Last March I traveled to Calgary, Alberta to photograph Julia + Mike's winter wedding. This was the first time in years I was shooting a wedding without Mike (who needed to stay back in Vancouver to shoot an event we had previously booked). I defintely had a few nerves about the absense of him but felt at ease when our friend Brittany Esther so graciously accepted our request to help out + it was such an honor to get to shoot with her.

Winter weddings are near + dear to my heart. There is something so magical about snow + the coziness that the crisp air brings. However, it sometimes is a bit less magical when the wedding ends up landing on one of the coldest days of the year. I grew up on the prairies so I have had my share of -30, -40, -50 days. But on those days, everyone cozies up by the fire + doesn't even think about leaving the house, and if you do have to leave it's with layers upon layers of clothing. To be honest, I can't really remember the exact temperature on that March day a year ago but I do still remember the painful cold. The temperatures that are so cold that your entire body burns the moment you step outside + any exposed skin begins to freeze in minutes. It was so cold that the helicopter Mike had planned to take Julia in for portraits couldn't even leave the ground. Thankfully Julia + Mike had only planned for a few portraits on their wedding day and had booked a day after session with me in the mountains.

This wedding was designed + executed by the brilliant hands + creative mind of Kara Melwood + her team . We had the privilege of working with her last year on Shaylea + Tylers little white church wedding and the way she sees + everything she does is straight out of a magazine. She turned an ordinary church basement into a beautiful, intimate, dreamy space for both the ceremony + stand up reception. Crossing my fingers that this won't be the last time we get to work with her.

It was such an honor to get to work with some of the best talents in the Calgary area. Thanks to Brittany for helping me document this day, thanks Kara for creating a space that was a dream to photograph + thanks to Flowers by Janie for the stunning florals. The biggest thanks of all goes to Julia + Mike for being amazing people + a dream to photograph. Much love.

Calgary Destination Wedding Photographers

West Coast Destination Wedding Photographers

Vancouver International Wedding Photographers

Vancouver Destination Wedding Photographers

Alberta Destination Wedding Photographer

Alberta Winter Destination Wedding Photos

Alberta Rockies Destination Wedding // Shari + Mike