The Most Remarkable Wedding Venue and Service, Ever!

Words cannot do justice to the deep gratitude we have for the wedding team at The Fairmont Chateau, Lake Louise. Even so, I couldn't not share the extraordinary experience we had for our wedding this past August, in hopes that it will provide you with helpful insight when choosing your venue!

I must preface this review by saying that I own a small wedding planning company in Minnesota, where we are blessed with some incredible vendors, who left me with admittedly high expectations - those expectations were far exceeded. Rather than focus on the venue, which undoubtedly speaks for itself, I must tell you about the service.

When I arrived in Canada on a Sunday, all appeared well. My vendors were confirmed, my timeline was set, my consults were scheduled, and any loose ends were tied neatly in bows.

Then Wednesday came. After a morning hike, I received a call from my dear friend and assistant - who was in a fit. The short of it, is just this: although she was a guest at my wedding, because of our relationship and the wedding timeline that she had in her bag, denoting her helping me with wedding odds and ends (just as the entire wedding party was), the customs officer did not believe that she was there for pleasure and detained her, with intentions to deport her. Shocked and desperate to stay calm, I tracked down Nick (Nicholas) Hall - our Fairmont planner - and sought his help. To say he went above and beyond does not do his effort justice. He, the Fairmont concierge staff and the General Manager went as far as contacting immigration to explain the situation - that although she would be helping, she was not working, rather she was simply a guest. To our dismay, after hours of attempts, she was still deported. I was left without my righthand girl! Without skipping a beat, Nick and his team kicked into high gear. Anything that she was planning to help with, they took on. In the days leading up to the wedding and on the wedding day, they stayed in contact with her - as she knew my very particular vision. In addition, they assured us that if there was any issue with other vendors, they would secure back-up vendors. Even more, they spoiled us with sweets and champagne! Needless to say, my pre-wedding nerves were calmed.

Wedding day came and we woke to quite a rain; then it snowed! While I adore the rain, many of our guests would not have enjoyed sitting under umbrellas, and we had our hearts set on getting married outside. Nick stayed in contact with me the entire day and assured me that he would wait until the last possible minute to make the call on where the ceremony would be - and that he did. He made it happen! The snow stopped just short of an hour before our ceremony time, he and his team cleared the terrace, set up our ceremony, and we were wed by the lake. On top of it, they took the weather and comfortability of our guests into account and accommodated us by setting up our cocktail hour inside - complimentary for our wedding. It was cozy while staying stunning and romantic.

It did not end there. They made our dream first look happen, on the terrace overlooking the lake. The food was better than any I have ever tasted at a wedding, the cake was so beautiful I couldn't help but embrace the pastry chef for her masterpiece, the ambiance was absolute perfection, and the post-reception celebration in the pub made for an incredible dance party - despite our 53 person guest count. In the morning, the brunch was setup with a spread to put all others to shame. The Fairmont accommodated our request for 11 canoes in the middle of a busy Saturday, and to cap it all off, they setup a picturesque bonfire by the lake. Our only complaint, is that there were just not enough hours in the day.

After our experience at the Fairmont, I can't imagine having been married anywhere else. Not only did they far exceed my expectations, they blew our family, our wedding party, and all of our guests away. No one wanted to leave and all will certainly be returning!

I can, with my whole heart, complete candor, and best intentions, recommend that anyone be married at The Fairmont Chateau, Lake Louise. It will truly be an entire set of memories to last a lifetime.