Eloping In Ontario | Rebecca and Dave Have A Magical Elopement Ceremony At The Hidden Meadows
The decision to elope can be a hard one.
Many couples who love each other madly consider eloping, but then the guilt sets in… Should we be inviting our families? Are we going to offend our friends? And if we have just a few guests… where do we draw the line?
I’ve seen folks go both ways: start out with a bigger wedding, but ending up with an elopement instead… or thinking about an elopement, but ended up with an actual wedding.
There’s actually a third way - to elope right from the get-go, even though it doesn’t always seem like the obvious choice, for many reasons.
For folks who love and cherish their families and friends, eloping can seem a bit like a betrayal.
But this couldn’t be further from the truth! An intimate elopement simply means that you and your partner(s) are committed to each other first and foremost.
The importance of family and friends is not negated just because you choose to elope. What about having a little party afterwards, where you can invite everyone? It doesn’t even have to be on the same day!
The story I’m about to share with you - Rebecca and Dave’s elopement story - is exactly this kind. The elopement came first, because the couple really loved each other and couldn’t wait a minute longer…. And later - like NEXT YEAR - will be their wedding. It’s actually a destination wedding, which will be an awesome bash, and a great opportunity to gather family and friends.
But this year… this year, they simply wanted to say “I DO” to each other.
When they approached me to be their elopement photographer, they told me that they were going to get Dave’s mom to babysit their kiddo (who is just under a year old), so that they can take the afternoon and “go shopping” (wink, wink, code for, go get married… but no one knew! Not even Dave’s mom!). But by the time elopement day came, Dave’s mom realized she had errands to run, and suddenly… Rebecca and Dave decided to bring baby Cole to the elopement.
And it was a great decision, because we got so many beautiful photographs of the three of them!
A Beautiful Sunny Day For An Elopement In Tamworth, Ontario
We planned to meet at the Hidden Meadows in Tamworth just before 2pm. Rebecca would change into her dress and shoes quickly, and we would head to the fields.
About 1:50pm Rebecca and Dave pulled into the car park with baby Cole in the baby seat. He was very curious, and sat patiently in his car seat as his parents unbuckled him and got him dressed for the elopement. He was now part of the show!
I loved capturing some tender moments between Mom, Dad and their baby. It was very cute.
And also - I LOVE that red room at the Hidden Meadows. It’s the perfect place for a bride to get ready as a light dress really pops against the red. I’m certain a non-conventional colour would look just as stunning, mind you. I once photographed a Viking wedding where the bride wore an ecru lace dress from Ireland.. That was pretty stunning, too! But I digress…
After Rebecca and Dave got into their wedding attire, it was time to depart for the fields. Nadine, the owner and coordinator at the Hidden Meadows, drove us there in an ATV. First she took me and Dave, so that he could position himself under that massive maple tree in front of the arbour and wait for Rebecca.
Nadine went back to get Rebecca and Cole, and they arrived in fun style.
The ceremony was super duper quick, as befitting a non-denominational affair. It was officiated by the always lovely and kind Rev. Katie Rose Buckley.
Afterwards, Rebecca and Dave and their son sat on a blanket tucked away among the dogwood bushes, and popped some non-alcoholic bubbly.
We took photos in this spot, and it was all sorts of lovely, with pretty greens and pinks. Cole loved this experience. He had no idea that they had just eloped, he just really loved hanging out with mom and dad in the fresh air.
We took a few couple’s photos (we asked Nadine if she could hold baby Cole for a few minutes), and after that, it was time to depart. A very short and sweet elopement - just about an hour or so - and we got ALL the photographs to fill a beautiful album for the couple.
I hope these photographs have inspired you. The decision to elope can be a tough one, but remember that by eloping, you aren’t saying ‘no’ to any of your friends and family. You’re simply saying ‘yes’ to one another, and leaving the very real possibility to share some good times with friends and family later on - that day, that week, that month, or that year! (or even next year, as is the case with Rebecca and Dave).
In these weird times, when we’ve all been under so much stress… if choosing to elope and marry each other privately in a sweet and beautiful ceremony somewhere in Ontario is the thing that makes your belly tingle with excitement… then DO it :)
Don’t overthink the little stuff.
venue & flowers @hidden_meadows_weddings