Leigh and Phillip's wedding was truly a match made in Alberta heaven. The couple envisioned a low-key celebration with 60 of their closest friends and family at the bride’s family property in Water Valley, a picturesque location just 60 kilometers northwest of Cochrane, nestled in the foothills of the Rockies.
The Dream Location
The setting was straight out of a summer camp dream. The bride’s grandfather, Norman, along with 16 of his closest friends, purchased this stunning plot of land in the 1970s. The property features a strip of the Little Red River winding through it, with rustic and whimsical log cabins and a central mess-hall style lodge, all crafted with the intention of hosting family celebrations for generations to come.
A Perfect Day for a Wedding in the Heart of Alberta Come to Life
Leigh and Phil invited their guests to enjoy the property on the afternoon of the wedding, engaging in lawn games, setting up their trailers and campsites, and reminiscing with the bride and groom before the official celebrations began.
During our FaceTime call, Leigh and Phil described their dream day beginning with an intimate moment alone in the forest across the creek from the lodge. Hidden away in the forest, they put on their wedding attire, sipped champagne, and enjoyed the company of their playful Portuguese Water Dog, Mer, who frolicked in the meadow behind them.
Mike and I captured portraits of the couple before they crossed the Little Red River on a handmade footbridge, transitioning from fiancés to bride and groom. As they walked toward the balcony of the main lodge, filled with the smiling faces of their loved ones, their song "Days of Lantana" by Ben Howard floated through the air.
The Ceremony
The couple exchanged their personal vows on the deck of the main lodge, closely surrounded by their loved ones. Afterward, they shared heartfelt hugs with each guest, embodying the true meaning of not just a wedding, but the commitment of marriage.
We couldn’t have asked for a more dreamy setting or a more genuine couple to work with. Every moment was filled with emotion, beauty, and the natural charm of Alberta’s landscape.
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