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Wedding

Peaceful Backyard Micro Wedding in Kitchener, ON

October 6, 2020 by Leave a Comment
micro wedding portrait by k-w wedding photographer, ben lariviere

newlyweds stand in golden hour light coming through trees

Natalee & Justin had a micro wedding before it was cool. It was a gorgeous, sunny day in August 2019, long before government-mandated gathering limits was something I had ever considered an option. I’ve been wanting to share this beautiful wedding since I shot it last year, and now seems like an appropriate time to explain what I love so much about micro weddings. Natalee & Justin opted for an intimate backyard wedding ceremony, with just their closest family to witness their exchanging of vows and rings. Without so much as a maid of honour, Natalee got ready for the day virtually alone. It was the most zen wedding day preparations I’d ever witnessed. Though maybe not everyone’s cup of tea, I could really see the peaceful appeal of such a scaled-back wedding, right from the moment I arrived.

Bridal details, including royal blue shoes, jewellery and bouquet by Designs by Cate
royal blue bridal heels
bridal makeup by angie norman jacha beauty
bride's makeup is applied with dress hanging in background
Makeup artist Jacha Beauty applying makeup to bride by large window

On the other hand, Justin opted to invite a few buddies over to his apartment, complete with a pinball machine, to spend the morning before his wedding. I left Natalee for a short time, to check in with Justin. The energy was much different, but still very relaxed. Since his closest friends weren’t rushing to get dressed for the ceremony, or memorize their speeches. The whole time, they were just hanging out like it were any other day.

grooms and his friends laughing in a kitchen
closeup of frankenstein pinball machine
groom and friend play with frankenstein pinball machine
groom's brown leather shoes, purple tie and belt
Groom and his friends hanging out in large studio apartment

When I returned to Natalee, her hair and makeup was complete and she was already in her gorgeous wedding dress. She said I was the first to see all ready – what an honour! We had some time before everyone arrived for the ceremony, so we took some solo portraits of her around her mother-in-law’s gorgeous house, the venue of the couple’s micro wedding.

bride stands in shadow by front door of historic house, holding large bridal bouquet
bride portraits in spaghetti strap lace dress by Anais Annette with large bouquet by Designs by Cate
bride sits in white lace dress, holding bridal bouquet by Designs by Cate
bride hugs her father
bride laughs with mother of the bride in blue dress

Before long, those on the exclusive guest list arrived at the mother of the groom’s gorgeous backyard deck and with the sun shining and a light breeze sweeping through, the ceremony began.

setting of backyard micro wedding
backyard flower garden with birdbath
family gathers before micro wedding ceremony
closeup photo of groom's boutonniere by designs by cate
blue brick historic house in baden ontario
father of the bride walks her down the aisle
father of the bride kisses bride in emotional moment during backyard wedding ceremony
guests stand at start of micro wedding ceremony on backyard deck
strips of light on backyard deck micro wedding ceremony
father of the bride wipes a tear during ceremony
mother of the bride wipes her eye during emotional ceremony
grandfather of bride says a prayer during backyard wedding ceremony
mother of the groom smiles while watching wedding ceremony
grandparents of the bride watch on during wedding ceremony
bride and groom make eye contact during backyard wedding ceremony
mother of the bride's corsage
bride and groom laughing during wedding ceremony
first kiss during backyard wedding ceremony
newlyweds hug during wedding ceremony
bride signs marriage licence
grandmother of the groom signs marriage register
officiant nancy knowles officially announces couple to be married
bride hugs officiant
mother of the groom smiles while hugging bride
bride hugs a family member in celebration

With such a small group present for the ceremony, there was no need for a microphone and the emotion was palpable. Everyone was close enough to clearly pick up on subtle trembles in voices and see tears rolling down cheeks. The ceremony was beautiful and in a gorgeous setting that has so much meaning to Natalee & Justin. For a short time after the ceremony, everyone snacked on some sandwiches and refreshments before moving on to family photos.

