Calgary Wedding Photographer

Calgary, Alberta

Wedding Vendors

Venue – Oma’s Backyard
Hair – Kim Colours Hair
Makeup – Bride’s Friend
Florals – Bride’s Mom Tanja
Dress – Cottonwood Bridal
Designer – Sophia Tolli
Suit – Huey Lam
Atlerations – Glenmore Alterations
Officiant – Bride’s cousin Kristin
Bride’s Ring – Michael Hill
Groom’s Ring – Manly Bands
Catering – Cowtown Beef Shack Calgary

A Note from the Photographer

Some weddings have a way of feeling like they belong in a magazine and like the best backyard hangout all at once. K & R’s wedding at Oma’s house was exactly that: effortlessly chic, timelessly elegant, and perfectly laid back.

She actually used the same words while answering one of my questions. We didn’t talk to each other first. They just really hit the mark.

Let’s talk about the style because—wow. The bridesmaids wore sleek black dresses (of their choice!) paired with classic white rose bouquets (made by mom!), while the groom looked impossibly sharp in a custom Huey Lam suit with a bow tie (10/10 on the dapper scale). And then there was Kianna’s dress—classic and sophisticated, with a leg slit that brought just the right amount of modern edge.

A missing piece for the ceremony sent someone fetching it, which led to not one, but two cocktail hours instead—one before the ceremony and one after (no one complained). It was extra time to sip, mingle, and soak in the atmosphere.

It felt like everyone had all the time in the world to celebrate.

Which they did.

Because this wedding was all about family and making more memories in a place that’s already filled with memories.

Making memories also included planning, designing and officiating. All you have to do is look at their list of vendors to know that what brought this all together is family.

How special was it to get married at Oma’s acreage?

“My Oma’s house had always resembled a place where family would gather and make memories. My late Opa had actually built the house back in the late 1970’s when highway 8 was just a dirt road into Calgary. Many weekends and holidays were spent biking around the driveway, sledding down the hill or playing pool in the basement. I also found it hard finding a venue that would check all the boxes that I was hoping for. Then one night, it came to me out of the blue. I asked my Oma if she would be okay with hosting our wedding at her place—and it turned out to be the perfect place for the laid back yet elegant feeling I was looking for.”

What was your favourite part of your wedding day — if you can even pick one?

“I honestly don’t think I would be able to pick a favourite part; all the moments were special in their own way. Getting ready with the girls closest to me, even with the chaos of the morning, was a fun way to start the day. Then getting ready for first look — there was so much excitement and nerves. Being able to have that special and intimate moment all to ourselves (and with our wonderful photographer of course). I’ll always remember my husband’s face, and to have that captured in photos makes it even more special.”

Can you rate your furry ring bearer’s performance out of 10?

“I absolutely adored having our dog Maple be a part of our wedding. Roy and I adopted Maple very early into our relationship and she has been with us ever since.  It was very special having her with us on our wedding day. Throughout the day, Maple would often find her place settled on the train of my dress, which was very calming and comforting. During the ceremony, Maple got a little distracted on the way to the alter and had to make her rounds and say hi to all the guests prior to meeting up with Roy and I.

I wouldn’t change a thing.”

“To me, she will always be a 10 out of 10!”

Valerie Richer Photography | Calgary Wedding Photographer