Beantown Receptions
THE LOVES
🟣 The vibe is rustic and quaint.
🟣 It's exclusive - they only host one wedding per day.
🟣 The reception space is very versatile and there are lots of places to pull people aside for fun guest interviews.
🟣 The scenery is incredible on and around the whole property.
The Downside
🟣 The barn is quite dark for ceremony and portrait photos.
🟣 The space might be a bit tight for larger weddings (100+).
OUR PHOTO/VIDEO TIPS FOR THIS VENUE...
The best place for the ceremony is beside the barn near the water.
The first dance on the island (with fireworks!) is unmatched 🎆
Fairmont Chateau Montebello
THE LOVES
🟣 The vibe is rustic, with a hint of elegance.
🟣 Gorgeous scenery and various backdrops around the property, including older architecture.
🟣 There is a gazebo space outdoors that's perfect for getting married right on the water.
The Downside
🟣 It's not very exclusive, the hotel is open to anyone.
🟣 There are multiple weddings booked in a day, so you have limited time to get footage in certain areas.
🟣 Due to the size of the property, it can be a bit of a hike to get from place to place, which may be an issue for elderly guests or those with physical disabilities.
OUR PHOTO/VIDEO TIPS FOR THIS VENUE...
Be prepared to work with a tight timeline - we highly recommend hiring a planner or working with vendors who are familiar with the venue.
The lights in the reception hall are quite yellow, so be prepared for a harsh-flash look to your footage and photos.
Overflow Brewing Company
THE LOVES
🟣 The vibe is very rock and roll - it's a concert venue!
🟣 The whole room is very spacious, with a garage door and high ceilings.
🟣 The stage is great for speeches, the shoe game, getting group shots, etc.
The Downside
🟣 It's not a very "formal" venue.
🟣 You are limited to the one space, which makes it difficult to capture various backgrounds.
OUR PHOTO/VIDEO TIPS FOR THIS VENUE...
The bar is L-shaped, which allows great footage facing guests drinking and chatting.
The room is very dark and requires a harsh flash style.
Elmdale Oyster House & Tavern
THE LOVES
🟣 The people who run the place are amazing to work with!
🟣 The food is amazing.
🟣 The "bar" atmosphere makes the space feel very relaxed and fun.
🟣 It's really fun to get the couple serving drinks behind the bar.
The Downside
🟣 You are restricted to the one room, which limits the opportunity for various backgrounds.
🟣 The space is a bit tight for larger parties or more movement (dance) oriented weddings.
OUR PHOTO/VIDEO TIPS FOR THIS VENUE...
The light is very harsh and yellow, so it requires lots of flash photography.
Due to the tight space, you need a wide angle lens to capture groups and the room.
Backyards, Tents, Cottages, & The Outdoors
... A Personal Favourite
THE LOVES
🟣 It generally has more of a laid-back vibe.
🟣 It can be very cute and intimate, and the styling is so versatile.
🟣 If it's in an open outdoor location, the incorporation of nature is beautiful.
🟣 It's usually a location that's meaningful to the couple or their families.
🟣 It allows you to include the addition of personal touches like a boat ride, a family pet, or a fun tradition.
🟣 It CAN be cheaper and low-maintenance (but this is NOT guaranteed - see logistics).
The Downside
🟣 Logistics can be a NIGHTMARE because the couple/planner must create every aspect from scratch (some say you have to essentially build your own venue - accessibility, toilets, parking, power, shelter, water, seating areas, decor, etc.).
🟣 Footage can be limited if the location doesn't have access to different areas to create different backgrounds (ie. in an intimate backyard setting).
🟣 There is always a risk of bugs and unwanted wildlife.
OUR PHOTO/VIDEO TIPS FOR THIS VENUE...
You are at the mercy of the elements, so you need to be aware of potential issues like audio distortion from wind and the temperature of your equipment.
Lighting is awesome to work with because it's natural during the day and string lights or similar in the evening, but direct sunlight and shadows can be difficult to work with.
What do our shooters have to say?
"The addition of something sentimental to even a handful of the photos makes for some really amazing memories, and very unique wedding photos."
- Megan
"Simply goated."
- Nick (a totally un-biased cottage groom)
The long and short of it is that it's really hard to choose where you're going to get married. There are a lot of things you have to consider, and we highly recommend hiring or consulting with a professional wedding planner or coordinator to make sure you're not missing anything important.
We're very fortunate to have a collection of professionals with varying experience in weddings and events (including a wedding industry professional and hundreds if not thousands of hours of shooting experience), and we're more than happy to offer advice to give you the best foundation for the best day possible!
