Bijou at the Church Wedding (formerly Revival House)

Revival House is closed, and will reopen in July 2026 under new ownership, as Bijou at the Church.

A Charming Stratford Wedding

Jade & Lucas’s wedding took place at the stunning Bijou at the Church, the venue known then as Revival House. After their first look and wedding party photos at Confederation Park, we took a trip across the charming town of Stratford Ontario to Shakespearean Gardens for more photos, before ending up at the equally gorgeous, character-rich Bijou at the Church wedding venue. Bijou at the Church is located on Brunswick St and can accommodate up to 150 guests. The sun streamed through the stained-glass windows during Jade & Lucas’s touching wedding ceremony. Before long, the sun had set and everyone took their seat for dancing, speeches, and a delicious meal. I always enjoy my time working among the rich history of Bijou at the Church and Jade & Lucas’s wedding was no exception.

For bridal prep, Jade booked a short-term rental on Ontario St. for her wedding. The apartment has a bright, open living room, which was perfect for getting ready photos. She and her bridesmaids wore matching robes and were feeling ‘Good As Hell,’ listening to Lizzo when I arrived. Before long, they were ready to get into their dresses and head to the park for pre-ceremony wedding photos.

Wedding Photos at Confederation Park & Shakespearean Gardens

Confederation Park in Stratford is a popular location for wedding photos for good reason. There is a large wooded area partially surrounding a peaceful waterfall and gardens. Jade & Lucas had their touching first look there, followed by fun wedding party photos. Since their wedding day had gorgeous, sunny weather, we tried to stick to the shade as much as possible.

We had some extra time before the ceremony, so the wedding party and I headed across town to Shakespearean Gardens for more wedding party and family photos. Doing most of your formal photos before the ceremony is an awesome way to make the most of your wedding day. Not only does it give you more time for variety in your photos, but it also means you can spend more of your wedding day with your spouse-to-be, and you can avoid making your guests wait around with nothing to do between the ceremony and cocktail hour. Often, I will take some family photos at the beginning of the cocktail hour, but by doing most of the formal photos before the ceremony, the wedding party and the newlyweds have plenty of time to grab a drink and socialize with guests for most of that time. In my opinion, that’s a win-win.

The Warm Draw of Bijou at the Church

Bijou at the Church is one of the most unique and character-rich wedding venues in Stratford, Ontario. I love the feeling you get when you first walk through the heavy wooden doors of the venue and are welcomed by the large bar, which has a gorgeous chandelier hanging above it. As you walk in, the soft, golden glow of the sunlight streaming in through the stained-glass windows makes you feel warm and welcome. The stage affords all your guests a clear view, as you exchange your vows and wedding rings.

During the cocktail hour, guests are invited upstairs into the lounge, a quirky space for guests to mingle and relax before dinner. Venue staff quickly changed the main space to be ready for dinner. Jade & Lucas had their first dance right after their grand entrance, and dinner began. The food at Bijou at the Church is both delicious and is presented beautifully. The customizable spotlights mean your first dance and speeches will be lit well, and everyone can see the action, no matter what part of the room it’s happening in. I really enjoyed photographing Jade & Lucas’ wedding – I think their photos really show off how charming Stratford is. If you’re planning a Bijou at the Church wedding, I would love to connect with you!