destination weddingsvirginia weddings

REAL VIRGINIA WEDDING: Brandon and Jessica

Virginia Weddings features weddings weekly on the blog. Being featured on the blog does not necessarily mean being featured in the print magazine.

Bride: Jessica Bronner, 33, Chief Executive Officer

Groom: Brandon Hadler, 33, Software Engineer 

Date: 9/5/25

Venue: Fairmont Banff Springs; Banff, Alberta

Current Residence: Richmond, Virginia

Guests: 45

LOVE STORY 

Brandon and Jessica met in June 2020. What began as a casual sand volleyball game became a relationship neither anticipated.

Brandon proposed to Jessica in September 2024. 

Brandon and Jessica were walking in Richmond when Brandon proposed on Manchester Bridge, saying he couldn’t imagine life without her. They celebrated with drinks at Lemaire inside the Jefferson Hotel.

Brandon designed a custom 18k gold marquise engagement ring as a token of love, with a center stone framed by V-shaped bands—one with rubies, the other with diamonds—creating a bold, timeless silhouette. The four-month process made the ring as thoughtful as the proposal.

VENUE 

They selected the beautiful Fairmont Banff Springs in Banff, Alberta, nestled in the stunning Canadian Rockies, as their wedding venue. From the moment Brandon and Jessica stepped onto the grounds, it truly felt like the perfect place for their love story to unfold.

THEME/ COLOR PALETTE 

Brandon and Jessica selected a classical medieval theme to showcase their passion for castles, vintage romance and striking elegance. Their color scheme included deep intense shades such as burgundy, emerald and luxurious jewel tones, complemented by hints of gold. These colors were chosen to evoke a sense of timeless romance and dramatic sophistication.

ATTIRE 

Jessica prepared for the wedding in the Angus Room at the Fairmont Banff Springs, featuring rich wood accents, large windows with mountain views, and timeless decor for a luxurious yet relaxed vibe. She wore a gown from Blue Sage Bridal in Richmond, Virginia —a custom Colby John Florence dress with a fitted bodice, corset back, delicate sleeves and a long train—perfectly complementing her castle-inspired, romantic wedding with its simple, elegant lines. 

The bridesmaids’ dresses matched the rich, regal wedding theme with luxurious fabrics and jewel-inspired colors: emerald-green velvet, spice velvet, two burgundy velvets, blush silk, pink silk, gold silk and sage-green silk. 

Brandon wore a custom Ralph Lauren suit with a velvet sapphire-blue coat, black pants, and a black bow tie, complemented by Louboutin shoes. Jessica’s mother embroidered their wedding date into the collar, adding a personal touch. The groomsmen wore black suits with bow ties to match the bridesmaids’ dresses as they prepared in the elegant, relaxing Strathcona Room at the Fairmont Banff Springs, sharing laughs and quiet moments before the ceremony.

BOUQUET

Jessica’s bouquet was lush and dramatic with burgundy and dusty pink roses, dahlias, spruce greenery and amaranth strands, creating a striking focal point for their moody, medieval-inspired wedding. The groom’s boutonniere featured winter greenery and pinecones.

CEREMONY 

Their ceremony was held in Mount Stephen Hall at the Fairmont Banff Springs, a grand space with stained-glass windows, marble floors, soaring ceilings, and old-world charm. Guests saw the “Love Stories of Their Past” display, featuring photos of their parents and grandparents. Red velvet chairs, a gold mirror welcome sign, a string ensemble playing classical music, and burgundy florals created a romantic atmosphere.

Brandon and Jessica had two wooden pillars at the altar, decorated with romantic flowers and gold vases.

COCKTAIL HOUR 

The cocktail hour took place at the Rundle Bar which was located on the second floor of the venue. The decor featured brass accents, dark wood finishes and plush seating. Large windows offered breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains.

During cocktail hour, guests mingled over craft cocktails and celebratory drinks, snapped photos and enjoyed elegant appetizers: vegetable spring rolls, crab arancini, sun-dried fig crostini and gougeres.

