Sydney & Jack’s Guelph Wedding
Sydney and Jack had originally planned on getting married in New Brunswick at Sydney’s parents’ cottage, and I was so honoured that Sydney asked me to be one of her bridesmaids! We’ve been great friends since we met at Moncton High School back in 2009. But then Covid hit, and due to New Brunswick’s two week quarantine upon entrance, Sydney and Jack decided to move their wedding to Guelph, where they met and now live. In three short months, Syd and Jack rented a gorgeous Airbnb in West Montrose and secured one of their favourite restaurants in downtown Guelph for their reception. Since their wedding photographer in New Brunswick could no longer capture their day, I offered to do it. I was so excited to take on double roles as their wedding photographer AND a bridesmaid! Luckily, my fiancé and partner in crime would be doing their wedding videography, so he could take a few group shots so that I could be in some of the photos.
On the morning of September 5th, 2020, I joined Sydney and her girls in her beautiful suite at the Western Hotel in downtown Guelph. I joined in on some getting ready festivities (yay mimosas!) before starting to document the day around 10 am.
That’s me second from the right! My partner in crime and videographer Dan made sure to get a few shots with me in them.
Around 12:30/1 pm, it was time for Dan and I to make the 30-minute drive to the beautiful Airbnb Sydney and Jack chose to host their gorgeous outdoor ceremony in West Montrose, Ontario. I started with some detail shots of the rustic decor before snapping some photos of Jack, his groomsmen, and family getting ready!
There’s Dan, my trusty fiancé and videographer looking snazzy!
At 2 pm, it was time for the ceremony to begin.
Two weeks before each wedding that I photograph, I send a questionnaire to my couple. One of the questions in the questionnaire is “What photos are most important to you?” And Sydney and Jack told me they’d love some pictures of them hugging their loved ones after their ceremony (one of my favourite moments on a wedding day!).
Because they had to change their wedding from New Brunswick to Ontario, and because most of Sydney’s family and many of her friends were stuck back in the Maritimes, they had a friend Zoom their ceremony for everyone who couldn’t make it. They took a moment after their ceremony to say hello!
Next, it was time for some family photos!
After the family photos, I quickly changed into my bridesmaid dress to jump in front of the camera for a while! I got Dan to take the photos of the wedding party and bridesmaids so that I could be in them. I set the camera settings to my liking, set Dan up for the perfect shot, and then directed the wedding party (including myself) through the photos!
That’s me and Syd!
Once I was finished modelling (lol), I took my place behind the camera to get photos of the groomsmen.
Once we were finished with the wedding party, we let them make their way back to downtown Guelph to enjoy cocktail hour at Miijidaa. Dan and I stayed with the bride and groom to take some lovely couple photos.
Around 4:30 pm, we made our way to Miijidaa with the bride and groom. We got to snap a few photos in downtown Guelph on our way to the reception!
At 5 pm, it was time for the reception! I snapped some detail shots of the decor before Sydney and Jack made their entrance.
Sydney and Jack’s family and friends made some moving speeches throughout the delicious dinner, finishing off with a speech from the bride and groom.
When I saw the gorgeous sunset outside, I had to steal the bride and groom away for a few shots in downtown Guelph.
Afterwards, it was time for the father/daughter and mother/son dances, followed by the bride and groom’s first dance to the beautiful song And then Some by The Arkells.
When the bride and groom’s first dance was over, the song September came on, and we all knew it was party time! I took a few dance party shots before putting my camera away and joining in on the party myself.
I can’t thank Sydney and Jack enough for trusting Dan and I to capture their absolutely perfect day! Please enjoy their highlight video captured by my one and only Dan.
Shout out to our fellow vendors for the day:
Wedding Florist: Lace & BIRCH
Wedding Rings: Saati Fine Jewellery
Bridal Hairstylist: Knot Too Pink
Bride’s Dress: The Modern Bride
Groom & Groomsmen’s Suits: Tuxedo Junction
Downtown Guelph Wedding Reception Venue: Miijidaa Cafe + Bistro