These guys were SO MUCH FUN to spend the day with! Whitney & Duane's wedding at Love's Sweetness Maple Syrup Sugar Bush (I know, it's a mouthful!) had a little bit of everything – including extreme heat! I think it must have been at least 4000ºC outside, it felt like an oven – but it didn't stop any of us from having the best day! The venue was incredible, offering every sort of rustic backdrop you could want – barn walls and cozy trails with afternoon light dappling through, a rope swing and bridges with streams and creeks full of fish...which I need to say I ended up standing in the middle of at one point to get the shot! I should also note that Whitney was escorted by an army of men all riding Harley Davidson motorcycles, through the fields and to the ceremony (she rode on one, too). I'm telling you...this wedding has it all, and I loved it!
I started out at Whitney's home in Markdale for some quick getting ready coverage and an emotional First Look with her Dad. This place was amazing! I would've been thrilled just to stay on her property all day and shoot...there were so many great spots, from a super long treed laneway, to a rope swing in the backyard.
After some quick portraits with Whitney and her bridesmaids and family, we set out on the road to Holstein, and the Sugar Bush, where we'd spend the rest of the day. When we arrived, we were greeted by a troop of her Dad's friends, who were there to escort her through the cornfield and to the ceremony, tucked deep in the heart of Love's Sweetness Maple Syrup Sugar Bush.
So fun, right?
Nothing but blue skies...and bikers...and bridesmaids!
The Sugar Bush Ceremony
A special area in the Sugar Bush was freshly designed for Whitney & Duane's wedding, with the smell of fresh cedar pathways still in the air. It was magical, with the way the afternoon light poured through the tall trees, the sound of birds chirping...and Harley's approaching in the distance! I should also note that as their wedding. was travel themed, they had paper airplanes ready to be thrown as they walked down the aisle as husband and wife!
Like, how cute is she walking down the aisle with her little balloon!
I loved how magical and perfectly "woodland" the ceremony space was, with the aisle lined in boston ferns. Simple and perfect.
How awesome, right?! The paper airplanes made my day – super fun, and so fitting for their wedding.
Portraits
After the ceremony, we did some family photos and group shots with the guests, then I spent some time with the wedding party (as I hadn't worked with Duane and the groomsmen yet)...followed by an epic journey through the Sugar Bush with Whitney & Duane for their bride and groom photos! The vintage VW Camper Van they had on site was so fun for pics!
Yes, I was standing barefoot in the river, and there were a million tiny little fish picking at my feet. Considering the heat that day...I wasn't complaining, it felt refreshing! Plus I got a free pedi!
The Reception
There were so many cute and thoughtful little details sprinkled throughout the barn and a little out building (where a photo booth set up was available for guests!). The travel theme carried throughout and was cute and classy at the same time!
Oh ya. I should probably also mention that there was a mashed potato bar. Yes. A Mashed. Potato. Bar.
Heaven.
Sunset
Before we went into more speeches and dances (and the party!) we slipped out for some super epic sunset pics (my favourite).
And there you have it, Whitney & Duane's incredible, super fun wedding day at Love's Sugar Bush! My coverage was done after the parent dances, but I could sense from the crowd that it was going to be one heck of a party! Thanks so much to the both of you for having me as your wedding photographer, and making it so much fun to work with you both! All the best now and in your many happy years to come! xoxo Shawn