bride shares an emotional moment with a family member
grandparents of the groom laughing
groom and guests laughing
guests celebrate on backyard deck after micro ceremony
family members hug after ceremony
formally dressed baby boy looks toward camera in his father's arms
bride and groom pose with their Portuguese water dog in a blue bow tie
family photos against a decorative garage door
family photos against a decorative garage door
bridal bouquet sits on the hood of an antique car, designs by cate stratford
bride sits atop antique convertible with groom in driver's seat
bride and groom kiss,  leaning against antique car
bride and groom sit together in antique convertible by fancy garage

Natalee & Justin invited me to the farm house they had recently bought and were fixing up. Between the character of the property and the gorgeous golden sunlight streaming through the trees, it was the perfect setting for newlywed portraits. Their wedding day really proved to me that, whether you’re forced to have an intimate micro wedding due to public health recommendations or not, there are so many amazing reasons to have an intimate wedding. You may be missing out on sharing the day with all of the people in your life who mean the most to you, but intimate weddings just hit different. Your experience of the day just might be less chaotic, slower-paced, more emotionally present and more focused on each other.

As long as you invest in quality photography, you’ll be able to share your special day with all of those special people and celebrate with them in smaller groups for months. That doesn’t sound so bad at all, does it? Congratulations Natalee & Justin! Your wedding was absolutely gorgeous and I look forward to filling my calendar with many more weddings just like yours!

silhouette of bride and groom standing by farmer's field
closeup of bride and groom's hand with wedding rings
bride and groom lean against wooden barn wall
bride and groom laughing, bridal bouquet by designs by cate stratford
bride and groom walk together
bride and groom stand together by stone shed
bride and groom sit in grass by stone shed, bouquet by designs by cate stratford
golden hour light shines onto bride and groom in emotional portrait, wedding flowers by designs by cate stratford

Vendors

  • Colleen Herner (Wedding Planner)
  • Designs by Cate (Florals)
  • Jacha Beauty (Makeup)
  • Lisa Eccles of Pure Hair Studio (Hair)
  • Reverend Nancy Knowles (Officiant)
  • Chef Adam Brenner (Catering)
  • Anais Annette (Bride’s Dress)
  • Parkside Drive (Live Music)

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Posted in: Wedding Tagged: backyard weddings, baden ontario, elopements in ontario, intimate wedding, kitchener micro wedding, kitchener ontario, private weddinig ceremony, small weddings kitchener

Stylish E.V.O. Kitchen Wedding – Cambridge, Ontario

March 4, 2019 by 1 Comment
evo kitchen wedding
EVO Kitchen Cambridge external building
wedding first look at black lace wedding dress

E.V.O. Kitchen Wedding

Alexandra & Aaron’s gorgeous E.V.O. Kitchen Wedding in Cambridge, Ontario was one of the most stylishly decorated weddings I can remember and you’ll see why soon. It was a hot, sunny mid-September afternoon, exactly a week before my son was born. I met up with the couple at the industrial venue for their first look. As I walked through the space for the first time, I was taken by its unique style. Both the first and second floor have an open layout. EVO Kitchen & Bar embraced the industrial history of the building and kept the large factory-style windows intact. The wood floors, metal railings, and exposed beams enhance the rustic feel while the modern light fixtures bar keep the Cambridge Ontario wedding venue feeling fresh and elegant.

Who says a bride can’t wear a black dress? Alexandra made the bold choice of not wearing white on her wedding day – a pleasant surprise to me. Her black, lace wedding dress looked so beautiful on her and completely reflected her personality and style. Her dress looked so different from what I usually see brides wearing, and yet, didn’t lose that “wedding gown” vibe at all.

wedding photography sign at black lace wedding dress
groom casual portrait at EVO Kitchen cambridge

EVO Kitchen’s event space is just up the stairs, on the second floor. Alexandra and Aaron had a (mostly) private moment to see each other for the first time, shake their nerves out, and both mentally and emotionally prepare themselves for the day ahead. It was an awesome start to what was about to be a lovely, romantic, and energetic day ahead.

