Wedding Tips Archives - Page 3 of 5 - Banff And Canmore Wedding Planner

30 Tips to Planning a Canadian Destination Wedding in Banff, Canmore, Lake Louise and Jasper – Summary

January 19, 2011 By Sharon Auld

That wraps up our 30 Tip series for Planning a Canadian Destination Wedding in Banff, Canmore, Lake Louise and Jasper. Hopefully, the tips have been helpful! Planning a destination wedding in the mountains can sometimes require a little extra work especially if you are planning from a great distance away and aren’t able to visit your vendors directly. It’s important, however, to make a connection with the local vendors, whether through a local wedding planner or via email, Skype or telephone, to get answers you need. If you can, rather than signing a contract site unseen, visit the destination at least once prior to your wedding. If this isn’t possible make sure you get recommendations from friends or other vendors you trust, and check out the tourist reviews or forums. As well, carefully review your contracts so you know exactly what is and isn’t included, and so there aren’t any surprises such as surcharges or late fees.

As we’ve outlined throughout our series there are some special considerations for a destination wedding in the mountains. Of course, getting to and from your destination wedding, accommodations and weather are all important factors. If you’ve missed some of our tips we’ve compiled the links to all 30 tips here for easy reference.

Of course, we will continue to have lots of tips for planning your dream wedding in the beautiful Rocky Mountains right here on our blog! If you have any questions at all regarding planning your Canadian Rocky Mountain wedding, feel free to contact Naturally Chic at 1.888.679.9056 or info@naturallychic.ca. Thanks again for stopping by and happy planning!

30 Tips to Planning a Canadian Rocky Mountain Destination Wedding in Banff, Canmore, Lake Louise and Jasper – Tip # 30

January 18, 2011 By Sharon Auld

Are you considering a Canadian Rocky Mountain destination wedding? The Rocky Mountains are one of the most beautiful places on earth for a destination wedding! The stunning, scenic backdrops are a huge draw for couples. There’s something serenely beautiful about a couple embracing in front of a crystal clear, lake or set against a rugged peak dressed in their wedding finest. It’s romantic, beautiful and the photos are not only incredible keepsakes, but are gorgeous works of art that you’ll proudly display throughout your home.

Tip #30 – Consider hiring a local photographer or a photographer who specializes in mountain weddings.

Banff wedding planner Naturally Chic shares tips about getting married in the Canadian Rocky Mountains | www.naturallychic.ca

Photo Credit: Carey Nash Photography

Local wedding photographers who specialize in mountain weddings, are a great resource for your wedding photographs. Not only do they know lots of great, outdoor photo locations, but they know which ones are easily accessible in a given time frame. There are so many incredible places for photos in the mountains, but you’ll want to take into consideration the time you have allotted for photos. If you have limited time before your wedding reception, you’ll want to make the best use of your time. You won’t want to spend your time contending with traffic or scouting for locations.

A wedding photographer who is experienced in the area, can steer you away from potential busy areas and suggest alternative locations if the ones you are wanting are all ready occupied or busy. They’ll also know what you can expect at the various locations. They’ll know if you can safely navigate the area in heels and if not, they’ll suggest you bring comfortable walking shoes. They’ll likely have experience with what position the sun will be in at a particular time of day, if the area is prone to windy conditions or other factors you may have to consider. In short, your time will be spent taking photos in gorgeous locations.

If the photos you’re wanting are a little more off the beaten path, it’s important to have a photographer who knows the area well and is comfortable in the outdoors. This is especially important if you are wanting photographs of an adventurous nature such as on a ski slope or hiking trail. There are many area photographers who are active in the outdoors and are comfortable on skis or in remote areas that are accessible only by helicopter.

Take the time to select a photographer who’s work you adore, but is also right for the type of wedding photos you have in mind. Meet with potential photographers and look at their portfolio. Ensure you are comfortable with their personality. Do they have work that is similar to the type of shots you want? Discuss with your photographer the types of shots you want and what you can expect at the various locations. You’ll know doubt have incredible photos to display for years to come!

