Amy and Tyler’s Troy Farms wedding felt like a beautiful continuation of his twin brother’s wedding, which I photographed eight years ago. While Amy had created an impressive rustic-style setup for their Troy Farms wedding, the energy matched the lively spirit of Chris and Cara’s Dundurn Castle celebration.

The First Visit for This Troy Farms Wedding

When Amy first contacted me to start planning their wedding at Troy Farms, I immediately sensed the excitement that this day would bring. Moreover, Tyler, who is now the groom, was the best man at his twin brother’s wedding, which I had the pleasure of photographing years ago. This connection made me realize how significant it was for him to ask me to capture his own wedding. Consequently, I was thrilled to discover that I was available when Amy finalized the booking.

After speaking with Amy and Tyler, I found that neither of them enjoys taking photos or posing. To match their relaxed energy, I adjusted my photography approach. Having been married for years to my wife, who also prefers to stay out of the spotlight, I’ve learned how to work with people who may not want to be photographed but still end up in the spotlight on their big day.

Since Amy and Tyler decided to skip engagement photos, I knew I needed to find another way to connect with them before the wedding. I also wanted to get a sense of their dynamic. This was my first wedding at Troy Farms, too. So, I suggested we meet at the farm a couple of weeks before the big day.

We planned the visit for the same time as their ceremony would take place, giving me a chance to see the light and take in the atmosphere of the farm in advance.

The Fantastic Farm Property with Breathtaking Entryway

Arriving at the farm, I was immediately struck by the beautiful entryway and the alley of mature trees lining both sides of the road. Right away, I started visualizing photo ideas for that spot. As a local photographer based in Guelph, I was at Troy Farms and Event Space in under 30 minutes from my studio.

I met Amy, Tyler, and Tyler’s mom at the ceremony site, where a staff member gave us a quick tour of the property. The ceremony location was perfect—tucked among tall trees with a view of open fields, horses, and a forest just beginning to show its fall colours. It was October, and the autumn charm was already setting in.

I found myself quietly falling in love with the place. When we reached the reception area, I finally saw the rustic aesthetic Amy had described, and I immediately knew what she was looking for from a photography standpoint.

We spent about an hour walking the grounds, planning out the day and building the wedding timeline as we went. It was the perfect chance to connect with my couple while also getting the logistics sorted—a win-win for all of us. Amy and Tyler had the opportunity to meet me in person, ease any nerves, and ask all those little questions that didn’t feel email-worthy but still mattered.

During that meeting, Amy shared three key moments she wanted me to capture: the first look with her dad, photos with her bridesmaids and Tyler, and candid shots throughout the ceremony and dinner reception.

With the plan set, we wrapped up the visit and left the farm, all quietly hoping for perfect weather on their big day.

Getting Ready Photos at Their Troy Farms Wedding

Amy and Tyler had chosen only me to be their wedding photographer, so I was responsible for capturing both of their getting-ready moments.

I started the morning at Tyler’s place, where his parents and groomsmen were getting ready. Having worked with all of them in the past, it was easy to reconnect and turn that hour into a fun and relaxed photo session. We ended up with a great mix of posed and candid shots. We also made sure to include their shy dog in a few photos, along with the whole group of groomsmen, before I made my way to the farm to join Amy and the bridesmaids for their Troy Farms wedding.

Amy was getting ready at the farm cottage, which included a lovely bridal suite. There, I met the bridesmaids—a group made up of her two sisters, her sister-in-law, a close friend, her nieces, and her mom.

Amy had done an incredible job planning the colour palette and floral arrangements. The attention to detail was stunning, and everything perfectly matched the rustic charm of the farm and the autumn season.

During the getting-ready portion, I kept the photography completely candid and documentary-style, making sure Amy felt relaxed and truly able to enjoy the moment without the pressure of posed photos.

When we received a text that her dad was on his way, I brought Amy outside the cottage to take a few posed portraits before capturing the emotional first look with her father on her special day.

The First Look Photos With The Dad

The entryway of the property, the alley of trees, was the spot Amy chose for the first look with her dad—and it just so happened to be exactly where I had hoped she would.

