Weddings

INTIMATE COTTAGE WEDDING {Victoria + Andrew} by Joanna Crichton

I was able to witness Andrew drop to his knee and propose to Victoria a couple of months prior to shooting their intimate cottage wedding amongst the fall colours. This wedding was my favourite wedding of 2020 (not just because it was my only wedding - thank you Covid-19) but because it was with the most charming and kind humans in the most beautiful Airbnb in Huntsville. Victoria and Andrew invited their closest friends and family and said I do on the edge of the lake overlooking the reflections of the fall trees. They chose to read their own heartfelt vows and had the room beaming with tears and smiles. They shared their first dance surrounded by tall pines and candles with their favourite people surrounding them. They dined outside with stringed lights overhead and greenery draped the table tops. There was so much love shown throughout the day, and I was so honoured to be a part of such a memorable celebration. Victoria and Andrew, you’re just the best xx

Janita + Justin {100 Acre Wood} by Joanna Crichton

My family and I travelled to Prince Edward County for the first time to shoot Janita and Justin's wedding at 100 Acre Wood. It was a cool, crisp, colourful Fall day in October day when I met them both for the first time on the day of their wedding.  Janita and Justin both welcomed me into their worlds with open arms and continued to radiate warmth and kindness throughout the day to everyone around them.  They both walked into the day staying present and positive which created such a wonderful energy to the day.   One thing that Janita and Justin did that I absolutely loved was have their family and friends share their speeches right after the ceremony.  They handed out glasses of champagne to their guests and everyone got cozy in their seats to enjoy all of the tears and laughs alongside the bride and groom.  Another reason why this idea is so awesome is when it came to enjoying dinner, everyone was able to sit back, eat and drink and have conversation without any interruptions.  Their day was full of comfort, rich coloured flowers, candles, delicious food, dogs, and a golden sunset. They finished the night dancing under a moonlit sky, surrounded by their favourites and string lights. Pretty much the best day.  Thank you endlessly for choosing me.

Belcroft Wedding {Damarra + Tim} by Joanna Crichton

This wedding was one for the books in so many ways. Damarra and Tim were so good to me, down for anything, and know how to have a good time! They allowed the day to unfold exactly as it should and celebrated with family and friends without a care in the world. Their dog babies were in tow for most of the day. They were treated as family, just as they should be. Not to mention, Tim had been working on his Pontiac Firebird for years because he wanted to incorporate it into the wedding day but he couldn’t get a started shortly before. His family and friends came together and surprised him as he was about to walk down the aisle and parked the car at the outdoor ceremony. Tim had tears running down his cheeks and you couldn’t shake the smile from his face. All in all an unforgettable day! Thank you Damarra and Tim for allowing me to be a part of it. xx

Alex + Shawn {A forest Wedding} by Joanna Crichton

This day was nothing short of magical. Upon meeting both Alex and Shawn they couldn't have been more kind, warm, and thoughtful which set the tone for the incredible day ahead. As they both got ready, the rain poured down, and continued into their ceremony, but neither of them were phased, which is completely telling of who they are what is important to them. When they saw each other at the ceremony you could feel the electricity and love between them, which is more than evident in their photos. As the day unfolded with laughter, delicious food, and lots of love from family and friends, the rain stopped, and created the dreamiest backdrop of whimsical fog against a pink sky. We were in heaven watching the sky change colour with each passing moment.

The Perfect Backyard Wedding {Sam + Taylor} by Joanna Crichton

I'm finally getting around to blogging one of my favourite weddings ever for so many reasons.  Perhaps because if I ever decide to marry myself this is exactly how I want to do it.  Sam and Taylor created the most intimate, chill backyard wedding, full of delicious food, amazing music, and lots of love. This couples creative talents spread to the entire family, while Taylor's brother painted a portrait of the bride and groom throughout the party for guests to witness. They included all of the little details important to them that have molded into the people they are today.  Sam and Taylor married themselves under string lights hung in the night sky surrounded by their nearest and dearest.  "We don't need anyone with a power vested in them, or a piece of paper to tell us whether we are, or are not married to the one we love," says Sam.  After committing to one another for a lifetime we snuck down to the lake and threw off our shoes. Sam dressed in a white lace minidress and Taylor in a blue suede suit, the two could care less about getting a little dirty to enjoy the most incredible summer night.  The sky was painted pink as we played and danced in the water. They made their own rules, which ultimately made for the best day. I am so happy for you both and will forever be grateful I could be a part of this unforgettable night! 

