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Sharon Carmichael is the owner / operator of Elope in Banff, a wedding planning company. jpg, BA
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With over 1,000 weddings, Sharon Carmichael is the lead wedding planner for her company called Elope in Banff.
As a small business owner, she does everything including advertising, selling, planning, booking, touring clients, wedding anniversary coordination, social media, and shipping.
“I planned for over 20 years, but 20 years ago it was very different,” said Carmichael. “First I worked for tour operators in the UK, then 10 years ago I founded Elope in Banff.”
Elope in Banff offers all types of elopements, from simple outdoor elopements with just the bride and groom to larger elopements with up to 20 guests at the Banff Springs Hotel (the castle), ”said Carmichael.
“With more than 20 guests, the ambience changes. You lose the intimacy that is so special about my elopement weddings. We also offer ski hill weddings, sled weddings at Lake Louise, and helicopter weddings. We only offer weddings in places we like to go. “
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Carmichael was born in Cheshire, UK. She has a degree in business administration and traveled during her summer months while studying.
“I came to Banff, fell in love with the mountains, and found a husband,” said Carmichael. “It took me three years to find a husband and we were married six months later. We have been married for 25 years. “
Carmichael said she meets the nicest couples from all over the world.
“I’ll introduce you to Banff with a personal tour the day before your wedding,” said Carmichael. “This way you can get more out of your time in the mountains. I plan, book, create a detailed itinerary and coordinate your wedding day. “
On the wedding day, she picks up her flowers and cakes and delivers them to her hotel room.
“I assist the bride with the preparation (including lacing dresses, etc.),” said Carmichael. “We accompany the couple to their ceremony and I am with them for the duration of their photos. We like to go the extra mile, so we include a wedding dress and steam suit so that the bride looks and feels good on the wedding day. “
Her husband Malcolm is her greatest supporter and a professional photographer of 30 years.
“Of course we work together and we have a lot of fun,” said Carmichael. “I have three daughters, Sarah, who is graduating from Halifax with a nursing degree, Emma, a third year FIS ski racer, and Katy, who is 11th grade. We also have a rescue dog named Lacey.
Covid-19 and the resulting restrictions have had a massive impact on the wedding industry, she said.
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“Almost every wedding and cabin guest has canceled,” said Carmichael. “We went from a full schedule to an empty schedule within 10 days. Months of planning and booking melted away before my eyes, it was shocking. To that end, we had adjusted to our new life and the reality that things would be very different for a long time. “
She has spent months postponing over 70 weddings, she said.
“We have lost all of our international market and those who have rescheduled are now requesting a third appointment or cancellation,” said Carmichael. “It was a lot of work and a wedding planner’s nightmare. My heart goes out to all planners who offer wedding or convention services. It was brutal. I’m joking that next year will be boring by comparison, and I can’t wait! Every planner who survives this difficult period deserves a special medal of honor. It really wasn’t easy. “
She is doing her best to deal with the pandemic restrictions, she said.
“We can do small weddings, and that’s what I specialize in,” said Carmichael. “However, the competition has increased tenfold. Everyone (and their dog) offers weddings. Canadians have been great to work with, but I miss my international clients. Hopefully everyone is ready to travel if it is safe to do so. “
Please visit elopeinbanff.ca for more information.
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