Weddings

Intimate Wedding in Pointe Au Baril Canada

When someone says “intimate wedding”, I immediately get excited and for all the right reasons. I would totally consider myself a people person, your bestie, your go-to-gal for all things ‘friends’. I am incredibly drawn to raw emotion, genuine smiles and big belly laughs – and when I got all of those things rootin’ for me – well – my weddings become all about the people. And to me, what can be more important than that?

It started as a conversation over tea at Kahwa in downtown St Pete. Jami, one of my very first friends when I moved to St Pete, was giddy over her new engagement with her long-time boyfriend Reuben. I mean, I was giddy too! Her ring, hand made with a raw diamond was perfect for her. Of course, our conversation led to, “Where are you going to get married?” And without any hesitation…”Pointe Au Baril, Canada! Would you be interested in being our photographer?”

She had me at Canada! And intimate wedding! And hello – these two are totally down-to-earth people.

My answer, “Um…YES!”

For those who don’t know where Pointe Au Baril is in Canada, picture Michigan on a map and go directly northeast on the Georgian Bay. Jami chose this spot for her wedding because its actually where she spent most of her summers as a kid. Pointe Au Baril is made up of hundreds, maybe thousands of islands and all of these islands have cabins, or built up homes on them; Jami’s family’s was no different.

Our first night in Canada, Jami and Reuben put on a spectacular welcome dinner. The details were natural elements from the walking trails on their island – moist moss, pine cones and delicate bark. The dinner was cooked by long-time family friend Laurie Green. It was probably some of the best food I’ve ever had.

Our second day in Canada was spent cliff jumping (like 50 feet!), eating local ice cream and bathing in the lake before everyone got ready for the wedding.

Some of my very favorite things and non-things:

The amazing hospitality of Jami’s family and all of their friends.
The fresh air – it was cool, crisp, and smelled how you would envision earth smelling at the beginning of time
The minimal details; and the details they did have were all natural!
Jami and Reuben going barefoot everywhere
The tasty blueberries!
…and of course, the pure, raw experience of getting wrapped up in nature