COTTAGE WEDDING {TOM + ALY} by Joanna Crichton

Looking to have a rustic, simple, yet glamorous wedding on the lake? Look to Aly and Tom, who know how to throw a cottage wedding in style. Before walking down the aisle, Tom and his boys relaxed on the dock, dove into the water, and cruised the lake, while Aly and her girls sipped champagne whilst easing into their dresses.  

The people they loved most gathered together at Tom's family cottage, where string lights hung through the trees, cream coloured flowers filled the vases, and antique plates adorned the table tops. Tom and Aly shared their first dance outside amongst the pines on the most unreal wooden dance floor blanketed with lush greenery, before entering the tent for dinner.  Everyone was able to give their full attention to the new bride and groom and enjoy the moment with them, while I was able to capture their dance as the sun began to fall behind the pines.  After filling their bellies with amazing food, they kicked their dance party off with sparklers for all of their guests.  You know it’s a good party when the bride can really let loose and sets the tone for the celebration to begin!

 I am honoured to have documented this incredible day for these babes.  It was such a rad day! And a huge thank you to Samantha Vessios for second shooting alongside me, and being amazing:)

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A BACKYARD WEDDING {Megan + JOSH} by Joanna Crichton

Megan and Josh created a timeless backyard wedding in the peaceful surroundings of Josh's childhood home. The day was sunny and warm, with a soft breeze blowing gently through the weeping willows overhead. Family and friends gathered to watch them take their vows. After the ceremony, they snuck away to enjoy some bubbly in the middle of a dirt road, just the two of them, relishing in the blissful celebration. Come evening, they sat together at their own table and soaked in all of the love from the day and created moments for just the pair to share. Megan and Josh did it their way and you could feel it.  The mood was vintage, romantic, and relaxed and I was so happy to be a part of it.

I asked them how they knew they wanted to spend their lives with one another. 
Megan said, "I knew early on...he felt like home. Everything was consistently so easy and natural. Our values and desires to live an honest, adventurous, and creative life, lined up right away. And he made me laugh all of the time, which was a bonus!"

Josh replied, "I didn't have to do or be anything other than myself. And that is how I knew. As someone who has spent many years travelling the world, it was nice to know that the person I was meant to be with, was in my life the whole time." (Megan and Josh were friends in high school and reconnected ten years later.)

Wishing you both ALL the love!!!

Dress-The Gown: thegown.ca, Hair-Amadao Salon: Amado.ca, Makeup: artistrymarieclaire.com, Wedding Coordinator and Flowers- Sarah Jane Events: sarahjanevents.com, Wedding Invitations-Speers Creative: speerscreative.ca

 

A Forest Wedding { Jenna + Daniel } by Joanna Crichton

I know this wedding will be going down in the books as one of my favourites of all time.   When the day arrived, the weather was moody, the clouds covered the sky and the wind was howling, a photographer's dream.  The colours popped against the grey sky and wind blew the delicate fabric of the girls' dresses and hair, my favourite!  The backdrop included tall pines and rich greens, and the leaves were just starting to turn. 

I knew Jenna because she owns and runs Rustica, an adorable Italian restaurant in Orillia.  I had never met Daniel, until their first look.  It was evident that they had that kind of love everyone searches for.  Their eyes lit up, and the magnetism between them was clear to everyone around them.  

They first met in Australia, Daniel's homeland, while Jenna was travelling.  They developed a strong friendship before Daniel decided to come to Canada and they began to share their lives together.  I asked them both, "When was the moment you knew they were the one?"

Jenna, "Well, it was on the first day of his trip to Canada. It happened to be my massive family Christmas party.  He was so wonderful with my extended family, my grandparents, parents and siblings.  He even ended up sitting on my Dad's lap that night (my dad was 'Santa' for the party). I knew that we got along, as we had spent hundreds of hours talking (only a few actual days together in person at this point), but to see how he fit in with my family was what did it."

Daniel, "I knew Jenna was the one pretty early on, because I'd never met anyone that I could truly be myself with, and still have them be interested in me and excited. Jenna has this uncanny ability to be be able to read and understand people, her empathy is stronger than anyone else on this planet.  As such, I imagine this is how she seemed to know me so well, also understanding me and how I work in my quirky ways. This was all evident while I was still living in Australia and she was in Canada, where we Skyped at least once a week, and these sessions were at least 3-4 hours every time.  There was a true friendship that had started to blossom and I knew that the one I would be with for life, would be someone with whom I have this unwittingly strong connection. In my mind, there wasn't a single chance or a single universe where she wasn't the one." 

I am so honoured I was asked to document this day for them.  It was nothing less then pure magic.  Thank you Jenna + Daniel xo