Millbrook Backyard Wedding | Jenna + Kev

October 12, 2018

When I hear “backyard wedding” I instantly get excited as they’re very casual, relaxed and full of amazing little DIY touches. This late August wedding was held at the bride’s childhood home in Millbrook, Ontario and was absolutely amazing and definitely one of my favourites!

Jenna and Kev met each other in high school at Crestwood Secondary School in Peterborough during grade 11 biology class. They became best friends immediately – even though Kev would say he has loved Jenna since the very first day that they met (gaahhh <insert heart eyes>)! They only started dating after high school when Jenna decided to move to Toronto for school and realized she couldn’t live without him. After being together for 11 years Kev decided to propose to Jenna in her backyard while she was wearing her dads rubber boots (haha)! This is what I love about them, they are so carefree/easy going and genuinely nice people.

Heading into the backyard wedding the weather was literally calling for downpours of rain on-and-off all day and night. The weather was definitely a hot topic of conversation at the wedding, but as mentioned in a speech the Drew-Brooks love to talk about the weather! Jenna and Kev were back and forth whether or not to delay the ceremony further and cross our fingers that the rain would hold off for just 15 minutes or to move the ceremony into the tent. With hopes set on an outdoor ceremony I’m so glad they waited it out and pushed the ceremony back a bit so they could have their beautiful backyard outdoor ceremony. Despite the rain everyone was in great spirits lending hands to help move the chairs in and out of the tent, drying them off and providing umbrella’s to those who needed.

When I first met Jenna and Kev at a coffee shop to chat about their wedding day one of the main topics of conversation was this cool location in the woods that they would like to get couples photos done at. Jenna had been visiting this specific location since she was a kid and it was super important to get some photos done there. So we all piled into a car and drove down the road to arrive at the trail. We took a few pictures on the way in and then Jenna says “okay here it is”. Literally, a teeny tiny path going very steep downhill zig zagging between trees all the way down to a ravine… did I mention it was pouring rain all. day. long?! Jenna, the kind hearted girl she is was more concerned about me and my second shooter and if we were comfortable and ok to make the trek down. So my shoes came off and Jenna’s high heels stayed on (what a trooper) and we slipped and stepped carefully down to the bottom. I was a little nervous that someone was going to fall or twist an ankle but we all made it in one piece and let me tell you it was SO WORTH IT! This location was incredible. We got back to the house and washed up (lots of mud) and headed into the tent for an awesome dinner and reception. Since Jenna and Kev don’t like to be the centre of attention they decided not to have any formal dances and instead opened the dance floor up to all guests. Everyone was mingling around the bar, dancing, playing backyard games and enjoying themselves by the bonfire.

What an amazing backyard wedding! I’m so grateful that I got to document these memories.

A huge thank you to Chelsey Cunningham for shooting with me!