Jessica created a custom cocktail menu to honor her grandparents: “The Honorable Herbie,” “The Proud Pete,” and “The High-Class Hilda,” celebrating Jessica’s grandparents, along with “The Enchanting Ella,” a tribute to Brandon’s grandmother.

RECEPTION 

Their reception was held in the Ivor Petrak Room at Fairmont Banff Springs that featured a grand chandelier. Decor included two long wooden harvest tables with velvet chairs, throne chairs for Brandon and Jessica, gold flatware, winter greenery with roses, and gold candles, creating a romantic, castle-inspired atmosphere that matched their regal theme. Brandon and Jessica’s guests chose from three menu options: Bison Steak, Salmon and Beef Steak.

CAKE 

Their 5-tier macaroon cake featured coffee, pistachio, vanilla, and raspberry flavors, combining elegance and taste to perfectly complement their wedding’s moody, luxurious vibe.

EXIT 

Brandon and Jessica stayed until the very end of the night, sharing a final dance with a few close friends before retreating to their luxurious suite at the Fairmont Banff Springs, where they ended the evening in quiet, romantic bliss.

Brandon and Jessica hired Banff Sedan for their wedding party trip to Lake Moraine after the wedding. They enjoyed a scenic hour-long ride in a Mercedes bus and spent two hours at the lake, hiking, taking photos, and canoeing. They finished by leaping into the 40-degree water in their wedding attire, creating unforgettable memories.

HONEYMOON 

The newlyweds will be going to Hawaii in May 2026.

IG: @jessicahadler

Groom: @brandonhadler

VENDORS

VENUE: 

Fairmont Banff Springs

@fairmontbanff

PHOTOGRAPHER: 

Film and Forest

@filmandforest

VIDEOGRAPHER: 

Fairmont Banff Springs

@fairmontbanff

PLANNER: 

Coco and Ash

@coco_ash_events

OFFICIANT: 

Klaus Ohlaff

www.calgarybanffweddingminister.com

ENGAGEMENT RING: 

Diamonds Direct

@diamondsdirect

WEDDING BANDS: 

Diamonds Direct

@diamondsdirect

Jared’s

@jaredjewelers

GOWN: 

Colby John “Florence”

@colbyjohnbridal

Blue Sage Bridal

@bluesagebridalrva

VEIL: 

Etsy-Elliebridals

SHOES: 

Miu Miu

@miumiu

HAIR: 

Mountain Beauties

@mountainbeauties

MAKEUP: 

Mountain Beauties

@mountainbeauties

GROOM’S ATTIRE: 

Ralph Lauren

@ralphlauren

Christian Louboutin

@christianlouboutin

INVITATIONS: 

Etsy – PinkUmbrellaInvites

FLOWERS: 

Flower Aura by Natasha

@floweraurabynatasha

RENTAL EQUIPMENT: 

Modern Rentals

@modernrentals.ca

CATERING: 

Fairmont Banff Springs

@fairmontbanff

MUSIC:

Ensemble Cascade 

Tenax Entertainment

@beatsbytenax

CAKE: 

Ollia Macarons + Tea

@byollia

TRANSPORTATION: 

Banff Sedan

https://banffsedan.com

ACCOMMODATIONS: 

Fairmont Banff Springs

@fairmontbanff

HONEYMOON: 

Ritz Carlton Maui

@ritzcarltonkapalua

If you are planning a wedding in Roanoke, Richmond, Fredericksburg/Northern Virginia, The Shenandoah Valley, Coastal Virginia, or Charlottesville/ Lynchburg, Virginia, we can help with your wedding planning and ideas.

The author: Debra Shepperson

Debra is a native of Virginia, having lived in both Roanoke and Richmond. She is the co-owner of Relish – Say I Do!! Officiant & Photographer. She is an artist who aims to create ceremony scripts and capture photos that evoke positive emotional responses, inspire others, and deliver nostalgia. Debra holds a graduate degree from Virginia Commonwealth and an undergraduate degree from Saint Leo University, Florida. Before gaining more than ten years of wedding-related experience, Debra was a human resource executive. She has been happily married to the co-owner of Relish for more than 20 years.