Candace and Jim – Buffalo Mountain Lodge Wedding Photographer Banff
Canadian Rocky Mountain Resorts Wedding Photographer.
Candace and Jim chose one of the most amazing rustic wedding venues for their special day. This Buffalo Mountain Lodge wedding is my absolute favourite! Nestled amongst some of the most beautiful mountain views you’ve ever seen, the warmth of this space makes for a breathtaking setting, giving a truly whimsical touch to this couples’ wedding photos.
After meeting Candace and Jim about a year ago, I knew their wedding would be super heartfelt. These two are simply gushing with sweetness. Jim was going for a James Bond vibe, and I feel like he totally pulled it off. And don’t get me started on Candace’s dress – truly amazing!
We spent the day wandering through the tall forests and along the river, stopping for photos along the way. Before we knew it, it was time for the ceremony. The wind picked up in the valley and the sun was out in full force. Guests wore sunglasses and snuggled one another as they laughed and cried at the timeless moments Candace and Jim shared. Their pooch, June, was delighted to join the party as one of their most important guests!
Before I knew it, I was heading back to Calgary in a random flash storm (these things happen in the mountains all the time!) – but I just couldn’t stop thinking about this fantastic couple dancing the night away. It’s always a joy to be a part of such a special day!
Thinking about getting hitched at one of the Canadian Rocky Mountain Resorts? You should definitely check out Buffalo Mountain Lodge in Banff! It’s the BOMB! I guarantee you will love what you see.
Contact me here to find out if I am available to document your love story!
Bride Getting Ready Location // Cascade Room, Buffalo Mountain Lodge, Banff
Wedding Dress // The Bridal Boutique,
Shoes //Birchenstock
Jewellery // Joanna Bisley
Bridal party attire // Nordstrom, Aritzia, LuLu’s clothing.
Hair & Make up // Something Borrowed Beauty
Groom Getting Ready Location // Buffalo Mountain Lodge
Suit / Tux // Derks Formals
Bowtie // Derks
Shoes // Hugo Boss
Watch – Armani Wedding
Rings/Bands // GMG Jewellers
Invitation designer & Stationery // ETSY
Ceremony Location // Tunnel Mountain Reservoir, Tunnel Mountain Road, Banff
Officient // Karyn Faryna
Reception Venue // Buffalo Mountain Lodge, Banff
Florist // Jessie Wunsch
Cake // Whippt Catering
From the Bride and Groom!
Wedding theme and colours // We both LOVE the mountains summer and winter so Buffalo Mountain lodge was a no brainer for us once we saw the view from Tunnel Mountain Reservoir. The Wapti, with its big wooden pillars and rustic feel just felt right and it didn’t need a lot more to bring the reception space to life. Candace is a romantic at heart, loves flowers and greenery which only adds to the romantic elegant feel.
What theme or feel were you going for // a romantic & elegant mountain setting!
Their top 3 best moments //
Candace’s top 3 moments: so hard to narrow it down as the whole day was filled with special moments to cherish. I’d have to say seeing Jim’s face as he turned around for our first look filled my heart with so much joy. It was the moment it all felt real! Second, seeing our closest peeps, the wedding party of course finally find us at Lake Minnewanka to finish of our photo shoot. They happened to be delayed due to sheep crossing the road (only in the mountains!) and then struggled to find us down a path along the lake. Also they had ‘Henry’ our Wildrose beer pig and all the ‘other’ refreshments and food. Such a happy and exciting time in midday heat. My most favourite moment was walking down the aisle to my song, At Last by Etta James, seeing all our friends and family and then meeting Jim’s eye. Everything else faded out of sight. I felt so calm yet excited as I made my way to the love of my life to say I do.
Jim’s top 3 moments: The whole day was so incredible it is nearly impossible to choose just 3 moments. Three events that I often think about and love to remember are the anticipation when facing back towards where she was going to come out from waiting for the first look and then seeing her for the first time; that moment of seeing her and how beautify she looked in her dress and the love in her eyes melted me. The most special moment of all…..when she came down the aisle, looking only at me and me only at her, the ceremony slowed down and time seemed to go both fast and slow all at once. It is hard to explain the feeling other than it was full of love and incredible. The third event was when all my groomsman lifted my Dad’s chair and danced him around the room. My Dad is not a dancer but after that he shared a slow//dance with my Mom (the first and only time I have ever seen the two of them dance together) and it was at the same time as Candace and I were slow dancing. It chokes me up still to re-imagine the love at that moment J and how that scene of my parent slow dancing, still in love after all these years of marriage, will be Candace and I one day in the future.
Wedding song // Classic love songs, part of our theme, just add another layer of romance to an already incredible day. But when it came to our wedding song, Jim suggested a country song by Garth Brooks, To Make You Feel my Love. Jim is more a metal kind a guy so I was very surprised when he suggested it. He knows how much I LOVE Garth Brooks so it meant the world to me he was happy with it too.
BEFORE THE WEDDING DAY
How they met // Jim and I met in 2003 through two of our best friends. We both hung out in different circles of friends. My friend Sarah and I were looking for a roommate to move into a house and get out of our condo and Jim just so happened to be looking for a new place as well. Back then we both were in to very different places in life and were just friends. We loosely kept in touch over the years. Needless to say fate played its hand a few times to bring us together but the timing was still not right. Finally, in 2014 my friend April and I came to Calgary, our mission: to have fun and party. Jim was out with us the whole weekend and about a week later I got an invite from him to be his date to a wedding ….. the rest is history.
Proposal story! //
Setting; Chicago. Place; Signature Lounge on the 96th Floor of the John Hancock Tower. Time; after dark before going to dinner enjoying a cocktail & the view of the city. I suspected a proposal was coming in the near future, just not that near as we were traveling to Chicago with another couple and close friends. I should have picked up on some of Jim’s odd behavior. First, getting searched at the airport twice leaving Calgary. Second, not wanting to go anywhere else but wait in line to get a seat in the Signature Lounge. Third, asking our friend Tyler to take some pictures of us over looking the city sky line.
My favorite thing about Jim: Sense of humour, laugh and dimples.
My favorite thing about Candace is her huge heart, sense of adventure and willingness to put up with me (for good or for bad) J
If you were on a island in the middle of the ocean and you could only scream one thing what would it be?
Candace would say: F*** Ya
Jim would say: Double F#@k YA!!!! (and I hope it snows here)
Their first date // A friends wedding over thanksgiving weekend. At the end of the night Jim held my hand in the taxi because I was ‘cold’. When saying good night he gently held both sides of my face and come in for a kiss.
Favourite thing to do together // Everything….awwwwww
