Corrine and Phil’s wedding at Niagara’s Peach Orchard was the first orchard wedding I had the chance to photograph in Niagara. During our Balls Falls engagement session, I learned more about this incredible venue, which made me even more excited to capture their beautiful outdoor celebration.

The Documentary Coverage for This Niagara’s Peach Orchard Wedding

As I mentioned in their engagement session blog, Corrine and Phil’s wedding took place on August 24, 2024—one of the most in-demand wedding dates of the year. When they first booked me, they hadn’t yet chosen a venue, but they were set on having a Niagara’s Peach Orchard wedding even before finalizing the location.

They ultimately chose Peach Country Venue Niagara, a place I had often driven past but never really considered as a wedding venue. Conveniently located just off the QEW, this beautiful orchard had so much to offer my couple.

Phil and Corrine were incredibly laid-back and didn’t stress much about the wedding details, but I was committed to capturing their day in a way that truly reflected them. Since they both preferred candid shots and a documentary-style approach, I was especially excited to start photographing Niagara’s Peach Orchard wedding.

Getting Ready Photos at White Oaks Resort and Spa in Niagara

Corrine and Phil, along with their bridal party and parents, chose White Oaks Resort and Spa in Niagara-on-the-Lake for their getting-ready photos. This stunning venue offers plenty of picturesque spots to capture the start of their wedding day.

Since they wanted a relaxed morning, I focused on a full documentary-style approach to ensure everything felt natural and authentic. I first arrived at Corrine’s room on the main floor, which had direct access to the gardens. Her bridesmaids were busy with hair and makeup, while Corrine was just finishing up when I walked in.

The atmosphere in the room was lively, fun, and full of excitement. I blended into the group, capturing the candid moments as they laughed and enjoyed the morning. With minimal direction, I documented everything just as it unfolded, staying true to the documentary style they wanted for their Niagara’s Peach Orchard wedding.

At one point, I took Corrine out onto the terrace for a quick moment to check her makeup in the natural light. I loved the energy in the room—it felt effortless to move around and capture moments that would later give them a beautiful, nostalgic look back at their wedding day.

The Groom with Groomsmen Photos at This Niagara’s Peach Orchard Wedding

Once I had captured everything I wanted in the bridal suite, I left the girls’ room and headed to Phil’s, where he was getting ready with his groomsmen.

The moment I stepped in, I felt instantly welcomed. Even though this was only my third time meeting Phil, it felt like we had known each other for years. I started by photographing the details he pointed out—his glasses, cufflinks, and other wedding accessories—while he got ready to put on his suit.

As the time to leave grew closer, I could sense Phil’s nerves setting in. Without saying anything, I shifted my focus to his groomsmen, who were full of energy and ready to support their best friend as he prepared to walk down the aisle.

At one point, Phil opened a bottle of wine, poured himself a glass, and stood by the large hotel window, gazing out at the harbour. Instead of interrupting, I quietly stepped back and captured the moment as he reflected on the day ahead. Framing his silhouette against the sunlight streaming into the room, I documented this introspective pause.

As he finished his wine, his groomsmen joined him, glasses in hand, reminding him that he wasn’t alone. The quiet moment soon turned into laughter and conversation as the group relaxed. I loved capturing this natural, candid energy between Phil and his groomsmen—genuine moments that truly reflected the spirit of the day.

The First-Look Reveal Photos at Niagara’s Peach Orchard Wedding

Phil and Corrine had planned to share their intimate first-look photos at Peach Country Venue Niagara. As soon as I finished capturing the final shots in Phil’s room, I headed to the Peach Orchard, making sure to arrive before everyone else. While setting up my lights, I noticed Ray from Picture Us setting up his photo booth. We always ended up exhibiting next to each other at Wedding Ring Expos, but this was the first time we were actually working at the same wedding.

