It was my pleasure to photograph Hannah and Jeff’s wedding in early June at Hastings Lake Gardens, just East of Edmonton, Alberta. Hannah and Jeff met through a friend, and when asked for three words to describe their ideal wedding, they told me, “down to earth.” Together, Hannah and Jeff are so relaxed, and they relished in the outdoor beauty that Hastings Lake Gardens has to offer.

The day was grey, but warm, and the bride and groom’s love spectacular. Hannah’s bouquet was made up of white and peach daisies with accents of yellow. Scents freshly watered greenery, blooming flowers, and aromatic plants filled the air. Reflecting back on their day together, Hannah and Jeff recounted their favorite part of the day being standing at the altar together, beneath the vined gazebo. Anyone who witnessed their special day could see that the two of them shared an intimate bond and took comfort in each other’s presence.

There is great beauty to be found in simplicity. Hannah and Jeff wanted simple. They wanted a ceremony and no reception. They wanted closeness, intimacy, and for their day to be as easy as their love for each other. For any couple planning their wedding, Hannah and Jeff’s advice is:

“Make your wedding simple. Don’t add too much stress to it. It’s just a day. As long as the two of you are together and happy, that’s all that matters.”

Hastings Lake Gardens is Winner of the 2019 Alberta Wedding Awards. Family owned by Dot and Terry Ziegler, Hastings Lake Gardens celebrated twenty years as a property of twenty acres. In 2018, Hastings Lake Gardens was a featured vendor in Bridal Fantasy Magazine. Located approximately twenty-five minutes outside of Edmonton, this venue is perfect for those wanting to be close to the city, but away from urban life. This beautiful venue offers two options for ceremony locations, one being indoor and the other outdoor. The location chosen by Hannah and Jeff features a beautiful rocky creek waterfall, shady Balsam Trees, castle ruins, rose gardens, and a 6-foot giraffe. The Gazebo has natural acoustics and features a wide staircase which is perfect for wedding party photography. You can read more about all that Hastings Lake Gardens has to offer here.

Hannah’s hair by Krystal Marie | Instagram @krystalmariee_