There were several reasons I wanted this location. The long private driveway was beautifully shaded and offered plenty of opportunities for photos from multiple angles and perspectives. Since I was photographing the day solo, it was the ideal setup. I could easily move around without disrupting the moment as Amy walked toward her dad.

Their first look was deeply emotional. Both were moved to tears. It was a beautiful reflection of their close relationship. After giving them a few quiet moments to share words and collect themselves, we made our way back to the cottage. We stopped along the way for photos with the horses and among the many gorgeous trees on the property.

Once we got back to the cottage, Amy stepped inside to wait for the ceremony to begin. Meanwhile, I headed to the reception area. I photographed the beautiful details Amy had arranged herself and connected with the groom’s side of the wedding party.

As guests slowly arrived, they took their seats facing a breathtaking view. Wide open fields were framed by the vibrant colors of the fall forest. The weather couldn’t have been better—warm but not hot, sunny with a gentle breeze. It was the ideal setting for an outdoor wedding ceremony.

The Outdoor Wedding Ceremony at The Farm

Once all the guests had arrived, the wedding ceremony began. Outdoor ceremonies are always a joy to photograph, especially in a documentary style. With three cameras on me, I was able to capture everything I needed, ensuring no important moment was missed.

As Amy was walked down the aisle by her mom, I caught an emotional exchange between Chris and Tyler. Chris glanced at his brother, while Tyler focused on holding back tears as Amy approached.

The weather was perfect. The views were breathtaking. Surrounded by close friends and family, Amy and Tyler exchanged vows, rings, and signatures. They sealed their marriage with a kiss.

They didn’t want to spend too much time away from their guests. So, we went straight into immediate family photos, followed by shots with their bridal party. Troy Farms offered an abundance of stunning backdrops. It was effortless to find beautiful spots for portraits.

After wrapping up the bridal party session, I had just 15 minutes left to photograph Amy and Tyler together. We made sure to capture some shots in the entryway alley—one of my personal favourites. On the way back to the reception area, we stopped at the swing hanging from a tree near the cottage and grabbed a few more photos in front of the ceremony setup.

Rustic Wedding Reception Dinner

The transition from photos to the cocktail hour was as smooth as could be.

A trailer had been set up as the bar area, where friends gathered to enjoy drinks and finger foods. Amy and Tyler joined their guests for a drink or two before the reception officially began.

Meanwhile, I took the opportunity to set up my lights and photograph the reception space, including the cake, the sweet table, and all the beautiful details they had prepared.

The atmosphere was laid-back, with no stress—just great conversations and a relaxed energy among the guests.

Soon after the bridal party made their grand entrance, dinner began. The setup was buffet-style, which kept things moving quickly. It also made for an easy, seamless transition to the dance floor.

I captured a mix of emotional, funny, and memorable speeches. Together, they beautifully told the story of Amy and Tyler at their Troy Farms wedding.

Amy had booked me for 8 hours. So, I was glad that dinner wrapped up in time. I was able to catch a few lively moments on the dance floor, along with some great candid shots outside around the trailer bar. I even got spontaneous photos of the guys smoking cigars by the cars.

The Beauty of Wedding Documentary Photography

Before packing up my gear, I mentally replayed the entire day to make sure we hadn’t missed anything from the plan.

Not only did we cover everything we had discussed—we even managed to do more. I was able to keep Amy and Tyler happy with just the right balance: a limited number of posed shots and a wide range of candid, documentary-style moments that truly captured the spirit of their day.

Saying goodbye to Amy, Tyler, Chris, Cara, and their families felt more like parting ways with friends. It’s a great feeling to work with people who book you not just for your photography but for who you are and what you bring to the experience.

I’m grateful that my work is chosen based on connection and quality, not just price.

Thank you, Amy and Tyler, for your trust and for such a wonderful day.

Credits to below wedding professionals and locations that helped Amy and Tyler’s wedding to be one-of-a-kind.

Here is another rustic wedding. In the blog post Ultimate Guide to perfect barn wedding with Samantha and Adam.