Lethbridge Weddings & Portrait Photography by Tanya Plonka

This may look like a Christmas wedding, but these snowy Norland wedding portraits were part of the wild fall weather we’ve had! Janita and William didn’t let the cold temperatures or second snowfall slow down their wedding plans. They were just as enthusiastic about the snow, which looked amazing with the rich reds in their colour scheme.

The wedding party and their spouses tag teamed keeping the couple warm by picking up hot chocolate, being ready with blankets behind the scenes of the photos, and parking their truck nearby so everyone could warm up in shifts.

Janita’s family lives just down the road from the Norland, plus the venue is only one block away from their church, so it was the perfect place to do their wedding photos! There were still a few autumn colours here and there while the beautiful beams of sunlight provided welcome relief from the cold for everyone.

From the time Janita’s father started laying on the dad jokes during getting ready photos to siblings lightly teasing the couple during their reception, everyone was in a constant state of laughter and joy all day long.

Congratulations, Janita & William!

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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When Jordanna and Deiter booked their Galt Museum winter wedding, they had their fingers crossed for a white wedding. You never know when you’ll get spring in February in Lethbridge! Even though it was cold, they missed the worst of our winter cold snap and were treated to a beautiful fresh coat of snow on the ground.

Jordanna wore a gorgeous red cape to stay warm in her wedding dress in the snow. Her dress itself was stunning, and a very proud internet order success story!

You’d never know by their faces how cold they were. Everyone was full of huge laughter all day and were incredible at tolerating the cold to get outdoor photography. Jordanna and Deiter were even more cute together than at their engagement session. This was especially true during their ceremony where they quickly switched back and forth from tearing up to huge grins.

After our very chilly photos outside, they warmed up with drinks at Italian Table before their reception back at the Galt Museum.

Congratulations, Jordanna & Deiter!

To celebrate Shirley’s birthday, her children planned a much needed update to their family photos. We ventured out in the warm Lethbridge winter air (warm, at least, for January) in Indian Battle Park, braving the mud and wind from the week’s Chinook.

Her and Kevin’s family is adorable. I appreciated how welcoming they were of the million times I made them hug each other! Shirley and Kevin were even willing to kiss in front of everyone!

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Barkley’s human dad came up with a great Christmas gift idea for his wife: gorgeous portraits of their new puppy! Barkley made a special trip all the way to Lethbridge for his Indian Battle Park winter puppy photos.

After only a few months, Barkley is already the size of most dogs. There is definitely Saint Bernard and Bernese Mountain Dog in those giant paws of his!

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If we’re in Lethbridge over the Christmas holidays, I’m always happy to squeeze in families who are together for a few days. Chris and Udo had their daughters visit them for Christmas and took the opportunity to do Lethbridge indoor winter family photos at the University.

Grandma and Grandpa came along too! Grandma had the biggest smiles and was so happy to be around her beautiful granddaughters and their boyfriends.

Udo is significantly taller than everyone else in his family so he was like our anchor in every photo (while the family joked about always having him sit).

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