I want to be upfront: I had no idea where I was going at the end of this night. No cell service, no GPS, deep in the woods of Parc Mont-Tremblant at Le Vison Cabon. It took me forever to find my way out. And I would do it again in a heartbeat.
This wedding was in the middle of nowhere… genuinely. No cell service, no electricity, no big indoor backup plan. Before the day, the couple sent out a guide to all their vendors letting us know we’d each have a walky-talky to stay in touch, and to reach out if we needed battery packs for our gear. It was one of the most thoughtful things I’ve received as a photographer. They knew the venue was a challenge and they just… took care of everyone.
When I arrived the morning of, friends and family were already setting up… in their pajamas. Just wandering around the site helping out, laughing, completely unbothered. It set the tone immediately. Nobody was stressed. Everyone just wanted to be there. It was so refreshing to see. Too often people are so stressed or worried that they will be ready on time. Here, everyone’s first job was so make sure everything (and everyone) was, simply, ok.
Someone had put out a call for a driver to help on the day. A woman responded and showed up — for free — with her car completely covered in flags and ribbons. She’d decorated it herself. Nobody asked her to. I photographed that car because it deserved to be remembered.
The wedding colours were soft pink, soft blue, and white. The wedding party each represented a different Sailor Scout, and every table was in the colours and vibe of their scout. All the dishes had been thrifted to match. every single one! It was so specific and so intentional and it looked incredible. Each “scout” (the wedding party) was in charge of making their own table center piece in the colours of their character. like come on!! Perfect.
The ceremony was on the dock of a lake. Clear sky, still water, golden light. During the vows I looked around and I genuinely could not find one person who wasn’t smiling. The love in that group of people was something you could feel. I was so glad that it ended up not raining for them. Even though they had told me that they were willing to get wet if need be. Actually, right after the ceremony — still in their dresses — the brides walked off the dock into the lake. Just went for a swim before changing in their second dresses for the day. Yes please!
The whole day had that feeling. The kind of inclusive, loving energy that you can’t fake and you can’t manufacture. It was just there, in every corner, all day long.
And then I drove home for what felt like three hours through dark forest roads with no signal and no sense of direction. Totally worth it.
