Italian-Themed Wedding at Fairmont Banff Springs in Canada

You might be wondering what a lemon has any business doing in the middle of a winter wedding… but for this Bride and Groom, it was more than a symbol of the Italian coastline that inspired their theme. Tanner proposed to Danae while walking through a lemon and olive grove in Cinque Terre during a vacation to Italy. THAT my friends is the way to infuse you into your wedding. There’s really so much more than that one little detail thanks to the help of Julianne Young Weddings, and I urge you to cozy up below for the full story and imagery by Justine Milton.

From Julianne Young WeddingsThe bride, who is soft spoken, caring and enjoys good sarcasm, and the groom who is self-described as dorky, goofy and caring brought their style and personality into every aspect of their wedding day. Danae and Tanner’s vision of an Italian inspired wedding with organic and natural elements allowed their wedding planner and designer Julianne Young of Julianne Young Weddings to carefully work with the couple to curate a mid-century Italian inspired wedding that reflected the couple’s taste and personality effortlessly.

Why all the lemons? Well, along with lemons being a symbol of the Italian coastline, Tanner proposed to Danae while walking through a lemon and olive grove in Cinque Terre during a vacation to Italy. These lemons had more than a design purpose, as they embodied the moment where the couple’s wedding journey and marriage began, with hints of the lemons seen throughout the day.

Danae and Tanner invited one hundred and thirty of their friends and family to celebrate their wedding day at the world renowned Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel. A castle on a mountain base within Banff National Park, a UNESCO world heritage located in Western Canada.

The couple’s ceremony took place in front of cathedral windows and marble floors with the Rocky Mountains as their backdrop. A custom eight foot circle arch designed by Flower Artistry made a statement and furthered the organic and natural feel that Danae wanted to have. A harpist greeted guests as they arrived and took their seats in lime washed chiavari chairs before the ceremony began.

For the reception, guests were wowed by the high ceilings and beauty of Mount Stephen Hall where a mix of long banquet tables and round tables offered a styled and elegant setting. Tall sandstone taper candles in crystal holders set a romantic tone within the castle as the sun began to set. Modern touches of grey and gold matte flatware and linen napkins were beautifully balanced by gold rimmed glassware and custom menus on calligraphed parchment with hand-torn edges.

The flower centerpieces and wooden cross back vineyard chairs added in the perfect balance of natural and organic elements that Danae and Tanner wanted to come through in the design. Individualized limoncello flavours greeted each guest at their setting to further keep with the Italian inspired design. Garden roses in various tones of cappuccino and distant drummer paired with wine coloured ranunculi and peach spray roses added elegant tones into the wedding design.

The show stopper of the wedding reception, the cake. Adorned in natural greenery with lemon slices carefully placed on the 4-tier salta stucco buttercream cake included two decadent flavours, strawberry and lemon lavender in honey soak, which captured the hearts and taste buds of the guests.

Photography: Justine Milton Photography | Wedding Planning & Design: Julianne Young Weddings | Flowers : Flower Artistry | Cake: Kake | Stationery : Plush Invitations | Hair and Make Up: Lisa Marie Racz of Top Knot Brides | DJ: Pez Productions | Wedding Venue: Fairmont Banff Springs | Ceremony Harpist: Deborah Nyack | Ceremony Musicians : Ensemble Cascade | Rentals: Modern Luxe | Rentals: Special Event Rentals | Vow Books: Flourish Calligraphy