They weren’t looking for anything stuffy and formal, mind you.

They just wanted the folks who were near and dear to their heart to be photographed all in a group!

This is why having me, their photographer, at their rehearsal dinner made so much sense.

We could take time to get a bunch of group photos on the Friday at the rehearsal, and reduce the amount of time we would need to take group photos on the Saturday, their actual wedding day.

When we planned Andi and Tim's engagement session, there was one thing that was on the top of our minds.

We simply wanted make sure their two children could meet me and become comfortable with me before the wedding, so that they wouldn't be stressed out being photographed on their parents’ actual wedding day.

I think that's incredibly sweet: the way Andi and Tim prioritized the children, and included them in their engagement session that day.

So we did a lot of fun things, like visit their cottage in Prince Edward County. There’s a small trail behind the cottage, and just up the hill is a nice forest. We went for a walk up there for about ten minutes. Beautiful candid photographs don’t have to take a long time, you know.

Wolfe island is a pretty magical place, and as I've learned, there is a long and rich history to it.

Another thing I've learned about Wolfe Island, is that there are the “Islanders”, and then there’s everybody else.

You might have lived on the island for 10, 20 or even to years, but unless you, your parents, and your grandparents was all born on the island, you're probably not really considered an “Islander.” (Right? Islanders, help me out here!)

That doesn't mean you can't have an absolutely amazing experience living there, mind you. Even if you move there later on in life, like Sally and Arnie - the matriarch and patriarch of this family.

I'm excited to bring you the story Leah and Kwesi, an adorable and kind-hearted couple, and their afternoon summer elopement.

(Kwesi is such an awesome name. When she first said his name, I jotted it down phonetically, as Quacey, before I asked for a correction :P Leah told me that he once had someone at Starbucks write "Weston"... haha.)

You might have first read about this wedding in our Highlights 2021 blog here.

But now I’m going to go into all the delicious details, so read on!

It’s super easy when couples choose to get ready in the same venue, either together or in different suites.

It’s easy for me, I guess, because I can run between the two places and take photographs without hiring a second shooter. Though having a second shooter is super fun, because we have so much fun on the wedding day. So… I guess what I’m saying is - don’t worry about what the photographer needs, and just schedule your wedding day the way it makes sense for you.

Anyway, Maire and Wendi were in different suites at Pangea house, but because this is an old converted and renovated Inn, there are charming passages you need to traverse to get from one suite to another.

And then the question is: which suite to go to first?