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

30 Tips for Planning A Rocky Mountain Destination Wedding in Banff, Canmore, Lake Louise and Jasper – Tip #7

December 12, 2010 By Sharon Auld

We’re sharing tips for planning a Canadian Rocky Mountain Destination Wedding in Banff, Canmore, Lake Louise, and Jasper. Here’s Tip #7.

Tip #7

Consider hiring a wedding coordinator / planner who specializes in mountain weddings in the area you are getting married at.

A Canadian Rocky Mountain destination wedding is appealing in so many ways! With picturesque beauty, nothing is more beautiful or romantic than a magnificant mountain setting. Planning a wedding at anytime can be a daunting experience, but planning a destination wedding, even more so. From hiring wedding professionals long distance, to planning your decor, to traveling and packing everything to bring, challenging is an understatement! Even if you live relatively close, a mountain wedding still means travel and accommodations for you and your guests. Logistically, there’s just more things to take care of. You’ll need a clear game plan for everything to run smoothly.

Hiring a local wedding planner who specializes in mountain weddings will save you much time and stress. Not only will they know which local wedding vendors are of the highest quality and offer the best value, they’ll also be able to give you the inside scoop on things to do in the area and great places to eat! They can assist you in finding a suitable reception venue and help you find a perfect ceremony location, even if that means a mountain meadow accessible only by helicopter. They’ll help you secure caterers, florists, photographers and other local vendors, and they’ll let you know what permits you require.

An experienced planner will have contingency plans for mountain weather, whether it be wind, rain, heat or snow! They can advise you and your guests on what to wear for various conditions and they’ll likely come prepared with sunscreen, bugspray, umbrellas and whatever is necessary for your guests to be comfortable.

Canadian Rocky Mountain Destination Weddings are our specialty! Contact us at Naturally Chic hello@naturallychic.ca or 1.888.679.9056.

You can read about Tip #6 here.

Happy Planning!

Photo Credit: Crispin Cannon Photography

30 Tips for Planning A Rocky Mountain Destination Wedding in Banff, Canmore, Lake Louise and Jasper – Tip #6

December 11, 2010 By Sharon Auld

by Sharon Auld

Welcome to our series on 30 Tips for Planning a Rocky Mountain Destination Wedding in Banff, Canmore, Lake Louise, Jasper and Beyond! Tip #6 – If you are planning a wedding anywhere in a Canadian National Park then you and your guests will require a Park Pass.

The beautiful Emerald Lake Lodge

A park pass is a permit that allows you to visit a National Park and the monies collected are then used within the park they are collected from. Park Passes that are purchased in one national park can be used in other national parks during the period for which they are valid. Proceeds help maintain scenic parkways, day use areas, trails, public safety, information and interpretation services. Park passes that are purchased in one national park can be used in other national parks during the the period for which they are valid. Whether you plan on being married by a scenic lake, high on a mountain peak, or within the towns of Banff or Jasper, or the villages of Lake Louise or Field (the popular Emerald Lake Lodge is in Field, B.C.), you and your guests all will require passes. A Park Pass is also required for anyone travelling the Icefields Parkway (#93) between Lake Louise and Jasper (an incredibly scenic drive by the way). So where can you get these park passes and how much do they cost? If you are driving west on the Trans Canada Highway (#1) from the Calgary International Airport, you can obtain a pass from the Banff East Gate (about 7km west of Canmore). If you are traveling west from Edmonton (along the Yellowhead #16) into Jasper you can purchase from the Jasper East Park Gate. Here are the other Park Gates you can purchase passes from:

David Thompson Gate (open in summer) – for visitors traveling west from Rocky Mountain House and Red Deer along the David Thompson Highway (#11)
Niblock Gate (open in summer) – for visitors traveling north from Lake Louise up the Icefields Parkway (#93 North)
West Park Gate – for visitors traveling east from Kamloops along the Yellowhead Highway (#16)
Icefields Parkway Gate – for visitors traveling south along the Icefields Parkway (#93) towards Lake Louise
Kootenay West Gate – for visitors traveling north from Radium Hot Springs along the Banff-Windermere Highway (#93)
Yoho West Gate (open in summer) – for visitors traveling from the direction of Kamloops along the Trans-Canada Highway (#1)