You can also read more about tips for wedding photographs in the mountains here. Here are some photographs courtesy of some of our favorite photographers who are incredible mountain photographers, know the area well, are comfortable in the outdoors and willing do do mountain destination weddings:

Canmore wedding from Naturally Chic Wedding Planning & Styling | www.naturallychic.ca | Photo by Kim Payant Photography

Photo Credit: Kim Payant Photography

Canmore wedding from Naturally Chic Wedding Planning & Design | Photo Kim Payant Photography

Photo Credit: Kim Payant Photography

Canadian Rocky Mountain Destination Wedding by Naturally Chic Wedding Planning & Design | Photo by Darren Roberts Photography

Photo Credit: Darren Roberts Photography

In Banff / Canmore:

Kim Payant Photography

Two Mann Studios

Emerald Lake / Golden:

Lolo & Noa Photography

From Calgary and area:

Alan Maudie

Darren Roberts Photography

Heidrich Photography

T.LAW Photography

From Edmonton area:

Carey Nash Photography

Whistler area:

Crispin Cannon Photography

Contact Naturally Chic at hello@naturallychic.ca for more information about planning your Canadian Rocky Mountain wedding!

Happy Planning!

30 Tips to Planning a Canadian Destination Wedding in Banff, Canmore, Lake Louise and Jasper – Tip #29

January 13, 2011 By Sharon Auld

Tip # 29 – Eco-style Wedding Getaways

If you’re planning an outdoor ceremony, why not take inspiration from the natural surroundings and make an earth-friendly entrance or getaway? While many urban couples opt for the traditional limousine, an eco-style getaway in the mountains is always appropriate. There are lots of transportation alternatives to a limo that are not only memorable and fun, but eco-friendly as well!

If you’re having a winter wedding in the mountains consider making your entrance to the ceremony in a horse-drawn sled. If you’re feeling adventurous, why not strap on your snowboard or skis for a quick getaway? A sled or toboggan would also be fun and make for some memorable wedding photos! In summer, what could be more romantic than being carried away in a horse-drawn carriage? If your ceremony will be taking place by a lake, a canoe or row boat would be incredibly romantic! For the adventurous couple, a raft or mountain bikes could be a great fit.

eco-friendly wedding transportation Naturally Chic

The idea is to choose a method of transportation that suits your style and personality. If you’re being married at the iconic Banff Springs Hotel and have a princess style ball gown, perhaps you’re better suited to the horse-drawn carriage rather than a bicycle. On the other hand, if you’re having a wedding at a mountain lodge in winter, skis are in order!

As well, keep the weather in mind, especially if you’re concerned about doing damage to your wedding dress. While enjoyable on a beautiful day, a canoe ride in the rain or a bike ride in muddy conditions might not be so romantic after all. Even in good conditions, dress appropriately for what you are planning. You may need to wear a thick shawl and boots! Whatever you decide, be flexible and have a backup plan for your ceremony or reception getaway.

You could always walk away hand-in-hand too! If you have to take an automobile, why not make it an eco-friendly hybrid or electric vehicle? There are lots of rental options now available. While you might think it doesn’t make much of a difference over short distances, imagine how much CO2 you could prevent from entering the atmosphere if all the hundreds of thousands of brides each took the small step of choosing eco-friendly alternatives? It’s our philosophy that small efforts can make a big impact overall.

couple walking away together – Naturally Chic

Contact Naturally Chic at 1.888.679.9056 at hello@naturallychic.ca.

30 Tips to Planning a Rocky Mountain Destination Wedding in Banff, Canmore, Lake Louise and Jasper – Tip #28

January 12, 2011 By Sharon Auld

Tip #28 – If you’re planning a wedding in the mountains, carefully consider the items you will need to take to the site.

wedding location Emerald Lake Lodge via Naturally Chic

Having a wedding in the beautiful outdoors is a great experience for the adventurous; however, it can be more challenging logistically. Whether you’re planning an outdoor ceremony at a lake, a camping style reception, or even a wedding at a rustic mountain lodge, you’ll want to carefully consider every item you’ll be taking to the site. The last thing you’ll want is to forget an essential element for your ceremony or reception!

Carefully and meticulously going through a list of items required for both your ceremony and reception is important for any destination wedding in the mountains, but is especially true for weddings where you need to carry items in on foot, up a mountain in a gondola or transported via helicopter! Remember, what goes in, is also going to have to go out. You should pack only what’s absolutely necessary. Extra weight or extra trips could end up costing you.

