Black River Retreat Elopement » Erica and Matt

Black River Retreat Elopement

Black River Retreat is an amazing spot up near Tweed, Ontario. It is a gorgeous venue that is tucked away in the forest. The grounds are surrounded by beautiful woods with many trails, kayaks, hot tub, and even a spot for a fire! They make gourmet meals on site and provide each couple with a “love lock” to add to a special spot on the property. It is the perfect venue for an elopement! When you book a wedding or elopement at Black River Retreat, you are the only guests on the property. What a perfect way to combine a love of nature with a little bit of traditional wedding day luxury.

Erica and Matt’s Elopement

Erica and Matt are the result of some brilliant matchmaking! Their first date involved a pizza dinner and looking at kitchen appliances together. I think that definitely foreshadowed a long life together!

Erica and Matt chose a Black River Retreat elopement because they love the outdoors. Most of their favourite activities involve being outside! They love going for walks with their hyper pup, Dolly, and heading out on the boat or ice for fishing. This romantic outdoor getaway was a perfect fit for exchanging their wedding vows!

We explored the gorgeous forest for photographs before the ceremony while we waited for their four special guests to arrive. Erica and Matt walked down the aisle together, and Marjie Olmstead performed a beautiful ceremony on the beach. One of my favourite photographs of the day when they looked at their wedding rings for the first time! They cooled off in the nice, air conditioned lodge, and moved the celebration to the beach with a bottle of bubbly from Broken Stone Winery. Before my coverage ended, Erica, Matt and I ventured out to the rocks to take a few more photographs (we thought that rock hopping would be a better post-wedding activity!) It was such a peaceful, stress-free day for an elopement! And I know that if my clients end our session barefoot, I’ve done something right!

Why Elope?

Everyone’s “why” for eloping is different – some people feel more comfortable exchanging their vows in private, others prefer not to worry about planning a big event. Maybe it has to do with a quick time turnaround or adventuring to a secluded spot to say your vows. There’s no one right way to elope!

Erica and Matt planned a destination wedding in Mexico with their friends and family. They knew they wanted to get celebrate on the beach somewhere warm, and have a coordinator take care of all of the details. Erica and Matt decided to get legally married here in Ontario before their big wedding. This way, they were able to select a spot meaningful to them and it made the wedding in Mexico even more seamless. Erica said to me that she is so glad that they eloped first. Not only was it a beautiful ceremony, but it helped to shake off a lot of their nerves. They loved that they were able to get married their way. And I think an intimate forest elopement followed by a super beach party in Mexico is definitely an excellent way to get married!

Currently, Black River Retreat‘s website says that they have four Saturdays left for weddings 2019! Guess who happens to be free for some of those dates! *waves* For larger weddings, there is a tent on the property that can be used. If you are looking for a mid-week elopement or intimate wedding. there are also many options for that, too.

So, if you need a gorgeous elopement venue in Ontario, take a good look at Black River Retreat! And of course, if you’re looking for an elopement photographer who can expertly capture your love in beautiful natural settings, then please contact me!