This Tamahaac Club wedding in Ancaster beautifully showcased how thoughtful planning, meaningful locations, and the magic of a Canadian winter can come together seamlessly. Brooklynn and Rob’s day included multiple photo sessions across Ancaster — from heartfelt getting-ready moments and an emotional first look at the Tamahaac Club, to a warm family session at The Barracks Inn and a glowing ceremony at Ryerson United Church. Their celebration continued with an elegant reception at Hamilton Golf and Country Club, ending with a dreamy nighttime portrait session as snowflakes fell softly around them. This Tamahaac Club wedding perfectly captured the charm of winter, the couple’s deep connection, and the joy of an impeccably organized wedding day.

How We Started Planning This Tamahaac Club Wedding

I first met Brooklynn at one of my last Oakville Spring wedding shows. Outside, it was snowing — a scene that would later feel familiar on her wedding day. As we started talking, I learned more about her concerns for the big day.

Brooklynn’s main worry was lighting. When my wife heard this, she knew I would be the right person to speak with Brooklynn. The challenge was that her ceremony location, Ryerson United Church in Ancaster, is quite dark, and the ceremony was scheduled for late afternoon in mid-November, when daylight is limited. She needed a photographer who could handle varying lighting conditions and move seamlessly between locations with different lighting scenarios.

Adding to the challenge, outdoor photos during this time of year were unpredictable, with the possibility of rain, snow, or freezing temperatures. While listening to her concerns, I had already started sketching out a template for a wedding day timeline, which I would later share with her.

After reassuring her that I could manage all these challenges, I invited her to continue exploring the wedding show and promised to connect with her later that week. Long story short, Brooklynn and Rob met with me afterward, and I presented my proposal. They ultimately booked me for their Tamahaac Club wedding in Ancaster.

The Benefits of Visiting All Photo Locations Before The Wedding Way

Although Brooklynn and Rob’s wedding reception took place at Hamilton Golf and Country Club, where I had previously photographed Sarah and Will’s wedding, I chose to refer to their celebration as the Tamahaac Club wedding. This was because all of our photo sessions during their wedding day took place at Tamahaac Club, where I had the privilege of photographing for the first time.

To prepare for the big day, we scheduled visits to every location where we would be working during the wedding. To make the most of our time, we also scheduled their engagement session for the same day, which I’ve already shared on my blog. We started at Tamahaac Club, a truly fantastic spot for photos, then visited their ceremony location at Ryerson United Church. We followed this with a stop at The Barracks Inn, where we planned the family photos, and finally ended at Hamilton Golf and Country Club to begin the engagement session.

It provided an excellent way to organize and plan everything for the wedding day. I felt thrilled to have a solid plan in place while also securing Erika, my second photographer, to capture all the moments beautifully.

Brooklynn’s Getting Ready for Their Tamahaac Club Wedding

Fast forward to their wedding day on November 16th — I was thrilled to see snow on the ground. However, the forecast promised a sunny day with a chance of snow later in the evening.

When I arrived at Brooklynn’s parents’ house, I could immediately tell it was going to be a fun and energetic morning. Brooklynn had six bridesmaids. They were all ready to help her in any way they could. Meanwhile, the area where the makeup artist was finishing up was perfectly lit. This gave me the chance to capture some fantastic photos with minimal effort.

Brooklynn’s mom had everything perfectly organized. As a result, I could move seamlessly from one photo opportunity to the next. Each moment had a completely different feel. In under 90 minutes — exactly as planned — I captured the reveal photos with her dad. I also photographed the first look with the bridesmaids descending the stairs. Then, I took single portraits of Brooklynn getting ready. Finally, I photographed all the little details and accessories that add the perfect finishing touch.

As soon as I wrapped up the last photo, I hopped in my car and headed toward the Tamahaac Club, ready for the next chapter of their wedding day.

Rob With His Groomsmen’s Getting-Ready Photos

While I was driving to the Tamahaac Club, Erika was wrapping up photos of Rob with his groomsmen. Instead of directing posed shots, she focused on capturing candid moments. She documented the energy and atmosphere as they prepared. Later, to enhance that feeling, I converted most of these images to black and white. This gave them a more documentary-style look. Thanks to Erika, these photos perfectly reflect Rob and the boys getting ready for their Tamahaac Club wedding.

By the time everyone else was arriving, I was already at the club. During the ten minutes I waited, I mapped out a walk-through schedule and decided on the photos we wanted to capture. I did this just in case my excitement made me forget anything. What thrilled me most was how bright the space was, especially with the snow covering the grounds. The sun was low on the horizon, casting beautiful sidelight. I knew it would be perfect for their first look session, which was scheduled to start the photo day.

When Rob arrived with the boys, I had him walk with Erika in the glass-covered area on the west side of the property. The light created a warm, glowing ambiance. Meanwhile, I went downstairs to bring Brooklynn upstairs, capturing some stunning shots of her on the staircase in her gorgeous dress along the way.

I knew that once the first look began, we’d be fully immersed in the moment. There would be little room for anything else. I was ready to capture a mix of documentary-style candid moments alongside a few carefully posed images. This ensured every emotion and detail was documented.

