Michaela and Razvan’s Boho Style Wedding at NithRidge Estates in Ayr blended relaxed, free-spirited design with nature-inspired details. It took place across one of Ontario’s most picturesque outdoor venues. Their celebration featured emotional first looks, a heartfelt amphitheatre ceremony by the Nith River, golden-hour portraits among the horses, and an intimate outdoor reception under string lights and a full moon.

From getting-ready moments to nighttime portraits with a vintage yellow VW Beetle, this boho wedding showcased earthy tones, natural textures, and a deeply personal aesthetic. The couple embraced outdoor spaces — gardens, forest paths, stables, and open fields — creating an authentic boho ambiance. Their portraits were later featured in Hitched Wedding Magazine.

This Boho Style Wedding at NithRidge highlights how planning, organic styling, and meaningful personal touches can create a relaxed, emotional, and uniquely expressive celebration.

Michaela and Razvan’s Boho Style wedding at NithRidge Estates in Ayr has been on my blogging to-do list for almost three years. It wasn’t that I had nothing to say — if anything, I had too much to say. Every time I sat down to plan the post, I felt overwhelmed by all the moments and memories I wanted to include.

I’ve shared so many interactions with this couple over the years that I wasn’t even sure where to begin. So, as always, I’ll start at the very beginning and hope this post doesn’t turn into a 3,000+ word blog entry.

How I Connected with Michaela for Their Boho Style Wedding

I met Michaela and her mom, Maggie, at one of my few Bingemans Wedding Ring shows. Both of them were so excited to look through my albums, especially the documentary-style ones. We connected instantly, and Michaela reached out later that same week to book me. Unfortunately, I was already booked for their original wedding date, and I was truly disappointed that I wouldn’t be able to work with them.

But, like many couples during the pandemic, their plans changed, and the wedding was postponed.

In the meantime, her mom, Maggie, booked me for her own wedding. I was thrilled to photograph their intimate vintage celebration at Nithridge Estates, and even happier to see Michaela and Razvan there as guests.

That same winter, Michaela—who is a hairstylist and the proud owner of Pearl Girl Makeup Studio—and I worked together on two styled wedding shoots at Nithridge Estates, where we were both preferred vendors.

Then, later that year, one morning, Michaela called to ask if I was available for their new wedding date. I was so happy to tell her that I was—and they booked me for their private boho-style wedding celebration.

In short, that’s how I became their wedding photographer and had the chance to work with this amazing couple.

The Groomsmen Getting Ready

Michaela booked me for a limited number of hours for her wedding, and they chose not to have a second photographer. Knowing this, I planned to start by photographing Razvan getting ready before heading to Nithridge Estates, where the girls were preparing.

To make sure I captured more of Razvan’s getting-ready moments, I arrived at his parents’ home earlier than planned. I began working with the boys right away. The atmosphere was wonderful — relaxed, fun, and full of candid moments. This allowed me to capture some fantastic photos of the guys before the rest of the day unfolded.

Arriving at NithRidge Estates, I immediately felt that same relaxed vibe this venue gives me every time I photograph there. Although the venue is currently closed due to ownership changes, I truly hope I’ll be able to photograph more weddings there in the future.

The Boho Style Wedding Ahead of Its Time

Being in the wedding industry herself, Michaela had already done all her homework. She hadn’t left a single detail unplanned. To make sure everything was perfectly executed, she hired a wedding planner and an assistant — both fully dedicated to handling all the details that a typical venue planner or a relative or friend might otherwise take on.

When I arrived, I couldn’t miss the stunning setup for their outdoor reception dinner. Even though there was a large tent at the venue where we celebrated Maggie and Daniel previously, Michaela and Razvan envisioned something entirely different for their own day.

They were among the couples who embraced the early stages of the Boho wedding style — long before it became as popular as it is today. Their free-spirited, relaxed, and deeply personal aesthetic blended nature-inspired elements with a vintage, artistic, and unconventional flair. The venue was beautifully aligned with their vision. They prioritized comfort and individuality over rigid tradition, creating a warm, intimate, and ethereal atmosphere.

