Lethbridge Weddings & Portrait Photography by Tanya Plonka

Something beautiful has been happening out of the challenge of adjusting weddings to fit into an ever-changing set of rules this year. We are seeing weddings become so much more meaningful and often tying in the couple’s roots. Nicole and Brayden had to transform their big Lethbridge wedding into a more intimate Skiff backyard wedding when their original venue could no longer accommodate their event. Instead of the usual go to spots in Lethbridge, Nicole’s family’s farm was an incredibly personal and beautiful backdrop for their ceremony and portraits.

Everything about their day was so perfect. Their outdoor ceremony took place with a chorus of birds singing in the trees behind them. The gorgeous yellow fields had just flowered and were easily within walking distance. The hamlet of Skiff was only a couple minutes away where we could make use of the old grain elevator and train cars, perfect for Nicole and Brayden’s love of trains!

There was so much love throughout the day and everyone in the family played a part in making the day run smoothly. Their wedding party, entirely made up of their siblings, doted on them all day and helped them pack whatever they needed. They were also great for encouraging kissing when Nicole and Brayden didn’t quite hear what I asked. ;) Nicole and Brayden are so sweet and their wedding was such a perfect way to start their lives together.

Congratulations, Nicole & Brayden!

When both parents turn the big six-oh in the same year, you throw a party! Patty and John had their three generations come together for their 60th birthday celebration family photos. I was so excited to return to their beautiful farm for this session. All of their grandchildren had a great time playing together, with the adults, and on the swings (my favourite part every time!). We finished the session with some super fun props… they asked me if they would be too cheesy, and I insisted it was just the type of cheese I love ;)

(more…)

Siblings Carter, Payton, Maddie, and Jase needed some updated photos (at least according to their mom!) so I went out to their grandma’s awesome farm for their Welling autumn children’s family photos. The kids love hanging out here and helped me find all kinds of neat hidden spots, like a rustic barn loft. Even though the wind had hit our region hard that day, the gorgeous mountain ash tree in the yard had held itself together. Any of the leaves that didn’t survive the afternoon made perfect leaf tossing arsenal!

(more…)

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!

Tacey and Brendan planned a romantic and fun morning of photos before heading to their ceremony. They had their first look on her family’s Fort Macleod farm. Once their families were ready, everyone met us outside for portraits and we explored the farm while an adorable assortment of curious animals followed us.

After doing weddings for over 12 years, I’m always surprised when I encounter something new. This was my first time doing bridal portraits with a cow! Sweet little Lucy is halter trained and important to Tacey. Her brother in law wrangled the cow out and got her ready for photos. Lucy was not having it at first, probably because seeing a wedding dress for the first time can be quite terrifying to livestock! She eventually warmed up to the idea and even let Brendan be the one to lead her (and then thanked him by licking his suit).

We were also continuously photobombed by Chloe the dog who loved being with all the people, while Cassie the dog (who loved rolling in mud a little too much) was under lockdown until it was her turn. The rain stopped just in time for photos, but not in time to keep the dogs dry!

Tacey and Brendan are so sweet and laid back. Tacey was so chill about her dress getting dirty with the animals that we and her family had to convince her to take a little break to clean some of the mud off! It was wonderful to work with her family again and get to know her and Brendan a little better.

Congratulations, Tacey and Brendan!

After photographing many of their family member’s weddings, I was excited to hear Makayla and Cornell were the next in line to wed! We started off their Picture Butte late summer wedding photos at the family’s beautiful property that backs onto the coulees. Just like a few years ago at a sibling’s wedding, the view was very smoky! Luckily the smoke looks amazing in the coulees :)

Their nieces and nephews were (mostly) excited to have a photographer come visit and gave us all kinds of adorable poses! We had quite a few family members tasked with removing photobombing children from photos, and later the dogs and barn kittens started crashing the shoot too!

The Picture Butte Golf Club was very generous with letting us run around the course for photos and explore the grounds with a whole fleet of golf carts.

Makayla and Cornell have such a great group of people they call friends. Like the other weddings, we spent the day in laughter and never knew what silliness to expect when we turned around. They have such great senses of humour and will have an amazing lifetime together making each other laugh.

Congratulations, Makayla and Cornell!

(more…)