Who can forget the wedding images of George Clooney and Amal Alamuddin? The glamorous couple said their vows in the historic city of Venice.  It was the epitome of romance. Their gilded hotel wedding was spectacular, but the images that jumped out at me were of the pair stepping out of the boat for their civil ceremony. Amal was radiant in a Stella McCartney pantsuit and wide-brimmed hat. George was well… George, in a classic suit and a grin.  I remember thinking, “if I were going to elope, that is how I would do it”!

Fast forward to May 2015 in Calgary, Alberta. This modern bride and groom were elegant but not traditionally bridal for their classic Calgary elopement. They show us how to skip the fuss of a big soiree without sacrificing the romance and sense of occasion.

In Canada, wedding commissioners have replaced courthouse ceremonies, but the façade of a grand building made a picture-perfect backdrop for the exchange of vows. The fact that local residents strolled by, enjoying the beautiful weather, just added to the charm. After the “I Dos” (and more photos of course), Ashley and Mark celebrated with lattes and wedding cake at their favorite Calgary café, Analog Coffee on 17^th Avenue.

Update 11-May-2020

Given the current times and the fact that local health authorities are telling us to “think small”, I have a few options for  Calgary elopements and intimate weddings:

1. Joy Curated Elopements.  Together with 206 Event Co. and Sweet Bloom Floral Design, I’m offering a package designed to help you celebrate your dream day (with a twist) that’s intimate, memorable and stress-free.  Find more information about it in this blog post.
2. My original elopement package has been popular with destination brides and grooms.  For a limited time, I’m offering this package with 4 hours of photography (previously 3 hrs).  Even if you’re planning a larger celebration but need to trim your photography budget, 4 hours of coverage could allow me to capture essential moments.  With a well-planned timeline, I could photograph your ceremony, family portraits, bridal party and formals during a four-hour period.  Read more about that option here in this blog post.

Contact the studio for details and pricing.

Thanks to the vendor team who made this classic Calgary elopement so special:
Officiant:  Jacqueline Hoare
Hair and make-up artist:  Lyana Gibert from The Art of Beauty
Bridal attire:  Banana Republic
Bride’s jewelry:  Adorn Boutique in Inglewood
Bride’s hat and footwear:  Nine West Canada
Groom’s attire:  Ed Williams Menswear
Florals:  Flowers by Janie
Stationery:  Modern Pulp Design Studio
Wedding Cake:  Cakeworks

If you’re thinking of saying ‘I Do’ on a mountaintop, here’s a Moraine Lake Elopement.

Classic Calgary elopement captured by Calgary Wedding Photographer – Tara Whittaker