As a Cambridge Mill wedding photographer, it is always a pleasure to work with a couple who allows me to express my creativity in a beautiful location. This particular venue is ideal for hosting events for guests who appreciate excellent food and drinks, as well as a spacious area for dancing and parties. Its uniqueness stems from its location, making it a perfect choice for any special occasion.

Embracing the Unpredictable Weather as a Cambridge Mill Wedding Photographer

It can be difficult to accurately predict the weather when planning a wedding in November. Despite the challenges, Nicki and Brandon were thrilled to finally have their wedding after multiple COVID-related rescheduling, and the weather was not a major concern for them.
I was on board with their plans, and secretly, I was also hoping for good weather and, at the very least, a dry day for them!

Upon arriving at Nicki’s mom’s place, where she was getting ready, I noticed that the weather looked dark and cloudy. However, I reminded myself that we still had plenty of time, and I refused to let the weather distract me from capturing the beauty of the wedding getting ready moments.

Getting Ready Moments and Family Bonds

The room where Nicki was getting ready was perfect for some creative photos. As I planned to take pictures of Nicki getting her hair done, the sunshine suddenly emerged, illuminating the cloud of hairspray that had just been applied to her.

She had everything set up for me for those unique detail shoots, and I ran back and forth from the lower part, where the details were, to the upper part, where she was getting her hair and makeup done.

After she finished getting ready, I captured the beauty of her dress as she put on her accessories while waiting for her mom to join her for some family photos.
At that time, I had no idea I would photograph her mother’s wedding the following year and her brother’s wedding years later. These connections with Nicki and her family have turned into a strong family bond, which was not anticipated then.
The atmosphere at the house was very calm, which allowed me to capture some fantastic photos of Nicki’s bridesmaids and her family.

Capturing the Moments

While I was taking photos of Nicki, the bride-to-be, my second photographer, Erika, was at the Cambridge Hotel photographing Brandon, the groom-to-be. Since the hotel room didn’t offer much creative potential, I decided that I would work with the guys once we got to the Mill while Erika took photos of the girls.

After leaving Nicki’s house, the light rain that had been falling while we were taking the getting-ready photos cleared up and was replaced by sunshine. The forecast didn’t predict any surprises, except for the subzero temperature.

Both places were very close to the Cambridge Mill, and in no time, we arrived there. I started working with the boys while Erika captured the set-up photos and went to the bridal suite to work with the girls.

The Art of Handling Light and Shadows at the Cambridge Mill Chapel

I love the organizational skills and discipline that Pearle Hospitality practices in all their wedding venues.
The wedding coordinator for the day managed the schedule and activities, leaving us to capture the unfolding moments.
I sensed this would be a very emotional ceremony, so I prepared for the influx of emotions and raw and genuine moments.

Much like a Swiss watch, the wedding ceremony started as planned and right on time. As a Cambridge Mill wedding photographer, I knew the most challenging part of photographing weddings at their chapel was the sunshine, which could shine directly into the eyes of the wedding guests and throw very heavy shadows onto my couple. I prepared for that and let the ceremony proceed in its normal flow.
It was amazing to witness my bride and groom’s emotions. Despite the overwhelming feelings, it was a moment that was truly priceless and unforgettable.
Knowing the program and how this goes at the end of the ceremony, I captured their exit from the chapel, and we were ready for their bridal party photos.

Photo Session at the Mill Race Park

I wanted to use the sunlight that was illuminating the back of my bridal party, but the wind was getting stronger, making it impossible to take photos where I had initially planned.
We went down to the bottom of the staircases, which was less windy and finished some of our bridal photos there.
We captured some intimate moments of just the two of them before quickly moving to Mill Race Park. I was hoping to take some photos during the golden hour or at least during sunset.

The air was cool and dry, and we were happy to endure the cold for the sake of capturing some fantastic photos. Mill Race Park never fails to amaze me, no matter how many times I photograph there. As a Cambridge Mill Wedding photographer, I find that this small park always adds beauty to my photos, allowing my clients to get intimate and share their precious moments with their bridal party or simply use it as a location for their first look.

Sunset Splendor and Balcony Shots

As the sun was setting rapidly, we had to act quickly to get the shots we needed. We only had one more photo session to complete: the balcony shot. So, I had Erika take Nicki and Brandon to the bridal suite, where they could access the balcony, while I positioned myself on the opposite side of the river, getting ready to take the far-away shot.

I took the pictures I wanted and returned to the balcony. Erika was there working with two of them to capture the sunset. When I arrived, I had only one minute left to capture the last parts of the sunset, and then we went inside for their wedding reception.

Reception Highlights

After completing all of the formalities, I could see that a huge weight had been lifted from Nicki and Brandon’s shoulders. They were excitedly anticipating their grand entrance. I had not photographed a bridal party that was as happy and eventful as this one that year. The wedding reception began with lots of dancing, drinking, and even wheelchair spinning by the best man and Nicki’s brother. It was a very entertaining start to the evening.

After seeing all the fun and activities happening at the grand entrance, I was afraid to sit down for fear of missing out on something.
Well, I was right! Erika and I spent the next 2-3 hours taking candid photos that perfectly captured the authentic atmosphere of the Cambridge Mill wedding. As seasoned photographers who had already covered many weddings at the venue, we positioned ourselves accordingly to capture every move and perfect shot of the performers.

Capturing the Magic After Dark

Towards the end of the night, I stepped outside to find a picturesque spot for their nighttime photos. Since it was so close to Christmas, Cambridge Mill was adorned with fairy lights.
After cutting the cake, we stepped outside for a few minutes to take photos with the stunning lights of Cambridge Mill.
Once we completed that, I brought them back to the dance floor, and they danced the night away. Jack, Nicki’s brother, had invited me for a drink earlier that night, but I could not join him. No drinking while I was working is my motto.

Reflecting on Memories

Before I left, I had a drink with him, and we reminisced about the fantastic memories we had shared that day. Little did I know that I would end up photographing his own wedding this year with his girlfriend, Quinn. I recently wrote a blog post about this engagement shoot at Elora Mill, sharing some of the fun photos we created together.

Thank you, Nicki and Brandon, for trusting me and introducing me to your family. I am grateful for the opportunity to document your family’s happy moments. Congratulations on the upcoming arrival of your baby! I am looking forward to smiling with you at your brother’s wedding.

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

If you want to see another Cambridge wedding check Tangi and Stephen’s wedding at Four Fathers Brewery . Here you can see another Cambridge Mill wedding of Jeff and Alicia.