The First-Look Photos at This Tamahaac Club Wedding

As I write this, I can still feel my heart racing just like it did while capturing their photos. It was a beautiful, emotionally charged moment, filled with giggles and joy. Rob’s tears mirrored Brooklynn’s happiness and certainty that he was the right person for her. I had been so excited for this session beforehand — I can’t say I predicted every moment. Still, the instant I visited this location, I knew it would be full of adorable, heartfelt moments. That’s why I chose to title this blog post “Tamahaac Club Wedding.”

Once we finished the last of the three reveals, I wanted to capture a few photos of just the two of them before the weather could change. So, we braved a very cold, windy, but sunny day and captured some of my absolute favourite images of the year. Fifteen minutes outside was the maximum I could ask for, so afterward, we returned inside to photograph the rest of the party — the bridesmaids and groomsmen — along with a few more intimate shots of just the couple.

By this point, I had completed nearly 90% of the photos I typically capture for a wedding, though there were still a few final shots left to take.

Elegant Church Wedding Ceremony With Twinkling Lights

Once we arrived at Ryerson United Church just down the street, Erika stayed with Brooklynn while I was with Rob. They had each written a personal letter to one another. They were about to read them.

It was incredible to see how Erika and I captured this moment perfectly from two different rooms. Each of them experienced their letter in their own way. I was thrilled with how we documented these private, emotional moments.

While Erika stayed with Brooklynn in a lower room of the church, I went upstairs and lit the space perfectly, just as we had planned. From the moment the ceremony began, I lost track of time. I captured as many candid moments as possible, maintaining beautiful lighting and preserving the atmosphere of the ceremony.

Once the ceremony concluded, I photographed their recessional outside the church, making sure to include the sign displaying their names. Then, as I drove a few minutes to the Barracks Inn for the family photos, Erika headed to Hamilton Golf and Country Club to capture the setup for the cocktail portion of the reception.

Meanwhile, the weather was growing colder, and daylight was fading quickly. This added a quiet urgency to our afternoon schedule.

The Immediate Family Photos Session at The Barracks Inn

For the immediate family photos, Brooklynn and Rob chose the lobby of The Barracks Inn. They positioned everyone in front of the fireplace for two reasons: to warm up the family after being outside in the cold, and to take advantage of the interesting, detailed stone wall above the fireplace.

Since I had already captured most of the photos of just the two of them, I wasn’t stressed about time. My focus was on ensuring we captured all the family shots they wanted. By the end of the session, we had gained about 15 minutes of extra time. So, I asked if they’d like to take a few more photos elsewhere. Brooklynn suggested their suite at the Inn.

Once inside, I noticed a beautiful mirror and a large bed frame in the center of the room. I decided to focus on two images that would create intimate portraits for their winter Tamahaac Club wedding. The first was a mirror reflection of Rob hugging Brooklynn from behind as she looked into the mirror — a composition I was very proud of. The second was them seated at the end of the bed, framed widely to capture the atmosphere of the entire room.

Elegant Reception and Party at Hamilton Golf and Country Club

Upon arriving at Hamilton Golf and Country Club, I immediately noticed the number of guests they had invited. The room was spacious, filled with tables and chairs. Thanks to Erika, who had already captured all the details and the cocktail hour, my part of the job was much easier.

The reception dinner was a lot of fun, thanks in large part to the MC — one of Brooklynn’s uncles. He created a lively, interactive, and enjoyable atmosphere. Since all of their immediate family members are golf enthusiasts, a playful indoor golf setup had been arranged. For the couple to kiss, they needed to score a ball in the hole — a cute and memorable idea.

Unsure where the party portion of the reception would take place, I stepped out into the lobby to see the setup. That’s when I realized that the reception party, including the cake cutting and the parents’ dances, would all happen in this space. After photographing their final thank-you speech, I returned to the area. I repositioned my lighting and prepared for the festivities.

The parents’ dance began with heartfelt, emotional moments, including Brooklynn dancing with her dad. I was thrilled to capture these raw, genuine emotions as they unfolded. Then, the couple took to the dance floor for their first dance as a couple.

The Nighttime Photo Session with Snowflakes

After finishing most of the party dance photos, I stepped outside to take in the venue and see how I could creatively wrap up their coverage. I remembered that during our engagement session here, they had requested photos of just the two of them in front of the golf course’s main entrance doors. This time, I wanted to capture similar images for their wedding — at night, with Brooklynn’s dress billowing beautifully in the wind.

To my delight, gentle snowflakes began to fall, adding a magical touch to the scene. Without hesitation, I brought the couple outside and captured some of the most enchanting photos of their Tamahaac Club wedding. It was such a thrill to provide coverage that truly showcased the beauty and uniqueness of a Canadian winter wedding.

The significance of these doors was evident last year as well, when Brooklynn and Rob posted an Instagram photo of their family with their three children posing in front of Hamilton Golf and Country Club. I feel so honoured to have been a part of these lasting wedding memories.

Are you planning a winter wedding? Get in touch to see how my photography can help bring your vision to life.

Here is another elegant and timeless winter celebration with church ceremony.  In the blog post Islington Golf Club Wedding in Winter with Sabrina and Andy.