Katia & Adam || Ottawa Garden Wedding

This wedding was featured in Confetti Magazine

Katia and Adam’s wedding was the first wedding post-pandemic that I was honored to be a part of — originally they had planned a big cottage wedding up in Mont Ste Marie in mid-June of this year. Instead of full-out cancelling, they knew that no matter what they wanted to get married this year, so they delayed to August with fingers crossed that they would be able to invite more than five people. As we approached their wedding date, Ontario moved into a phase of the pandemic where more people were allowed to gather and so they were able to invite 40 of their closest family and friends.

If you’re familiar with my work, you will no doubt recognize many familiar faces from Kelci & Ben’s wedding last year at La Toundra. Getting invited back into this circle of friends for a second time was totally delightful because these people are a reallllly funny and a fun bunch of people — which I think reads in these photos from the start of their day at the Andaz Hotel in Ottawa’s Byward Market; to the wedding party photographs at the Rockliffe Rockeries; to getting married and celebrating in a family member’s private backyard… not to mention the timely fireworks that The City of Ottawa decided to launch that evening.

The aesthetics of the day were elegantly simple, a timeless look, grounded in earthy tones with highlights of peach. Katia’s bridal party impressed with their newfound skill set of taking on hair, make-up and decor! The things we didn’t know we could do pre-pandemic… Nothing felt complicated and with the heat of the day, everyone was in peak summer celebration mode.

And I won’t ever EVER forget Adam’s tribute to Katia with a dance to the winning Eurovision song from… I can’t remember which year. But the performance had everyone laughing and eventually taking part.

When I asked Katia & Adam about getting married, I loved this quote from Katia:

There are a few friends who knew we were going to get married from the first time they met us as a couple – we had no idea, but I’m happy everyone else could see it coming. I don’t think either of us expected to get married this young but now is as good of a time as any, and we received the advice from my mom that the only difference between being married and not is that you wonder whether or not you should get married.

And so without further rambling: Katia & Adam’s beautiful wedding.

Wedding Dress Park & Fifth Co. Bridesmaids Dresses Aritzia Groom’s Suiting Bentons Menswear Rings Mejuri + Magpie + Peoples Hair & Makeup The Bridesmaids :) Rentals Inspired Events Bridal Bouquet Maison Anthea Catering Family Friend/Contact

Small Wedding Ideas: Getting Married in an Airbnb

UPDATE: This blog post has and continues to be so popular, I’ve updated it to be current with the 2021 Wedding Season.

This morning I wrote an expansive list of venue ideas of where to elope or host smaller more impactful weddings this year in Montreal & Quebec.

Click here to see ALL of my suggested elopement & small wedding venues.

Here is an excerpt of that page:

Private Homes & Renting an Airbnb

People are getting very creative this year in making the rules work in their favor to get married their way. Do not discount the magic of getting married at home! (Or in someone else’s home & backyard!)

Here are a few weddings I have photographed in Private Homes & Airbnb Rentals:

• this simple yet elegant garden wedding located in the Rockliffe neighborhood of Ottawa: lucky with the pandemic rules loosening at the start of summer and perfect weather with city fireworks just down the road!

• this wedding with stunning view of the Malbaie in Charlevoix was published in Wedding Bells Magazine, Mariage Quebec, and Rangefinder Magazine. They went from 120 guests to 20 and don’t regret a single decision they made.

• this wedding at an event-based airbnb in Low, Quebec situated on 750 acres of land and expansive views, organized in less than 30 days, proved to be ahead of it’s time in 2019 — they would have had no problem having the same wedding in 2020.

• this micro-wedding at the bride’s ancestral century old home in Otterburn Park (taken pre-pandemic)

Given this growing trend, I spent some time researching some formidable airbnb’s that would be perfect to rent for a wedding outside of Montreal. I have not inquired further with the owners but definitely worth doing if this speaks to you! I have a couple of them slated for my 2021 season and can’t wait to see how they unfold!

Eastern Townships AIRBNB VENUES

• Sugar Hill Retreat - a top of a hill looking out at 160 acres of land is this grand, yet cozy, cabin - well equipped for 16+ guests with ten bedrooms

• Meadowlands - big pool, expansive fields, cozy blues, and a view of the water in this French Country feeling estate. Also equipped with horses stable, lakeside dock and guest cottage!

• Domaine Chateau Venise en formule Chalets - breathtaking gardens, expansive forest, waterfront views, and a series of condo type accommodations with billiards, cinema and central spaces to gather and celebrate your wedding!