You can also get a park pass from National Park Information Centres: NATIONAL PARK INFORMATION CENTRES: Banff National Park

Jasper National Park

Jasper National Park Information Centre
Icefield Centre (mid April – mid October)

Yoho National Park

Field Visitor Centre

Kootenay National Park

Kootenay National Park Visitor Centre (May to September)

What can you expect to pay? Here are the current prices as listed on the National Parks of Canada site (please note prices are subject to change and it is suggested that you check in April every year for current pricing): Entry – Day Adult Individual Day – $9.80 Senior Individual Day – $8.30 Youth Individual Day – $4.90 Family/Group Day – $19.60 Annual – Discovery Pass* Adult – $67.70 Senior – $57.90 Youth – $33.30 Family/Group – $136.40 It’s a good idea to let your guests know about park passes in advance, that way if they are planning on staying longer in the area (or visiting other National Parks) they may want to consider getting an annual pass rather than a day pass. Note: Canmore, Alberta is just outside the Banff National Park boundary and therefore a park pass is not required if you are planning on marrying in Canmore. You can read about Tip# 5 for Planning A Rocky Mountain Destination Wedding in Banff, Canmore, Lake Louise and Jasper here.

Photo Courtesy of Emerald Lake Lodge.

Feel free to contact us, Naturally Chic to discuss your Rocky Mountain Destination wedding. We’d love to help! hello@naturallychic.ca , 1.888.679.9056

Happy Planning!

30 Tips for Planning A Rocky Mountain Destination Wedding in Banff, Canmore, Lake Louise and Jasper – Tip #5

December 10, 2010 By Sharon Auld

by Sharon Auld

Each day we have been sharing tips to help you plan your Canadian Rocky Mountain Destination Wedding in Banff, Canmore, Lake Louise and Jasper (and well, most everywhere in the Canadian Rockies!).

Tip #5 – The temperature in the mountains can at times, get quite cool even in summer. If your are planning a tented reception or if part of your reception will take place outdoors or on a deck, consider your guests’ comfort level. Renting portable heaters and placing them strategically around the venue is one way to ward off chills.

Wedding attire, especially in summer often means strapless dresses and lighter weight fabrics. Providing a basket of light throws or pashmina shawls for your guests’ use is always a considerate gesture. In winter, heavier blankets, mitts, scarves, and handwarmers would be a nice touch for a winter wedding! Whatever the season, its important to communicate to your guests the appropriate attire for your wedding so that they can be prepared. Comfort is key to a happy guest!

Read Tip # 4 for Planning a Rocky Mountain Destination Wedding in Banff, Canmore, Lake Louise and Jasper here.

Photo Source: 1. Style Me Pretty 2. Style Me Pretty 3. Heidi Ryder Photography 4. Restoration Hardware 5. Restoration Hardware

30 Tips for Planning a Canadian Rocky Mountain Destination Wedding in Banff, Canmore, Lake Louise and Jasper – Tip# 4

December 9, 2010 By Sharon Auld

by Sharon Auld

We’ve been sharing tips for planning a Canadian Rocky Mountain Destination Wedding in Banff, Canmore, Lake Louise and Jasper, here’s Tip # 4 – Marriage Requirements in Alberta, Canada – What you need to know.

Banff National Park – DB Photography Naturally Chic

So you’re planning on getting married in the Canadian Rockies – congratulations! Now what? Well, first off know that when you are married in Canada your marriage is valid most everywhere in the world and you can pretty much be married anywhere in Banff National Park. If you are flying into Alberta the closest airport to the Rocky Mountains is the Calgary International Airport. It’s approximately 1.5 hours to Canmore and an extra 15 minutes to the town of Banff. Lake Louise is approximately 30 minutes from Banff. If you are wanting to be married in Jasper National Park, you may want to fly into the Edmonton International Airport. Of course, you can reach Jasper from Calgary via the beautiful Icefields Parkway as well.

Prior to your marriage, you will require an Alberta Marriage Licence which can be obtained from any registry office in Alberta. A valid marriage licence indicates that you’ve met the requirements to get married in Alberta and it’s valid for three months from the date of issue. So what do you need to obtain the marriage licence?

