There’s something particularly special about returning to photograph another wedding for a family you’ve worked with before. When Eden and Jackie invited me to capture their celebration at Jackie’s family cottage, it brought me full circle in the most beautiful way—her brother Mitch was one of my very first wedding clients back in 2011. There’s a unique kind of trust that builds when you’ve been invited back to document another chapter in a family’s story, and I felt that warmth from the moment I arrived.

The setting itself was quintessentially Canadian—a wooded cottage property where nature provided the most stunning backdrop imaginable. Tall trees created a natural cathedral, their branches forming a canopy above the celebration. What made their day even more distinctive were the thoughtful Canadian-themed installations scattered throughout the property. A vintage canoe filled with flowers, rustic wine barrels transformed into cocktail tables, and woodland-inspired decor elements paid homage to their love of the Canadian landscape while creating gorgeous visual focal points for photography.

Eden and Jackie’s wedding beautifully balanced their modern Orthodox Jewish traditions with the relaxed atmosphere of cottage country. Their custom-built chuppah was particularly striking—crafted with natural birch poles and draped with soft fabric that caught the breeze, it stood in perfect harmony with the surrounding woods. There’s something incredibly moving about these sacred traditions taking place in such a natural setting, where the typical formality of a synagogue or ballroom is replaced by the organic beauty of the outdoors.

The ceremony itself was filled with meaningful moments that honored both their faith and their families. Watching Jackie circle Eden under the chuppah with the forest as their witness felt almost like stepping into another time—ancient traditions unfolding in this deeply personal space. The dappled sunlight filtering through the trees created a natural spotlight on these sacred moments, illuminating them in a way no banquet hall lighting ever could.

What stands out most about photographing weddings for the same family over the years is catching all the subtle connections and inside jokes that might otherwise go unnoticed. Seeing Jackie’s brother Mitch—my client from over a decade ago—now standing as family during his sister’s ceremony, the knowing glances between relatives who have shared a lifetime of cottage summers, the comfortable way they all moved through this space that held so many memories even before this wedding day began.

After the ceremony, the celebration moved into high gear with one of the most energetic horas I’ve ever had the pleasure of photographing. There’s nothing quite like the joyful chaos of this tradition, with Jackie and Eden hoisted high on chairs, surrounded by concentric circles of dancing family and friends. The energy was absolutely electric, with generations coming together in celebration. These are the moments where wedding photography becomes less about posed perfection and more about capturing raw emotion and movement.

As the evening progressed, the cottage property transformed once again. String lights illuminated the trees, creating a starry canopy above the outdoor reception. The transition from daylight to dusk to evening provided a constantly evolving backdrop, each phase offering new opportunities for capturing the atmosphere of the celebration.

What made Jackie and Eden’s wedding particularly meaningful to me was the full-circle moment it represented in my career. From photographing her brother’s wedding as one of my first clients, to now capturing Jackie’s special day with Eden, I’ve grown alongside this family’s milestones. It’s a beautiful reminder of why I do what I do—building these relationships that span years and generations, becoming not just a service provider but a trusted storyteller for families during their most significant moments.

Eden and Jackie, thank you for inviting me back into Jackie’s family’s story. Watching your celebration unfold in this meaningful place, surrounded by both natural beauty and family history, was a privilege. Your wedding was a perfect blend of sacred tradition and personal touches, honoring both your faith and your love of this beautiful Canadian landscape that means so much to Jackie’s family.

To anyone considering a cottage wedding—there’s a magic to celebrating in a place already filled with memories, where the setting itself is as much a part of your story as the people who gather there. Eden and Jackie’s day was proof that the most meaningful venues aren’t always grand halls, but sometimes the places where your heart already feels at home.