Bride and groom pose together in winter outside a snow-covered stone barn with a large silo backdrop.

 

Sunset dinner dates at the beach, skipping rocks, and talking for hours created the foundation of this love story. During one of those dates by the water, S would change her title from girlfriend to fiancée, and the planning of this gorgeous day began.


Here's to the beginning of their next chapter! 🥂

 

 

Getting Ready

 

Bride in satin pajamas sits while assistant helps put on embellished heeled sandals during wedding preparation.
Black and white photo of a bride getting her wedding dress fastened by a helper, reflected in a white framed mirror.
Black and white photo of a woman fastening the back of a bride's white wedding dress before the ceremony.
Black and white wedding photo of bride and groom embracing in a rustic venue with string lights overhead.

Capturing photos of the bride getting into her gown with mom's help is one of my favourite moments. As a daughter, I know how special these moments are. So when the bride told me she wasn't sure we would have enough time to capture getting ready photos, I knew we had to make it happen! When I arrived at the venue, the bridesmaids were in their dresses ready for their first look, but she wasn't. This was our opportunity to make it happen, and I'm so glad we did. Mom will forever have photos to look back on of the day she helped her little girl get ready one last time.

 

First Look

 

Bride in off-shoulder white gown with train faces groom in dark suit near rustic wooden barn doors.
Bride in white gown reveals herself to smiling bridesmaids in dark dresses inside a rustic stone venue.
Two groomsmen kneel before a bride in a white off-shoulder gown inside a rustic barn wedding venue.
Black and white photo of a bride and groom holding hands, smiling at each other in front of a rustic wooden barn.

Why have one first look, when you could have four! After getting ready we started capturing all the first looks. Starting with the bridesmaids, the giddy laughter and excitement that filled the room was contagious.

Next, it was dad's turn, who brought me to tears behind the camera.

After that was the big moment, the groom finally got to see his gorgeous bride for the first time. Watching their family share in that moment with them was so special.

To lighten the mood, we completed the first looks with the groomsmen. After an initial glance, the groomsmen quickly realized they'd been Ice'd by the bride and laughter filled the barn while they grabbed their drinks, got down on one knee, and completed the challenge presented.

 

Bridal Party

 

Bride in white off-shoulder gown and bridesmaid in emerald green dress holding bouquets before rustic barn doors in winter.
Bride and groomsmen pose in front of rustic barn doors in winter wedding photo.
Bride in white off-shoulder gown and bridesmaid in emerald green dress holding bouquets before rustic barn doors.
Four groomsmen in dark green suits pose together in front of a rustic wooden barn in a snowy winter setting.
Black and white photo of groom and groomsmen laughing together outside a snowy winter wedding venue.
Four men in dark green suits pose playfully outdoors in winter, carrying one man horizontally near a snow-covered brick building.

"Can we do wedding party portraits before the ceremony?" the bride asked at their final details meeting.

Absolutely! Everyone is in high spirits, formal attire is at it's best, and hair and makeup has just been completed. Capturing these photos before the ceremony meant that the couple could spend their time with their guests from the cocktail hour until the end of the night! Their day was about capturing memories, not poses, and I live for those kinds of weddings.

 

Ceremony

 

Rustic barn wedding ceremony with string lights, stone walls, and wooden beams as couple exchanges vows at the altar.
Black and white photo of a bride and groom sharing a kiss in a rustic barn venue with string lights overhead.
Bride and groom walk down the aisle of a rustic barn wedding venue with string lights and stone walls.
Bride and groom sign wedding documents at wooden table in rustic stone venue with officiant standing nearby.
Groom signing wedding marriage certificate at wooden table with bride in white off-shoulder dress smiling behind him.
Bride and groom signing wedding marriage certificate at wooden table against rustic stone wall backdrop.

The rustic feel of the Brussels Four Winds Barn truly added to the romance of S+W's ceremony and private signing.

The sweetest aspect of the ceremony was knowing a close family friend was the officiant. Shortly after the ceremony Blue Glass Ceremonies joined the couple for a small private ceremony and signing. Maryanne is absolutely incredible and worked wonderfully with the couple to make their marriage legal after their ceremony.

 

Bridal Portraits

 

Bride and groom stand together in snow before a rustic stone barn with wooden doors during a winter wedding.
Bride in white gown and groom in dark green suit pose back-to-back in snow outside stone building on winter wedding day.

Before their grand entrance into the reception, the couple snuck away for a few sunset portraits by the barn. These are the moments when it finally hits, they're married and taking on the world together as one from this moment forward. I will always advocate for any couple to spend a few minutes alone to soak it all in before they start the party, and that's exactly what these two did.

 

Details

 

Elegant wedding flat lay with teal roses bouquet, perfume bottle, rings, and a 'her' vows card on glass table.
Elegant single-tier white wedding cake with pearl details and gold topper on a teal table with roses.
Wedding newspaper program for Wesley and Samantha's marriage announcement displayed on a wooden table.
Framed signature drinks menu featuring cat illustrations for The Vodka Tony and The Marv-Jito cocktails at a bar.

While they had a moment alone, I captured all the details.

These two put so much creativity into this day!

These are just a few of the small details that I was obsessed with.

-Bejeweled Crocs

-Custom Wedding Cake Plate (painted by the couple)

-"The Wedding Post" ceremony progam

-Signature Drinks inspired by their cats

 

Reception

 

Bride and groom hold hands in a rustic barn wedding venue adorned with warm string lights and wooden beams.
Bride and groom share first dance in rustic barn wedding venue while guests watch from decorated tables.
Bride and groom share their first dance in a rustic barn venue with wooden floors and chandelier.
Black and white photo of a bride and groom sharing their first dance in a rustic barn venue with string lights.
Bride and groom share their first dance in a rustic barn venue, with wooden walls and large windows in the background.
Wedding guests laugh and celebrate at rustic wooden tables inside a barn reception venue, black and white.
Bride in white gown and groom walking hand in hand inside a warmly lit rustic barn wedding reception.
Black and white photo of a bride and older man sharing a father-daughter dance at a rustic barn wedding reception.
Couple shares an intimate first dance in a rustic barn wedding venue in black and white photography.

A night full of laughter, romance, happy tears, and loving words. S+W spent the night listening to the sweetest speeches and dancing the night away.

 

Congratulations S+W! 🤍

 

Black and white wedding photo of smiling bride in strapless gown and groom in suit seated by large window.
Black and white photo of bride and groom sharing an intimate moment on a vintage sofa in a rustic barn venue.
Bride in strapless white gown smiling outdoors in winter snow, rustic stone building with warm lights behind her.
Groom in green tuxedo with bow tie and boutonniere holds a beer can, posing outdoors in winter snow.
Couple shares first dance in a rustic barn wedding venue adorned with string lights and warm wood walls.
Black and white photo of a joyful bride raising bouquet and groom in tuxedo walking through a rustic barn wedding venue.

Featured Vendors

Venue: Brussels Four Winds Barn

Officiant: Blue Glass Ceremonies

Hairstylist: Rebecca Moran

Makeup Artist: Hilary Grimm Makeup Artistry

Dress: Tansy's Bridal

Cake: Impressions Bakery Cafe