Rachel and Morgan met at Camp NeeKauNis when they were teenagers. The campground is located on the shore of Sturgeon Bay, Ontario, about a ninety-minute to two-hour drive north of Toronto.
When one gets creative, any place can become a great wedding venue. This is especially true when the location holds special sentimental value for the marrying couple. Rachel and Morgan met and fell in love at Camp NeekauNis and decided that there was no better place to get married than at this campground. Even though the campground had never hosted a wedding celebration before, the couple made it work. Morgan ensured there were enough drinks for eighty guests, some of whom stayed the entire weekend to celebrate with them. Rachel adorned the campground with string lights, wildflowers, and DIY confetti mason jar lanterns—crafts they had made at camp when they were teenagers. Everything else was minimalistic in this naturally gorgeous campground hidden away in the forest.
The day began with a private first look in an open field, followed by a private ceremony. Rachel and Morgan wanted to sign their marriage license in private with just parents and witnesses before exchanging vows in front of all their wedding guests. The private signing was emotional. It was a smart and beautiful idea to release some of those emotions before standing in front of everyone. Yet, Rachel and Morgan's official wedding ceremony was still filled with laughter and love. Rachel was escorted down the aisle by her four parents, all of whom were in tears of joy. Rachel and Morgan's beloved dog, Pepper, served as their ring bearer. Having an off-the-beaten-path campground wedding allowed them to include their furry friends, which was a great advantage. It was heartwarming to have both canine and feline friends present on this important day. Speaking of which, their cat friend also attended the wedding, though it spent most of the time in their cabin. As the sun set in the clear summer sky, some guests danced in the warm dusk light, while others lounged on the hill, watching the sunset. The day ended with photos of Rachel and Morgan in this golden light. They stepped away from the crowd, cuddled, danced, and lay on the grass, gazing at the sky.
I hope these photos we captured will remind Rachel and Morgan of how they felt on their wedding day for many years to come.
Love,
Ally
