Pickering Farm Wedding

Ailish + Evan

This wedding had it all: a beautiful farm, a bagpiper, gigantic bonfire, a food truck and an amazing group of family and friends.

Ailish and Even actually live up in Ottawa but chose to have their wedding in the small little village of CherryWood where Evan grew up. If I’m being honest, I’m a little jealous that Evan got to grow up in Cherrywood, it seems like an extremely close knit and fun place to live! How many places can you think of where your neighbour opens up their home to 150 people so you can have your wedding?

Hair and makeup happened at yet another generous neighbours house and was done by Glam Galz while Evan and his side got ready at his parents house just down the road. After a great first look and some family portraits we all headed over to the farm for the ceremony which was officiated by Lainie Madgison who did a great job keeping the ceremony light hearted and meaningful to Ailish + Evan.

Dinner was a really nice, casual affair with everyone ordering from We the Fork… I highly recommend the jerk chicken tacos. :)

Everyone had dinner and drinks while speeches from the parents, family and friends carried on. From there it was time to the light the bonfire (by flaming arrow!) and and get the dancing started on the barn stage with a little Whitney Houston’s ‘Dance with Somebody. From the first dance on, I don’t think the dance floor slowed down for the rest of the night!

Helping to put this entire amazing day together was Liz from Alfresco Wedding and Events.

The stunning florals and bouquets were by Euclid Farms.

You can see some of my favourite wedding images above and the full wedding slideshow below.

If you have the password to the full wedding gallery, you can view it here.

Waterloo Backyard Wedding

Katherine + Cameron

I spent a lovely Saturday photographing Katherine + Camerons intimate backyard wedding in Waterloo, Ontario.

Katherine + Cameron were surrounded by their closest friends and family to celebrate their wedding, it truly was such a great group of people! The wedding was even officiated by one of Katherine’s friends!

During the ceremony their were some heartfelt readings by the best man, maid of honour and Cameron’s niece.

Katherine + Cameron were surprised with confetti canons as they joined their guest after signing the wedding documents which made for a great moment during the day.

Something I’ve never seen before, and something I selfishly now want to see at every wedding, is that everyone got up and introduced themselves at dinner explaining their relationship to the couple… I’d love it if every wedding did this, would make my job trying figure out who’s who so much easier. :)

They had a great group of vendors to make the day special and run without a hitch including a beautiful meal by Little Mushroom Catering, stunning florals by Cameron Flower Shop, an amazing musical trio by Andriy Tykhonov and some great tents by Tri-City Tents.

You can see my favourite images above as well as a full wedding slideshow below.

If you have access, you can see their wedding gallery here.

Ontario Backyard Wedding

Kristin & Adam

As a wedding photographer every year there is one date that you get inquiry after inquiry for once you're already booked.  And this year it was for Kristin and Adam's wedding day.   Thank god their wedding was truly amazing, one of my favourite weddings in years.

Planning a wedding is never easy.  Planning a wedding in your own backyard for 150 people while you have careers and a young family is one hell of a challenge... but I have to say that Kristin & Adam pulled it of amazingly well. 

It was a really relaxed morning hanging out with the girls and then the guys as they all got ready for pictures and the ceremony.   

The first look took place on Adam's stepfathers's dock overlooking Lake Simcoe.  Such a beautiful spot for this!   Afterwords we headed over to a nearby abandoned building and forest for some pictures with the family and bridal party.

The wedding ceremony took place in their backyard under one of the most beautiful old trees I've ever seen.  I seriously would have bought that house just for the tree.

Their little boy and girl did an amazing job and ring bearer and flower girl before Kristin walked down the aisle on the arm of her father for their wedding ceremony that was standing room only.

The ceremony featured lot's of smiles, laughter and great moments but one of the most touching moments during the ceremony was when Adam's grandfather gave a traditional blessing.

One of the great benefits of having a backyard wedding is you get to do whatever you want... including heading straight to the bar after the ceremony for a first drink as a married couple.  The other thing you get to do is have taco's for dinner.  That's right, I said taco's for dinner.   Take that prime rib.  :)

The cocktail hour and the rest of the night was really relaxed with speeches and dancing throughout the night.  I loved how Kristin and Adam just gathered everyone around them at the bar and gave their speech outside under the stars.

And of course, they had a Smoke's Poutinerie truck pull up in their driveway for some late night munchies. 

You can check out some of my favourite photographs above and their full wedding slideshow below.