You will need to fill out the application (your wedding planner can assist you with this prior to your arrival in Canada) and then you and your partner must appear in person at any Alberta registry office. It does not have to be the closest registry office to where you’re getting married. Count on this taking about an hour, but sometimes, especially in winter it may be less!

Proof of identification (passport, driver’s licence, birth certificate etc.)
Full name of Father and birth place of Father
Maiden name of mother and birth place of mother
If divorced, decree absolute
If widowed, death certificate from former spouse

Once you are married you will need a marriage commissioner to perform your ceremony and two witnesses over the age of 18 to attend your ceremony (your wedding planner and photographer are usually happy to assist). The marriage licence is given to the person performing the ceremony and a Marriage Statement (certificate) is issued after the ceremony but is not a registered document. You must apply to the Alberta Vital Statistics Registry to obtain the official registered Certificate of Marriage. Applications for the Official Certificate may be purchased in any registry office. Here’s more:

Cost: Approximately $125.
Residency Requirements: you do not have to be a resident of Canada
Age Requirement: 18 years of age
Waiting Period: none
Blood tests and physical exams: not required
Marriages may be performed with the aid of an interpreter if the couple does not speak English.
Same sex marriages are allowed

No blood tests or waiting period means that you can be literally married on the same day that you arrive into Canada (keep in mind most registry offices are not open on weekends)! At Naturally Chic, we are pleased to assist couples with elopements or weddings on relatively short notice!

Here are a few marriage commissioners in the area, find the complete list of Alberta Marriage Commissioners here:

Marion Kutzer, Rick Kunelius , Patricia Compton, Robin White and Karyn Faryna, Carl J. Sheilds, John Stutz

Here are some local registry offices in Canmore, Banff and Jasper (please note that the Banff Bureau is the closest registry agent to Lake Louise):

Banff Bureau of Licensing & Registrations Ltd.
Unit 15 Wolf & Bear Mall 229 BEAR ST, BANFF
Phone: (403)762-2177
Fax: (403)762-0463

Downer Ventures Ltd.
Canmore Registry 104-837 MAIN ST, CANMORE
Phone: (403)678-9320
Fax: (403)678-1968

Jasper Registries
303 PYRAMID AVE, JASPER
Phone: (780)852-5994
Fax: (780)852-5972

Please note that requirements can change so contact Service Alberta for updated information. For more information on getting married in Banff National Park read Tip #3 – 30 Tips for Planning a Canadian Rocky Mountain Destination Wedding in Banff, Canmore, Lake Louise and Jasper.

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

Happy Planning!

30 Tips for Planning a Canadian Rocky Mountain Destination Wedding in Banff, Canmore, Lake Louise and Jasper – Tip #3

December 8, 2010 By Sharon Auld

by Sharon Auld

CANADIAN ROCKY MOUNTAIN DESTINATION WEDDINGS

Are you planning a Canadian Rocky Mountain Destination wedding in the areas of Banff, Canmore, Lake Louise or Jasper? We’re sharing our daily tips to help get you started.

Tip #3 – If you’re having an outdoor ceremony within Banff National Park then you will need to submit a Banff National Park Application Form. There are special considerations for having a wedding ceremony in a national park and the application form ensures that visitors are aware of their impact. There are rules and regulations set so as to minimize impact on the environment, wildlife and other visitor’s enjoyment of the park. Although you can’t actually reserve a secluded spot in Banff National Park for your wedding, the application helps Parks Canada identify where events are taking place at any given time. Here are a few considerations to keep in mind:

It is a National Park after all so try and keep your wedding ceremony as eco-friendly as possible
It is recommended that the number of participants/guests attending the ceremony be limited to a maximum of 20 people.
Vehicular traffic should be kept to a minimum (use car pooling or group transportation).
Wedding participants are required to comply with National Park Regulations at all times.
All participants and wedding guests must possess a valid National Park Pass.
Participants must not disturb the park’s natural and cultural resources (ie: no picking or disturbance of flower beds, setting up of chairs or removal of trees or branches).
Items such as confetti or rice is not permitted and a thorough clean up of the site is required immediately after the event.

