Angela and Joe’s Gothic wedding at Ancaster Mill was the first wedding of this style I had the chance to photograph. We met at my Milton wedding show, and the three of us connected instantly. They loved my documentary style and creative lighting, which suited their winter-night wedding plans perfectly. At that time, we didn’t label their wedding as Gothic or anything else . We just talked and connected, and I gave them space to consider our conversation and come back to me later.

Winter Gothic Wedding at Ancaster Mill

Considering we met in the fall and planned their wedding for the winter, Angela and Joe reached out the same week after the wedding show.Their plan was simple — six hours of coverage, with a second photographer for the ceremony only.

I had photographed at Ancaster Mill before, so I knew the grounds well, but I had never shot there at night. To prepare, I arrived early and set up two lighting setups — one for the chapel and another for the 1812 reception room.

Angela and Joe had hoped for a snow-covered wedding. Earlier that week, nearly 50 centimetres had fallen. But as the big day approached, the weather warmed unexpectedly, and by the wedding day, all the snow had melted.

I’m not sure how they felt about it, but when I arrived at Ancaster Mill, I focused on adjusting my logistics. It was warm and rainy, nothing like what they had envisioned. My coverage was scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. at the ceremony — and since it’s already dark at that time of year in Canada, we hadn’t planned for any pre-ceremony photos.

Instead, I shifted my approach, thinking creatively and documenting the day as it unfolded. After all, that’s exactly why Angela and Joe had chosen me. Their Gothic wedding didn’t need to look or feel like anyone else’s.

The Wedding Ceremony at Ancaster Mill, The MIller’s Chapel

As I mentioned, I had photographed at Ancaster Mill before, but mostly at the outdoor chapel. However, this was my first time shooting inside the new wedding chapel. When I arrived and saw how beautifully it was designed, I felt excited. The space offered endless creative possibilities for their wedding. It quickly became clear that this day would be unlike any other I’d photographed.

Joe, the groom, arrived early with his best man. He carried a cane with a very cool top, and that’s where I began documenting the details of their Gothic wedding style. I photographed their rings with the cane and highlighted Joe’s incredible boots.

I hadn’t seen Angela’s dress yet, so I had no expectations. When the car door opened and she stepped out, I was stunned. Her gown was white with black roses — a perfect mix of elegance and edge that beautifully captured the theme.

It was an intimate wedding with about 40–50 guests, mostly family and a few close friends. The darkening evening, the weather, and the moody glow of the Ancaster Mill chapel came together perfectly. Everything complemented their Gothic wedding style and I was thrilled. I knew there would be challenges with the photography, but in that moment, I focused entirely on capturing the ceremony. Most importantly, I did not let any thoughts of logistics interfere with the creativity and energy I was feeling.

The Rainy Photo Session for this Gothic Wedding

As the ceremony began, my focus was on capturing the expressions of the most important people — Angela, Joe, and their families. Meanwhile, Rosanna, as I had asked, documented the rest of the ceremony in a candid, documentary style. The high ceilings and the second-floor chapel gave us incredible opportunities to photograph the event from different angles.

When the ceremony ended, I wrapped things up with a large group photo of all the guests. Then we moved on to immediate family portraits inside the chapel. Once those were done, I created a few dramatic shots of just the two of them, unaware of the weather outside. Soon after, we prepared to exit the chapel.

As we stepped out, I realized it was still drizzling. Instead of heading indoors, I suggested using an umbrella for some creative portraits — and Angela and Joe instantly agreed. I was thrilled.

We started on the bridge, which was beautifully lit. Still, I had a few ideas for enhancing the mood. The light rain added texture against the pitch-black night, working perfectly with my backlight setup to highlight the couple beneath the umbrella and Joe’s distinctive cane.

After a few shots on the bridge, I asked if we could take more photos on the stairs leading to the mill and near the waterfall. They agreed once again. Inspired by these atmospheric settings, I created a series of dramatic images that perfectly reflected their gothic wedding style.

The Wedding Reception Dinner at The 1812 Room

As the rain began to fall harder, we decided to head inside and start the wedding reception dinner. As I mentioned, this was a very intimate celebration, and they had booked the 1812 Room at Ancaster Mill. I had photographed in the Fallsview Room before, but this was my first time working in this particular space.

While Angela and Joe took a few moments to freshen up after the ceremony and photo session, Rosanna and I captured detail shots of the beautifully styled venue. I especially loved their black wedding cake — it perfectly complemented their Gothic wedding theme.

When the couple made their grand entrance, I continued photographing in my usual documentary style. I focused on natural, candid moments as they unfolded. The atmosphere was warm and joyful, filled with laughter and celebration.

I particularly loved capturing their first dance. I used my twinkling lights to enhance the mood and draw focus to the couple while softening distractions in the background. Their shoe game was also one of a kind. Both Angela and Joe wore high boots, and at one point, they lifted them in the air at the same time, creating a fun and memorable shot.

I was so proud of how these photos turned out! Once Angela gave me permission to share their wedding, I eagerly waited for the perfect moment to feature it on my blog.

The Night Photo Session on The Terrace at Ancaster Mill

Angela and Joe planned their coverage perfectly. Right after they cut their black Gothic cake and the DJ opened the dance floor, we had about five minutes to capture their nighttime photos. Since it was still raining, I decided to take the pictures on the terrace just outside the 1812 Room, part of their covered outdoor cocktail area.

Their nighttime portraits turned out beautifully unique. I was thrilled to see everything I had envisioned come together in a way that truly reflected their style and personality.

Thank you, Angela and Joe, for trusting me with your wedding photography and allowing me to capture your stunning black Gothic wedding. Your creativity and vision were inspiring, and I can’t wait to photograph more weddings like yours in the future.

Are you planning your own Gothic wedding? Get in touch with me, and let’s start planning your wedding photos together.

Here is another mill winter wedding in the blog post Cambridge Mill Wedding Photos: Winter Magical Experience.