Some weddings are a little different from the traditional celebrations we're used to seeing, and Danai and Ross's wedding at Tire Shack Brewery in Moncton, New Brunswick, was one of them. Their day was simple, intentional, and completely true to who they are as a couple. Rather than filling their timeline with traditional wedding events, they chose to focus on what mattered most to them: good food, good beer, and spending time with their favourite people.
I actually had the pleasure of photographing Danai's brother Kyle's wedding to his husband Connor the previous October. It was such an incredible experience, and their family was so welcoming that when Danai reached out over the winter to ask if I would photograph her wedding too, I couldn't say yes fast enough. She even reassured me that there wouldn't be any fire pits for me to fall into this time around (a story from Kyle and Connor's wedding that apparently wasn't going to be forgotten anytime soon!).
Having the opportunity to photograph another wedding for the same family was something I was really looking forward to, and Danai and Ross certainly didn't disappoint.
Their wedding day began at Castle Manor in Moncton, a beautiful historic building with exposed stone walls, charming architectural details, and plenty of character. It was the perfect setting for the beginning of their day, especially with Danai's stunning black wedding dress and veil.
After getting ready, Danai and Ross shared their first look on the staircase inside Castle Manor. I always love when couples choose to have a first look before their ceremony. It gives them a chance to spend a few quiet moments together before the celebrations begin, and it also allows us to take our time with portraits without having to rush through them later in the day.
We spent some time exploring Castle Manor and its grounds for their bride and groom portraits, and of course, their two dogs made an appearance! Including their pups in their wedding photos was such a sweet personal touch, and they were more than happy to join in on the celebrations.
From Castle Manor, we made our way to Victoria Park in Moncton for family portraits and a few additional photos among the beautiful gardens. With the greenery and flowers in bloom, it was a lovely contrast to the historic stone architecture of Castle Manor and the industrial atmosphere of their wedding venue.
Once portraits were finished, we headed to Tire Shack Brewery in downtown Moncton for the rest of their celebration.
One of the things I loved most about Danai and Ross's wedding was how they approached the entire day. They weren't concerned about following a traditional wedding timeline or including certain events simply because that's what people expect at weddings. Instead, they created an experience that felt comfortable, relaxed, and meaningful to them.
Their guests arrived at Tire Shack Brewery and gathered in the event space downstairs, where they enjoyed charcuterie, drinks, and live music before the ceremony. Having a cocktail hour before exchanging their vows was such a great way to start the celebration. It gave everyone an opportunity to mingle, catch up, and enjoy themselves without feeling like they were waiting for the main event to begin.
The event space was decorated with colourful floral arrangements, simple table settings, and a mix of wooden chairs that complemented the brewery's warm, industrial character. Everything was thoughtfully put together without feeling overly formal or elaborate.
When it was time for the ceremony, guests made their way upstairs to Tire Shack Brewery's beautiful glass-enclosed atrium. With its high ceilings, large windows, and natural light, the space made a beautiful setting for their intimate wedding ceremony.
The ceremony itself was short, sweet, and meaningful. Surrounded by their closest family and friends, Danai and Ross exchanged vows beneath a simple wooden arch decorated with soft draping and colourful flowers.
There was no need for an elaborate production. The focus was exactly where it should have been: on the two of them and the commitment they were making to one another.
After the ceremony, everyone returned downstairs to the event space to enjoy a meal together and continue celebrating.
Danai and Ross chose to skip many of the traditional wedding reception events, including formal speeches, first dances, and cake cutting. Instead, they wanted to spend their evening enjoying good food, good drinks, live music, and the company of the people who mean the most to them.
And I think there's something really special about that.
Weddings can sometimes become so focused on timelines, traditions, and making sure everything happens exactly as planned that couples barely have an opportunity to enjoy the celebration they've spent so much time organizing. Danai and Ross took a different approach, prioritizing the experience of being together over the expectations of what a wedding day is supposed to look like.
Their wedding was a beautiful reminder that you don't need to include every tradition to have a meaningful celebration. You can wear a black wedding dress, have your cocktail hour before your ceremony, exchange vows at a brewery, skip the formal dances, and still have an absolutely wonderful wedding day.
In fact, sometimes those are the weddings that feel the most personal.
Danai and Ross's intimate Tire Shack Brewery wedding was the perfect way to wrap up my first weekend of wedding season, after photographing back-to-back weddings. Between the beautiful locations, their relaxed approach to the day, and the incredibly welcoming people surrounding them, it was such a pleasure to document.
I'm especially grateful to their family for welcoming me back to celebrate another milestone with them. They are genuinely some of the kindest people I've had the opportunity to work with, and it's always such a compliment when a family invites me back to photograph another wedding.
Danai's dad even joked that unfortunately, they don't have any more children left to marry off!
To Danai and Ross, thank you for trusting me to capture your wedding day. I loved seeing how you made the celebration entirely your own, and I hope these photographs always remind you of the people, moments, and little details that made it so special.
Congratulations to you both! 🖤
