When I met Kim + James for the first time in person at their engagement session, I knew immediately that I was going to have a blast photographing their wedding. And I was right. Held in their gorgoues country backyard in lovely Orillia, it was a laid-back but beautifully-detailed affair, with their amazing friends pitching in to get the last minute decorations and plans completed before the ceremony, scurrying in and out of the tent, watching the skies carefully, fingers-crossed against the rain.
I loved watching the tender moments of this day unfold, Kim's dad seeing her in her dress for the first time and her friends presenting a hilarious and touching scrapbook of their adventures together. James arrived with his gang of groomsmen in tow, looking nervous but ready. The boys quickly found themselves put to work, wiping damp seats and finding extra umbrellas, as the rain began to fall shortly before the ceremony was due to begin.
But right when Kim was going to make her walk down the forest aisle, the rain let up and the skies cleared. After they exchanged their vows (sealed with a kiss and a high-five), we gathered for a group photo, a few family photos and a speech by Kim's bestie before driving just up the road to begin the bridal party photos. Beer and canapes made this go smoothly, with their great group of friends joking and laughing and just having a blast. It is always such a relief as a wedding photographer to have a group that is willing to be relaxed and go-with-the-flow, much easier than stiff and nervous.
After we finished with the big group, we took a few minutes to capture the bride & groom on the beautiful old farm property (directly across from the famous Webers, a popular stop on the way to the Muskokas). We hit the reception for a little while and then snuck out quickly to get the sunset shots the bride was dying for and the string-lights shot that I wanted. Overall, it was a simply phenomenal day. One that I smiled about all the way home to Kitchener.
Thank you, Goose & Gander for your trust, your warm welcome and for just being plain awesome.
M xo