I knew right away that calling their blog post a Boho Style Wedding perfectly matched the natural essence of their celebration. They fully embraced the outdoors — gardens, forests, open fields, rustic barns, and the horse stables all became part of their backdrop. The natural landscape offered everything they needed, minimizing the need for extra décor.

Their earthy colour palette and the textures they chose fit seamlessly with their style. And when night fell, the lighting felt like a fairytale. Warm, ambient, and glowing across the property, string lights, candles, and a fire pit completed the scene.

Getting-Ready Photos at NithRidge Estates in Ayr

Although Michaela is a makeup artist and hairstylist herself, she hired a whole team of stylists to stay on-site until after the ceremony — and for good reason. Michaela is a very emotional person. With two reveals planned (one with her father and one with her future husband), plus a heartfelt ceremony, she knew the makeup artist would be busy fixing happy-tear moments throughout the day. She was absolutely right, and I can personally confirm it.

The beauty team did an incredible job. I was there the entire time to capture those special getting-ready moments. At one point, all the bridesmaids gathered on the terrace by the small pool to take photos in their robes while Michaela read the letter from Razvan. As expected, the tears came, marking the first round of makeup touch-ups after the initial application.

Once everything was refreshed, I photographed Michaela getting into her dress. I also captured some beautiful images of her in the estate lobby before her reveal with her dad. As planned, that emotional moment brought on another round of makeup corrections before the first-look photos with Razvan.

NithRidge Estates remains one of my top three wedding venues in Canada. Truly, every corner of the property offers a stunning backdrop. When we began the first-look photos, I witnessed one of the sweetest, most emotional exchanges — perfectly capturing the spirit of a boho-style wedding.

After the third makeup touch-up, we moved into bridal party photos. We made good use of our time before the ceremony. They didn’t want to miss the cocktail celebration afterward, so we worked efficiently to capture everything we needed.

The Wedding Ceremony at The Open Amphitheatre by Nith River

If you haven’t visited this venue before, the photos might make you think it’s somewhere far outside Southern Ontario. The day was absolutely beautiful, and everything came together perfectly for their boho-style outdoor wedding ceremony.

Before Michaela walked down the steps to the altar, she needed makeup assistance for the fourth time. Seeing the breathtaking setup and the man she loved waiting for her brought on another wave of happy tears.

The ceremony itself was intimate, relaxed, and so heartfelt that it passed in what felt like a moment. Michaela’s mom stood beside her as matron of honour, and Raz’s best friend supported him through every emotional part of the day.

From my side of the lens, I was able to document their boho-style wedding from every angle. With no walls or indoor restrictions, I felt like a bird in an open sky. The use of lenses I chose gave me full coverage of the entire ceremony — and honestly, if I hadn’t said it was just me, you might have assumed two or three photographers were capturing it all.

The Photo Session That Ended Up in Hitched Wedding Magazine

Once Michaela and Raz popped the champagne, we had about 20 minutes to capture some bride-and-groom portraits. Because it was such a sunny day, I chose to work in the shaded areas first and planned to continue later during golden hour. That plan worked perfectly. After finishing those intimate portraits, we returned to the cocktail hour, where we wrapped up the family photos and then took a few fun pictures by the VW Beetle photo booth setup.

The atmosphere at the venue was incredibly relaxed and joyful, with no pressure on anyone. Everyone enjoyed themselves with finger foods and drinks. It struck me how different this celebration felt—so easygoing and stress-free—because at many weddings, couples place so many expectations on themselves, their families, and their bridal party that they barely have time to enjoy their own day.

The Outdoor Wedding Celebration at Golden Hour

This outdoor reception was my first experience photographing a wedding where the harvest tables were set up in the venue’s central garden. They were arranged in two long rows, with the sweet table reserved just for my couple at the end. Behind them, simple white sheers framed the scene. The sun setting behind the sheers created a stunning natural backlight. As a result, I was able to capture spectacular images without using any artificial lighting.

When my couple made their grand entrance, it was one of the most exciting entrances I’ve ever photographed. Guests were snapping Insta selfies, and the thoughtful selection of table accessories and plates added to the authentic boho-style wedding vibe.

