Kananaskis Wedding Photographers

Mount Engadine Lodge Hiking Wedding

Marie & Francis

Kananaskis Wedding Photographers

As Kananaskis wedding photographers we love shooting at Mount Engadine Lodge, just outside of Canmore Alberta in the Canadian Rockies. A cosy cabin tucked deep within the mountains surrounded by endless hiking trails to explore. The Lodge welcomes travellers and adventurers from all over and is known for its alpine charm and amazing food. Once you’re there you are free to soak in the scenery and company that surrounds you. A perfect environment for celebrating an intimate elopement or wedding with the ones you love.

Marie and Francis’ Story

This fun, adventurous couple from Quebec moved out to Alberta together to embark on a new adventure. Fast forward six years and they now have a house and a mountain pup who accompanies them on all their adventures. They have created a beautiful life in this province surrounded by nature. Their original plan was to have a bigger wedding back home surrounded by all of their family and friends but after numbers began to rise and restrictions were put in place Marie and Francis started thinking of other ways to celebrate their wedding. This is when we first heard from them.

Since they were postponing their original wedding plans in Quebec, they decided to celebrate with an intimate elopement in the mountains. The place which they make most of their memories. They wanted to exchange their vows and have their official ceremony with a few family and friends on top of a mountain and began the hunt to find the perfect location.

For more information, you can read our blog: How to choose the best location in the Canadian Rocky Mountains.

Hiking for a Mountain Top Wedding Ceremony

Marie and Francis made it their summer goal to find the perfect place to have their wedding ceremony. With a list of potential trails, they explored with their dog by their side. When they found the perfect spot they ended up hiking the mountain four times to make sure that it was exactly what they wanted. Throughout this process, both of their parents decided that they didn’t want to miss out on this adventurous event and they all booked flights out to be there with them!

Summer Snow Storms and Full Moon Sunsets

One thing you can’t control on the day of your wedding is the weather. In our opinion, this is such an important element of the day. No matter what the weather is doing it makes your day unique to your experience and these are the things you will cherish when you look back on your memories of the day. The forecast for Marie and Francis wasn’t looking ideal leading up to the day. There were cooler temperatures, rain and snow on the radar even though it was the middle of summer. Only in Alberta! 

After their first look in the beautiful Mount Engadine meadow, we all geared up in our warm hiking gear and hit the trail. As it snowed we climbed higher and could see that the clouds were breaking and letting in the most incredible light. It felt like we were all walking through a Casper David Friedrich painting. If you don’t know the reference, go on and google it now and you’ll see what I mean.

Marie and Francis’ ceremony was pure magic. We laughed, cried, shivered and shared in their happiness. After the official words were announced all of their friends and family hiked down to warm up and we continued up the ridge to explore for their sunset portraits. As the sun set and turned the clouds brilliant warm shades of orange and pink, the full moon rose above us. It was one of the most special nights we have ever experienced. Our hearts were warm but our hands were freezing so we hiked down in the twilight back to the lodge. Marie and Francis shared their first dance on the deck of Mount Engadine under the full moon and with their closest humans surrounded them with sparklers. 

We hope you enjoy a look into their amazing day.