Organization is key. When possible, pack your gear in carefully labeled, clear bins. Inventory each bin and attach a list of contents to the outside of each bin so you know exactly what’s inside. If you can, try and keep ceremony and reception items separate. You may even want to label each bin according to how many overall bins, for example,“1 of 10”.

Of course, you will likely need to recruit some extra help to get your gear where it needs to be. Surely, packing in gear isn’t something you want to be doing on your wedding day!

Other things to keep in mind:

Carefully wrap and protect breakables (if possible limit the amount of breakables you bring).
Avoid overly bulky, heavy or large decor items.
If you have heirlooms, valuables or custom-made decor items, package these separately and bring yourself or have someone responsible take care of them.
If you’re being married in a natural setting, consider the environment. Sometimes less is more.
Utilize a checklist. Check it twice.

Remember, if something is inadvertently forgotten or misplaced, it isn’t the end of the world (in most cases). Stay focused on your sharing your special day with your loved ones instead.

Contact Naturally Chic at 1.403.679.1409 or email at hello@naturallychic.ca.

30 Tips to Planning a Canadian Rocky Mountain Wedding in Banff, Canmore, Lake Louise and Jasper – Tip #25

January 8, 2011 By Sharon Auld

by Sharon Auld

Tip #25 – The Rockies are a playground for adventure!

Are you considering an adventure wedding? If so, the Canadian Rocky Mountains are a playground for adventure and a perfect for an adventure wedding! What exactly is an adventure wedding you ask? An adventure wedding is a wedding that incorporates an outdoor, adventurous activity into the ceremony itself or into some aspect of the wedding; think whitewater rafting, skiing, dogsledding, heli-hiking or horseback riding etc. The activity can be just for the couple, or the guests can also partake in the activity. There’s no right or wrong way to have an adventure wedding. The only rule is to have fun!

Snowy Owl Sled Dog Tours

Of course, not everyone will want to go all out with an adventure wedding. You and your guests can still enjoy some outdoor activities as part of the overall weekend. Often couples have guests coming in from all over, many that have never experienced the rockies. Even if you’re not planning to schedule group activities, it’s a nice idea to include information on various activities that your guests may enjoy. Pop some tourist brochures into your guest welcome packages, or you include a card with information on you and your partner’s favorite activities to do in the area. Hiking, golf, snowboarding and rafting are always popular guest activities.

Naturally Chic can help with all the arrangements. We’ll help with all the usual wedding arrangements as well as help with obtaining permits, arranging transportation, recommending videographers and guides, and any other task necessary to make your dream a reality. We LOVE adventure and would be thrilled to help you out with whatever adventurous idea you may have. Whatever your desire, we’ll help make it happen.

Here’s a few outdoor activities you may be interested in:

Icefield Helicopter

What To Do Now That You’re Engaged | Naturally Chic

January 7, 2011 By Sharon Auld

Congratulations! Being engaged is one of the most exciting times in a couple’s life. It’s an official proclamation that you have dedicated your lives to each other. For the next several months you will be immersed in the world of wedding planning!

Planning a wedding is exciting, but before you start signing contracts and making random purchases, it’s important to take the time to think about what you really want and how you’re going to finance it. It’s important to enjoy this special time of your life, but if you get too far ahead of yourself, you can make some costly errors.

One of the first things you should do after announcing your engagement, is to think about what kind of wedding you want. Are you picturing a lavish affair in an elegant ballroom, or maybe a casual wedding in the mountains? What level of formality do you want for your wedding? What time of year do you picture for your wedding? What are your interests and passions?

As a newly engaged person, you will have many well-meaning people, make suggestions as to what you should do for your wedding; where to get married, who to invite, how to wear your hair, and any number of other things you should or shouldn’t do. While you may receive some great advice, we suggest that you sit down with your partner, but independently of each other, come up with a list of what each of you are envisioning. Afterwards, come together and share your thoughts? What are the commonalities? Where do you not see eye-to-eye (you may be surprised at the outcome!)? What are your priorites; what’s really important to you? The important thing is that you as a couple come up with what works for the two of you.

