This past week I had the absolute pleasure of watching an old and dear friend of mine marry his soul mate!   Jeff and Kristin love the cottage life so it just made sense that they get hitched at a full-weekend celebration up in Muskoka overlooking the Lake of Bays.  Since my hubby and I were also guests at the wedding, we decided to make a weekend of it (also celebrating our 8 year anniversary).  We arrived on Friday evening at Lumina Resort and enjoyed an awesome barbecue and bonfire with some old family friends and many new faces.  Saturday morning after a delicious breakfast the festivities began …

Jeff had THE most amazing cufflinks and tie clip I have ever seen …

A few of the guys needed some assistance figuring out their suspenders … some needed more assistance than others, lol …  (*cough … Grant!!)

Then we headed over to the North Lodge where the girls were getting ready.  I loved how everything was just a hop skip and jump across the lawn.  So quaint and cozy!!

Kristin and Jeff’s invites may be the most beautiful I have ever seen.  Both of them being artists it was completely expected, but they totally knocked it outta the park!  They even included their beloved little wiennie Sasquatch … who you may remember from their recent engagement session.

Kristin wore her grandmother’s pearls … so sweet!

You looked simply stunning Kristin!!

We were all watching impatiently for the rain to stop … it had been raining off and on all morning … and with an outdoor ceremony planned we were all a little nervous …

Despite the rain we had to move on with photos, so we decided to do the first look inside the beautiful main lodge.

And just as we finished up the first look, the rain STOPPED!!!  It was about 3:00 at this point, and the ceremony was at 5:00 … fingers crossed we get a window of dryness.  Not knowing how long of a window we had, we dashed outside to start the bridal party formals.

This was such a FUN group to work with … a few I knew, but most I didn’t … though by the end of the day I felt I could most definitely call them all friends. : )

So far so good … no rain yet … let’s press on with the bride and groom formals …
Isn’t this old truck just awesome!!

It was so refreshing to get some really unique shots at this venue.  There aren’t any places like this in Hamilton that’s for sure …

Granted a few of these next ones had a little help from Photoshop to give the flat sky some personality, and I just fell in love with this little rainbow …

The Lake of Bays is just breathtaking … I expect everyone that attended this wedding fell in love with this spot just as much as I did, and that’s saying something cuz I’m a total city girl!

We finished up with some family formals …

And then some family (no-so) formals … Hehe!

4:45 … still no rain … YES!!! … let’s dry off those ceremony chairs …
I find it kind of interesting how 8 years ago (almost exactly to the day) Jeff was drying off the ceremony chairs at my waterfront ceremony when he stood up for us as a groomsman … and here we were doing the same for him.  They say rain on your wedding day is good luck, right?

This was one of the sweetest ceremonies I’ve ever been to … of course I’m biased though … 🙂

Jeff and Kristin designed all of the decor elements for the reception and they did a phenomenal job if I do say so myself.  The room was filled with gorgeous bronze linens, unique metal urns, chalkboard signage and white feathers … it was stunning!

Each place card even had a personalized charm for the stem of your wine glass … so thoughtful … and practical!!

Some of the best speeches I have ever heard!!  Everyone was in stitches … or tears … when appropriate.  The groomsmen claimed it was “eye sweat” … lol.

Jeff’s siblings presented him with a homemade book entitled … “Jeff’s Book of Idiocies and Other Things” … you can imagine what some of the excerpts were like …

Another one of my favourite details was Grandma’s bread pudding.   Jeff’s amazing 95 year old grandma (who was present at the wedding I might add) has a recipe for bread pudding that is a staple in the family.  Lumina Resorts borrowed the recipe, added a couple of extra seasonal spices, and served it (beautifully presented) as dessert.  So special for the family and for Grandma … what an awesome idea!!

After dinner was through we went downstairs to the party … and what a party it was!!  Some time around now it started raining again … but WHO CARES … take that mother nature!!!

In lieu of a traditional wedding cake, Kristin and Jeff opted for a cheese cake … no, not a cheesecake … a CHEESE cake … complete with crackers and spreads and lego toppers … just AWESOME!!

Another favourite moment was when everyone left the dance floor to join Grandma for a chorus of Sweet Caroline …. BAH BAH BAH!!!

The moms were rockin’ it on the dance floor …

And I even put down my camera for a few minutes to dance with my hunny … (thanks to my awesome second shooter Shawn for grabbing this shot).

Jamie Williams … where do I even start.  This guy is AMAZING!!!  Jamie is the BEST one man band I have ever heard and he makes every DJ look like a snooze fest!  Please visit his website … recommend him to your friends … you won’t regret it!!

I had the priviledge of enjoying this wedding as a photographer and a guest … and it was awesome!!!
Jeff and Kristin, I couldn’t be happier for the both of you!!  We will have to get together for some post wedding hang outs when you’re back from your honeymoon … Enjoy Vegas!!!
xoxo, Melissa