Chelsey and Tyler’s Timber Barn Wedding took place at the final location in a trio of beautiful boutique venues, all owned by the same incredible group of women. Earlier that summer, I had the chance to photograph Jennifer and Brandon’s wedding at Elle by Stella, another one of their venues. And this year, I’m excited to be capturing another wedding at Cellar 52, just across the street from The Timber Barn.

When I mentioned this to Chelsey and Tyler, they told me their venue had a completely different vibe from the others—and they were absolutely right.

The Timber Barn Wedding in Winter

I met this lovely couple at my local Guelph Wedding Ring Expo. They were from nearby Fergus and planned to keep everything local for their big day.
I have always enjoyed working with local wedding couples, and this Timber Barn Wedding journey began with an engagement session at Elora Mill, where they brought along their adorable fur baby, Mack.

Since I hadn’t photographed at Timber Barn before, Chelsey and Tyler kindly arranged a private tour so we could explore the venue together. This gave me a chance to get a feel for the space and helped me understand what was most important to them so I could focus on those details on the wedding day.

We scheduled the visit for a few weeks before the wedding, in the evening, around the same time as their planned ceremony. I wanted to see how the light would look during that time of day, knowing that, with a late-November wedding, we’d need to do the photo session before the ceremony—something Chelsey and Tyler were completely on board with.

Each room at Timber Barn had its own unique charm, all tied together by a warm and cozy atmosphere. I could already imagine what an incredible celebration it would be.

Getting Ready Photos in St. Jacobs

The wedding day was sunny but cold, with snow in the forecast for the evening. I was hoping we’d get lucky and see some snowfall later that night, just in time for the nighttime photo session we planned on the charming streets of downtown St. Jacobs.

During our earlier visit, I had seen the downtown area already decorated with twinkling lights—add a few snowflakes to that scene, and it would be the perfect setting for some magical night shots.

I arrived early to set up my lighting and prepare for the getting-ready photos. Chelsey and the girls were getting ready at the venue, so there was no need to travel anywhere that day.

When they arrived at Timber Barn, their hair and makeup were already done. Since we didn’t have multiple events or appointments to rush between, our only main timeline was being ready in time for the first look photos.

Chelsey and her bridesmaids took a few moments to check out the venue setup while I quietly documented the excitement and emotions of the moment. I could sense a little nervous energy when they first arrived, so I gave them space to settle in while capturing some sweet, candid moments from a distance.

Before getting into their dresses, we did a fun champagne photo session by the Wall in their matching robes and pyjamas. Then I stepped out of the bridal suite to give them some privacy, using that time to photograph the beautiful details of Chelsey and Tyler’s accessories.

The First Look at This Timber Barn Wedding

Once the girls were ready, we had about 25 minutes before Tyler was scheduled to arrive with his groomsmen. Wanting to capture the charm of this lovely little village, I took the bridal party outside and posed them in front of the main entrance of Timber Barn.

My vision was to photograph them casually strolling through the streets of St. Jacobs. I walked ahead and asked them to head toward me, ending at the side entrance of the barn, where a large Timber Barn sign made the perfect backdrop.

As we started walking, I noticed a few snowflakes drifting through the air, carried by the fresh breeze—it was a beautiful little moment.
We didn’t waste a second. In just 15 minutes, I captured an incredible set of over 100 images and had everyone back inside just in time before the guys arrived.

As we stepped inside, Tyler and his groomsmen were walking through the door—perfect timing. I felt relieved we had already checked the bridesmaid portraits off the list.

If Chelsey was nervous, Tyler was twice as nervous. I greeted everyone and gave Mack, their fur baby, a little head rub—he looked dapper in his bow tie, ready to pose with his humans.

The first look at this Timber Barn Wedding was incredibly emotional. Rather than describe it in words, I’ll let the photos speak for themselves. It was intimate, heartfelt, and one of those moments that stays with you—captured beautifully in every frame.

The Winter Photo Session in St. Jacobs

After finishing the bridesmaid photos, it was time to focus on my couple. Since we only had about 15 minutes before the guests started arriving, I decided not to take the entire bridal party outside. Instead, I brought just Chelsey and Tyler and followed the same route we had used earlier. With fewer people, we were able to stop at more spots along the way.

The bright, overcast sky, paired with light snow flurries, created the perfect atmosphere for some truly stunning photos. Chelsey and Tyler were so excited and cooperative—it made everything flow naturally. We managed to capture every planned shot without feeling rushed, which made them really happy with how things were going so far.

Once we returned inside, I wanted to get a few photos with their pup, Mack. We used the Timber Barn Something Blue Lounge, where a charming, stylish bench sat beneath a wooden wall with a board that had Chelsey and Tyler’s names on it.

That’s where I captured one of my favourite images from the day. I focused on the wedding sign with their names while Chelsey, Tyler, and Mack were slightly blurred in the background—Mack looking off into the distance as if quietly watching over them. That photo holds a lot of meaning for me, and I hope Chelsey and Tyler feel the same way.

After finishing their couple portraits, I gathered the entire bridal party for a group photo in the same room where the first look took place. We used a different green bench as a backdrop, which added a vibrant touch to the images.

The Wedding Ceremony at Timber Barn

Since I hadn’t yet taken any formal photos with the groomsmen, Chelsey and the girls tucked themselves in the bridal suite as guests began arriving, allowing me to work with the guys and complete the final group shots.

Although we had originally set aside plenty of time for photos, some guests arrived earlier than expected, which cut our window a bit shorter. So, I quickly took the groomsmen outside to capture a few shots in front of the barn and the charming gazebo area beside it.