Corrine and the bridesmaids arrived and went straight to the bridal suite—a beautiful, well-lit space designed just for them—while the rest of the guests and groomsmen were still on their way. Since I hadn’t been able to capture many bridesmaid photos at the hotel, this was my only chance before the first look. The suite’s bright natural light allowed me to shoot in a more airy, soft style, perfectly complementing the moment.

As we got closer to the first look, I could feel the nervous energy building—not just from Corrine but from the entire group. Once I wrapped up the final bridal suite photos, I went to find Phil and bring him to the designated spot for their first look. This was the only staged part of the day, and both of them were understandably anxious.

Phil’s mom helped him with his boutonniere, and after capturing those moments, I guided him into the orchard to the spot where he would wait while I went to get Corrine. Meanwhile, the sky had started shifting—some unusual clouds rolled in, creating a moody overcast light. It made for a beautiful setting, but I couldn’t help but feel a little nervous about the possibility of rain, especially with their outdoor ceremony just 45 minutes away.

The Beauty of The Reveal Before The Wedding Ceremony

Not letting the weather distract me, I positioned Phil in the aisle between the peach trees and went to get Corrine. She was ready, waiting at the entrance of the bridal suite.

After a quick explanation of what we were doing, she started walking toward Phil, who stood patiently in the middle of the orchard. I knew Corrine wouldn’t stop, so I made sure there was enough space to capture every shot I had planned without interrupting her natural movement.

Prepared for this fast-paced moment, I was grateful to have three cameras with me. With various lenses, I could capture the scene from multiple angles and focal distances, preserving every emotion from different perspectives. I loved seeing Phil’s stress melt away the moment he laid eyes on Corrine. Their smiles softened as they reached for each other’s hands, their eyes locked in a moment of pure connection.

Since I knew they weren’t big on posed photos, I simply asked them to walk toward me while I captured as many candid moments as possible. Once they reached me, I let them know we’d be taking a few quick bridal party photos. Everyone was relieved when I told them it would only take about 10 minutes, giving them time to head back inside before guests started arriving for their outdoor ceremony at Niagara’s Peach Orchard Wedding.

As I finished the last set of photos and the wedding party went inside, I noticed a few raindrops starting to fall. Stubbornly, I ignored them and took a few shots of the ceremony setup. That’s when I spotted Pat the officiant—an old friend I hadn’t worked with in years. I always admired how he guided couples through their ceremonies, and it was exciting to finally work together again.

Outdoor Wedding Ceremony at The Peach Orchard

While Corrine and the bridesmaids were indoors, I watched a dramatic shift in the sky over the orchard. A steady breeze pushed the clouds from Niagara toward Toronto, and by the time Corrine was ready to walk to the ceremony, the sky had transformed. Instead of dark, moody clouds, a soft overcast of white filled the sky, creating the perfect lighting for their wedding.

This worked in my favour, as the open orchard field offered no natural shade or shelter from the elements. The diffused light allowed me to capture their ceremony beautifully, just as they had envisioned—a true documentary-style approach.
The peaceful setting of the peach orchard, with its vast open fields, provided a breathtaking backdrop for this important moment in Corrine and Phil’s lives. As they exchanged heartfelt vows, I documented each emotional moment, ensuring their Niagara Peach Orchard Wedding was captured exactly as they had hoped.

After the ceremony, Corrine and Phil made their way back to the spot where they had their first look, where we quickly began their immediate family photos. They had specifically asked me to wrap up this portion as quickly as possible so they could fully enjoy their cocktail hour with their guests.

I worked efficiently, and before long, we were inside the reception area. Corrine and Phil were mingling, laughing with their wedding party, and soaking in the joy of the moment—relieved that the formalities were behind them and the celebration had truly begun.

The Cocktail Hour Party at This Niagara’s Peach Orchard Wedding

While Corrine and Phil enjoyed conversations with their guests, I was focused on capturing moments they wouldn’t otherwise see. I started by photographing the beautifully set table, filled with finger foods and delicious snacks, showcasing the attention to detail that went into every aspect of their reception.

