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!

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!

Meaghan and James made their Canadian Reformed Church winter wedding extra personal by including family members in all of the important parts of the day. James’ older brother performed their ceremony, which made it more special but also meant a few hilarious jabs at James were included. Their twin nephews did an amazing job as ring bearers, and siblings were included in their wedding party so they could spend all day together. Meaghan’s little sister may be one of the youngest maid of honours we’ve had, and she did an amazing job helping her sister!

Both of them were a little nervous excited in the morning, but that all melted away once they saw each other at the church. James absolutely lit up once Meaghan and her father came through the doors. He looked like he was fighting back exclaiming, “Wow!” out loud. :)

After weeks of little to no snow, their wedding day ended up being one of those rare days the snow came down! Meaghan and James were able to get the winter wedding they had hoped for (who would have thought February would be so warm?). Luckily the sun was also out and the bridesmaids all had shawls. We appreciate everyone freezing to get such great photos in the river bottom :)

Congratulations, Meaghan and James!

Kendra and DJ already have a family together, but their Norland Estate winter wedding was a party to make it official! They invited their closest family and friends and themed the event around the Christmas holidays. Kendra hoped for snow but in true Lethbridge fashion we got a wind warning instead. In the end this worked to our advantage because it gave us the most beautiful golden hour!

Despite the wind, everyone was great about taking photos outside. There was even enough snow left for Kendra’s wintery wishes! Once twilight hit, we went back out for a few more photos. The gazebo is so beautifully lit at night and the Norland looks incredible decked out for Christmas.

Their daughter Addison had an absolute blast all day and didn’t even need a nap break! Kendra and DJ made sure a lot of the day focused on her. After she spent the afternoon getting ready with her parents, she was ready to greet all of their guests and then take part in photos. She didn’t mind the wind one bit! At dinner, she got to sit right between her mom and dad at the head table.

It was so great to spend another day with this sweet family (we also did Kendra’s brother’s wedding).

Congratulations, Kendra and DJ!

Halloween is by far my favourite holiday, so you can imagine my excitement when Jessica and Dustin contacted me while planning their Halloween sunset wedding. Jessica adores Halloween and she was not about to let the rare Saturday it fell on go to waste!

They wanted their ceremony to take place outdoors to incorporate the setting sun and chose a friend’s farm just outside of Orton. We got lucky with a gorgeous Halloween evening, and the farm had such great curvy trees to go with the theme.

Jessica wore a beautiful black wedding dress with lace accents and a black veil, and had a friend build them a coffin for a very dramatic bridal entrance. This is definitely the first wedding coffin I’ve photographed!

Congratulations, Jessica and Dustin!

Cherilynn and Austen had their intimate St. Mary Campground wedding surrounded by nature and their closest friends and family. Family played a very important part in their day by having all of their siblings in the wedding party, as well as their own daughters.

Using the private group area of the campground at the St. Mary Reservoir meant no tourists crashed the wedding, but allowed a few extended family members to swing by to congratulate the couple. It also gave a clear view for people to drive over the dam and honk their congratulations! Cherilynn tried her best to wave at everyone who did so even if they couldn’t see her.

They combined their cultures in a fun way by having a bagpiper introduce their spiritual First Nations ceremony. After their ceremony and family photos, they opened up their outdoor dance floor to party under the night sky. Outdoor receptions are so gorgeous and everything was perfect… minus the mosquitoes (who were a bit much for everyone there!).

Congratulations, Cherilynn and Austen!