Next, discuss how to finance the dream. It’s not uncommon for couples to experience “sticker shock” when they first start looking at what their wedding will cost. To alleviate stress, sit down with your partner and realistically determine how much you can afford and want to spend on your wedding. Determine how much each person can comfortably contribute. If your parents are wanting to help out, it’s important to sit down early with them. Figure out how they plan on contributing to your big day. Once, you have a vision and a budget to work with, you can think your wedding venue and wedding professionals (aka vendors).

Select a Wedding Date. While you might still be looking for your ideal venue, you can still begin to think about a wedding date. You might have a time of year in mind, or a particular date. Sometimes, selecting a wedding date is partially determined by budget. Will you have the resources in place to pay for your wedding? Not all couples have a nest-egg saved up before they get engaged. Typically, couples are engaged anywhere from a year to eighteen months. Again, refer back to the wedding vision you and your partner came up with and use it as a guideline for coming up with your wedding date.

Hiring a wedding planner early in the process can be a very beneficial first step. For many couples, wedding planning can quickly become overwhelming and hectic.Planners can help save you time and frustration by recommending vendors suited to your style and budget. They’ll help you stretch your wedding dollars and they’ll keep you organized and on track.

Here are the key things to consider when you’re first engaged:

Select your wedding venue early. Many popular venues (especially in the mountains) book up quickly.
Hire a wedding planner (you can even hire one just for a consultation). They can help you determine what vendors need to be booked quickly and which ones you can wait on for awhile.
Determine your priorities. We suggest choosing three things that are most important to you. Allocate money to what matters most.
Book your wedding professionals. Some of the most popular vendors book up early. Typically, most vendors will want a deposit to save your date. You can expect to pay out a fair amount of money in the early stages of planning to secure your team.
Review contracts very carefully before signing. Avoid surprises later! Know what services are included, what the payments are and when payments are due.
Take time to decide on your wedding party. Reflect on who the most important people in your life are. It’s easy to make promises to several friends only to realize later that this impacts your bottom line (more bouquets, more boutonnières, more gifts, etc.).
Get realistic with your budget. You may not be able to have everything you want. Focus on your priorities.
Keep your wedding day in perspective. It’s important yes, but it isn’t everything. What’s most important is that you’re marrying your special someone.

Happy Planning!

For assistance with your Banff, Canmore, Lake Louise, Jasper or area wedding, contact hello@naturallychic.ca for more assistance. We look forward to hearing from you!

30 Tips to Planning a Canadian Rocky Mountain Wedding in Banff, Canmore, Lake Louise and Jasper – Tip #24

January 6, 2011 By Sharon Auld

Tips for a Canadian Rocky Mountain Wedding in Banff, Canmore, Lake Louise and Jasper

Tip #24 – Work with the existing decor of your venue.

One of the best things about choosing the rocky mountains for your wedding destination is that there are so many amazing venues to choose from. Whether you’re wanting a lavish ballroom wedding or a rustic mountain lodge, the rocky mountains have it all! When you’re deciding on a venue, it’s not only important to think about your budget and guest list, but also the level of formality of you are wanting. Are you wanting an ultra-formal wedding or casual and laid-back affair? Let your interests and personality help guide your decisions.

Venues in the mountains vary dramatically from classic and elegant: think the iconic Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel; to the quaint and intimate, Bear and Bison Canadian Country Inn. There are rustic mountain lodges such as; the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge and ski-in lodges such as Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, and there are upscale, contemporary locations such as the Grande Rockies Resort. Truly there are locations to suit every personality, style, and budget.

When you’ve chosen your venue, it’s important to work with the existing decor. It’s easier and less expensive to enhance the existing venue than it is to completely redesign the space. For some couples, redesigning the space can be a good compromise, especially when one person wants a ballroom and the other a mountain lodge. However, it can be challenging to make a rustic mountain lodge, complete with stone fireplace and log furniture look like a contemporary space. Not that it’s impossible to create dramatically different event spaces within an existing space. Beautiful and incredible transformations of venues are possible, but they may cost your bottom line.

