When Alex and Ian approached us about their destination wedding at the iconic Fairmont Banff Springs, we knew we were in for something special. They wanted to lean into the “Haunted Castle” aesthetic of the hotel, mixing gothic romance with high-end luxury and personalized touches throughout. This multi-day celebration was so fantastic it was featured in People Magazine and the cover of Rocky Mountain Bride.
For Alex and Ian, the wedding wasn’t just a day, but a curated weekend experience for their guests who traveled from all over to the Rockies.
Day 1: Snow Tubing & S’mores – We kicked things off at Mt Norquay Ski Resort with a live DJ, s’mores and of course snow tubing
Day 2: A Murder Mystery – This was a logistics highlight for our team! After a casual morning coffee at Mountain Folk Coffee Co., we transitioned into a Hollywood Glam-themed rehearsal dinner. Alex wanted to surprise her guests, so we coordinated with THEY Improv to stage a full murder mystery.
The bride even “dropped dead” during dinner, turning the evening into an exciting investigation . We used magnifying glasses as place cards to keep everyone in character.
Day 3: The Wedding – The ceremony took place on the Fairmont terrace. Just as the snowfall (more like a blizzard) cleared, the sun broke through for their vows. Guests stayed cozy with a hot chocolate station before heading inside for cocktail hour.
We curated a series of unique activations for their cocktail hour – tarot card readings, flash tattoos featuring custom designs of the couple’s favorites, a love letter seating chart with black envelopes and red wax seals, and a card deck guest book, staying true to the playful, non-traditional theme.
Day 4: Brunch – We wrapped up the weekend with a cozy brunch at Bluebird Wood-fired Steakhouse, allowing everyone to reflect on the magic of the previous night before heading home.
This wedding was a dream to coordinate because Alex and Ian weren’t afraid to be themselves. From Alex doing the worm on the dance floor in her custom Galia Lahav gown to the pink pony inflatables , every moment was intentional.
Planning and Design @melissaalisonevents
Photo @breeze.photography
Video @alesiafilms
Florals @flowersbyjanie
Stationary @royalstationerydesign
Hair and makeup @bellamorebeauty
Musician @angelaviolinist
DJ and Entertainment @pezproductions
Rentals @modernrentals.ca
Rentals @mountainscape.rentals
Acrylic Wrapping @ynot_eventgraphics
Wedding Cake @kakebydarci
Tarot Reader @airisapsychic
Tattoo Artist @gratitudetattoos
Improv group @theyimprov
Dress @galialahav
Photobooth @pureportraitbooth
Transportation @banffsedan
Venue @fairmontbanff
Welcome event venue @mtnorquay
Coffee venue @mountainfolkcoffeeco
Brunch venue @bluebirdbanff
At Melissa Alison Events we specialize in designing seamless, unforgettable weddings for couples who want to skip the stress and dive straight into the fun
Our team of wedding planners are problem solvers, decision makers, researchers and spreadsheet afficionados
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