They had arranged for a food truck and catering service. I was excited to document the behind-the-scenes action as the team prepared the tasty dishes that would make their wedding reception unforgettable.
At the same time, I wrapped up photos of the final touches being made to the reception area. I captured the anticipation building as the guests awaited the formal introductions of the couple and their bridal party.

As the guests took their seats, the bridal party was introduced, and then Corrine and Phil were announced as husband and wife for the first time. They went straight into their first dance, marking a beautiful moment.

The weather was humid, but the venue’s open doors helped create a cool breeze, providing welcome relief from the summer heat. After they sat down and the first course was served, I couldn’t resist stepping outside to check on the sunlight, eager to see how the setting had changed.

Sunset at Niagara’s Peach Orchard Wedding

As I mentioned earlier, most of the photos I took of Corrine and Phil were very unposed, and I worried we might not have enough of them. So, I hoped to get them outside for 2-3 minutes at sunset to capture a few more unposed photos in the golden hour light.

As I stepped outside, I noticed we had maybe 10-15 minutes before the sunset, so I went back inside to capture the speeches that were happening between courses while I waited for the perfect moment.
Then, I saw my chance to ask Phil for a few sunset photos, but Corrine was nowhere to be found. After a quick search, I found her—she had changed into a comfortable nighttime outfit and, barefoot, joined us for their portraits at Niagara’s Peach Orchard.

With full bellies, relaxed outfits, and a few drinks, their personalities perfectly matched the peaceful, glowing moment of the sunset. I knew I only had a few minutes of their attention, so we walked deep into the orchard. I asked them to walk toward the venue while I walked backward, trying to capture the mood of their stroll.

Witnessing their transformation from the first-look photos to this moment was incredible. They were smiling, talking, and walking carefree, their bond stronger than ever. In just five minutes, I captured everything I needed for this golden hour, perfectly reflecting what they wanted to remember from the end of their Niagara Peach Orchard wedding.

The Wedding Party Atmosphere

As we headed inside, I felt the wedding guests were ready to hit the dance floor. After capturing the last couple of speeches, including my couple’s final speech, the DJ dimmed the lights and kicked off the party music. Before long, the dance floor was packed, and the bar was full, with guests eagerly anticipating shots and the full transition into party mode.

As the party got underway, I blended in with the guests, capturing the real fun between my couple and their friends. The wedding venue staff quickly cleared the large tables, setting up the late-night tables while the DJ kept the music flowing. Meanwhile, the photo booth team was busy helping guests strike poses. This was one of the most lively weddings I had seen all year, and I was thrilled to be part of it.

Though I saw plenty of great opportunities for nighttime photos outside, I knew that Corrine and Phil’s priority at that moment was enjoying the dance party with their guests. So, I decided to leave the nighttime shots for another couple and focused on capturing the energy of the celebration.

When I arrived at the Peach Country Wedding Venue, I spotted the owner selling freshly picked peaches. As the time was tight, I asked if I could grab one to set aside for myself, and I planned to pick it up at the end of the night.

The Future of Peach Country Venue in Niagara

As I was loading my equipment into the car, I saw the owner and asked for the basket of peaches. She kindly invited me into the peach storage area and handed it over to me. We chatted about their incredible wedding venue and how her family, including her late father, had built it. With her father’s passing, she was preparing to sell the venue and pursue other ventures with her daughter.

I’m sharing this conversation because a couple of months ago, I met with a friend who owns several wedding venues in Niagara. I’m the preferred photographer for these venues, and we talked about the upcoming wedding season plans and trends. He told me his family had bought this venue and plans to launch a newly redesigned peach orchard in 2026. Stay tuned for more updates on that.

I want to close this long post by thanking Corrine and Phil for letting me be a part of their beautiful wedding and for allowing me to capture it in my favourite documentary-style approach.

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

Here is another celebration with amazing Lincoln wedding venue in the blog post Luxury Niagara Venue Hosts the Elegant Lincoln Estates Wedding, with Sofia and Sal.