Every once in a while a wedding gives you a detail you never forget. At this 2018 summer wedding at Azuridge Estate Hotel, it was the husky ring bearer in a mint tie. In 20 years of photographing weddings, I've worked with a lot of furry family members, and this one stole the show. Add some axe throwing and a ceremony in the trees, and you've got one of the most fun days I've photographed.
Azuridge sits on 13 acres of rolling foothills in Priddis, about 20 minutes outside Calgary. It was built in 1997 as a private residence, and its design takes inspiration from the grand Canadian Pacific Railway stations, with Rundle stone, timber beams and floor-to-ceiling windows that frame the foothills. The Alberta Association of Architects recognizes it as a Significant Property, and you can see why the moment you pull through the gates.
For a photographer, the estate gives you everything in one place. There's a treed ceremony spot, manicured lawns and terraces, stone and timber architecture for elegant portraits, and big foothills skies at sunset. Couples can get ready on site in the gem-themed suites too, so we capture the whole day without anyone jumping in a car.
My advice for an Azuridge wedding, especially if your pet is in the wedding party, is to plan their part early in the day and keep a handler close by. Dogs do best before the excitement builds, and a familiar person on hand makes everyone calmer. Plan your portraits for the evening too, when the light rolls golden across the hills.
I've been photographing weddings since 2007, and days like this remind me why I love it: real personality, real laughter and no two weddings ever the same. If you're planning a foothills celebration and looking for a Calgary wedding photographer, have a look at my Calgary wedding photography page.
Azuridge in Priddis is just a short drive out of the city, and a favourite of ours as a Calgary wedding photographer.
Love this estate? See how William + Alyshia celebrated at Azuridge Estate Hotel.