black lace wedding dress bride cambridge ontario

EVO Cambridge Wedding Ceremony

It was a scorching, humid wedding day in Cambridge Ontario. After an intimate portrait session around downtown Galt, we were happy to cool off in the air conditioning at the historic venue, just as the guests arrived. A blanket of bright, soft light streamed in through the enormous, industrial windows of the nearly 100-year-old building. The second-floor event space is so chic, it barely needs much decoration. Simply candles, lanterns, and floral arrangements dressed the space for the wedding ceremony. Alexandra & Aaron exchanged their “I dos,” as their friends and family were touched to watch the romantic and heartfelt wedding ceremony at EVO Kitchen.

bride and groom walk up stairs at EVO Kitchen cambridge
wedding ceremony details at EVO Kitchen cambridge
father of the bride walks down aisle while groom waits at EVO kitchen cambridge
father of the bride walks down aisle while groom waits at EVO kitchen cambridge
parents smile during wedding ceremony at EVO kitchen cambridge
wedding ceremony at EVO Kitchen cambridge
bride and groom exchange rings during wedding ceremony at EVO Kitchen cambridge
first kiss wedding ceremony at EVO Kitchen cambridge

Gourmet + Style = Wedding Perfection

The wedding day smoothly transitioned right into cocktail hour, complete with beautiful (and delicious) hors d’oeuvres. This is when I started to see how much work Alexandra & Aaron put into carefully decorating their wedding. Maybe it’s just my personal preferences, but I consider their wedding to be one of the most stylish, beautifully-decorated wedding receptions I’ve ever laid my eyes on. Place settings were set up along either side of long harvest tables, the green garlands perfectly complimented the gold charger plate and the maroon of the napkin. Some of the many unique decorative pieces that shaped the extraordinary style of Alexandra & Aaron’s EVO Kitchen wedding included: the typewriter on the gift table, a gourmet donut bar with a sign that read “Donut mind if I do,” and the wedding favour – a bottle opener shaped like an ornate key. I personally connect with all of these wedding details, but especially the donuts because… well… DONUTS.

hors d'oeuvres at EVO Kitchen
card and gift table at wedding reception
wedding reception details at EVO Kitchen cambridge
wedding reception details at EVO Kitchen cambridge
detail photos of wedding place settings
wedding reception details at EVO Kitchen cambridge
wedding reception bar details at EVO kitchen cambridge
wedding reception at EVO Kitchen cambridge
wedding reception at EVO Kitchen cambridge
gourmet donut doughnut dessert table at wedding reception EVO Kitchen cambridge

Wedding Reception in Cambridge, Ontario

For much of the night, the vibe of Alexandra & Aaron’s wedding reception was romantic, yet very low-key and relaxed; much like the newlyweds. After a delicious meal, and a few funny and touching speeches, dancing begun with a couple of formal dances, followed by a very enthusiastic open dancefloor. Why have a wedding cake when you can have a wedding donut? My night wrapped up with the cutting of the wedding donut. By the feeling of the party as I headed home, I have no doubts that the old floorboards of EVO Kitchen & Bar felt the energy of the dancefloor for hours after I left.

Did I have an incredible time photographing these two lovebirds and their gorgeous wedding day? Donut doubt it.

bride and groom kiss during wedding reception at EVO kitchen cambridge
bride smiles during wedding reception at EVO kitchen cambridge
bride and groom's first dance at EVO kitchen cambridge
father daughter dance bride wedding
bar during wedding reception at EVO kitchen cambridge
dancefloor dancing during wedding at EVO kitchen cambridge
donut doughnut wedding cake cutting at EVO Kitchen cambridge

Like Alexandra & Aaron’s, I’d love to tell the story of YOUR wedding day through photographs. For more information on my availability and pricing, please connect with me.

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Posted in: Wedding Tagged: black wedding dress, cambridge ontario, cambridge ontario wedding photographers, cambridge wedding photographer, donut wedding cake, evo kitchen & bar, evo kitchen cambridge, evo kitchen wedding, gourmet doughnuts, industrial wedding venues, wedding doughnut table
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