Read more here, for a complete list of requirements for an outdoor wedding ceremony in Banff National Park or talk to your local wedding planner for more information. Click here to read Tip #2 – 30 Tips for a Canadian Rocky Mountain Destination Wedding in Banff, Canmore, Lake Louise and Jasper.

Banff National Park – DB Photography / Naturally Chic

Contact Naturally Chic for help with planning your Canadian Rocky Mountain Destination Wedding at 1.888.679.9056 or hello@naturallychic.ca.

Happy Planning!

30 Tips for a Planning Canadian Rocky Mountain Destination Wedding in Banff, Canmore, Lake Louise and Jasper – Tip #2

December 7, 2010 By Sharon Auld

by Sharon Auld

CANADIAN ROCKY MOUNTAIN DESTINATION WEDDING

Planning a Canadian Rocky Mountain Destination wedding can be a little more complicated than planning a wedding at home. We’ve been sharing tips that will help you plan and organize a memorable wedding in the mountains.

Tip#2 – Consider and “all-in-one” wedding venue. In other words, a venue where you can have your ceremony, reception and guest accommodations all in one place.

Not only is this a great eco-friendly option for the environment, but it makes it easier for guests who have flown into the region and either don’t know the region well or are without a vehicle. Your guests will find it easy to get from the ceremony to the reception and they can even take a break in their hotel room if they desire.

Most of these all inclusive venues will offer all sorts of activities nearby or on site for your guests such as; hiking, golfing, dining, shopping or even relaxing spa treatments (great for getting wedding day hair and make-up too)! Not only that, you may even find that your guests will have more opportunity to mingle and get to know one another than if they were staying at all different locations throughout Banff National Park.

A couple of our favorite all in one venues in the Canadian Rockies are: Emerald Lake Lodge in Field, B.C.; The Rimrock Resort in Banff, Alberta; the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise in Lake Louise, Alberta and the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge in Jasper, Alberta. All offer stunningly beautiful scenery, first rate meals, accommodations and a wide variety of activities for you and your guests. And if that weren’t enough, they’re all pet-friendly!

You can read about Tip # 1 for Planning a Canadian Rocky Mountain Destination wedding here.

Contact Naturally Chic for assistance with your Canadian Rocky Mountain Destination Wedding or email hello@naturallychic.ca.

Happy Planning!

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

December 6, 2010 By Sharon Auld

By Sharon Auld

CANADIAN ROCKY MOUNTAIN DESTINATION WEDDING

The mountains are a popular wedding destination for good reason; stunning panoramic views, wildlife, tourist attractions, an abundance of outdoor activities, world-class golfing, spas and hotels. Every day we are posting helpful tips for planning your Canadian Rocky Mountain Destination wedding in Banff, Canmore, Lake Louise and Jasper. Planning a wedding can be a daunting experience, but it’s even more complicated planning a destination wedding away from home. We’ve compiled 30 helpful tips to assist you in planning your mountain wedding. Be sure to check back daily!

Tip #1 for Planning a Canadian Rocky Mountain Destination Wedding in Banff, Canmore, Lake Louise and Jasper

Start your wedding planning early. If you can, plan to book your venue at least one year in advance. The mountains are a popular tourist destination especially in the summer and venues book up fast. If you’ve been dreaming of a wedding at the Banff Springs Hotel your entire adult life, you’ll be really disappointed if you wait too long and find your wedding date is already booked solid! Remember what happened to Liv (Kate Hudson) and Emma (Anne Hathaway) in Bride Wars and their dreams of having a spring wedding at the Plaza Hotel in New York? I’m not saying that will happen to you, but why take chances? Planning ahead may also ensure you get the best rates at condos and hotels.

While you’re at it you should also book your photographer, wedding planner, marriage commissioner and dj well in advance if you can. Most weddings are on the weekend and popular vendors fill their available wedding dates quickly. Don’t be disappointed, plan early!

Be sure to check back tomorrow for Tip #2 for Planning a Canadian Rocky Mountain Destination Wedding in Banff, Canmore, Lake Louise and Jasper. Feel free to contact Naturally Chic if you have questions regarding your mountain wedding!

Happy Planning!