Hoping to capture the reception from above without using a drone, I asked the venue owner if I could climb onto the roof for a higher vantage point. From there, I photographed the relaxed, candid dinner. Some guests spotted me, which led to a fantastic group photo — all captured naturally, without anyone needing to stand or pose.

The dinner was emotional, with many happy tears, and without a makeup artist on hand to touch up Michaela’s makeup. I loved how the light throughout the reception gently backlit everyone giving speeches, and during the cutting of their adorable one-tier wedding cake.

The Golden Hour at The Outdoor Horse Stable

From her mom’s wedding, Michaela knew that I’m in love with horses. NithRidge Estates had two magnificent horses — large, gentle-hearted animals. Being outside allowed me to monitor the sun’s movement. So, once it was close to the horizon, we headed to the stables.

The stable was shaded by surrounding trees. This helped me avoid glare and harsh sunlight in my lens. Michaela and Raz stepped into the gated area where the horses were free to roam. I followed behind them, capturing every moment.

This horse session quickly became my favourite of all time. The light was soft and gentle. My couple’s walk was relaxed and content, and the horses mirrored that calm, approaching them and interacting naturally. At one point, Michaela was alone, and I captured some of my absolute favourite photos of the day.

To showcase a different perspective of their wedding ceremony location, we moved to the opposite side of the amphitheatre. There, we caught the last rays of the sunset. We captured some truly stunning sunset portraits before returning to the guests for more candid family and friend photos.

The Party Time Under The Stars

I wish I had recorded a video to share the magical feel of NithRidge Estates at night.

In one area, music played as guests mingled. Meanwhile, near the large water fountain, people danced. Down below, a photo booth featuring a yellow VW Beetle and vintage accessories attracted lots of attention. Nearby, guests enjoyed a variety of outdoor games.

The string lights created a warm, cozy, and almost magical atmosphere unlike any wedding I’ve photographed before. Their boho-style wedding focused on creating a day that felt authentic to Michaela and Raz — organic, meaningful, and full of character — rather than following rigid wedding traditions.

Although my official coverage had ended a couple of hours earlier, I couldn’t resist capturing three more special sets of photos before leaving my couple to enjoy the rest of their evening.

First, I photographed Razvan with his groomsmen, enjoying their cigars — something we had planned in the morning. They were standing by the yellow Beetle when I spotted a scene that I knew I had to capture. I positioned my light behind them and created some stunning shots of the boys.

And yes — the cherry on top — the full moon was out that night! I asked a wedding guest, who happily agreed, to help me backlight Michaela and Razvan, allowing me to create some of my signature nighttime photos with the full moon behind them.

The location of NithRidge Estates offered minimal light pollution, creating a breathtaking backdrop but also making it challenging to see my couple clearly from the angle I wanted.

The Signature Photos at Night Under The Stars with a Full Moon

Using the light from my cell phone, the guest helping me backlight Michaela and Razvan allowed me to focus my camera and capture intimate nighttime photos. The full moon was already present, so there was no need to add it in post-processing.

The final set of photos, which became signature images of this boho-style wedding, featured the yellow VW Beetle. I photographed the couple from multiple angles under different lighting conditions — inside the car with soft, intimate lighting, on the ground enjoying a relaxed moment, and in front of the Beetle with dramatic, moody lighting. The last photo was taken with the car door open, with both of them looking directly at me. The artificial-flash technique I first used five years ago made a comeback here, creating a bold, signature boho-style effect, with the bare flash illuminating the couple and casting dramatic shadows behind them.

After capturing these final images, I hugged Michaela and Razvan and said goodbye to everyone in the wedding party.

To show how much they value family, we met again a couple of weeks later to photograph Razvan’s grandmother, who had missed the wedding. Michaela and Razvan dressed up again, and in St. Jacobs, we created another set of beautiful family photos.

Thank you, Michaela and Raz, for your incredible boho-style wedding — truly ahead of its time — and for being so authentically yourselves. I genuinely enjoyed working with you and getting to know you. I can’t wait to share these images with future couples who feel that boho style is the perfect reflection of their wedding vision.

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