Jessica Lin Photography: Janine & Jon - A Foresty Fairytale Wedding

One of my nicest childhood memories is going to see Shakespeare in the Park. My parents would pack us a picnic, and we would go down to High Park and sit on a blanket on the hill and get devoured by mosquitoes, waiting impatiently for the sun to go down so the play could start. The only one I ever remember seeing is A Midsummer Night's Dream, but I'm sure they did others. I can't imagine a better venue for that particular piece, than a stage built right into the forest with a grassy hill for the audience.

"What's the point?", you ask. Other than giving my humble advice on how you could spend a lovely summer evening in the west end of Toronto, my point is that being at Janine & Jon's wedding reminded me exactly of that sort of fairytale woodland perfection (only nobody was drugging and tricking poor unassuming would-be lovers..). Norman said it was like being at Robin Hood's wedding, and I also thought that was a perfect description.

See for yourselves...

As soon as I saw the invitation, I knew this was going to be a very pretty wedding :)

Janine, who is a stylist and has a great eye for lovely details, had been collecting these antique birdcages for months to decorate the ceremony and reception

One of the best views I've ever seen from an altar..

Jon is a photographer, and avid nature-lover. They actually came upon their venue while day hiking near Ancaster - a lovely conservation site in the Dundas Valley

I loved his compass cuff links!

I've actually known Janine (and Jon) for many years, and I've always thought she had one of the most spectacular smiles I've ever seen :) This was a day for lots of smiles...

Also terrifically talented, Janine made her own (and the bridesmaids') jewellery, and her hair fascinator!

I love the combination of slightly nervous and totally ready in Jon's expression..

Sharing a rare private moment while their witnesses signed the registry..

One of my favourite things at outdoor weddings - bubbles!

Newlyweds :)

A moment of total forest magic - a baby deer curled up at the side of the path!

and then back up the hill to Maplewood Hall for the reception..

I loved this! Jon collected all these photos and made a row for his childhood snapshots, a row for Janine's, and in between is a row of more recent pictures of the two of them together :)

And then for the entertainment...bellydancers! Janine has been dancing with these women for quite a while now, so it was a really special addition to the evening