Lizz & Brady Destination Engagement: Day 1

Lizz called and didn’t even have her wedding date set but just knew she wanted to have me there as her wedding photographer. She had been in countless weddings since her friends Emily & Sam got married at a winery in Lake Pepin and the photos have always been her favorite. Over a drink at the studio, we laughed to the point of tears with her mom and sister, but I had yet to meet her Brady. My first time shaking this mammoth man’s hands would be in the town of Banff, Canada, fittingly over whiskey. Brady played hockey growing up in Calgary, for a few NHL teams, then off to Germany. On paper and standing next to him, he may leave you a little intimated as he exudes “man” but I would soon learn he may be equal part kind and gentle. Love these two.

Day One:  Banff National Park & Lake Louise

After a lively conversation and great clam chowder, we dodged raindrops and scouted webcams to blaze the ideal trail. My last time to Banff was my own honeymoon, so the advance homework paid dividends as we checked every box off the wish list of stops. Our adventures took us to five glacial lakes, climbed to an overlook of the castle known as the Banff Springs Fairmontproperty, skipped rocks while wading up to our ankles in the turquoise waters, tailgating in a mountain pass, watching the last of the sun over a whiskey picnic and licorice and finishing with the twilight calm of Lake Louise-a sort of private lake feel after the crowds went to bed. Laughter and one-liners kept us fueled as the eight hour adventure marathon came to a close.