This intimate cottage wedding on Otty Lake is by far one of my most favourite weddings I’ve ever photographed. I know, I know. I probably say that about all of them, but seriously, wow! Everything about this wedding day was perfection. Twenty-five of their nearest and dearest, a lakeside ceremony, and the most beautiful day. It seriously doesn’t get better than this.

Shannon is one of those people that you instantly want to be friends with. Often as a photographer, you arrive to the wedding day prep and you feel like an outsider. You don’t know anyone, everyone is a little intimidated by your presence with camera in hand, and as a result, you stick out like a sore thumb. This was not the case when I arrived to Shannon’s aunt’s cottage. Everyone was relaxed, sipping beer, and just enjoying the afternoon. Everyone continued to check in on me to make sure I had everything I needed, offered to help where possible, and just put me at ease right away. I knew instantly this was going to be a good one.

black and white photo of the outside of a family cottage

In case it could get any better, Shannon’s dress was one of the most beautiful I have ever seen. Simple, elegant, with amazing beading and details. Suzanne, from Studio Me, killed it again with the perfect hair to compliment her dress and lakeside wedding.

dress hanging on a blue cottage doorbride standing on old stone steps at the cottagebride's mother adjusting the bride's wedding dress

Can we please talk about how adorable these wedding invitations are? I love everything about them!

invitation suite in brown craft paper with green florals and ringsbride looking out onto the water at her family cottage by the lakephoto of bride in black and white standing outside old cottage

Also, I want this dress. Just to wear around my house on a gloomy day with a glass of wine in hand. It’s so perfect.

photo of bride wearing BHLDN wedding dress

The bride and groom decided not to exchange gifts, but just a love note instead. Of course, though, Joel had to get a little something special for Shannon.

bride opening her card for the groom on the wedding day bride reading a card from her groom on their wedding day bride opening cannoli from her groom on their wedding day

Shannon loves the cannolis from Simply Biscotti in Ottawa. What a treat!

cannoli and card from groom to his bride on their wedding day

And then off I went to the ceremony site, where Joel and the boys were putting the finishing touches on the set up and getting ready.

groomsmen hanging out at the cottage before the wedding ceremony groom getting his hair done before wedding ceremony groom's best man doing his hair before the wedding ceremony groom's brother helping the groom into his suit jacket

Joel read his card from Shannon on the dock while he waited for her to arrive to do their first look. Adorbs.

groom reading a card from his bride by the water groom smiling as he reads a card from his bride on their wedding day by the water bride walking down to the dock where her groom is waiting to do a first look first look by the water at the lake first look at the cottage by the water bride and groom smiling after seeing each other for the first time on their wedding day

Joel and Shannon knew they wanted to get all of their photos done before the ceremony so that they could spend as much time with their guests, just enjoying themselves afterwards. They also said that photos were important to them, and made sure to give us ample time to walk around and take photos. Like, honestly, dream clients!

bride and groom cuddling by the water's edge at cottage weddingbride and groom cuddling among the trees at cottage wedding bride and groom smiling at each otherblack and white photo of bride and groom standing on the dock by the lake bride holding green and white wedding bouquet bride and groom cuddling under pine trees on their wedding daybride hugging groom from behind in the trees bride and groom walking holding hands down the cottage roadbride and groom between red window frames at cottage wedding bride and groom cuddling under pine trees by the waterbride holding green and white bouquet standing under pine tree by the water groom smiling looking off into the distance bride and groom walking around the cottage with wedding bouquetwedding bouquet sitting on wooden chair in the forrestbride and groom standing on porch of cottage holding hands bride and groom standing below red window at the cottage bride looking over her shoulder smiling at the camera

This is the point at which I told Joel he had the kindest smile. Soft, sweet, and so very clearly in love with his bride to be!

bride resting her head on groom's shoulder as they sit together at the cottage

After we wrapped up our photos, Shannon scooted back over to her aunt’s cottage, where her dad would later pick her up in the pontoon to boat her over to the ceremony.

welcome to our wedding wooden sign mon easel marriage register book sitting on wooden table with flowers in the forrest dog wearing dog of honour bandana on wedding day stack of wooden logsfather and daughter on pontoon boating over to ceremony on the lake groom pointing out pontoon boat that his future wife is on with dad father and daughter on pontoon boat cruising on the lake towards ceremony site father walking his daughter up to her cottage ceremony intimate cottage ceremony under the treesbride and groom smiling at each other during the ceremony by the lake wedding officiant reading during wedding ceremony groom smiling at his bride during wedding ceremony groom reading his vows from vow notebook bride laughing as groom reads his vows groom smiling as his bride reads her wedding vows to himbride reading her vows during wedding ceremony by the lake bride kissing groom's ring finger before putting on his wedding band bride and groom first kiss under pine trees by the lake bride and groom recessional after wedding ceremony by the lake groom hugging his dad holding wedding bouquet after ceremony wedding guests enjoying cocktail hour at the cottagegreen trees and blue skies at the cottage

After cocktail hour, the bride changed into a cute lace dress and took Sadie for a walk before heading to Perth for their wedding reception at the Stone Cellar.

bride and groom walking their dog down the cottage road bride and groom walking their dog down the cottage roadthe stone cellar in Perth Ontario craft table numbers at the stone cellar in perth ontario craft place cards at wedding reception at the stone cellar in perth ontario wine barrels and corks decorbride and groom walking into the stone cellar restaurant bride and groom kissing outside the stone cellar in perth ontariobride and groom walking up the stairs to their wedding reception brother and sister hugging each other

After a delicious meal, the bride and groom snuck out for a few final photos at sunset. My favourite. On our way out to tour around, Shannon and Joel thanked me for being their wedding photographer and said that of all the decisions they had to make around their wedding, having me as their photographer was the easiest. Well that’s just the sweetest thing ever!

bride and groom kissing in the streets of Perth ontario at sunsetbride and groom walking together along the water's edge bride and groom cuddling close by the water's edgebride and groom kissing with reflection of water and trees in the background

Thank you so much to this amazing couple for their generosity, their warm hearts, and for being amazing clients. I could not have asked for a better day. xo

Wedding team

Wedding dress: BHLDN
Groom’s wear: E.R. Fisher
Florals: Apropos Flowers
Hair: Studio Me, Suzanne Pack
Makeup: Parkside Spa
Photographer: Ashley Notley Photography

Are you planning an intimate cottage wedding? I could photograph these all day long, so lets chat!

Wedding

Intimate Cottage Wedding on Otty Lake: Shannon and Joel

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