For Jennifer and Brandon’s Elle by Stella Wedding, I witnessed a true weather miracle and how everything can align perfectly for two people deeply in love. Rain on a wedding day is often a major concern, especially for couples who have planned most of their activities outdoors. While no one can control the weather, what truly matters is how everyone—especially the couple—responds to the challenge of a forecast showing a 99% chance of rain. In Jennifer and Brandon’s case, I saw how we managed to schedule all their events and complete them within the precious 1% of the day when the rain held off.

The First Venue Visit for this Elle by Stella Wedding

From the moment I met Jenn and Brandon, we formed such a strong connection that I knew their wedding day would be filled with incredible memories. They are a wonderful couple who deeply value family and maintain close relationships with their friends.

Our first interaction after the booking meeting was their engagement session, which Jenn and Brandon chose to do at the Rockwood Conservation Area during the fall, a year before their wedding. It was an amazing day, filled with vibrant energy that made the entire photo session unforgettable.

A few months before their wedding, we arranged a visit to the venue, Elle by Stella Villa and Gardens. Despite its proximity to my home in Guelph, I had never photographed there before. Jenn and Brandon gave me a tour of the property and shared their vision for the day.

As someone who naturally visualizes moments unfolding, I could clearly picture their wedding as they explained their plans. The ceremony area was spacious, with a stunning waterfall as the backdrop where they would exchange vows. I was excited about capturing the unique perspectives this setting offered. The reception area, bright and modern, was a photographer’s dream, perfect for shooting both during setup and throughout the day.

After the visit, I was even more excited about their wedding.

The Start of The Wedding Day

For this Elle by Stella wedding, I didn’t have assistance from my second photographer, as we had all agreed there was no need for one. Jenn and Brandon had hired a videography team I hadn’t worked with before, and I was curious to meet them. While some videographers are easier to collaborate with than others, any differences in working styles don’t hinder my performance or theirs—though they can sometimes add to the workload.

The biggest challenge of the day was the weather. I had been monitoring the forecast for five days, and it was clear there would be nonstop rain all day. While I’m a firm believer in miracles, my optimism was fading when I arrived at Jenn’s parents’ house. Just as I stepped inside, the rain began pouring heavily. I pushed the weather out of my mind and focused on capturing beautiful moments with the bridal party.

Inside, the atmosphere was warm and lively. Everyone seemed well-rested and excited, making capturing candid, joyful shots easy during the getting-ready process.

Shortly after I arrived, Ian, the lead videographer from MavenFilms, showed up while I was photographing Jenn’s wedding dress hanging elegantly in the entryway. No matter who I work with, I always share my plan for the getting-ready portion and ask if they have any concerns or adjustments. Ian was on board with my approach, and together, we began creating magical moments for Jenn and her bridesmaids.

The Rain Forecast for This Elle by Stella Wedding

After capturing all the candid moments of the bridal party’s hair and makeup preparations, it was time for the champagne. Despite the heavy rain outside, I managed to gather the bridesmaids and mothers onto the covered terrace for photos while Jenn wrestled with the champagne bottle to get it open.

The rain wasn’t just a drizzle—it was an intense downpour, more like a true shower. I couldn’t help but wonder if it would ever let up. After the champagne photos, we moved inside to the cozy family room by the fireplace, where the bridesmaids posed in their robes and custom slippers.

I tried to gauge Jenn’s mood, looking for any sign of frustration about the weather, but her face revealed no clear reaction. Summoning a calm and reassuring tone, I asked her, “Jenn, do we have a Plan B if the rain continues at Elle by Stella?” She had mentioned an alternate plan during our earlier venue visit, and I remembered exactly which room she had pointed out as the backup option.

Her response will forever be etched in my memory: “I really want to get married outdoors at the location we planned, but if we need to go indoors, well, we already have Plan B.” Her humble and grounded attitude struck a chord with me, and I silently hoped for a miracle because she truly deserved it.

With the backup plan in place, I felt a sense of relief. I wrapped up the final shots at Jenn’s parent’s house and set off for Elle by Stella Villa and Gardens, ready for whatever the day might bring.

The Groomsmens Portrait at Elle by Stella Villa and Gardens

As planned, I arrived at the venue to meet the groomsmen and capture Brandon’s getting-ready photos. To my surprise, the sky had cleared, and the strong sun was shining brightly, quickly drying the parking lot and the outdoor wedding ceremony area.

When the boys arrived, most of the groomsmen immediately got to work wiping down the white chairs, making sure the outdoor ceremony space was ready for photos. While keeping an eye on the weather map, I noticed a brief break in the clouds, providing a small window of clear skies.

Not wasting any time, I took all the necessary photos with Brandon, the groomsmen, and the fathers. The sun’s intensity, combined with the lingering humidity from the earlier rain, made it unbearably hot. Though I thought about how the sudden temperature shift might affect everyone, I kept those concerns to myself and pushed forward.

Once we finished the photos with the groomsmen, they moved to one side of the venue as Jenn and her bridesmaids were about to arrive. The timing couldn’t have been more dramatic—just as the bus pulled up, the sky opened, and the expected rain began to pour again. Not paying attention to the rain, I took candid photos of the girls exiting the bus and captured the excitement in their faces.

The First Look Photos Under The Rain at Elle by Stella

I could see on the weather map and from the fast-moving clouds that the rain would pass soon. The real question was how quickly we could take advantage of the clear skies and how much time we’d have before the rain returned.

