Unforgettable Spring Wedding at the Great Hall, Fort Henry, Kingston, Ontario | Natalie & Andrew Share A Joyful Celebration with 100 Guests
Natalie and Andrew are glowing in this photo taken shortly after their first look at Fort Henry.
Natalie & Andrew's Fort Henry wedding on May 20th was awesome, despite the day of rain. True, we couldn't go outside and take as many epic photos with the Fort in the background, but you know what? It was still stunning, and the photos were no less epic.
So, my fellow wedding aficionados, brace yourselves for a wedding tale that's magical & heartfelt, filled with authentic moments, rain-induced chaos, and some hilarious dance moves!
Our adventure began at the cosy Holiday Inn on the waterfront. The scene was like a mini wedding headquartersâNatalie's sister, mother, and the bridesmaids (plus me!) all crammed into one side of the suite, while the groom and his crew rocked the suite right next door.
Let's just say, we had to be extra vigilant of that dividing door between the rooms, because the dress needed to remain a surprise for Andrew.
My trusty accomplice, photographer Rob Whelan, joined the chaos. While I focused on snapping shots of the gals, Rob did his magic with the guys.
We had lots of time, and the relaxed atmosphere made for some genuinely good memories.
A few of the things I focussed on during this portion were:
heartwarming moments between all those gathered there >Things like hugs, loving glances, snuggles, etc.
a few images of the guys getting ready at the Holiday Inn on the waterfront, captured by Rob Whelan Photography.
The getting ready is a portion of the wedding day that carried its own energy. Itâs a bit quieter (even if thereâs louder moments), and a bit trepidatious. I try to capture some of that energy.
One of my favourite images of the morning is this one of Natalie, in her wedding heels and pajamas, standing next to her wedding dress.
Another photograph I love is this middle one here of Natalie looking casually downwards, while her mother holds up the veil. Itâs a totally candid photograph, and that moment disappeared in the blink of an eye, as most candid moments do. Iâm glad we caught it!
I also love these series of photographs Rob took of Andrew (the groom) - showing both the details of the suit and tie, and then later showing the groom standing on the balcony of the hotel suite, overlooking the water.
And yeah Mother Nature decided to assert herself. There was tain, rain, and more rain!
The girls took a limo to Fort Henry, where we were going to grab a few photos with the wedding party.
Our grand plan to explore Fort Henry for stunning photos had to take a backseat. But fear not! The quick-thinking Fort Henry staff had a cozy room tucked away for us.
We turned the covered entranceway into our impromptu photoshoot location. Sometimes, the best memories come from embracing unexpected challenges!
The first thing was to grab a few photographs of the first look - Andrew seeing Natalie all dressed up for the first time. This was a special and private moment (and of course me and Rob were photographing it from two different locations haha).
Then, we took photos of the wedding party. I put all these in one spread in the album, but of course, Natalie and Andrew can decide if they like this design or not!
Wedding party portraits! These took only a couple of minutes.
And I canât forget about one of my favourite spreads: That of Natalie, stunning in her gown, against the stone wall of the Fort Henry gateway.
After the photos, and undeterred by the rain, the wedding party made their way to the Great Hall for the ceremony.
The atmosphere inside was nothing short of enchanting, decorated to perfection. And there was even a blue cake! I made sure to capture every intricate detail because, let's be honest, who can resist a blue cake?
Guests began to arrive, and mingle. It was a nice time to watch everyone as they geared up for the ceremony.
As the ceremony began, a hush fell over the room.
The couple exchanged vows and promises, surrounded by their loved ones.
Sure, it wasn't the dreamy outdoor setting they had hoped for, but the gorgeous and bright room created a romantic ambiance that no rain could wash away. Talk about finding the silver lining in a cloudy situation! Teehee.
Once the ceremony was over, it was time for the grand entrances!
If youâre reading this, thinking: I donât have energy to do thisâŚ. thatâs okay! Who says you even need a grand entrance? As always, you do you. Many wedding I photograph donât have the grand entrance, and theyâre just as awesome as those that do. Itâs really not about that, anyway.
Hungry guests were then treated to an Italian buffet dinner fit for royalty. Bellies were filled, and spirits were lifted as the evening unfolded.