The golden hour sunlight was incredible—it cast a warm glow that made for some stunning portraits of Tyler and his groomsmen. To wrap up this part of the day and lead naturally into the ceremony, I positioned the guys and Mack in the middle of the street and had them walk toward me. It was the perfect way to visually transition into the next chapter: the ceremony.

Before heading inside, I made sure to get a few last photos of Mack, their beloved dog, since he was about to head home. I’m so glad we did.
The ceremony space was set up beautifully in the room next to where we had done the first look. Chelsey and Tyler, with help from their families, decorated the space themselves—which added such a personal and heartfelt touch.

During our earlier visit to the venue, I had noticed limited space for lighting, so this time, I used magnets to secure my lights. It worked out perfectly—it kept the setup clean for guest views, avoided any safety issues, and saved me time editing out light stands later.

The Cocktail Party at Timber Barn in St. Jacobs

The ceremony itself was intimate, emotional, and filled with smiles and happy tears. From the second level of Timber Barn—where the reception dinner would later take place—I had a fantastic elevated view. It allowed me to capture a series of beautiful bird’s eye photos that really highlighted the warmth and joy of the ceremony.

After capturing the dip and kiss as Chelsey and Tyler exited their wedding ceremony, I returned to the area with the green bench to photograph their extended family. We had already taken photos of the immediate family earlier in the day, so this session focused on the rest of their loved ones.

At my previous weddings at Elle by Stella and Cellar 52, I had noticed the venues’ signature mixed drinks and made a point to photograph them again here. Their vibrant colours always add a fun and eye-catching element to the photo collection.

While capturing candid moments during the cocktail hour, I gradually moved my lighting equipment upstairs to the second floor to take some final shots of the décor setup. By the time I returned downstairs, Chelsey and Tyler were ready for more group photos with their larger circle of family and friends.

It was a day filled with photos, but everything flowed naturally—spontaneous, relaxed, and without any stress or pressure. The credit goes to my couple, of course, but the venue itself—with its cozy and intimate vibe—definitely added to the ease and warmth of the day.
“What a match,” I thought. The perfect venue for this wonderful couple.

The Reception Dinner at the Timber Barn Loft

When the DJ began inviting guests to the second floor, I was already upstairs and ready for Chelsey and Tyler’s grand entrance. Their introduction was quick and seamless, filled with a few beautiful, memorable moments.

Night had fully settled in by then, and the dining room glowed warmly with candlelight, adding an extra layer of coziness to the atmosphere.
Chelsey and Tyler had chosen to keep speeches to a minimum so dinner could be relaxed and uninterrupted. Instead, they planned a few fun games toward the end of the meal. Their main priority was to focus on dancing and celebrating with their loved ones.

As they wrapped up their thank-you speech, the DJ announced their first dance, which took place on the lower level where the ceremony had been held. Once again, I was able to use the second-floor vantage point to capture some breathtaking, once-in-a-lifetime shots from above.

When the DJ opened the dancefloor to everyone, I immediately understood why Chelsey and Tyler kept the dinner short and simple. They absolutely loved to dance and party with their friends and family, and they didn’t want to spend their evening stuck in seats.

With my magnet-mounted lighting repositioned just right, the dancefloor was beautifully lit—creating a dramatic, energetic backdrop for an unforgettable celebration.

The Night Photo Session at St. Jacobs

At one point, I noticed that Tyler and the groomsmen had disappeared, and I wasn’t sure if they had gone outside to enjoy the cigars we’d planned earlier. When I stepped outside, I was met with a scene straight out of a fairytale—St. Jacobs’ downtown looked magical.

I decided to take full advantage of the moment. First, I finished capturing some great shots of the guys smoking cigars in front of Timber Barn. Once they headed back inside, I took a few minutes to scout potential spots for nighttime photos.

It was still early in the evening, and the streets of St. Jacobs were glowing. The twinkling lights gave everything a warm, enchanting feel, and snowflakes had just started to fall, creating a soft, clean blanket over the ground. I knew this scene wouldn’t last long, so I rushed back into the venue to find my couple.

While I was out scouting, Chelsey had changed into a shorter, more dance-friendly dress so she could move freely without worrying about the train of her gown.

When I saw them on the dancefloor, I jumped right in and started capturing candid shots of them enjoying the night. I hadn’t forgotten about the nighttime portraits—but the energy on the dancefloor was too good to miss. I chose to stay in the moment and have fun documenting this incredible celebration with my couple.

The Fairytale End of this St. Jacobs Wedding

At one point, I spotted the perfect moment to ask my couple if they wanted to step outside for some photos. They happily agreed—they were warm and energized from all the dancing—so we headed out to the main street.

Chelsey wore her short wedding dress paired with a jean jacket with writing on the back while Tyler loosened his bow tie. Their looks complemented each other perfectly.

Snow was falling gently, adding a magical touch to the photo session without being a hassle—no lens spots or soaking wet couple to worry about.

I took them to the front of a store with a beautiful overhang, where I captured some dramatic silhouettes that really showcased the charm of this winter wedding.

But my favourite series was when I had them walk down the middle of the street as I stepped back, capturing their carefree stroll through downtown St. Jacobs. The look in Chelsey’s eyes was breathtaking; Tyler’s eyes sparkled with pure joy. Chelsey was glowing, savouring the moment with the love of her life—now her husband.

It was the perfect way to close my coverage of their Timber Barn wedding—freezing these unforgettable moments in beautiful images.
Thank you, Chelsey and Tyler, for such a wonderful time together. I’m truly honoured and happy to have been part of your wedding memories.

Credits to below wedding professionals and locations that helped Chelsey and Tyler’s wedding to be one-of-a-kind.

Here is another barn wedding. In the blog post Ultimate Guide to perfect barn wedding with Samantha and Adam.