Your wedding venue is just the place where you get married, right? Backyards, castles, big venues, small venues, there isn’t a difference.. right? Well, I’m here to tell you that a good venue makes a world of difference! Finding a venue that meets all your needs, has fantastic service, and is an exceptional host sounds like a difficult task, but let me introduce you to Stonefields Estate.
Stonefields is located in Carleton Place, ON, about 40 minutes outside Ottawa! Owners Stephanie and Steve Malenfant purchased Stonefields in 2009 when it was a farm. After years of hard work and dedication, it is now 120 Acres of beautiful land perfect for any wedding.
Going above and beyond
Not only is Stonefields the perfect location, but they are also the friendliest owners ever. They treat your vendors like royalty, which as a photographer, was so heart-warming to experience. Steve and Stephanie ensure to be onsite for every wedding they host and genuinely take an interest in all the vendors working the weddings. They will also handle any emergencies/unexpected situations should they arise, to the best of their ability. Steve even took time out of his busy day to sit and chat with the vendors during dinner.
Not only will you have a piece of mind that your vendors are being well looked after, but Stonefields will also make sure your friends and family are also taken care of. Unfortunately, it is rare to find this level of commitment and wholeheartedness regarding venue owners.
How to tell if you have the right venue
The easiest way to tell if you have the right venue for your wedding day is to listen to your gut. Are you feeling more at ease when you speak to your venue owner? Or do they add to your stress? Do you trust them to handle things you don’t necessarily need to address? Or are you finding you need to care for everything because of a lack of trust?
Suppose you are experiencing bad vibes, thoughts, or feelings towards your venue. In that case, it’s time to sit down with your partner and come to a conclusion of either choosing another venue or deciding what they can do to step up. Finding the perfect venue for you is easily the best decision you can make for your wedding.
Katie + Ross and their big day
I was the associate shooter for Katie and Ross’s wedding. I shot for the lovely Stephanie Mason. Katie and Ross were a quiet couple, but they had a large group of friends and family who were reverent about their relationship. Their timeless classic style fit in so well with their neutral colour palette; every detail was a representation of their personalities and love for each other.
Their speeches were so warm and loving that you didn’t even think about the cold weather in November. They filled the room with laughter because of all the hilarious jokes. Katie and Ross have the type of relationship you know will last forever. They genuinely seem like soulmates which makes my romantic heart flutter.
Their friend and photographer/videographer Troy Havelock videoed the wedding; he was lovely. We had super open communication, and he consistently checked with us about needed shots. It is essential to have good communication between all the vendors to help the day go by smoothly. I was very grateful to have that with Troy.
All in all, their wedding was gorgeous and an absolute hit. I have to give a massive shout-out to the wedding party, which was the most supportive group of happy individuals ever! They made the Bride and Groom’s day so much easier. I had a wonderful time, and I am honoured that Katie and Ross allowed me to be a part of their special day.
