Erin & Grant
What an absolutely incredible and unique wedding! I wasn’t 100% sure what to expect when I climbed aboard a pontoon boat across the river but the closer we came to Casablanca, the more my heart started to pitter patter with pure excitement. This gorgeous house on the St. Lawrence river in the Thousand Islands was built in the 1800’s by a family who owned a sugar plantation in Cuba. I know this because I am incredibly nosey and asked one of the owners about a panoramic picture I found on the second floor that showed a picture of what that plantation looked like. Phil and Nancy, the now owners of Casablanca, were incredibly welcoming and made us feel right at home. We were invited to explore the home top to bottom and obviously, I took them up on this. The third floor even had some rooms that looked frozen in time as if whoever lived up there had just walked out of their room one day and didn’t come back. I’m a huge nerd when it comes to antiques and old architecture so I was basically drooling over the tin ceilings, antiques and trim work. Even the light fixtures had me going “ARE YOU KIDDING ME?” Like I said, huge nerd. Nancy also told me that there was some vintage Louis Vuitton luggage upstairs and I definitely utilized that for some detail shots.
Once I was done scouring the house top to bottom and gushing over all the vintage stuff, I settled into my wedding routine of detail shots and getting ready photos. The florist, Vinnie, provided me with some stunning flat lay flowers. I’m always so grateful when I work with an amazing wedding team!
While coming back down the stairs, this old wedding photograph caught my eye. It was a large print. Maybe a 12×24? I’m not great with numbers. I measure with my hands to husband’s dismay. But if I remember correctly, it’s a picture of Grant’s grandparents on their wedding day. I also love to nerd out over old photography, especially old wedding photography. I always wonder what that particular wedding photographer was like. How much harder life must have been not being able to check your shots right away or being able to hammer on a shutter to make sure you don’t miss the big moments. From what I’m told, back then you would only get a few pictures of your wedding. Pretty insane to think that now you get 1000 ish delivered if you’re having a full wedding.
How pretty are Grant’s grandparents though?
We decided to do the first look for Erin and Grant inside. It was an incredibly hot day and being out in the high sun was definitely a feat for many reasons. Plus there’s that beautiful staircase! We couldn’t waste it. It was the sweetest first look and then we were on our way for some short bursts of time outside for wedding photos.
Casablanca is such a majestic looking wedding venue (and private home) so we had to use that as the background for a bunch of our shots. Thankfully there was a nice breeze coming off the water.
The ceremony was short and sweet. Right before it began a giant ship sailed by and everyone went to work getting it to blow its horn. What a crazy thing to experience on your wedding day! It was really cool to see.
Right after the ceremony we went out on the boat where I’m pretty sure Phil might have been trying to kill me. I swear at one point the boat was at a 45 degree angle as we sped around and I hung on for dear life with one hand while I shot pictures of Erin and Grant with the other. Honestly, I don’t think I would have had it any other way. It’s been a long time since I was in a boat flying across the water. Phil is a wild man and I had a great time being in his company. With that said, I’m also glad I made it off the boat alive and dry.
The reception was an absolute blast. Once we got to settle into candids and a more photojournalistic approach, we got to chat some with the wedding planner who held the day together and kept things running smoothly. Shout out to Heather for being so wonderful!
We also got to spend time with the DJ, Johnny, who was a blast and we ate delicious food catered by Cavallarios Steak House.
We had so much fun shooting Erin and Grant’s wedding! The family rents Casablanca on Cherry Island out for weddings so definitely check it out if you’re in the market for a Thousand Islands wedding!
Also check out these amazing vendors!
Venue: Casablanca Thousand Islands
Photography: Lily Moon Weddings
Flowers: Flowers by Vinnie
Planner: Everlasting Events by Heather
DJ: Yo Johnny Dubtown
Cake: Sharon Cantwell
Catering: Cavallarios Steakhouse
Hair: Tracy – Creative Edge Salon Clayton
MUA: Cassie Rainbow
Rentals: Miranda Party Rentals
Dress: Penny Jane Bride
Invitations: Canva