As Jenn and her bridesmaids entered the bridal suite, I asked the groomsmen to get ready for first-look photos. Jenn had planned to do her first reveal with her dad, so we moved inside Elle by Stella for this emotional moment. It turned out to be the perfect setting, and we also used this time to capture some photos with the bridesmaids.

As the rain began to slow, I suggested Brandon move down by the river for his first look with Jenn, the spot he had chosen for this special moment. Jenn stepped outside for a brief reveal with Brandon’s dad, and by then, the rain had eased to a light drizzle, with the sun just beginning to peek through the clouds.

Despite the faint rain, Jenn started walking toward Brandon, who stood with his back to us. The cinematographers from Maven Films and I carefully positioned ourselves to capture this tender moment in an authentic, unposed way. When Jenn and Brandon finally faced each other, emotions flooded the air. It was a beautiful scene—just as they saw each other for the first time, the rain stopped completely, and the sun came out, giving the impression that it had never rained at all.

The bridal party joined us near the fountain, and the ceremony location, and we captured some stunning group photos. As the guests began to arrive, Jenn and the bridesmaids returned inside while the groomsmen stepped up to guide friends and family to their seats for the outdoor ceremony.

Outdoor Wedding Ceremony in St. Jacobs

The outdoor wedding ceremony location at Elle by Stella Villa and Gardens is beautifully positioned, making it one of the property’s standout features. Nestled between the river and the large trees on one side, with the venue on the other, it offers a natural barrier against the wind, creating a serene and private setting for any event.

As I prepared for the wedding party’s arrival, I placed my ladder near the entrance to ensure everything was ready for the group photo we had planned to take after the first kiss.

Once the ceremony began, I found myself immersed in the moment. I can’t recall the exact sequence of events because I was so energized by the atmosphere. Somehow, I managed to channel enough energy to keep up with the three videographers strategically positioned to capture every angle of this special day. Their presence motivated me to stay dynamic and attentive to every detail.

The ceremony itself was deeply emotional, fueling me even more as I worked to capture every heartfelt moment. The couple’s dream of an outdoor wedding with sunshine instead of rain had come true, and I was determined to preserve every detail of their vision.

After the first kiss, we moved quickly into the planned group photo with everyone, and then the guests transitioned to the patio for the cocktail hour. Meanwhile, the immediate family and bridal party stayed near the ceremony site for formal portraits. We captured the bridal party, immediate family, and several other important shots.

And yes, the sun was still shining brightly, with no sign of rain. It was as if the earlier storm had never even happened.

The Reception Dinner and Party at this St. Jacobs Wedding Venue

After finishing the formal photos, I had some time to capture candid shots of the guests and family enjoying the patio. I also made sure to document the reception room setup, which was stunning. The decor struck a perfect balance—minimalistic yet full of thoughtful details that enhanced the space without overwhelming it.

As the cocktail hour wrapped up, I noticed rain beginning to pour outside. During dinner, I turned to Ian and said, “Oh man, how lucky we were!” It was incredible timing that all the outdoor photos had been completed before the rain returned.

Jenn and Brandon’s reception dinner unfolded seamlessly. The relaxed atmosphere allowed everyone to enjoy themselves and celebrate the couple in a truly joyful way.

We had planned to take sunset photos, so I kept an eye on the weather and the cloud formations outside. It quickly became clear there wouldn’t be a visible sunset—the sun was hidden behind thick clouds. However, the dramatic skies during the golden hour offered a perfect alternative.
I asked Jenn and Brandon if they’d like to step outside for five minutes and whether they preferred bright or dramatic photos. Without hesitation, they both chose dramatic, and that’s exactly what we created.

Golden Hour Photos in St. Jacobs

The rolling hills of the nearby farm provided a picturesque backdrop, while the dark clouds and captivating sky added a striking element to the images. The result was a series of dramatic and unforgettable shots.
What I didn’t realize at the time was that a tornado had touched down just 3 kilometres away. I only found out later when I saw it on the local news after I got home.

Ian and his cinematographers joined us for the outdoor session, capturing some incredible video footage alongside my photos.

As we finished up and headed back indoors, the rain started pouring again. I looked at Jenn and Brandon and said, “Wow, I’ve witnessed a true miracle today. The sky wanted you to have these outdoor photos, and we made it happen.”

The Night Wedding Reception at Elle by Stella Vila and Gardens

As we moved inside and the rain was no longer a concern, I shifted my focus to the party, capturing all the fun and excitement of the celebration.
The DJ from Nitro was incredible, energizing the crowd and getting everyone on their feet to dance. Jenn and Brandon added to the fun by scattering a box of foam glow sticks across the dance floor for their guests to enjoy.

I was amazed by how much joy these simple foam glow sticks brought to the party. Inspired, I grabbed one for myself and used it as a playful tool to grab the attention of guests I wanted to photograph—it worked like magic!

Later in the evening, I remembered that Jenn and Brandon wanted nighttime photos, regardless of the weather. So, I asked if they’d be willing to step outside for just a minute. They didn’t hesitate for a second.
Outside, we captured stunning shots under the venue’s twinkling lights, with the full moon making a surprise appearance to add the perfect touch.

It was a beautiful ending to a truly miraculous celebration at Elle by Stella Villa.

Thank you, Jennifer and Brandon, for such an amazing experience and for allowing me to be part of your special day. Your photos turned out beautifully, and I can’t wait to reconnect with you soon for your exciting surprise arriving in June!

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

Here is another celebration with amazing local wedding venue in the blog post Creating The Perfect Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory Wedding, with Kelly and Adam.