Fairmont Wedding at The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise

“Married on the Victoria Terrace overlooking the glacier-fed, emerald-coloured Lake Louise”

Congratulations on your wedding! What made you decide on having your wedding with us at Fairmont?

Pamela & Patrick grew up in Calgary and are very close to their families. Wanting to pursue higher education they moved to London, England and have created lasting friendships all over the world. When it came to narrowing down a location for their wedding it was a challenge, as the people they love are great distances apart. Pamela's family has spent the last 30 years enjoying family trips together at The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. They wanted to invite their loved ones to celebrate their wedding day and share the beauty that draws them to this fabulous location in the mountains.

Where did you have your ceremony? Did you incorporate any special or cultural traditions?

We were married on the Victoria Terrace overlooking the glacier-fed, emerald-coloured Lake Louise. A golden harp played alongside a friend's flute as Pamela and her Dad walked down the aisle. The guests were treated to a champagne toast with flowers blooming in their flutes.

Tell us about the flowers you chose. Did you go traditional or contemporary?

The flowers were spectacular with 100 pound floral arrangements decorating each table. Candelabra on the centre tables with floral decor. The head table was a spectacular display of florals flowing over the table and champagne fluted candles. Outstanding display in the Victoria ballroom transformed the room into a majestic elegant masterpiece.

Tell us about the meal you served your guests. What type and flavor cake did you have at your reception?

We catered to the specific needs of our guest in that we offered a trio of beef/pork/veal, plus a vegetarian or halibut option, and an appetizer and dessert were also served. Following this, we opened the dessert bar which was a huge hit. Instead of the traditional wedding cake we choose 4 separate cakes of different flavors, which were decorated to utmost perfection.

Where did you go on your honeymoon? Tell us about it.

We travelled to the Fairmont properties in Africa to experience the Ultimate Safari. We had a spectacular experience and it was a lovely end to the celebration of our wedding.

Another integral part of the day is the wedding dress! Tell us about what you chose to wear. Did you follow the old English saying “something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue”?

The dress was the depiction of elegance and grace with a modern/classic style. A vera wang purchased in New York had always been my dream. The "Gwendolyn" is like a cascading waterfall where the dress is in motion all the time from head to toe. I wore my Mother's garter that she wore when she was married, so that covered the "something borrowed and something blue". For the "new", my Father bought me these stunning diamond earings to wear on my special day.

What made you decide to have a destination wedding? Do you have any advice for brides planning on having a destination wedding?

I call it a destination wedding because I live in London, UK and got married in Canada. I had such a great team in Calgary to pull this all together so they took my vision and made it a reality. My advice is to have a team that you completely trust to action your vision. Working with The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise wedding coordinator Valerie Trudel was a joy and she has become a family friend. Val went beyond the call of duty to assist us in making this a special day and we can not say enough good things about her. It is important that you have an amazing relationship with your hotel coordinator because they really run the show for you.

Vendors & Service Providers:
• Photography: Orange Girls Photographs www.orangegirl.com
• Floral Arrangements: Flower Artistry www.facebook.com/flower.artistry
• Wedding Cake: Cake Creatations www.cakecreations.ca

For more information or to start planning your wedding at The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise:
www.fairmont.com/lake-louise/meetings-weddings/weddings