Location: Banff, Alberta, Canada
Setting: Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel
Wedding season: Summer
The number of guests: 90
How long did the couple plan the event: 18 months
Wedding theme/style: Timeless and elegant wedding.
Fredericka’s (aka Freddie) and Eric’s unlikely paths crossed in Atlanta, Georgia, during a global health crisis, bringing them together in unexpected ways. Freddie, originally from Montreal, Canada, excelled in her education and became a skilled Endodontist, moving from South Florida to Georgia for work. Meanwhile, Eric, a mechanical engineer from the panhandle of Florida, found a unique opportunity with Oakley, traveling the world with his product marketing team. Despite their different backgrounds, they bonded over their shared passions for giving back and helping others, ultimately finding strength and love in each other as they navigated the challenges of the pandemic together.
Like many successful business owners, Freddie is not a fan of surprises. She is a planner who prefers being in control of situations. On the other hand, Eric loves surprises and has long dreamed of a magical surprise proposal for Freddie. After racking his brain for months, he wanted to plan the perfect intimate proposal that he knew Freddie would appreciate, though pulling off such a feat without her catching on seemed near impossible. However, as 2021 drew to a close, the stars aligned, and with some help from Freddie’s family, Eric managed to catch her completely off guard, popping the question on New Year’s Eve. It turned out to be a night of pure magic and celebration.
The wedding was a three-day celebration to showcase the beauty of the Canadian Rocky Mountains. They hosted their rehearsal dinner at the top of Sulphur Mountain at Sky Bistro with a romantic pink garden party aesthetic inspired by her custom hand-painted Savin London high low gown. The night before the wedding was hosted at Hello Sunshine, a Japanese sushi and karaoke bar in downtown Banff. The party started with a DJ and dance floor, and guests danced the night away in dramatic cocktail attire covered in sequins, feathers, and velvet.
Freddie and Eric wanted a timeless and elegant wedding. They wanted it to be beautiful and high-end but not too fancy to the point of being uncomfortable. Their goal was to look back in 50 years and still find it beautiful. With the help of photographer Justine Milton, they could have timeless photos of their entire celebration, from the pre-wedding moments to the lively after-party. She beautifully captured this unforgettable wedding for Freddie and Eric, creating lasting memories for the newlyweds and their guests.
Freddie’s wedding morning was filled with happiness as she spent it with her family, bridesmaids, and her beloved dogs. The bride decided to go with professional hair and makeup for all three days of the event. She wanted to feel different each day, with the dress influencing her choices. Freddie wanted a timeless look that still felt like herself. She didn’t want to be constantly touching up her hair or makeup throughout the events, as she wanted to be able to dance the night away, take photos outdoors, and feel comfortable and confident.
There was an interesting story about the chosen dresses for the wedding. Approximately seven dresses were planned to be worn throughout the wedding week. This posed some logistical challenges, especially considering the wedding took place across the continent. The option of shipping the dresses was quickly dismissed due to the risk involved. Carrying them on the plane seemed like the best solution, but other carry-on bags filled with shoes, bags, and outfits for the rest of the week presented a new challenge. The solution came from the NetJets company, which offers business jets. With their help, all the dresses, the bride and groom, their two dogs, and some friends and family made it safely to and from the wedding without any issues.
Eric spent time with his groomsmen getting ready for the wedding. Everyone was dressed in classy suits paired with bow ties.
Personalization was key for the couple, with the groomsmen receiving locally engraved whiskey bottles with their names and the bridesmaids receiving Miss Dior perfume bottles with their names engraved on them, along with white blooms like ranunculus that were integrated into the wedding design.
The wedding day took place at the iconic Fairmont Banff Springs hotel, with the ceremony on the terrace and the reception in Mt Stephen Hall. The terrace was beautifully decorated with white hydrangea, creating a full floral aisle. With live music playing and a stunning view, Freddie and Eric’s ceremony felt like something out of a fairytale.
After the ceremony, the newlyweds took some time to enjoy their surroundings. Their photographer, Justine Milton, captured beautiful portraits with a breathtaking view.
The reception space had a classic white and black theme, with arches adorned with greenery, tables adorned with florals, and tall candelabras. The elegant decor left the newlyweds and their guests in awe.
The beginning of the reception featured heartfelt words and speeches from loved ones, the couple’s first dance, and dances with their parents. It was a truly special and memorable time for Freddie and Eric.
Freddie wore a stunning and sparkling mermaid gown at the second half of the reception. The festivities continued as the newlyweds savored the moment and sipped from the champagne tower.
Instead of the usual cake cutting, the couple shared a Beavertail, a Canadian dessert made of flattened pastry covered in cinnamon sugar.
The night concluded with an after-party where guests danced until the early morning. The wedding day was as luxurious yet intimate, chic yet timeless, striking a balance between old-world charm and a lively party atmosphere.
Advice from the couple:
• Spend the money and hire a planner who’s got references. Madeleine made this event truly wonderful and took the stress off of our plate.
PHOTOGRAPHY Justine Milton | PLANNING & DESIGN Moments by Madeleine Weddings | VIDEOGRAPHER Parfait Productions | VENUE Fairmont Banff Springs | FLORALS Fall For Florals | DRESSES Galia Lahav | MUAH Blush & Coco | AUDIO GUESTBOOK Confetti Call | RENTALS Modern Rentals | STRING QUARTET Uptown Strings | DJ, PHOTO BOOTH & LIGHTING Rez Productions | BAND Side One | STATIONERY Debbie Wong Design | SIGNAGE YNOT Event Graphics | TRANSPORTATION Banff Sedan
