Wedding Vendors
Venue: Ancaster Mill
Getting Ready Location - Hers: The Barracks Inn
Getting Ready Location - His: Osler House
Makeup: Beautymrk
Wedding Dress: Jealous Bridesmaids
Flowers: A Petal or Two
Suit: Theodore 1922
Portraits Location: Royal Botanical Gardens
Cake: Finespun Cakes
Video: Ripeful Heart Wedding Films
DJ: Impact DJ
Ancaster Mill Wedding
The last time we were in Ancaster Mill shooting for Alana and Dan’s winter wedding, it was a cold February day and the ground was covered in ice and snow. The bride wore Ugg boots and a white faux fur coat, while guests sipped on hot apple cider as they made their way into The Miller’s Chapel for a cozy ceremony. We were now back at Ancaster Mill for a fall wedding, and while the reception was held in the same space, the 1812 Room, Laura and Evert’s wedding felt like it was held in a completely different location. The guests and the wedding party didn’t need to quickly shuffle from building to building to avoid the bitter cold, and the bride and groom were able to take full advantage of the gorgeous property surrounding the Ancaster Mill to have a stunning outdoor ceremony and take tons of portraits incorporating the gorgeous fall colours. Diego and I were so excited to explore Ancaster Mill with Laura and Evert, and see how we can create stunning photos in a space that we’ve shot in before, but in a unique way that represents our couple and their wedding.
Bride Getting Ready at The Barracks Inn
Keeping with the historic feel of Ancaster Mill, Laura and Evert both chose historic spaces for their getting ready. Laura got ready with her closest gals in the Royal Suite of The Barracks Inn, a century stone building with luxurious suites decorated in elegant period decor. Laura and her bridesmaids got pampered by the ladies of Beautymrk while sipping on bubbly wine and taking lots of selfies (and who can blame them when they’ve got Beautymrk taking care of them!). Laura’s sweet personality and gorgeous smile really shone as her friends helped her put on her lace wedding dress from Jealous Bridesmaids and finalize all the little details to complete her beautiful bridal look, which was only further accentuated by the delicate fall-coloured bridal bouquet from A Petal or Two.
Groom Getting Ready at the Osler House
Evert got ready with the guys at Osler House, a Victorian home located in the Dundas neighbourhood of Hamilton that was lovingly restored yet still maintains its exquisite 19th century charm and elegance. Each room is so thoughtfully decorated in a luxurious Victorian style that at times it almost felt we were in a living-history museum. The main floor boasts several elegant seating areas, as well as a dedicated pool room, which Evert and the boys took advantage of to calm the pre-wedding nerves, and if Evert was still feeling any of those wedding jitters after a couple of games of pool, the groomsmen’s antics as they were getting ready definitely took care of that.
First Look and Portraits at the Royal Botanical Gardens
Once Laura and Evert finished getting ready, they made their way to the Royal Botanical Gardens in Burlington for their first look, as well as their portraits and wedding party photos. We couldn’t have asked for better weather or a better location - the skies were blue and the gardens were still bursting with colours, with the occasional hint of the changing of the seasons. We could have spent all day at the Royal Botanical Gardens as every corner offered breathtaking portrait opportunities, but it was time to get Laura and Evert married.
Ceremony at the Streamside Chapel at Ancaster Mill
The weather was just perfect for an outdoor ceremony at the Streamside Chapel, which borders the stream running through Ancaster Mill. Surrounded by trees, the sunset light was peaking through the leaves, casting a golden light on the ceremony space, and a light breeze helped break the heat and create a romantic mood as the leaves rustled gently to the music welcoming the guests.
While waiting for her dad to accompany her to the Streamside Chapel and walk her down the aisle, Laura watched guests arrive from the bridal suite, hidden away in a picturesque cottage that looks like it was taken out of a fairy tale. And it really felt like a fairy tale as Laura and her dad crossed the bridge leading to the ceremony, with rays of sun illuminating Evert as he watched Laura make her way towards him. The sunset ceremony was absolutely stunning, sweet, and heartfelt, with Laura and Evert each taking turns reading their vows from their handmade vow books, which of course resulted in lots of tears and stifled sniffles. But I think my favourite part was seeing Laura absolutely radiating with happiness as guests blew bubbles for their big exit as husband and wife. That moment just perfectly captured the happiness, warmth, and beauty of the day.
Sunset Portraits at Ancaster Mill
With the last few rays of sun left following the ceremony at the Streamside Chapel, we whisked Laura and Evert away for a few more portraits to showcase the beauty of the Ancaster Mill property. From the historic stone buildings, hidden walkways and gazebos, to the waterfall and the lush and vibrant gardens, Ancaster Mills truly makes the most of their property and offers their couples, and excited wedding photographers like us, endless portrait opportunities. Of all the portraits we did that day though, the most memorable had to be the very last one we did as the sun was setting. Laura requested a portrait by the stream, and in truly Diego fashion, he jumped right to it and into the freezing-cold stream to create an epic portrait that perfectly captures the essence of Ancaster Mill.
Reception in the 1812 Room at Ancaster Mill
With the sun now set, it was time to wine and dine the night away to the sweet tunes of Impact DJ. From the speeches to the dances, the night was filled with well-wishes, sweet stories, tears, and lots of laughter, and what better way to close off such a night than with a sparkler sendoff. Laura and Ever, your big day was just perfect - sweet, warm, and full of happiness, and absolutely everything we could have wished for for you guys on your wedding day. Thank you so much for having us be a part of it! xoxo