Fantasy Farm
Autumn weddings at Fantasy Farm is a sight to see. Every year couples ask when the best time for autumn leaves at this venue is? While we can’t say with absolute certainty when you’ll catch the peak display, mid-October to Mid November is typically your best chance of getting married under the fall foliage. The problem is, with Canada all you need is one snowfall to kill the whole thing. This year we were hit by a small snowstorm pretty early. Yet the grounds of Fantasy Farm is so dense with foliage that you can’t really tell. It was still black by 5:00 pm which adds some challenges to already stressful wedding days. So I definitely appreciated this couple scheduling their photos before the ceremony. No matter how cold it gets, the photos do turn out better in daylight.
Live Band
The groom in this wedding is a Jazz musician by trade. He plays everything from saxophone to keyboard. He even performs at weddings. So, of course, he’s going to a live band at his own wedding. This happens to be my first time photographing a wedding reception with a live band. It will also likely be the only time I’ll have a groom jump up on stage and play with the band. As a vintage blues fan, I can definitely appreciate jazz music. And having a live band at a wedding does have a completely different impact on the party level of reception.
See while DJs play none stop throughout the night, live bands play in sets. They play for 30-45min and then take a break. And as a result, the guests do the same. They party hard for those 30-45min. And during the gap, they disappear for a drink or smoke break. It gives me a break too. The way I capture reception parties is pretty intense. Most times I’m often the first one on the dance floor encouraging guests to join me. I also make a point to dance with them to get guests more into their dance moves. You can’t get fun photos if everyone is just doing the “white man shuffle.” They need their hands up in the air making ridiculous facial expressions. And it seems the best way to encourage this behaviour is doing it myself or having a live band do it for me.
The Second Shooter for this wedding was Michelle Paquot.