I always like to grab a few photographs of the dinner. Not that Iâm about trying to get eating photos or annoy people, but really more capturing the vibe at dinner. And Rob was also in the same frame of mind. He told me about a photographer heâd once heard speak at a conference, saying âmy one job is to capture a photograph of each guest at every wedding smilingâ. And wasnât that a great and noble goal, Rob asked? And I agreed that it was! This is very much in line with what I try to do at weddings - present the best side of everyone, the most joyful side.
During dinner, there were also the customary guestsâ attempts to get the couple to kiss. At this wedding, it wasnât as simple as clinking your glasses. Instead, guests had to come up to the microphone and sing a love song!
It sure caused for some hilarious moments.
Once dinner was done, it was time for the first dances. First, Natalie and Andrew had a song.
Then, dances with the parents: The groom and his mother shared a touching moment, as did the bride and her father. Rob and I were snapping these dances from all angles.
Then the dance floor opened, and the rest was history⌠Hilarious and quirky dance moves,
Now, as your friendly neighborhood photographer, let me share a few tips I've learned along the way:
Tip 1: Embrace your authentic selves! Years from now, you'll look back at your wedding photos and relish in the memories of how you genuinely were on that special day. Imperfections and all, those are the moments that will bring you the most joy and laughter.
Tip 2: Don't be afraid to break free from tradition. You don't have to follow the wedding rulebook blindly. Cut the cake, throw the bouquet, and do the garter toss only if it genuinely resonates with you and you want those quirky, unforgettable memories. But remember, it's your day, so make choices that reflect your unique style.
Tip 3: Make time for yourselves and your loved ones. The more you focus on genuine connections and less on posed photos, the more you'll create lasting memories with your guests. Cherish those moments and truly savor the celebration!
So there you have itâa wedding day filled with love, laughter, and unexpected rain showers. Remember, the most extraordinary adventures are the ones that don't go exactly as planned. So, embrace the chaos, dance in the rain (if you want! Just a suggestion. no one at this wedding danced in the rain, it was just a ⌠metaphor for having fun, which was definitely had at this wedding!), and let your wedding day be an unforgettable experience that reflects who you truly areâquirks, raindrops, and all!
Some shoutouts are in order:
I want to firstly say a HUGE congrats to the couple. Natalie and Andrew, you are kind, caring, and obviously deeply loved by all who attended on Saturday. â¤ď¸
Second, thank you to @robwhelanphotography for accompanying me once more, and being the best second shooter one can ask for!
Also, the whole @forthenryweddings team were incredible: Shaughnessy, Alex, Brooklyn, and the other folks whose names I didn't catch. Thanks for being welcoming, organized, professional, and super on the ball with everything! And stay strong this season: I know you've got a really busy one!
I also want to give a shoutout to @bytowncatering and especially chef Michael who went out of his way to make sure I could eat, (because whoops! there weren't any vegan options at the buffet). Michael made me a special plate afterwards, and I am very thankful for his effort. Buck, the manager, was really friendly and we had a great chat.
We should also appreciate the wonderful artistry of Tina of @tinacoutanchehair who did the girls' hair, and @lacefacemakeupartistry who rocked the makeup!
Speaking of artistry, Adria of @earnestfloral probably deserves to have a full page of praise written about the stunning flowers she creates for every wedding. â¤ď¸ So happy I could see her and Liam again (I photographed their wedding five years ago!)
Last but certainly not least, a big high five to Bob (@bobmachin) of Chico and the Machine, for being a super cool DJ and playing not just the hits, but also crowd pleasers for each individual crowd.
Cakes were by @mandjcakesandcookies . I didn't get to taste these, but they looked stunning :)
Notable mentions: Holiday Inn, Kingston Waterfront @hi_kingston_waterfront for the lovely rooms & views during getting ready! Nice!
Oh, and hereâs a couple of my honourable mention photos: This set of Natalieâs sister and her bf sharing a kiss in front of the open door at the Great Hall, with the blue fog in behind themâŚ
and this series with Natalie throwing the bouquet:
Now⌠what kind of fun are YOU going to get up to you YOUR wedding day, and who will be there to capture it?
If youâd like to chat with me about Quirky Love being there as your photography team, get in touch!