisses. All I really had to tell them was to keep looking like they were actually warm!

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Raylene and Mitchell chose an amazing location with their Flumerfelt Park outdoor wedding ceremony at the entrance to the Miner’s Path in Coleman. Surrounded by trees and their favorite people, they said their I do’s while constantly grinning at each other. When Raylene reached the top of the aisle, Mitchell took her hand, faced their guests, and gestured to her saying, “Wow! Am I right?”

Their ceremony location made it super easy to start photos after! We headed down the Miner’s Path with their hilarious wedding party who knew how to flawlessly switch between smiles and super serious intense model posing ;)

Next we took the couple over to Crowsnest Lake where they could have a little more romantic alone time. To finish off their day, they met back up with their friends and family for the reception at the Bamboo Bistro in Blairmore.

Congratulations, Raylene and Mitchell!

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Our last few weddings at this amazing venue were forced into the greenhouse because of rain, but Amanda and Jesse got lucky and had the SpringBreak Flower Farm outdoor ceremony they planned for!

We met up with the girls at the flower farm’s bed and breakfast where Brio Salon and Katt Panic were finishing making them all look stunning. Amanda and Jesse were both so excited to see each other that they were full of nervous jitters before the ceremony. Amanda, her mom, and her bridesmaids had to keep distracting themselves so they wouldn’t tear up, and Jesse could hardly contain himself while he watched Amanda walk down the aisle.

For photos they brought along their adorable corgi Sadie. She had a great time exploring and didn’t seem too phased by her mom wearing a big white dress ;) Sadie was cheered on by the entire wedding party every time she was a good girl for her photos.

After photos, they headed back to the SpringBreak Garden Centre where they celebrated their reception with food from Country Encounters and music from Prime Entertainment.

Congratulations, Amanda and Jesse!

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