Archives for December 2015

Happy Christmas Eve.  I’m not sure how you’re celebrating tonight but I thought I would share a series that I photographed with Sharon from Naturally Chic for couples and suggestions for creating new Christmas traditions.  The series has been featured on the wedding and lifestyle blog Canadian Mountain Chic (part one, two and three ), but tonight I’m sharing a few of the highlights for spending Christmas in Banff.

We spent the day in Banff with newlyweds Kari and Derek Owen, as they took in the season, mountain-style.

Lace up your skates and take a turn around the rink with your love.  The Town of Banff website lists the best outdoor rinks.

 
What activity could be more quintessentially Christmas than a sleigh ride?  Warner Stables in Banff offers romantic sleigh rides for couples and for larger groups.

A trip to Banff wouldn’t be the same without a stroll down Banff Avenue.  Kari and Derek stopped for tasty treats at a few of their favourite shops.

Sample a “bear claw” from Mountain Chocolates.

The Banff Candy Store, is a family favourite.

Satisfy your sweet tooth at BeaverTails.  Kari and Derek chose banana and nutella.

Make an annual stop at The Spirit of Christmas to select a tree ornament together.

Sharon from Naturally Chic set a romantic table for two in front of a roaring fire in the Wapiti Room at Buffalo Mountain Lodge.  See all of the details, including handcrafted wooden menus, on Canadian Mountain Chic.

Kari and Derek settled in for a long winter’s nap at Buffalo Mountain Lodge, located on Tunnel Mountain.

One of the best things about working with Sharon is the heartfelt detail she puts into every project.  Here’s how she describes her wine box tradition…

This is one of the most romantic holiday traditions to start! It’s pretty simple, you write a note to your partner telling them how special they are and what they’ve meant to you throughout the year. You then share the letters and read them on Christmas Eve.

A fun twist, is to seal your love letters in a wood box with a bottle of wine. Then, you take the letters out and read them on the following Christmas over a bottle of bubbly. It’s a great way to reminisce the year that was and to express your heartfelt appreciation for one another!

Sweeten the evening with a little mistletoe.

Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without a classic holiday film.

Kari and Derek settled in front of the fire to exchange Christmas stockings filled with goodies from several local boutiques.  See this post for stocking stuffer suggestions for him and for her.

Be sure to stop over at Canadian Mountain Chic for the full scoop and loads of Christmas inspiration for couples young and old (part one, two and three).

A big thank you to everyone who helped our couple celebrate Christmas in Banff including:

Shoot concept and design:  Sharon from Naturally Chic

CRMR and  their Banff property Buffalo Mountain Lodge

Women’s attire:  Adorn Boutique

Hair stylist:  Suzanne from Mountain Beauties

Make-up artist:  Nadine from Mountain Beauties

Holiday hugs to Kari and Derek, our real life couple.

Christmas in Banff captured by Calgary Wedding Photographer – Tara Whittaker

“The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there”.
A Visit from St. Nicholas,
Clement Clarke Moore

Christmas stockings are proof that good things really do come in small packages.  Leading up to Christmas, I photographed a series with Naturally Chic on couples and ideas for starting new Christmas traditions. Exchanging a stocking is the perfect tradition that allows you to recreate some of that childhood magic. The sight of a stocking full to the brim with their favorite things is a sure way to make your sweetie smile on Christmas morning. If you like the idea but don’t know where to start shopping in Calgary, Sharon from Naturally Chic has compiled a list of stocking stuffers “for her” and “for him” that are sure to get you a kiss or two under the mistletoe.

