Trish + Furqan :: Canmore, Alberta Destination Wedding :: Hive Gallery + Gathering ::

Makeup & Hair: Mountain Beauties Ceremony Venue: Riverside Park Reception Venue: Hive Gallery and Gathering Caterer: Chez Francois Bistro Wedding Commisioner: Patricia Compton Photographer: Rachel Boekel Photography Assistant Photographer: Myra Altwasser

During our first opposite ends of the earth chat (I live in Canada, they live in Australia), I knew I was in for a treat with this couple. Trish spoke so fondly of Furqan and their life in Australia. Both of them busy in their respective professions, they were taking a trip to Canada to get married. Furqans family is from Calgary and they chose to celebrate their marriage first in a Pakistani ceremony in Calgary and then as a small wedding in Canmore, AB.

I was thrilled to be a part of their Canadian Rocky Mountain wedding and meet their family and friends that cheered them on. Canadians and Australians coming together to celebrate! Seems like a familiar theme in our Bow Valley! Trish had visited with Furqan in Canada before and was smitten with the high peaks of the Rocky Mountains.

Unfortunately, the crazy wildfires pushed heavy smoke into the Bow Valley and made for some pretty dense and hazey days. Love doesn’t wait for the wind to blow and clear the air; the show must go on!

Often my favorite part of a wedding is watching the bride and groom get ready. Seeing and observing the very private rituals of a wedding day is such an honour to be a part of. I never tire of the details, the preparation, the gentle help of family and friends and the rush out the door. Key moments of fun at this particular wedding, was watching Furqan panic as he didn’t have cufflinks, only to have Trish send him a gift of…. cufflinks. (What a team!) Trish had the Mountain Beauties girls come into their family friends home and set the women up for their day. I adored the time she spent getting into her dress with her Mom and sister and smiling at her Father's first look. Despite the smoke, the sun pushed it’s warmth through and we basked in the warm orange glow of its heat. Riverside park in Canmore offers a variety of stunning wedding spots, and with family gathering around, it was a bright ceremony with laughs and tears and love.

Oh the love! These two love each other! You can witness it in their careful gaze, and their wide smiles.

We scrapped our big mountain plan for portraits, seeing as the smoke was getting in the way of the view, and enjoyed a quiet session beside the Bow River, and near the old Canmore mine sites. Canmore doesn’t starve for dynamic photography locations, and we had some pretty great places to pick from.

The ending to their day was spent at the Hive Gallery and Gathering. I love this setting for many reasons and particularly for the comfortableness it offers as a wedding venue. The space creates conversation for guests as they wander through the gallery, it also offers two outside spaces and ample room to dance, eat, cheers and celebrate a beautiful couple.

This night, outside, under the soft party lights with guests stretched out on a long table, sharing beautiful toasts, was one to remember.

Oh, and their love! Their deep, rich and very respectful and caring love for each other.

I wished they lived closer so we could be friends!