Konrad & Melissa’s Intimate Summer Wedding at The Elm Hurst Inn & Spa
Some summer wedding days fall perfectly into place, and Konrad and Melissa’s beautiful July celebration was exactly that. Nestled in Oxford County, the historic Elm Hurst Inn & Spa in Ingersoll, Ontario served as the absolute perfect backdrop for their special day.
As a wedding photographer serving the London, Woodstock and Ingersoll areas, there is nothing quite like capturing a love story on this stunning 33-acre 19th century Gothic Revival mansion and lush summer greenery, the venue effortlessly blends historic charm with modern elegance.
For me, this wasn’t just another wedding day. Konrad and I actually went to high school together years ago ( we old ). As fate would have it, after losing touch for a while, we both showed up for a job orientation at the exact same workplace on the exact same day! We’ve seen the last 15 years working alongside each other, so when Konrad walked up and asked me to be his wedding photographer at the Elm Hurst Inn, it felt like things had truly come full circle.
I arrived early at the historic Ingersoll venue to find Konrad and his wedding party out on the front lawn making sure every detail was perfect. The ceremony was set up flawlessly, with rows of white chairs facing the grand 19th century mansion and the iconic flowing fountain. Before the guests arrived, we hung out, chatted, and I snapped some relaxed, candid photos of the guys taking in the beautiful morning.
As the ceremony began, the guys looked incredibly dapper standing at the fountain. Suddenly, way off in the distance, we spotted Melissa rolling in on one of the Elm Hurts golf carts, cleverly covered on one side to keep her hidden from the guests. I captured the anticipation as she and her father stepped out onto the grass. Crouching low at the front of the aisle, I photographed the emotional moment her dad walked her down the grass toward Konrad. It was exactly the picture perfect scene Melissa had always envisioned, framed beautifully by the towering mansion and flowing fountain.
South-western Ontario summers are known for being unpredictable. On this particular July day, it was hot and some storm clouds were learning in the distance moving towards us. We were all on high alert for rain, but luck was on our side, the heavens pushed the storm off to the side, leaving behind the most gorgeous, soft lighting. Following my pre-ceremony advice, after the had their first kiss, the vows completed, they walked slowly down the aisle, and paused at the end for the perfect final exit shot.
With the storm out of the way and our tight schedule, we quickly swept around the 33-acre Elm Hurst Inn property. We captured a stunning mix of intimate couple portraits and fun wedding party photos before packing up the gear and heading out to the Polish Hall in Woodstock Ontario for the reception.
Woodstock’s Polish Hall looked absolutely incredible. Before the grand entrance, I had a chance to hang out, outside with the newlyweds while they shared a quiet drink and relaxed. The indoor space was tight and intimate, requiring some quick, agile shooting as the wedding party made their entrance. To counter the indoor lighting, I set up off-camera flashes to create a light, bright, and airy look for their emotional first dance. We moved right into the cake cutting, and wrapped up the night by utilizing a beautiful custom Photo Booth area the couple had, complete with a stunning old Victorian-style couch and floral arrangements. It was an unforgettable night for two amazing people, and I’m so honoured I go to step out from behind our regular day jobs to capture this chapter of their story.
Whether you’re planning and intimate, backyard style wedding at the Elm Hurst Inn & Spa, or a small backyard style wedding in the area, I would love to help bring your vision to life. Based right here in Southwestern Ontario, I specialize in capturing authentic, timeless memories for couples across London, Woodstock, Ingersoll and beyond.
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Elm Hurst Inn & Spa ( Ingersoll, Ontario )
July 2026
Kevin Vyse Photography
