Lethbridge Weddings & Portrait Photography by Tanya Plonka

I knew when Deandra excitedly started her early wedding planning that not a detail would be missed. Her and Phil’s elegant Bayshore Inn wedding did not disappoint! The beautiful touches of soft pink throughout the decor and wardrobe created a luxurious feel while the natural elements like pine cones and baby’s breath tied everything back into the mountain scenery.

Phil knew right from the start that Deandra was the woman he wanted to marry. It showed every time he looked at her and a smile instantly came across his face. Deandra took Phil’s breath away as her brothers walked her down the aisle. Deandra had the biggest smile come over her as she peeked around the corner of the aisle to catch her first glimpse of Phil.

Their dog Meeka was quite the show stealer throughout the day, joyfully rolling in the grass and getting pets from anyone who crossed paths with her. When Deandra and her bridesmaids first saw Meeka out with the groomsmen at the Bayshore, the room quickly turned into a chorus of, “Aww, Meeka!” from everyone there. Meeka was so chill about the event and probably thought the day was just for her.

Congratulations, Deandra and Phil!

The threat of rain wouldn’t stop Shaylee and Dennis from having their Fairfield Garden wedding at the Lethbridge Research Centre! Ready with a bucket full of umbrellas for their guests, they were prepared to get married outside, rain or shine. Lethbridge cooperated by giving us some lazy clouds that didn’t feel like raining on their day!

From our very first meeting, Dennis and Shaylee’s outgoing, bubbly personalities were obvious. Shaylee beamed with pride that she had been the one to propose and they spoke with so much joy of how they were including their daughters in the wedding day. It was no surprise then that their wedding day was explosive with happy emotions. So many people were crying during the ceremony that it took everything in me not to join them! Shaylee and Dennis alternated wiping away each other’s tears while the sounds of sniffles resonated from their guests.

Once the ceremony was out of the way, the happy crying turned into side splitting laughter. We could barely keep up with taking candids of all the joking around and laughing between them and their wedding party. Eventually we sent everyone away for a break before the reception and focused on some quiet romantic time with the bride and groom.

Congratulations, Shaylee & Dennis!

Josh and Roxy are high school sweethearts who understand the value of patience. Once they finished university, moved apart and then back together again, and got a house, they decided it was time to take the next step and get married! They planned a laid back De Winton Community Hall wedding with beer coolers and lawn games to keep their guests entertained.

After their outdoor ceremony and some hiding indoors from a thunder shower, we explored the town of De Winton for some major rustic feeling. From grain elevators to canola fields, Roxy and Josh had a country wedding with the Calgary skyline visible in the background. With a handful of siblings in the wedding party to keep teasing them and some long time friends to keep them laughing, Roxy and Josh had the party vibe of the day follow them everywhere they went.

Roxy first came into my life when I photographed her best friend’s wedding six years ago. Their group of friends has been tightly knit since college so there were a lot of familiar faces from the last wedding, with one notable exception! The absence of the maid of honour on Roxy’s wedding day was bittersweet. While she missed her bestie’s wedding day, it was because she went into labour the night before! The wedding day was full of gossip among the guests… “Did the baby arrive yet?” Luckily Roxy came prepared with two best friends assigned to that role and her man of honour did a fantastic job filling both roles (including standing in the rain holding an umbrella over the bride).

Congratulations, Roxy and Josh!

Lindsay and Terry planned a beautiful summer wedding at the Norland Historic Estate. Their wedding date happened to take place on one of the most gorgeous days of the summer and their guests spent so much time laughing and socializing on the patio.

As we went through the day, it was apparent how valued the couple are to their friends and family. Their wedding party kept them laughing all day and were so thrilled about the love they have found in each other. Each bridesmaid gave a speech explaining how much Lindsay had touched their lives while the best man recounted his favorite adventures with Terry and the other groomsmen.

Lindsay and Terry’s ceremony was equally full of emotion and laughter. Grandparents were crying before anyone had even walked down the aisle, and Terry managed to hold it together better than one of the groomsmen (but just barely). Lindsay made the classic slip up of “my awfully wedded husband” which sent everyone into hysterical laughter.

However, the best was yet to come! As Lindsay walked down the aisle, she realized that she forgot Terry’s wedding ring in the Norland house. She played it cool through the whole ceremony until it was time for the ring exchange. Thinking on the spot, she quickly removed her engagement ring and placed it halfway down Terry’s pinky finger (the only finger where it would sort of fit). Their marriage commissioner, Carol, said it was the gesture that was the most important! Terry wore the engagement ring with pride until Lindsay was able to sneak away from their receiving line and grab the proper wedding band.

This was our first time back at the Norland Historic Estate since their massive renovation and ballroom expansion, and they’ve done an amazing job! The gazebo has been relocated to a much more photo friendly location (no more grooms in the blazing sun!), the ballroom can fit so many more guests, and the cozy patio area lets the party spill outdoors to take in the beautiful yard. Lindsay and Terry had perfect timing booking their wedding when they did to take advantage of all of the changes.

Congratulations, Lindsay and Terry!

Catherine and Douglas planned their event from across the country and returned to Douglas’s home town for their Springbreak Flower Farm summer wedding. With family members traveling from near and far, it was like a mini destination wedding!

Catherine swore she would never marry a military man, but then Douglas came along! The two are so compatible, including their mutual love of taking their cats on backpack adventures. What stood out the most in their personalities was how happy and positive they are. Despite some significant setbacks, from skin burns to a tray of cupcakes falling to the floor to botched dress alterations (Catherine’s mom ended up having to sew her into the dress that day), their positivity never faltered. They were just so happy to be marrying the love of their life! Douglas could not stop looking at his beautiful bride all day.

Catherine was a natural at wedding planning. She is a French language teacher and used to doing lots of planning! (She even laughed about how she had highlighted Douglas’s parts in their speech.) This attention to detail meant the day ran so smoothly, they had plenty of time to relax in between parts of the day (even if that contributed to a few extra tummy butterflies!).

Congratulations, Catherine and Douglas!

When I found out where Michelle and Pieter were getting married, I was so excited to return to one of my favorite venues! They planned a Gladstone Mountain Ranch summer wedding as a bit of a destination wedding while still staying in the province. The ranch, tucked between Pincher Creek and Castle Mountain Resort, is such a hidden gem in Southern Alberta!

Michelle and Pieter combined classy with low key, mixing elegant gowns and sweeping ceremony vistas with accents of wild flowers, a BBQ dinner, and a s’mores roast at the end of the evening. Their ceremony was followed by a cookie bar and lawn games to keep their guests busy while they explored the ranch with me for photos.

The couple are such naturals in front of the camera, despite telling me otherwise. I had forgotten they warned me they aren’t used to having their photo taken until, at the end of portraits, they brought up how comfortable they ended up feeling! (Hopefully this experience will convince them photos can be fun, haha.) Their wedding party and family definitely added to the fun too. When the groomsmen weren’t lifting Pieter in the air, the girls could usually be found striking poses for each other.

We had an amazing time with them, and it’s not often we can say the bride was hunted by a house cat! (You’ll have to check out the photos below!)

Congratulations, Michelle and Pieter!