About 30 minutes outside of Ottawa is Strathmere Retreat and Spa. A beautiful location for an outdoor wedding. Kam and Jordan were fortunate enough to have their wedding day here. Their wedding showcased the best of both of their personalities. Jordan’s fun and carefree attitude was a hoot; she enjoyed her day to the max. Kam was eager to share their wedding day with friends and family. Everyone invited held a special place in the couple’s hearts. The best part of the day is the hilarious sense of humor Kam and Jordan have. They can take the most stressful parts of the day and turn them into funny! Have to love dry, witty humor!
As much as I loved this location and this couple, I can’t say it was an easy day! It seems the biggest threat to the wedding all day was the sun believe it or not. This is precisely why I want to talk to you about lighting and its importance for an outside wedding!
Golden hour
Golden hour is my favorite time to shoot. The lighting is absolute perfection. The golden hour is just after sunrise and just before sunset. It casts a beautiful golden hue over everything and brings a timeless appeal to a photo. Golden hour is also perfect because the sun is not as harsh, which means fewer weird shadows to work with and less squinting of the eyes.
Blue hour
The blue hour is the opposite of the golden hour. Blue hour is a time of day when the sun has just set or is about to rise. When the sky is still light, but the sun is not out. This can create blue hues on things.
Knowing these types of photography and figuring out the time of day for your wedding can significantly benefit you in the long run. I would suggest asking for a walk-through of your venue during the time of day you want your ceremony to take place. Take note of where they place the regular setups and if they offer alternative locations to better use the sun’s natural lighting. Figuring this out ahead of time will help avoid these problems on your wedding day.
Speaking with your photographer about the optimal times during the day for photos is always a great option. However, if the time isn’t something that can be changed, speaking with your photographer about the best setup for your ceremony is equally as great!
Ultimately, it is your wedding, and we (as vendors) all want to make you happy! So do what you feel is right!