• Manoir Greenwood - for those of you looking for a more farmhouse feel to your wedding, this space is equipped with barrels of charm, a pool and an expanse of fields just ready to be photographed by someone like me ;)

Laurentians AIRBNB VENUES

• Camp Bruchesi - sleepaway camp style with outdoor teepee areas for the outdoorsy couples looking for a unique venue they can dress up as their own. A lot of potential for fun and creating great wedding memories at this venue!

• Manoir Viking - built in the style of Norwegian country home, you could even fly your own helicopter to this space! Heli-pad aside, think about striking up a match of tennis pre-wedding, relaxing in a spa, taking a dip in the pool while admiring the well-manicured gardens and views of the lake.

• Heart of Tremblant/Ski/Lakefront Cabin - one of the best I have found that encapsulated the classic Quebec chalet without skimping on charm, space, views or comfortable furnishings. A beautiful space to get married all year round.\

• Les Refuges Perches - let’s hike out to one of these incredible cabins built in the treetops. Definitely for the adventurous, outdoorsy, couples who are looking for a wedding more intimate, raw and surrounded in nature. No doubt an experience you both will never forget.

Charlevoix & St-Lawrence (Quebec) AIRBNB VENUES

• Les Terrasses Cap a L’Aigle - prompted by one of my couples this year, I am really looking forward to experiencing these villas this summer. Definitely give each of these unique villas some admiration and consider retreating here to celebrate your wedding with majestic views of Quebec and the St-Lawrence river! The Malbaie is one of Quebec’s most beautiful areas.

• Le St-Laurent - located 15 minutes away from Le Massif, this is a newly built and beautifully designed contemporary cottage with cozy fireside views of the St-Lawrence.

• Les Domes du Charlevoix - this would be for the more adventurous, outdoorsy couple looking to elope without too much fanfare with a unique dome to cozy up in at the end of your wedding day. Truly, this would be a unique spot to get married to call your own.

• Villa Marvic - I adore this space, something so impactful in the way they have furnished this home with a wood-burning fireplace. And those views by the pool? Breathtaking.

ONTARIO AIRBNB VENUE IDEAS

Prince Edward County, Thousand Islands and Muskokas are rife with cottages and retreats built for small wedding celebrations. Here are a few I found.

• Elysium - Modern Muskoka Retreat - a magical blend of stylish warmth and coziness on the inside, with pristine nature and stunning lake vistas on the outside.
  Additionally, these owners can help you plan for Catering, Private Chef, Yoga, Massage, Cooking Classes, Transportation, and more!

• Island Paradise on Totem Point in the Thousand Islands - one of the most unique properties I have stumbled on in my search for your unique wedding day. This cottage looks like it was built in the height of the modernist movement and the landscape that it is surrounded by is what really builds on it’s charm. Looking for a boathouse to sleep in? Check.

• 14 Bedroom Mansion in the Heart of Prince Edward County - If you’re into Victorian Revival with a full-staffed house, this is your jam. This is definitely my jam, too! The wallpaper alone deserves a celebration. This is for someone who is looking to invest big in impactful small celebrations. Luxury at its finest!

• The Wilk - located in Wellington, surrounded by nearby vineyards, an expanse of Ontario farmland and gorgeous sunsets, this spot has been a dog-eared bookmark of mine to someday book and stay here. Definitely a great spot to get married in with your nearest & dearest.

• The Ferg - created by the same designers as The Wilk, The Ferg is located in the heart of Picton, Ontario. The beauty of this location is its proximity to town, its farmhouse feel, and it’s ability to be split in different ways for privacy and accommodation. Intense on charm!

• Le Peaches & Cream - this is actually located in Quebec, but it’s proximity to my hometown Ottawa always makes me feel like it’s more Ontario. As mentioned above, I photographed a wedding here last September and it’s 700 acres are rife with beautiful spots to take photographs with each other and your guests.

Are you planning a wedding in your home, your backyard or an airbnb? I would love to talk to you! I have packages designed for smaller weddings — take a moment to fill in your details here and let me know what you are thinking!

Diversity & Inclusion Mandate

At the start of June, I wrote a little about the Black Lives Matter movement.

Here’s my new Diversity & Inclusion website page that I have written, speaking about my actions & intentions in my pledge to create an equitable and anti-racist photography business.

The intent here is to publish what I am committed to and hold myself accountable as I move forward with my business.

I am open to all comments, criticisms and thoughts on this and you can do so in my Instagram DM’s here.

Thank you! I will be updating where I am on a quarterly basis — so my next post about this will be in September 2020 :)