A Banff Wedding Weekend to Remember | Elyssa & Brendon

Filming a wedding in Banff, Canada is always something special but Elyssa and Brendon’s August 2025 wedding felt particularly magical. Banff has a way of showing off in the summertime, and this weekend was no exception.

The weather during their wedding weekend was chef’s kiss. Warm, sunny, and not too hot the kind of temperature that makes driving around Banff and hopping between portrait locations feel effortless. It was truly perfect for photographing and filming the couple in some of the most breathtaking spots the Canadian Rockies have to offer.

The Day Before: Chasing the Mountains

The day before the wedding, I took the opportunity to scout and capture establishing shots at Lake Moraine and Lake Louise. This particular day was a little colder, rainy, and overcast. As a videographer, I usually love filming in overcast conditions — soft light, moody tones, and cinematic vibes are my comfort zone. But this time, the clouds had other plans. They completely wrapped around the mountains, hiding those iconic peaks that make these locations so legendary. It was a reminder that nature always has the final say, and sometimes you have to work with what you’re given rather than what you imagined.

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Wedding Morning at the Fairmont Banff Springs

The next day, everything shifted. Wedding day arrived with sunshine and warmth, setting the tone for what would be a beautiful celebration.

Elyssa began getting ready with her bridesmaids at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel. The room was filled with laughter, warmth, and genuine sweetness as the bridesmaids — made up of her closest friends and sister helped one another with final touches. When Elyssa stepped into the room wearing her wedding dress, the reaction was instant and emotional. Cheers erupted, followed by a few happy tears. She looked absolutely stunning elegant, radiant, and fully herself.

Shortly after, we moved into the conservatory for the first look. I positioned myself to capture not only the visuals, but the audio because those quiet, unfiltered reactions are everything. Brendon stood facing the large windows overlooking the mountains surrounding the hotel. As Elyssa walked up behind him and he turned around, his reaction was the sweetest:

“Aww, you look beautiful.”
Simple. Honest. Perfect.

Portraits Around Banff

Soon after the first look, we boarded a vintage-inspired, open-top limo and headed to our first portrait stop: Surprise Corner. This spot is iconic for a reason. From here, the Fairmont Banff Springs sits perfectly framed nestled among the vast forest with the Rockies rising behind it. It’s the kind of backdrop that feels cinematic without trying too hard.

After capturing portraits with the bride and groom, as well as the bridal party, we headed to our next offsite location: Lake Minnewanka. Another jaw-dropping setting and surprisingly, not as crowded as expected. Parking was a little tricky, but we managed to pull the van into a spot that made it easy for everyone to hop in and out. Even though our time there was quick, we captured some truly gorgeous shots of Elyssa and Brendon with their bridal party.

Fast timelines can feel hectic, especially when moving between locations, but what’s helped me tremendously as a filmmaker is preparation. I always go into the day with a mental shot list:

• A-list shots — must-haves to build their film
• B-list shots — nice-to-haves if time allows
• And a blank slate — space for ideas inspired by the moment

I draw inspiration constantly from my surroundings the landscape, the photographer, and most importantly, the couple themselves. My goal is always to create something that feels unique and true to them.

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Ceremony at Tunnel Mountain Reservoir

Our final stop was the ceremony location: Tunnel Mountain Reservoir. One of the most beautiful things about this space is how little décor it needs. The Canadian Rockies speak for themselves.

The ceremony was deeply emotional, filled with heartfelt vows and a meaningful tribute to Elyssa’s Vietnamese heritage. Guests were fully present no phones, just connection. It was intimate, intentional, and incredibly moving.

After the ceremony, guests were bused back to the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel for cocktail hour, which featured live music from a jazz pianist and a live illustrator such a cool and thoughtful touch. Toward the end of cocktail hour, Elyssa and Brendon joined their guests wearing traditional Vietnamese Ao Dai outfits, beautifully honoring Elyssa’s family traditions.

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An Unforgettable Reception

The reception kicked off with high-energy entrances from the bridal party — all fun, all hype. And when Elyssa and Brendon made their entrance… wow. The bridal party formed a tunnel, and the two of them ran straight through it, immediately jumping into their first dance. The dance included fun choreography and sparklers so playful, joyful, and perfectly them.

Heartfelt speeches followed from Brendon’s brother and Elyssa’s best friend, along with parent dances. One of the most memorable moments of the night was Brendon’s mother-son dance. His father sang “Fly Me to the Moon” live — and I remember thinking how incredible his voice was. Just when everyone thought the song was ending, he sang, “I love…”— and suddenly Soulja Boy’s “YOUUUUU” blasted through the speakers. The entire room erupted as Brendon and his mom launched into the most epic, fun mother-son dance I’ve ever witnessed.

The night wrapped up with millennial throwbacks, nonstop dancing, and the kind of energy that makes you wish weddings could last forever.

Elyssa and Brendon’s wedding was the perfect blend of elegance, culture, fun, and heartfelt moments all set against one of the most stunning backdrops in the world. An absolute dream to film.

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Wedding Vendor Dream Team:

Wedding Planner: @bowvalleyweddings
Venue: @fairmontbanff
Photography: @kimpayantphotography
Videography: @prathiba.productions
Florist: @hue.florals
HMU: @barebeauty___
DJ: @classactdjservice
Officiant: @marriedbycole
Live Illustrator: @debbiewongdesign
Photo Booth: @snapbeautyphotobooth
Crème Puff Tower: @cremecreampuffs
Cold Sparklers: @coppercloudevents
Ceremony & Reception Chairs: @mountaineventrentals
Linens, Chargers & Candles: @modernrentals.ca
Jazz Pianist: @sheldonzandboer
Bouquet Preservation: @wildpetalsboutique
Wedding Party Shuttle: @pursuitbanffjasper
Guest Transportation: @southlandtransportation
Rehearsal Dinner: @threebearsbanff