When you are looking to change an existing space dramatically from a rustic venue to a beautiful ballroom, you may need to rely on extensive drapings, florals, and linens to achieve your transformation. You may also need some extra dollars in your budget to make this a reality. For most couples, it’s better to choose a venue they’re comfortable with and enhance its features.

Balance is key to working with the venue of your choice. A balance of rustic and elegant can work beautifully together. Include pretty, elegant elements, but also incorporate natural elements such as twigs, pinecones, stones, wood and other earthy items. Modern and contemporary can also work well together in a rustic space. Choose simple, modern arrangements to highlight your space. Even ballrooms can look beautiful with a nod to nature or to the mountains. Whatever your style, there’s a perfect wedding venue waiting for you in the mountains.

elegant, rustic wedding decor via Souder Photography

natural decor via Love this Day

Grande Rockies Resort via Naturally Chic

rustic chic via wedding chicks

Banff Springs Hotel Ballroom via Naturally Chic

Kicking Horse Mountain Resort via the Vagabond Lodge

Banff wedding planner Naturally Chic (hello@naturallychic.ca) can assist you with all your planning needs, or visit our sister site Canadian Mountain Chic for more wedding inspiration!

30 Tips to Planning a Canadian Rocky Mountain Destination Wedding in Banff, Canmore, Lake Louise and Jasper – Tip #23

January 4, 2011 By Sharon Auld

Tip #23 – Create a Wedding Day Itinerary and a List of Weekend Activities for your Guests.

Destination weddings in the mountains rarely take place over a single day. Most mountain weddings are weekend-long affairs, with guests arriving a day before and staying at least a day after the wedding. With so many guests traveling to your wedding destination, it’s not uncommon for guests to treat your wedding as a mini-holiday and many will make plans to stay in the area afterward. Your guests will want to enjoy some activities with you and they’ll also want to relax and enjoy some down time on their own.

Many couples choose to thank their guests for traveling to their wedding, by hosting several events for their guests to partake in, such as a welcome party the evening before the wedding and a brunch the day after. With so many scheduled events, it’s a good idea to create a Wedding Day Itinerary and a list of recommended activities for your guests. This can be done as an insert with your wedding invitations. Your guests will appreciate knowing what to expect beforehand, but it’s also a good idea to include a copy of these lists in your welcome packages.

Include in your wedding day itinerary, the locations and times of all pertinent events such as; rehearsal dinner, welcome party, golf game, ceremony, cocktail reception, etc. Be sure not to over-schedule guest activities and leave time for your guests to do as they please. If there are a few activities that you have planned that are just for family or for the bridal party, you may want to give out special itineraries just for them.

The mountains are rich with activities; hiking, golfing, sightseeing, shopping, spas and more. If you’re planning on hosting a few activities, but not others, then it’s important to indicate this to your guests. Don’t feel you have to pay for all your guests’ activities either. Discuss with your families what activities you can host and what activities they may like to host. For additional activities that you would like to arrange but can’t afford to host, mark them as “optional” and let guests know the affiliated expense should they choose to participate. Select a few activities that you can only do in the mountains such as a touring the Columbia Icefields, or a ride on the Sulphur Mountain Gondola. Your guests will have fun choosing the activities that best suit their interests and budgets. Just be sure to include a wide variety of activities at various price points and you’ll have a great turn out at all your wedding activities.

Golfing in Banff

Naturally Chic is pleased to assist with planning and booking tours and activities for your wedding guests. Contact us at 1.403.679.1409 or email hello@naturallychic.ca for more information.

30 Tips to Planning a Canadian Rocky Mountain Destination Wedding in Banff, Canmore, Lake Louise and Jasper – Tip # 22

January 3, 2011 By Sharon Auld

Tip # 22 Have all your guests stay in the same location if possible.

One of the nice benefits of having a destination wedding in the mountains is that you get to spend lots of time with family and friends. Destination weddings in the mountains are rarely just one day and typically span over an entire weekend. If all your guests are staying in the same location, not only will you get to spend more time with your guests, but your guests will also have plenty of opportunities to get to know each other as well. If, however, your guests are spread out in different venues all over the mountains, they’ll likely not spend much time together apart from your wedding.

