There are so many great planning tips to be learned from Natalie & Alex’s Fairmont Banff Springs winter wedding! When you both get ready close together, it takes some stress out of needing more time to travel, and it’s especially handy if you are able to get ready at your wedding ceremony venue… that gives you a one minute commute to the ceremony & you don’t have to worry about parking or traffic! Natalie & Alex both got ready at the Fairmont Banff Springs, mere steps away from their indoor ceremony in Mt Stephen Hall that was all decked out for Christmas. They added a fun touch to their ceremony to share a champagne toast with their guests before the ceremony was wrapped & they shared their first kiss as husband and wife! After the ceremony, we headed to the Terrace for a few photos with the newlyweds before hitting the road to explore Banff for portraits.

Tips to survive outdoor winter wedding portraits

In the winter, it’s best to do a series of locations for portraits to allow for some warm up time in the car in between spots. It’s hard to be out in the cold for a few solid hours, so a few stops helps manage the time & keep every one as warm as possible. Other great tips to manage for a winter wedding is to wear hand & foot warmers, where fleece tights under your dress, longjohns under the grooms suit, thermal socks for everyone & if your dress is long enough, wear winter boots when you’re out in the snow. There’s no reason to wear pretty shoes if we can’t see your feet & your feet will be that much happier for it. Also consider mittens, blankets, cute earmuffs & some kind of wrap/jacket to wear from some of the photos. Keeping snacks handy & a flask of whiskey will help keep your spirits up (pun totally intended) & you’ll look so much happier in photos for longer.

After leaving the Fairmont Banff Springs, we traveled to Tunnel Mountain Reservoir where the wind was so intense, it cut to the bone. I keep Natalie & Alex moving as much as I could, shot quickly with two cameras, then off to the car to travel to Surprise Corner. When you have a Fairmont Banff Springs Winter wedding, one of the best ways to show off your gorgeous venue is to leave, head across the Bow River & take photos at Surprise Corner where the hotel looks glorious in the distance. We took another car warmup, shot in the closed road to Tunnel Mountain & finally ended nearing sunset at Bow Falls with amazing winter skies.

Fairmont Banff Springs Winter Wedding Reception

While we were off gallivanting all over Banff for wedding portraits, Mt Stephen Hall was flipped from their beautiful wedding set up a warm & cozy reception space. Greenery & lots of candlelight set the perfect mood for dinner with one large, grand dining table where Natalie & Alex sat with their guests. Their Fairmont Banff Springs Wedding had such an intimate & cozy feel!

Fairmont Banff Springs Winter Wedding Vendors

Ceremony Venue: Mt Stephen Hall
Reception Venue: Mt Stephen Hall
Wedding Planner: Signature Weddings by Ashley
Florals: Willow Flower Co
Hair & Make-up: Simply Me Canmore
Wedding Gown: Chantel Lauren

Looking for more Fairmont Banff Springs winter wedding inspiration? Check out this intimate winter wedding in the Angus Room at Fairmont Banff Springs! How about this boho Banff wedding at Mt Norquay! Check out this winter elopement in Banff at Two Jack Lake!