Ana and Kevin’s wedding at the Fairmont Banff Springs blended historic grandeur with the raw beauty of the Canadian Rockies. Known as the “Castle in the Rockies,” the Fairmont Banff Springs sits within Banff National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offering panoramic mountain views, stone architecture, and a setting that feels both regal and deeply connected to nature. Their celebration thoughtfully used several of the hotel’s most iconic spaces: the Frontenac Room for the bridal preparations, the Strathcona Room for the groom and later evening touch-ups, the Terrace for the outdoor ceremony, and the Alhambra Room for the reception.

Morning Preparations: The Frontenac Room

Ana and her bridesmaids began the day in the Frontenac Room. Located within the conference level of the hotel, the Frontenac Room is frequently used as a bridal preparation suite due to its generous square footage, neutral interiors, and ample natural light. Large windows allow daylight to flood the space, which is ideal for professional photography and makeup application. The room’s soft-toned walls and classic detailing provide a clean, elegant backdrop without color casting, something makeup artists and photographers value highly.

The layout comfortably accommodates a full bridal party, hair and makeup stations, garment racks, detail styling areas, and catering trays without feeling cramped. Multiple power sources allow stylists to set up tools efficiently, and the private setting offers separation from hotel traffic, although two weren’t working on Ana’s day so please make sure these are tested prior to the wedding.

Hair and makeup were handled by:

• @hyoyeding_makeup_yyc
• @rainkismakeupstudio

Ana chose a soft-glow bridal makeup look with luminous skin, neutral tones, and softly defined eyes. Her half-up hairstyle balanced structure and movement, holding securely for mountain breezes while maintaining a romantic softness in photos. The Frontenac Room’s bright interior allowed artists to match foundation tones precisely and ensure longevity for both outdoor ceremony conditions and evening reception lighting.

The room also provided space for flat lays and detail photography, rings, invitation suites, florals from @amborellafloral, shoes, and jewelry, captured before the day accelerated.

Groom Preparations: The Strathcona Room (Morning Use)

Kevin and his groomsmen prepared in the Strathcona Room. Like the Frontenac, this room is often used as a staging and preparation suite. The Strathcona Room offers a spacious, private environment suitable for suit dressing, boutonniere pinning, and pre-ceremony photos.

The room’s layout accommodates:

• Garment racks and steaming stations
• Lounge-style seating for candid moments
• Storage for personal items and overnight bags
• Space for group portraits

The Strathcona Room’s quieter location within the event wing allows the wedding party to relax without interruption. Kevin’s preparation was intentionally low-key pressed suit, polished shoes, and final adjustments shared among close friends. The privacy allowed meaningful moments before the ceremony while keeping logistics centralized.

Outdoor Ceremony: The Terrace

Ana and Kevin exchanged vows on the Fairmont Banff Springs Terrace, one of the property’s most sought-after ceremony locations. The Terrace overlooks the Bow Valley with unobstructed views of Mount Rundle and the surrounding Rockies. Its stone balustrades and historic façade provide architectural framing while keeping the mountains as the visual focal point.

Key details about the Terrace ceremony space:

• Outdoor location directly adjacent to the main hotel structure
• Panoramic mountain views
• Stone flooring and historic architectural detailing
• Capacity varies based on layout, but typically accommodates approximately 150–250 guests depending on seating configuration
• Can be set theatre-style or with a central aisle

The Terrace is weather-dependent, and the Fairmont team coordinates backup indoor options when necessary. For Ana and Kevin, the day offered ideal mountain conditions, clear skies and balanced light. The ceremony was officiated by @jpweddingsyyc, who guided a personalized and structured service. Florals by @amborellafloral featured soft pastel tones, complementing the alpine setting rather than competing with it. The bouquet incorporated romantic textures and seasonal blooms designed to withstand outdoor exposure.

The Terrace’s elevation provides natural acoustics, though professional sound equipment is typically used to ensure vows are heard clearly. The setting requires wind-conscious styling, secure floral installations, weighted décor, and hairstyle considerations all thoughtfully executed.

