Krystal Shuhyta
Pine and Pond - Intimate Wedding Venue
Calgary Elopement Photographer | Fly Free Photos | Calgary Wedding Photographers
If you are looking for the most romantic, pretty and rustic venue for your dream day then the stunning Pine and Pond wedding venue is the spot for you. Located in central Alberta, Pine and Pond is a breathtaking elopement and small wedding venue and nothing short of a magical fairytale. As Calgary elopement photographers we are always on the search of the perfect location for our couples and this venue truly has it all from a quaint vintage looking schoolhouse to get ready for your big day, to an incredible reception area under the stars to a cozy log cabin for the newly wedded couple to spend their first night together in.
I had the privilege and honour of shooting my long time friend Michael (Bucky for short) and his lovely wife Sarah’s intimate wedding on June 29th, 2019. It was a picturesque day. There was a storm on the drive there but then the clouds just cleared the way for us and literally gave us perfect weather for shooting photos and for saying I DO!
Friends, I can’t even explain how perfect this venue is! The landscape was abundant with the greenest grass and lush beautiful trees nestled around a rock lined pond with a waterfall and the sweetest little bridge. Sarah’s champagne beige dress popped so beautifully against her girls white dresses and Bucky and his best man's suit’s were the most vibrant royal blue. The backdrop offered a wonderful contrast to compliment the colours they chose for their special day. Ryker and Molly, the couple's sweetest dogs were there dressed in flower necklaces and Ryker even walked down the aisle like a good boy. The ever so cute flower girls, Mckayla and Mackenzie were the daughters of the best man. They were so excited to walk down the aisle with their little bouquets, fancy hair, sparkly dresses and fresh flower headbands.
The reception venue was on a hill with a walk down about twenty steps to the pond that semi circled to the ceremony. At the entrance of the isle was a basket and wood sign that read ‘Don’t be blinded by our love’ and in the basket were custom made sunglasses for the guests in case it was a little too bright. One arm of the sunglasses read the couples name and the other arm their wedding date..so precious! There was a bucket filled with umbrellas in case the sky opened up and lucky for me, there was a light rain so a few people grabbed their umbrellas which made for fantastic photos. They had a beautiful wood sign (Which I 100% agree with) ‘Welcome to our unplugged ceremony, please turn off all cell phones, cameras and any other device and enjoy this special moment with us’. I have to say that I think this was a brilliant idea as everyone was so present in the moment and it felt extra special.
The reception was absolutely stunning. Pine and Pond offers a unique indoor transparent tent that has so much natural light pouring in, it's a photographer's dream! Just imagine your first dance literally under the stars. Chandeliers hang from the clear ceiling with draped tulle and strings of white lights.The tables inside were all made of beautiful wood and had burlap table runners. The decor was birch candle holders with tea lights and a vase of simple dried baby's breath. The burger bar was the menu for the night, which everyone loved. After dinner, all the tables were moved to the side offering ample space for everyone to get up and dance. I am sure everyone had such a memorable night.
Taking photos here made my job look easy with shots of the couple and their families against the tranquil scenery. One of my favorites is of the couple at the cabin with their fur babies seated in big comfy chairs and in the canoe out on the pond. You really got to feel their love and sense how fun they are as a couple. At the end of the night the couple retired to their rustic cabin and many of us spent the night at the campground conveniently located across the street from the venue. I have never felt so much love in one place, my cheeks hurt from smiling all night.
I literally have such a hard time slimming these photos down, cause there are so many good ones friends!!
Huge Shout out to the amazing team of vendors who made this day flawless! <3
Venue: Pine and Pond
Flowers: Calgary Bloom
Hair: Blush Artistry - Kristina Ziober
Makeup: Blush Artistry - Glam by Rochelle
Thanks for taking a read, if you are looking for small wedding venues around Calgary that host elopements please take a look here, I hope this helps!
& Please, if you need help planning & documenting your beautiful elopement or intimate wedding day reach out. We are Krystal & Mike, a soon to be Husband and Wife team that offers our couples both photo and video as well as planning and and logistics! We have some awesome all inclusive elopement packages to help couples navigate through all of this craziness and would love to chat with you! Please feel free to contact us here, or check out our work at - www.flyfreephotos.com
Xo
Krystal =)