A Stunning White Oaks Wedding - Lisamarie and John's Perfect Day

Last month, I had the honor of photographing Lisamarie and John's beautiful wedding at White Oaks Resort in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Even though I hadn't met them beforehand, I knew from the outset it was going to be a great celebration, with nearly 300 guests in attendance. From the moment I arrived, I could feel the excitement in the air, and White Oaks was the perfect setting for such a special day.

Getting Ready at White Oaks

I started the day by capturing moments of Lisamarie and John as they prepared for their wedding. When I entered Lisamarie's room, I was absolutely floored. The room was exquisitely decorated, and her wedding dress—wow! It was one of the most stunning dresses I've ever seen, complete with an incredibly long train and veil. It genuinely looked like it came straight out of a fairytale.

Lisamarie herself was just as lovely, along with her bridesmaids and parents. They couldn't have been more welcoming and helpful. While she was getting into her dress (which took a little time, as her mom had anticipated), I headed over to meet John and capture some shots of him getting ready.

That's when I learned that John is from the UK and nearly half of the wedding guests had flown in from across the pond! It was a special detail that added a sense of grandeur to the wedding. Some of his guests visited him as he got ready, and I quickly noticed that many were wearing fascinators, those beautiful, elaborate hats you typically see at Royal Weddings. It was a wonderful touch that brought a little bit of the UK to Niagara.

First Look and Ceremony

After capturing some memorable moments with John, I headed back to Lisamarie's room. When I saw her in her wedding dress, I was once again in awe—she looked like a royal princess straight off the cover of a wedding magazine. We did a few portraits of her, followed by an emotional first look with her dad and a fun one with her bridesmaids, who entered the room with their eyes covered and waited for me to give a countdown before they looked. It was such a sweet moment.

From there, Lisamarie stepped into a vintage Bentley to take her to the Cathedral of St. Catherine of Alexandria in St. Catharines for the ceremony. The cathedral is breathtaking, with its intricate artwork and stained glass, evoking a sense of old-world elegance, almost as if it was transported directly from the UK to Niagara.

One of my favorite moments was watching John and his groomsmen standing at the front, anticipating the start of the ceremony. When the church doors opened and the pipe organ began playing "Here Comes the Bride," it was the perfect start to their wedding. The atmosphere was filled with love and anticipation as Lisamarie made her entrance.

Wedding Portraits at the Botanical Gardens

After the ceremony, Lisamarie and John rode in the vintage Bentley to the Botanical Gardens in Niagara Falls for portraits of the two of them. Their chemistry is something every photographer dreams about. The way they smile at each other, would sneak in kisses, and the way they naturally cuddled into each others arms—it all made for incredible photos.

The Botanical Gardens offered the perfect backdrop with its tree-lined pathways, blooming rose gardens, and vintage-looking buildings. While taking photos of the two of them I noticed that every passerby stopped and took a second look at the newlyweds. The combination of their love, John's sharp suit, and Lisamarie's breathtaking gown made the photos feel straight out of a movie.

Reception at White Oaks

After we finished at the Botanical Gardens, we returned to White Oaks for the reception. The ballroom was absolutely stunning. Decorated in an elegant white theme, complete with a custom dance floor and the most beautiful wedding cake I've ever seen, it was the perfect setting for the evening's celebrations. The night was filled with laughter, dancing, and joy, and it was clear that everyone was having an amazing time celebrating.

Conclusion

Lisamarie and John's wedding was truly unforgettable. From the elegance of White Oaks to the timeless beauty of the Botanical Gardens and the grand ambiance of the Cathedral of St. Catherine of Alexandria, every moment of their day was amazing. Being a Niagara wedding photographer, it's days like this that remind me how lucky I am to capture such magical love stories.

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