Cocktail Hour & Live Art: The Alhambra Room

Following the ceremony, guests transitioned to cocktail hour while the couple completed portraits across the hotel grounds and at Surprise Corner. The Fairmont’s exterior offers multiple iconic photography locations, including stone archways, mountain-facing viewpoints, and forested paths. During cocktail hour, @kaitlynelizabethann created live guest portraits. Live painting adds experiential entertainment and creates personalized keepsakes for attendees. This activation requires table space, seating, and lighting, easily accommodated within the Fairmont’s transitional reception areas.

Reception: The Alhambra Room

The reception took place in the Alhambra Room, one of the Fairmont Banff Springs’ most recognizable ballrooms. The Alhambra Room is distinguished by its dramatic hand-painted ceiling inspired by Moorish design, arched windows, and historic detailing that reflects the hotel’s early 20th-century architecture.

Key features of the Alhambra Room:

• Arched windows providing natural light during early evening receptions
• Grand proportions suitable for dinner and dancing
• Capacity of approximately 160–250 guests, depending on floor plan (banquet style with dance floor typically accommodates around 180–200 comfortably)
• Built-in architectural character that reduces the need for heavy overhead décor

The room supports:

• Elevated head tables or sweetheart table layouts
• Round banquet seating
• Central or side-positioned dance floor
• Full DJ setup and professional lighting

Décor was curated by @mountaineventrentals, whose inventory complemented the room’s historic tones. Rentals likely included:

• Tables and specialty linens
• Chairs (depending on upgrade selections)
• Candle groupings and centerpieces
• Possibly charger plates, glassware enhancements, or statement pieces

Lighting design plays a crucial role in the Alhambra Room. As natural daylight fades, warm uplighting and candlelight accentuate the ceiling artwork and create an intimate atmosphere. Dinner service at the Fairmont Banff Springs is handled by the hotel’s culinary team, known for elevated plated service and locally inspired menus. The ballroom accommodates full catering service stations discreetly placed to maintain aesthetic flow.

Music for the evening was provided by @vegasthedj, who managed:

• Reception entrance music
• First dance and parent dances
• Open dance floor
• Audio for speeches

The Alhambra Room’s acoustics support full-scale DJ sound systems while maintaining clarity for toasts and announcements.

Evening Reset: Strathcona Room (Touch-Ups & Storage)

One of the strategic advantages of hosting multiple event spaces within the same property is flexible room usage. The Strathcona Room was repurposed in the evening as a private reset space.

Functions included:

• Storage for personal items and overnight bags
• Secure location for gifts or décor overflow
• Makeup touch-ups between dinner and dancing
• Quiet moment space for the couple

Having a dedicated secondary room reduces clutter in the ballroom and ensures the couple has privacy throughout the event. Touch-up sessions are particularly valuable after outdoor ceremonies, emotional speeches, and formal photography sessions. With consistent lighting and mirrors available, Ana could refresh her makeup look before returning to the dance floor.

Planning & Coordination

The day was coordinated by @dayofdiva, whose role included:

• Timeline management
• Vendor communication
• Room transitions
• Ceremony cueing
• Guest flow management between Terrace, cocktail hour, and Alhambra Room
• Contingency planning for weather

The Fairmont Banff Springs event team collaborates closely with planners to ensure seamless transitions between event spaces, particularly when using both indoor and outdoor areas.

Vendor Team Summary

• Planning: @dayofdiva
• Photography: @naliaweddings
• Makeup: @hyoyeding_makeup_yyc
• Makeup: @rainkismakeupstudio
• Florals: @amborellafloral
• Officiant: @jpweddingsyyc
• Live Painter: @kaitlynelizabethann
• DJ: @vegasthedj
• Rentals & Décor: @mountaineventrentals
• Venue: Fairmont Banff Springs

Final Overview

By utilizing the Frontenac Room, Strathcona Room, Terrace, and Alhambra Room, Ana and Kevin’s wedding maximized both functionality and aesthetic impact. The Terrace provided a dramatic Rocky Mountain ceremony backdrop with flexible guest capacity. The Frontenac and Strathcona Rooms ensured smooth preparation and logistical flow. The Alhambra Room delivered architectural grandeur for dinner and dancing. Evening access to the Strathcona Room allowed seamless touch-ups and storage without interrupting reception momentum.

The result was a well-structured, detail-driven wedding that leveraged the Fairmont Banff Springs’ historic character and natural surroundings while maintaining operational efficiency from morning preparation through the final dance.