To solve this, only provide information in your save-the-dates or invites, on a couple of hotels or condos that are close together and near the reception site (options in different prices ranges are always appreciated). Also, look for reception venues with on-site accommodations with rooms of varying price points. This way, all your guests will be close to the party and neither you, nor your guests will have to worry about shuttles or taxis at the end of the evening.

Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise Winter | Photo by Naturally Chic.

Naturally Chic photo of Canmore accommodations

Of course, planning accommodations for all your guests can be a huge headache. At Naturally Chic, our team can help you with all your room and block bookings for your mountain wedding. Call 1.888.679.9056 or email hello@naturallychic.ca.

30 Tips to Planning a Canadian Rocky Mountain Destination Wedding in Banff, Canmore, Lake Louise and Jasper – Tip #21

December 30, 2010 By Sharon Auld

30 Tips to Planning a Canadian Rocky Mountain Destination Wedding in Banff, Canmore, Lake Louie and Jasper

Tip #21 -Welcoming Your Guests to Your Mountain Destination Wedding

If you’re planning a wedding in Banff, Canmore, Jasper, Lake Louise or anywhere in the Canadian Rocky Mountains it’s likely that many, if not all your guests, have traveled some distance to get to your wedding. It’s a nice gesture to welcome your guests to your mountain destination wedding by presenting them with a welcome package upon their arrival. It doesn’t have to be expensive to make a big impact! Packages can be as little as a welcome note and the wedding day itinerary, or as elaborate as a box or tote filled with regional goodies. The idea is to make your guests feel welcome even if you’re not around upon their arrival.

A hand-written note from the couple is a personal and thoughtful gesture. It’s also helpful to have a sheet outlining the wedding day activities. As well, you can include information on activities to do in the area, interesting sites, places to eat, taxi information and places to shop. You can have the information printed up on card stock or you can include tourist brochures, maps, postcards and guidebooks from the area. A package like this is easy to assemble and only takes a little time.

For the container, its a good idea to choose a container that is packable or ships well. Collapsible cardboard boxes and gift bags work well if most of your guests are flying in, but where possible consider eco-friendly wooden boxes and fabric tote bags that are reusable keepsakes.

It’s also a good idea for ease of delivery to hotel rooms to keep all the gifts identical, especially if you’re planning to have your wedding planner or hotel staff deliver to rooms. It’s easiest to have one box per hotel room too; however, if you’re wanting a box per guest, then simplify the process for the person handling the delivery and have a complete list of guests’ names (first and last names) and their room number written down for them. Please note that some venues may charge for this service.

Of course, depending on your budget, you can include all sorts of extras and this is where you can also be really creative. While edible treats are always welcome, you may also want to include items unique to your location. The best gifts are ones that are a blend of both fun and practical, and encourage your guests to explore the region. We love to include legendary “Bears Paws” (cashews with caramel dipped in pure chocolate) from Mountain Chocolates in Banff, or gourmet chocolate bars from the Le Chocolatier in Canmore (Canmore Mountain Treat and Take a Hike are our favorites).

In Lake Louise, the granola cookies from Laggans Mountain Bakery and Deli , are a healthy treat that have been satisfying hikers for years. You could also include local, natural soaps from the Rocky Mountain Soap Company in Canmore (just make sure to wrap them really well if they will be included with food items). For a winter wedding, hand warmers and gourmet hot chocolate would be fun! Local souvenirs are always fun too and become keepsakes from the trip (all the better if they are useful items too)! Here are some items couples have put into their welcome packages:

mineral water
homemade cookies
a mixture of sweet and salty treats, popcorn, chips, pretzels (nut free items if possible)
bandaids, sunscreen, bug spray, tissue, good quality lotion
a fragrant candle
local postcards
local museum pass
A pass for a mountain gondola ride or a soak in the hotsprings

Will you be giving welcome packages? If so, what will you include?

Naturally Chic Designs wood welcome box made from reclaimed wood

Chocolate bars from LeChocolatier Canmore

Rocky Mountain Soap Company Canmore

wood welcome box by Naturally Chic Designs

wedding welcome package via Style Me Pretty

welcome wooden favor box from Naturally Chic Designs

Contact Naturally Chic at 1.888.679.9056 or email hello@naturallychic.ca for more information planning a Canadian Rocky Mountain Destination wedding.

Happy Planning!