A Mountain Engagement in Wyoming

From the photographer, Hayden Esau Photography:

Charliy proposed first. When Amber’s flight arrived she was waiting at the airport, ring in hand, so ready to start a beautiful life with her soul mate. Then Amber proposed on Casper Mountain, overlooking the city they had started their engagement, just as ready to write their forever love story.

We took their engagement photos at Bear Trap Meadow, with the tall pines and the white mountain scenery it was perfect for a winter engagement session. These ladies laughed with me the whole time we struggled across the snowy meadow. Because when two people are so crazy in love (Queue Beyonce!). Everything goes so smooth, even in not so ideal conditions, like outrageously deep snow.

 

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A Beautiful Wedding in the Canadian Rockies

Philomena & Lesley  |  Banff, AB, Canada

From the couple: We are both in love with the Canadian Rockies and spend as much time as we can visiting them. Natural and grandeur; it is the feeling all humans experience when they fall in love. We wanted the free and majestic beauty of it captured at our intimate ceremony and reception.

 

Banff | A Same-Sex Wedding in the Canadian Rockies Getting Ready | A Same-Sex Wedding in the Canadian Rockies Bride Getting Ready | A Same-Sex Wedding in the Canadian Rockies Getting Ready | A Same-Sex Wedding in the Canadian Rockies
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THE RINGS

Unlike the showy engagement rings, we both knew the wedding bands would be the timeless keepsakes that would be worn more often than not. We splurged on a matching set. The flowery bands aren’t a typical choice for most brides,  but for us they are perfect.

 

Floral Wedding Bands | A Same-Sex Wedding in the Canadian Rockies

 

THE WEDDING DAY

The night before the wedding both Canmore and Banff were enveloped in the thickest wildfire smoke we’d ever seen. The further we drove from Calgary, the thicker the smoke got, our hearts sank. By the time we arrived in the mountains, you wouldn’t even know it as you couldn’t see the mountains with all the smoke. We ate breakfast on the patio on our wedding day, and from there the view hadn’t gotten any better. We were at peace with it. There was nothing anyone could do and being sad about it would just make it worse. Then what seemed to be a miracle happened on our drive up to Two Jack Lake.  As the limo passed Lake Minnewanka, we realized you could see the beautiful view complete with a bright blue sky.

 

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THE CAKE

We questioned if anyone would really eat the cake at all after a full buffet and cheesecake. Turns out it was delicious and there wasn’t anything left of the 100-serving cake (except for the top tier that’s still sitting in the freezer for our anniversary).

 

Wedding CakeYellow car with Just Married sign

 

THE WEDDING TEAM

Photographer: Kim Payant Photography // Ceremony location: Two Jack Lake, Banff National Park //  Hair & Makeup:  Lilies & Lace  //  Reception Venue: Cornerstone Theatre

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