Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory Wedding + A Buggy Encounter

!!Trigger Warning!! Images of insects crawling on people are ahead. If you experience symptoms of entomophobia (fear of insects), you’ll want to skip this one.

Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory Wedding

Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory weddings are unique for many reasons. First and foremost, the greenhouse is a genuine tropical paradise nestled right here in Waterloo Region. Who needs a Caribbean destination wedding when the Butterfly Conservatory offers a warm, lush environment, full of exotic wildlife to say your I Do’s in? It is one of the few places in Southern Ontario where you can host a winter wedding and have your wedding photos surrounded by greenery, while the snow falls outside. For couples looking for Waterloo Region venues for winter weddings, it is a great option for anyone hosting a relatively small, off-season wedding.

The Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory makes an excellent wedding venue regardless of the season, though each time of year offers a different experience for photography. Brianna and David’s wedding was in August, which meant there was plenty of gorgeous daylight streaming in through the windows and the skylights of the greenhouse during their ceremony and the portrait session that followed. In the summer, the conservatory feels like an extension of the outdoors. However, weddings cannot begin until after the Conservatory closes to the public. This means that for a winter celebration, the daylight is often gone by the time the ceremony starts. The indoor lighting in the space can be a bit unflattering on its own, so having a photographer who knows how to work with low light and artificial sources is essential to make sure you’ll be looking your best in your wedding gallery.

The greenhouse is full of butterflies, tropical turtles, fish, and exotic birds, as well as some other interesting critters. There is a certain whimsy that comes with having hundreds of butterflies fluttering around you while you recite your vows. It creates a dreamlike atmosphere that is difficult to replicate in a traditional wedding venue, banquet hall, or church.

An Insect Encounter at Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory

After their first look, Brianna and David took advantage of a close encounter with many of the creatures who call the Butterfly Conservatory home. I have never seen anyone more thrilled to have insects crawling all over her hands, arms, back, hair, and face than Brianna. She was truly in her element, and it was a joy to capture that genuine, unbridled excitement. David, on the other hand, was less enthusiastic about touching the bugs (which is a valid response, honestly), but he was a good sport.

I usually keep my focus lock on the human connections during a wedding, but when a giant millipede, a stick insect, or a cockroach enters the frame, it’s hard not to appreciate the unique “buggy” vibe of the day. The couple got some time to meet different types of mantises, stick bugs, and a cockroach, along with many of the butterflies who fly freely inside the Conservatory. While I do not expect every couple to want a giant insect on their face, it certainly made for some memorable moments that reflected Brianna and David’s unique personalities. I’d say they’re pretty fly for not letting the small stuff bug them. (Sorry for that. Can you tell I’m a dad? 😅)

A Note on the Humidity (and why I arrive early)

As a photographer, I’m always thinking about the technical side of things so my couples don’t have to. One thing many people do not consider when booking a greenhouse wedding is the humidity’s effect on photography. The air inside the conservatory is kept at a specific temperature and moisture level to keep the plants and animals happy. I know that when I walk from a cool, air-conditioned car, or a cold Ontario winter, into that tropical environment, my camera lenses and sensors will instantly fog up.

To prevent this from affecting the timeline, I always make sure to arrive at least 45 minutes early for a Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory wedding. This allows my photo gear to acclimatize to the environment. By letting my equipment warm up gradually, I can ensure that when it’s time to start clicking the shutter, my lenses are clear and ready to capture every detail. It’s these small, behind-the-scenes preparations that allow me to focus on being a keep observer, and photographing your real moments, instead of worrying about my gear.

Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory Wedding Ceremony

With friends and family looking on from various viewpoints around the greenhouse, Brianna and David’s emotional wedding ceremony under the waterfall was bathed in beautiful light. The Conservatory staff will kindly turn off the water during the ceremony, so that every word of your vows is heard by your guests. I was particularly touched by the way David teared up watching his bride walk down the aisle with her father. These are the moments I live for as a photographer (the unposed moments, and the genuine emotions).

The ceremony was expertly officiated by Neil of Endless Love Weddings. In a beautifully appropriate end to the ceremony, a bridesmaid released a basket of butterflies after the first kiss. Seeing the butterflies take flight before the couple walked back up the aisle as newlyweds was a perfect touch of magic.

A Wedding Reception at Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory

Before long, guests and the newlyweds made their way into the reception space, which was beautifully decorated with a bees and honey theme. It was a sweet nod to the conservatory environment and looked stunning in the dining hall.

Wanting to be sure friends and family had enough time to eat in peace during the reception, the couple encouraged them to pre-record their speeches to be played over the speaker during dinner, rather than having to leave their plate to read their speech in person. This was such a thoughtful gesture. Some guests took advantage of the idea, and others opted to give their speeches in person. Regardless of whether the words were said live or pre-recorded, the emotional response to their kind words was the same. There were plenty of laughs and a few happy tears, all of which was a joy to document, unobtrusively from the sidelines.

The couple shared a few dances, pictures at the photo booth, and moments of connection with their friends and family. Shortly before I packed up to head home, the newlyweds took a quiet walk through the greenhouse to soak in the day. It was a perfect end to a beautiful day. I am so honoured to have been asked to capture such a beautiful wedding, and for getting a chance to get to know Brianna and David.

If you are planning your own wedding at the Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory or are looking for other Waterloo Region venues that are ideal for winter weddings, I would love to chat. My goal is always to tell your story with honesty and warmth, focusing on the real moments that make your day your own.

You can view my Wedding Photography Packages, and Inquire Now to see if I am available for your date. Cheers!