Canadian Rocky Mountains Archives - Banff And Canmore Wedding Planner

In honor of the Mad Men finale, I thought I would re-share some photos of a styled table shoot I did for the Vintage Wedding Showcase a couple of seasons ago. I was one of several participants who had to design a tablescape based on a vintage theme. I chose Mad Men, though I had never actually watched a Mad Men episode previous to the challenge. The first thing I did was get myself caught up in several seasons of Mad Men. Then, I immersed myself into the art and design of the late 50’s and early 60’s (the Mad Men era I chose to recreate for my tablescape). I actually found myself loving mid-century design and this Mad Men table design was an incredibly fun challenge from the usual mountain weddings I design!

Here’s a few photos of my design captured by Tara Whittaker Photography and flowers by the talented Sarah Mayerson Design. Let me know what you think! Did I capture the era and would it make our beloved Don Draper proud? Thank you Mad Men for the extremely compelling entertainment!

The flowers were oh so lovely and complemented the mid-century color palette! I made the table menus and drink menus out wood. We even made the table for the shoot!

by Naturally Chic | Photo by Tara Whittaker Photography

I chose lots of bright colors for the table including a popular color palette of avocado green and orange, which was extremely common in home decor in the mid-century. I also chose mid-century stemware and chose to put the flowers in a cut crystal bowl, which incidentally was a popular wedding gift at the time!

by Naturally Chic

I used real walnut and made the place holders look like the name plates commonly seen on every ad exec.’s desk in the mid-60’s!

by Naturally Chic

My wedding favors were an updated version of what was actually common to give as favors at weddings – personalized matches!

by Naturally Chic

by Naturally Chic | Photo by Tara Whittaker Photography

And one of the most popular toys from the era was the slinky, so I had to have this beautiful item on my table for decoration!

mid-century drink card styled for Mad Men shoot by Naturally Chic | www.naturallychic.ca

by Naturally Chic | Photo by Tara Whittaker Photography

I designed a bar cart filled with items to make the popular cocktails of the day!

by Naturally Chic | Photo by Tara Whittaker Photography

Thanks for stopping by and Happy Planning! Be sure to check out our website at www.naturallychic.ca for planning your Banff Wedding in the Canadian Rocky Mountains.

Happy Planning!

by Sharon Auld

Is it any wonder that weekend weddings are becoming increasingly more popular? Weekend weddings in the Canadian Rocky mountains allow family and friends to gather for an unforgettable celebration with plenty of activity. The main idea is for your loved ones to get to know one another and to have fun. You don’t need a tropical location to keep your guests entertained and feeling loved either. There are many fabulous places in the Canadian Rocky Mountains to be married including the destinations of Banff, Canmore, Lake Louise, Jasper and Emerald Lake. Not only are these destinations breathtakingly beautiful, but offer an unlimited promise of adventure and activity. These locations are known for their picturesque beauty and incredible year-round, adventurous activities such as skiing, hiking, mountain biking, rafting and so much more!

A weekend wedding can be as casual or as extravagant as you’d like. It can take place at a lake or cabin, a beautiful mountain resort or just about anywhere. In general, the wedding weekend begins with a welcoming activity such as a casual barbecue or dinner. The following morning typically involves various activities such as a round of golf or a white water rafting excursion. Then everyone comes together for the wedding ceremony and reception which are usually a little later in the day in order to accommodate the various activities. Sometimes, the party will linger well into the evening with various festivities, followed by a farewell brunch to wrap up the weekend. Of course, you’ll want to personalize the activities based on the location you choose and your interests.

Two of our favorite picks for all-inclusive places to host a weekend wedding are Emerald Lake Lodge or the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. Both these locations are idyllic for an action packed weekend extravaganzas that don’t have to break the bank. How about a camping style wedding at Emerald Lake complete with a welcome barbecue, canoe rides, a campfire, and smores? In winter, a weekend at the Lake Louise Ice Castle would certainly be memorable for wedding guests. Activities could include skating on the frozen lake, sleigh rides, skiing and a hot chocolate / espresso bar at your reception.

Or, maybe an elegant castle in the mountains such as the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel is more your style, where your guests could enjoy golfing, sightseeing, fine dining and a visit to the spa. Whatever your style or taste, a weekend wedding is a sure way for you and your loved ones to bond.

Standard wedding etiquette does not necessitate that the couple pays for all the activities either. It’s common for various family members to host an activity. Oftentimes, it’s enough to just arrange the activities or provide information on activities that your guests can partake in. Most guests attending a weekend wedding will want to get out and experience the sites anyway. Most will treat your wedding as a mini-vacation or getaway weekend and they’ll appreciate having something to do. There are also plenty of activities such as a nature walk or hike that don’t require any expense at all. The key to a weekend wedding is to provide plenty of activities that appeal to all your guests young and old. Just don’t over-schedule your guests’ itinerary. It’s important to provide down times for your guests so they can explore the area or just relax in their hotel room. There’s really no better way to show your guests how much you care about them then by spending quality time with them. The immense value of a weekend wedding is that everyone feels appreciated and valued. With so many fabulous locations and activities to choose from, you can be sure that your weekend wedding in the Canadian Rockies will be unique, personal and an unforgettable experience for everyone involved.

For more information on our WEEKEND WEDDING Services contact Naturally Chic!

Happy Planning!

Credits: All planning and design by Naturally Chic; Photo 1: T.Law Photography; Photo 2: Orange Girl; Photo 3 Darren Roberts Photography; Photo 4: Yeuko Images.

Mad Men Table Design in Honor of the Mad Men Finale

Weekend Weddings in the Canadian Rocky Mountains