Stocking for him

Sources:
(Clockwise from top left)

Maple syrup:  Roots
Bow tie:  LVJ Haberdasher, available at Kent of Inglewood
Passport holder:  Yor Leather, available at The Uncommons
Peppermint Patties:  Roots
Maple Mint Tin:  Roots
Razor & Shaving mug:  Kent of Inglewood
Happy Camper sweatshirt:  Camp Brand Goods, available at The Livery
Faux fur stocking:  Indigo
Stanley flask:  Restoration Hardware
Happy Camper mug:  Camp Brand Goods, available at The Livery
Wool Socks:  Roots
Luggage tag:  Fairgoods, available at The Uncommons

Stocking for her

Sources:
(Clockwise from top left)

Carry-on Cocktail Kit:  W&P Design, available at The Uncommons
Kate Spade Notebook:  Indigo
Mini champagne:  Kensington Wine Market
Drinking Chocolate:  Fiasco Gelato Shop, available at The Livery
Faux fur stocking:  Indigo
Coconut Marshmallows:  Fiasco Gelato Shop, available at The Livery
iPhone cover:  Ban.do, available at Adorn Boutique
Ear buds:  Ban.do, available at Adorn Boutique
Vanilla macarons:  Yann Haute Patisserie
Socks:  Free People, available at Adorn Boutique
Travel mug:  Kate Spade, available at Adorn Boutique
Mrs tee:  Custom design by Adorn Boutique

Necklace from Coutukitsch

Items pictured above are all available at The Uncommons

The best part is that many of the items are local brands including:

Passport holder:  Yor Leather, available at The Uncommons
Luggage tag:  Fairgoods, available at The Uncommons
Shaving mug:  Kent of Inglewood
Happy Camper sweatshirt & mug:  Camp Brand Goods, available at The Livery
Drinking Chocolate:  Fiasco Gelato Shop, available at The Livery
Coconut Marshmallows:  Fiasco Gelato Shop, available at The Livery
Vanilla macarons:  Yann Haute Patisserie
Mrs tee:  Custom design by Adorn Boutique
Gemstone necklace:  Coutukitsch

The Christmas Tradition series has been featured on the wedding and lifestyle blog, Canadian Mountain Chic.  See part one, two, three.

Christmas shopping in Calgary images by Calgary Wedding Photographer – Tara Whittaker

Over the past few weeks, I’ve spent several evenings meeting with my recent couples to reveal their wedding photographs (one of my favorite things btw). As we visit, the topic of Christmas pops up and I learn about their holiday plans and Christmas traditions. Some are travelling to somewhere tropical, others are hosting big family dinners and one couple bought Christmas pajamas for a cozy Christmas Eve together. What an exciting time for them as they celebrate and create new family traditions…traditions that they can continue through the years.

I teamed up with Sharon from Naturally Chic on a series to inspire couples to start their own Christmas traditions and soak in the romance of the holidays.  To begin the series, here’s three fun ideas (with a Calgary flare).

Kick off your evening with a holiday cocktail.  The casual yet chic Bar C on 17^th Avenue tops our list as the perfect spot to toast the holidays and sample plates designed for sharing. The Burnt Old Fashioned, complete with a toasted orange slice, is my personal favorite beverage. Cheers!

      

Enjoy an intimate dinner with the one you love.  The Lake House is a spectacular setting at any time of year but they have “decked the halls” for Christmas and upped the romance factor. We recommend a dinner for two near the crackling fire in the grand fireplace, while dining on Pan Seared Black Cod or Grilled Alberta Beef Tenderloin (to name a few of their specialties).  Complete your experience with a holiday favorite, sticky date pudding topped with honey ginger ice cream.

      

If you’re anything like me, you love watching your loved ones open their gifts as much as you love receiving them.  Why wait until Christmas morning?  Give your love one small, yet sentimental gift on Christmas Eve and see their face light up.  Sometimes the best gifts don’t cost a thing but are thoughtful and handmade.  Consider a custom playlist, filled with holiday tunes you both enjoy.  Finish your evening on a high note!

    

It was a treat to start this series as a guest blogger on Canadian Mountain Chic.  This coming Monday, Canadian Mountain Chic will be featuring Christmas traditions Part 2…mountain style.  Be sure to check it out.

Designer & Stylist:  Sharon from Naturally Chic

It was a pleasure to team up with CRMR and two of their Calgary properties The Lake House and Bar C

Men’s attire:  Ed Williams Menswear

Women’s attire:  Adorn Boutique

Hair & Make-up artist:  Brooke from Diva Salon Spa

Flower Arrangement:  Flowers by Janie

Wood slice:  Naturally Chic

Christmas traditions images by Calgary Wedding Photographer – Tara Whittaker