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Tian + Rob’s Lakeside Serenity Cottage Wedding
After having photographed so many couples in love, I often wonder to myself what is the key or keys to a happy marriage. Yes, communication is fundamental, and respect is mandatory; but after having been part of Tian and Rob’s Serenity Cottage wedding, I am convinced the key to a happy marriage is laughter!Serenity Cottage certainly lives up to its name, with it’s towering trees, sprawling lake and of course the idyllic stone lodge, it really is the perfect spot to host a wedding! There was a sense of relaxed intimacy while also an excited energy. The ladies got ready in a beautiful darkened room which gave a very dramatic and romantic vibe to the grey overcast morning. After Tian expertly styled her own hair and finished her makeup, the girls helped to add the finishing touches by carefully selecting the perfect stems of baby’s breath to be placed in her hair. Tian’s bridesmaids joined her on the terrace to take a view of the lake and some laughs before the ceremony. The laughs continued with Rob and his groomsmen, who took the energy to the max with their high spirits and silliness. After suiting up all the boys jumped on bikes to further enjoy the property and really took their time to enjoy themselves. Everyone was in such high spirits that by the time Rob got his first look with Tian, he swept her into his arms and they started to dance! (a common theme for them!)Tian and Rob said their “I dos” lakeside under a beautiful arch of greenery and white organza in front of an intimate group of thirty-five of their closest family and friends, just as the sun decided to poke through. The couple smiled and laughed their way through their ceremony, which was lovingly officiated by a friend of theirs who definitely added to the spirit of the evening. The ceremony seamlessly moved into a gorgeous cocktail hour where guests mingled as they watched the sunset. And as everyone began to enjoy their hors d’oeuvres and snuggle up in blankets around the campfires, the couple stole away for some quiet moments on the shore to bask in the excitement and awe of their day. What is so striking about Tian and Rob is that their smiles that had greeted me first thing in the morning never wavered throughout the entire day. They had mindfully taken every single second to radiate their joy both on their faces and in small actions like in the way they held each other in their Roots letterman jackets as the sunset over the lake. After heartfelt speeches and a decadent feast at long wooden banquet tables, the couple took their first dance under the glow of fairy lights and the smiles of their loved ones. Tian and Rob, thank you so much for sharing your day with my and lighting up everyone’s hearts with your beautiful smiles.
Meet the couple
What was your favourite part of the day?!
Tian- “There was a moment in the evening near sunset, and I looked around and saw a group of friends gathered in front of the water. They were sitting down, drinks in hand and just enjoying the peacefulness of the lake. I felt like my heart was so happy!”Rob- “When I saw her for the very first time during our first look. I thought she looked very beautiful and I get to spend the rest of my life with her!”
What were your top 3 most important things while planning the wedding?
1- Keep the wedding small – Our idea of the wedding was less prescriptive, and more like inviting our family and friends over for a big dinner party. With that framing in mind, we focused on making sure our guests could feel relaxed; customizing the appetizers, setting up the fireplace and chairs by the water so they can really enjoy this venue. We were pretty flexible, if people took more time to eat or were enjoying themselves, that was totally ok, we had no fixed schedule really.
2- Support local businesses– We were very intentional with keeping the vendors local. Our location was near Thornbury/Owen Sound, so our caterer, hair, florals were all local. We were extra diligent in making sure we communicated with everyone we hired. These were the people that would make the wedding possible with so many behind the scenes details.
3- Let the bridesmaids and groomsmen be themselves– We basically told both parties to show up as themselves. Aside from colour coordination, they could wear whatever they felt good in. No 2 suits or dresses were alike. Same thing for hair and makeup, we just let the girls do their own makeup because they know their own face the best, and let them dictate whatever hairstyle they wanted to the hairstylists.
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Venue – Serenity CottageFlorals – Dragonfly Flowers
Caterer- Culinary Designs Catering Bride’s dress designer – Pronovias Atelier
Bridal Shoppe – Kleinfeld Toronto
Groom’s suit – Suit Supply (Toronto)
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