When I think about the perfect location for a magical winter wonderland wedding, Emerald Lake Lodge is the first places that pops into my mind (with Lake Louise coming in at a close second). Emerald Lake in the winter is truly spectacular, there is so much snow & it’s so quiet compared to the crazy summer months. Kathryn & Robin had a particularly wintery day for their wedding in December. The snow was coming down hard & had left a blanket of pure white everywhere! I quickly met up with Kathryn in her cabin as she was finishing up getting ready & got a few a few detail photos. I took her dress outside & climbed a 6 foot snowbank to be able to get a good angle on it hanging outside the cabin. I was a little worried I would sink in the snowbank but it was solid! Once the details were done she was dressed & on the way to the ceremony at the Viewpoint nearby.

A snowy outdoor ceremony sets the stage for this magical winter wonderland wedding. While there wasn’t a view of the mountains, the mounds of snow & fresh falling snow was just spectacular. As Kathryn made her approach, Robin tried to fight back the emotions as he took her hand & led her to the ceremony. As with most outdoor weddings in the mountains, the ceremony was short & sweet! They celebrated getting married with a little bit of champagne, then we ventured off around Emerald Lake Lodge to start their couples photo session!

You wouldn’t expect there to be this much snow in December, but in this part of the Rockies, winter makes quite the entrance! The snow was heavy & wet when it was falling, and while I was dressed for a day in the snow, these two braved it out to get some truly amazing photos. After doing so photos around the Lake, we headed out tot he natural bridge. Before we got there we saw Mama Moose & her two babies hanging out in the road… so we stopped a safe distance away & took photos with them in the background! It was a truly amazing experience for this magical winter wonderland wedding at Emerald Lake Lodge! I’ve never had moose in my wedding photos & I doubt it will happen again! It was just so special for Kathryn & Robin.

After the thrill of the photobombing moose, we continued on to the natural bridge where we got to see some of the amazing blue-green water mixed with snow. We got a little adventurous & were rewarded with a mix of snow & water also doesn’t look real! We wrapped the portraits at the natural bridge & headed back to Emerald Lake Lodge where I wanted to do just a couple more photos as twilight fell. There is something truly remarkable about how snow falling at twilight looks. I had Kathryn & Robin snuggle & twirl on the bridge to the Lodge while I played with some flash (I don’t use it often for outdoor portraits) freezing the snow falling against a velvety blue twilight sky! It was the perfect way to end their magical winter wonderland wedding at Emerald Lake Lodge before they went to enjoy the night with their family!

Are you dreaming about a magical winter wonderland wedding of your own? Get inspired by this Boho Mt Norquay wedding that has a mix of autumn & winter! Take a peek at this November wedding at Emerald Lake! See this super snowy Lake Louise winter wedding! An intimate winter wedding at the Fairmont Banff Springs could be perfect for you!