Lethbridge Weddings & Portrait Photography by Tanya Plonka

Elsa and Larry’s adorable interactions together stood out at a family member’s wedding last year when we first met them. I was so excited when they called me to photograph their own wedding. As I expected, they got even cuter when all the attention was on them! They were full of non-stop laughter during their Lethbridge winter engagement photos.

We chose the river bottom as their photo location because of the importance the area has to them. It’s been the location of their favourite dates and was where Larry popped the question. Elsa had a few spots in mind for their wedding photos later in the year, so we picked an alternative this time and ventured into the Helen Schuler Nature Reserve. It was such a gorgeous winter day, which was ironic since the wedding where I met them was much colder and snowier but in the autumn!

Our unusually warm January last year continued to surprise us with morning rain before Bill and Sue’s portraits. We nearly moved things indoors but the sun came out just in time for their Indian Battle Park warm winter photo session. The ladies showed off their intense hiking skills by traversing the river bottom’s many puddles, ice sheets, and mud patches in high heels.

I appreciated how committed they were to the photos! The wind was cold and the sun kept vanishing, but their jackets repeatedly came off for the sake of the photos.

This session was a much needed update for the family, now that they have added a son-in-law to their children!

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Candace and Davis wanted to keep their ceremony small and decided on an intimate Waterton United Church winter wedding. Their immediate family was there by their side, and everyone else will get to join them for a bigger party next year!

It was a beautiful day in Waterton with fresh snow and clear skies. We could see the amazing mountain views, and Candace surprised herself (and all of us) with how warm she was outside for photos in just her dress! The town workers were busy clearing paths around the park, allowing us to go to some of the most beautiful views despite the huge snowfall the day before.

Congratulations, Candace and Davis!

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!