I first met Lindsay and Oliver over zoom, as is the way in the times of covid. They got engaged in 2019 and decided to take some time before they started their wedding plans. They counted themselves lucky because they had decided early not to get married in 2020 but rather, in 2021. And then the pandemic was declared in March of 2020. And no one knew that the pandemic would not only affect 2020 weddings but would creep into 2021 as well. Which is when they had to change their date and consider changing their plans from an indoor reception to an outdoor one (thankfully they kept their original plans but unfortunately they did need to reduce the number of guests who could attend). And with the date change they lost their photographer, a wonderful, energetic, lovely photographer who I have had the pleasure of working with on several occasions. I was grateful that this same photographer passed along my name and that Lindsay and Oliver decided they wanted me to capture their day! It is so hard to change photographers when you have found a perfect match……I was so heartbroken for them and I was determined to make their day extra special!

And extra special it was, right from the beginning of the day!

We met the Sarahs……so many of them to get acquainted with! The whole bridal party had the same wonderful energy, which was certainly a help in the sweltering heatwave we experienced!

There were so many special details throughout this wedding and so much emotion from the ceremony to the reception speeches. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house (including mine!) during their beautiful outdoor ceremony where we listened to Lindsay and Oliver express how much they meant to each other. Lindsay and Oliver are so genuine and authentic and in their heartfelt vows written for each other, we learned about their love storey, including how Lindsay is Oliver’s lobster.

We heard about Oliver’s obsession with Star Wars characters and how much time he and his brother Alex spent playing Star Wars (no wonder the groomsmen wore socks honouring the Star Wars characters!). He also paid homage in unique ways to the time he spent as a young boy in Turks and Caicos with his family (an island-inspired pattern on his tie), his favourite sports team (Leafs jersey literally sewn into his jacket – still don’t know how he made it through the day with such a heavy warm coat when it was 40 degrees Celsius – no word of a lie!).

Lindsay and Oliver made this day absolutely their own, with Lindsay going barefoot, with Lindsay and Oliver sharing special scents with one another as well as beautiful emotional letters, and special gifts (I’ll let them keep those as their secret with each other). We spent lots of time photographing their supportive and enthusiastic families who were present to witness their vows and celebrate with them. Lindsay’s sister Sarah spoke of how much she looked up to her, and how she didn’t want a world without her in it (and I recall a wonderful story about sharing cake!). Missing was Oliver’s sister Katrina who is currently living in China, as well as Lindsay and Oliver’s beloved pup Kylo.

In speeches from friends and family during the reception we heard over and over again from those closest to them about how kind, compassionate, giving, generous and caring they both are. We heard about their connections to their families, to their friends’ children, and their close friends expressed beautiful sentiments about how wonderful they know Lindsay and Oliver will undoubtedly be as parents when they have their own children one day. We learned that Lindsay is spontaneous and that Oliver is afraid of witches.

I just love Oliver’s exuberance at finally tying the knot!

After the wedding (and a dance together in the sunset and then again in the moonlight!), it was off to Pelee Island for a bit of a honeymoon getaway with wine tasting and splitting their time together and with Oliver’s parents before they returned to Turks and Caicos. Lindsay and Oliver, we so enjoyed getting to know you, we are immensely grateful that our paths have crossed and so happy to have shared your beautiful, heartfelt wedding day with you – it was so special, and so YOU! Thank you for the privilege of being your photographers! We wish you all the best as you embark on your next adventure together. Much love and happiness to both of you!

Be sure to check out Lindsay and Oliver’s amazing engagement photos taken at Laurier in Brantford where they met and under a gorgeous willow tree in Lorne Park at sunset: https://lisarivardphotography.com/brantford-ontario-laurier-willow-tree-engagement-session/

Lindsay & Oliver’s Amazing Wedding Vendors:

Venue: Knottingwood Farm @knottingwoodevents https://www.knottingwood.ca/about/

Officiant: Maeve Armstrong

Videographer: Jared Seaman

Hair Stylist: Tomorrow’s Beauty (DJ Harper) @tomorrowsbeautyyc

Make up Artist: Shanelle Persuad @shanelle.mua

Florals: bride/bridesmaids

DJ: Paul Nuyens from Starlight DJ Services

Live Music: John Fellner (close friend of the couple)

Catering: Caradoc Sands @caradoc_sands

MC: John Pilatzke