The cool thing about this love story is that it Jen and Mike met way, way, way back, in elementary school. On top of that, a majority of their bridal party know each other from those youthful years as well. Very few people can say they have meaningful friendships that date back to such early years, so for the bride and groom to have these life-long friends stand by their side on such a monumental occasion in their lives was truly special and deeply meaningful.
Eganridge resort in Kawartha Lakes was the perfect backdrop to host their intimate wedding ceremony. With a lakeside ceremony space and a garden style cocktail hour, this Muskoka Cottage inspired venue created the perfect atmosphere for the Jen and Mike’s love celebration.
The bride and groom are very much cottage country people, so getting to spend the entire weekend with their closest friends and family in a huge lakeside cabin at the resort was not only ideal, but highly familiar and special.
Jen had the sweetest details planned out for the wedding day. Her mom, a retired florist, put together all the florals for the wedding and her dad helped with any handy work that needed to be done (including having to use wire cutters to get a metal tag off of her veil!). I loved seeing all the old photos at their wedding, showcasing memories that they shared from the early stages of their relationship, including a photo of the two of them together at Mike’s prom. Photos like this not only serve as a time-capsule for nostalgic feelings and reminiscing of the good old days, but they truly serve as a thoughtful reminder of the evolution of their relationship that has allowed them to arrive at this moment in time and significant occasion in their united life together.
The outdoor ceremony took place in a vast field beneath a giant tree. The beautiful landscape that surrounded the bride and groom along with their friends and family made for a peaceful and serene moment in the wedding day. The candid emotions and honest vows made for a very sincere ceremony where the love between Jen and Mike was felt by all in attendance. The ceremony was followed by a beautiful cocktail hour in the garden, with the view of the lake taking centre stage as the live band set the mood for all of the guests to enjoy themselves. It goes without saying, that choosing to get married at a cottage will always result in beautiful views and authentic nature to shine, especially here in Ontario.
Later on in the day we got to bare witness to an unbelievable sunset. The bride and groom made the most of their outdoor wedding space and decided to take a walk along the water to enjoy a quiet moment together and take in the pink hues of the sunset during golden hour. I always love to take in these moments with couples, being a Toronto wedding photographer means I’m usually within the city where sunsets have limited views, but on that day, the view of the pink sunset was infinite and the fleeting moments between the bride and groom followed along.
As the sky turned blood orange and blue hour dawned upon us, it was time to eat some good food, toast one another, and listen in on speeches that told the tale of Jen and Mike’s love story. There was some hilarious story telling and brutal roasting, which lead to many tears and a lot of laughter. Accompanied by the live band, the upbeat group partied hard into the night.
When you are surrounded by those that mean the most to you, in a place that reminds of your favourite place in the world, it’s hard not to enjoy yourself from beginning to end.
VENDORS
Second Shooter - Kristina Ruddick
Hair and Makeup - Allison and Paola of Erin Shannon Hair & Makeup
Wedding Dress - Blush by Hayley Paige from Sash and Bustle
Bridesmaid Dresses - White Toronto
Groom's Suit - Jos A Bank
Bride's Shoes - BHLDN
Florist - Kris Corbett (Bride’s Mom)
Photobooth - Big Event Floral
Venue / Catering / Coordination - Eganridge Resort
Cupcakes - Cakes by Stephanie
