Cochrane Ranchehouse Wedding + Tunnel Mountain Reservoir (Banff)
Tessa + Aryk
All images by Kalla Ramberg Photography based in Canmore (hey, that’s me!)
For Tessa and Aryk’s wedding, they began their day by getting ready separately and then meeting up again at Tunnel Lake Reservoir in Banff National Park, Alberta. After a first look and bridal party photos, we headed to the ceremony/reception venue.
Venue: Cochrane Ranchehouse
Getting ready separately:
There’s something about black and white that just works so perfectly for getting ready images.
After I popped over to where the guys were getting ready, I couldn’t help but notice that there was a bunk bed in their air BNB. So, naturally, I ever so gently peer pressured them to jump up onto it…
Since Tessa and Aryk are hugely adventurous folks who spend all of their time in the mountains, they decided to head into Banff for the first look and bridal party photos. Here, we went to Tunnel Mountain Reservoir in Banff, which is also available to rent for ceremonies. I set Aryk up for the first look as we fetched Tessa.
Myself and the videographer, Brad Bogdan Media (one of my closest friends, plus my go-to videographer) set up for the first look. We brought the bride, Tessa, up and let them enjoy their first look.
Not only are Tessa and Aryk photographers as well, but evidently they’re also models because EXCUSE ME how cute is this couple.
There’s something about a forehead kiss that is just THE sweetest thing in the world.
After their first look at Tunnel Mountain, we stuck around and had some fun with family photos and bridal party photos.
This bridal party was a blast! We couldn’t have asked for better people or better views.
Spoiler- if I’m your photographer I have the tendency to make the groomsmen bully/generally harass the groom. Why? Because it brings out playfulness and adds life to the photos instead of the rigidity of sticking exclusively to posed photos.
With me, you get some nice and cutesy posed images, of course. Buuuut… you also get goofiness!
Next up, we drove back to Cochrane to the Ranchehouse and prepared for the ceremony. The view for the outdoor ceremony location is beautiful- the backdrop to your wedding is a sprawling view of the valley and all of the lush greenery. This venue is seriously aesthetic as heck, it’s a photographer’s dream.
As Tessa came down the aisle with her parents, Aryk had the most beautiful reaction to seeing his bride.
The Cochrane Ranchehouse is truly an incredible venue if you’re looking for a beautiful outdoor space.
A moment for the dress. Gawjus. Just GAWJUSSSS.
As a tip (because these two nailed it) try to centre yourselves in front of your archway during the ceremony. The symmetry can make or break the photo. Maybe it’s me being a bit of a perfectionist with my images, but I always love when couples centre themselves. These two nailed it! Check out their first kiss:
The moments of joy after a first kiss are such a beautiful thing.
Their exit down the aisle, nothin’ but smiles all around!
After some celebration, I took the bride and groom down to a spot that I’d scouted out and had been dying to photograph. After a short walk through a wooded area, we made our way down to the location.
This beautiful old tree looked like something straight out of a fairytale. Towering overhead and far above the other trees surrounding it, the exposed roots stretching out from this behemoth made for some pretty magical and dramatic photos.
Some more images of this straight-out-of-a-fairytale tree:
Ya gotta do whatcha gotta do. Here, I’d climbed the tree because I wanted to experiment with a higher angle. I promised the bride and groom that I wouldn’t fall on them, which hopefully calmed their nerves regarding having a crazy wedding photographer going spiderman mode to scale a tree.
We took a moment to do family photos back up at the Ranchehouse.
I’m a big fan of a classic jumping' photo.
There were tons of activities and yard games set up for the reception, which made sure that everyone was having a great time.
Like I said, I’m a sucker for a funny ‘jumping’ photo.
No context will be provided for the following photos. Just goofing around!
Changing gears, it was time for the bride and groom’s first dance.
After that, people began flooding the dancefloor and celebrating with the newleyweds.
I love the high energy and ridiculousness that comes with wedding receptions. When everyone is having fun and on the dancefloor, it always makes for some great photos!
Tessa and Aryk put a lot of thought, effort, time, and creativity into the details and decor of their day. Tessa told me how many hours she’d spent pouring over the decor and signage as she created them. And I have to say, she absolutely killed it! Here are some of the details from their day including food, decor, and signage:
Congrats again, and thank you to the lovely Cochrane Ranchehouse! It’s always a pleasure photographing the venue, can’t wait to be back again. -Kalla
