After having photographed so many couples in love, I often wonder to myself what is the key or keys to a happy marriage. Yes, communication is fundamental, and respect is mandatory; but after having been part of Tian and Rob’s Serenity Cottage wedding, I am convinced the key to a happy marriage is laughter!

Serenity Cottage certainly lives up to its name, with it's towering trees, sprawling lake and of course the idyllic stone lodge, it really is the perfect spot to host a wedding! There was a sense of relaxed intimacy while also an excited energy. The ladies got ready in a beautiful darkened room which gave a very dramatic and romantic vibe to the grey overcast morning. After Tian expertly styled her own hair and finished her makeup, the girls helped to add the finishing touches by carefully selecting the perfect stems of baby’s breath to be placed in her hair. Tian’s bridesmaids joined her on the terrace to take a view of the lake and some laughs before the ceremony. The laughs continued with Rob and his groomsmen, who took the energy to the max with their high spirits and silliness. After suiting up all the boys jumped on bikes to further enjoy the property and really took their time to enjoy themselves. Everyone was in such high spirits that by the time Rob got his first look with Tian, he swept her into his arms and they started to dance! (a common theme for them!)

Tian and Rob said their “I dos” lakeside under a beautiful arch of greenery and white organza in front of an intimate group of thirty-five of their closest family and friends, just as the sun decided to poke through. The couple smiled and laughed their way through their ceremony, which was lovingly officiated by a friend of theirs who definitely added to the spirit of the evening. The ceremony seamlessly moved into a gorgeous cocktail hour where guests mingled as they watched the sunset. And as everyone began to enjoy their hors d'oeuvres and snuggle up in blankets around the campfires, the couple stole away for some quiet moments on the shore to bask in the excitement and awe of their day. What is so striking about Tian and Rob is that their smiles that had greeted me first thing in the morning never wavered throughout the entire day. They had mindfully taken every single second to radiate their joy both on their faces and in small actions like in the way they held each other in their Roots letterman jackets as the sunset over the lake. After heartfelt speeches and a decadent feast at long wooden banquet tables, the couple took their first dance under the glow of fairy lights and the smiles of their loved ones. Tian and Rob, thank you so much for sharing your day with my and lighting up everyone’s hearts with your beautiful smiles.