“I’ve been watching you guys for quite a while and knew that when Dan proposed I’d have to contact you two!”
This was our first email received from Alicia but not the last in a series of seriously amazing client-photographer correspondence. Alicia has been a dream bride from day one and Dan has been the perfect counterpart. These two have unparalleled enthusiasm and such genuine generosity and we couldn’t be happier to be blogging their surprise Ontario Canada wedding today.
That’s right, I said surprise wedding. Dan and Alicia were engaged in New Zealand and knew from the start that they wanted to throw a fun, backyard, low key surprise wedding for their friends and family. Under the guise of a going away party for the couple (who shortly after, moved to Portland of all places!), family and friends descended upon Dan’s parents property where they were handed a “menu” that was actually a wedding invitation. Once their intimate guest list had fully arrived, the happy, and still shocked, wedding attendees walked down a country road where Dan and Alicia basically took over a bike trail with some carpets, candles and hay bales…and had themselves a wedding.
Sweet ceremony moments were enjoyed, such as the rings being passed through the group so each person could send a little love into them before Dan and Alicia placed them on each other’s ring fingers. The bride and groom kissed and exited back down that same country road but in a more blissed out, married kind of way. Their reception was every bit as loving and celebratory as everyone took in bubbles, bites from a local restaurant caterer, a bonfire with s’mores, dancing and vegan donuts instead of cake.
Because this was a surprise wedding, we also had the rare delight of 3 hours of portrait time with Dan and Alicia before the ceremony. 3 hours! It was a total treat and we had such fun with them as they showed us around the Hamilton area of Ontario. The highlight was Sherman Falls, which reminded us of home and we had the opportunity to tell them, “Lots more waterfalls where you’re going!”
We came to Canada as a couple of west coast photographers that Alicia had previously admired. But we left as soon-to-be neighbors and most definitely, friends. Cheers Alicia and Dan and see you soon!
I’m running out of adjectives to describe your work, Daniel and Lindsay. The photos from this wedding were particularly moving and spectacular! :) Love!