Bianca and Brandon got hitched this past weekend and had their wedding reception at Hearn Lodge in Harrow, ON. Nestled in the heart of Ontario wine country, Hearn Lodge offers a wedding reception setting that feels like something straight out of a romance film.

It was the perfect backdrop for Bianca and Brandon’s joyful celebration. It’s peaceful pond gives “the Notebook” vibes and its landscaping and built in mini-golf course makes your wedding day experience a unique one for sure!

After the “I Do”: Arriving at Hearn Lodge

The Shepley’s exchanged vows earlier in the day at a nearby church. They were wed during a beautiful ceremony, surrounded by their closest friends and family. After the ceremony guests made their way through the scenic backroads of Essex County to celebrate and attend their wedding reception at Hearn Lodge.

Meanwhile the couple headed over to Willistead Manor for some romantic couple photos and some fun bridal party photos. What was really special was the bride’s parents had a perfect, vintage photo at Willistead Manor from their own wedding hanging in their bedroom and we had a chance to surprise their parents and recreate that photo with their daughter almost 30 years later!

Upon arrival at Hearn Lodge, the couple greeted their guests with a charming receiving line just outside the tent, beneath the string lights and in the blowing breeze coming off of the pond. The air was filled with excitement and warmth as hugs were exchanged, congratulations poured in, and the festivities officially began.

Pre-Reception Fun in the Cigar & Wine Room

Before making their grand entrance, the bride and groom snuck away with their bridal party for a private moment. We found ourselves in Hearn Lodge’s hidden gem: the downstairs cigar and wine room.

It’s tucked beneath the main lodge and styled with vintage leather furniture, warm wood walls, and rustic hunting décor. The walls are covered in different vintage bottles and the room is styled to perfection. Genuinely the perfect location on site for photos with the groom and groomsmen. Although, I will say you’ll probably want additional lighting of some kind for photos and video in here. My Godox flash paired with my Nikon D850 totally did the job though!

Surrounded by their closest friends, the couple toasted with signature drinks and spent their conctail hour welcoming all of their guests. It was a perfect moment of calm and connection before stepping into the whirlwind of their reception. It set the tone for a night full of personality and fun.

A Dinner Under the White Tent

After cocktail hour, each set of parents danced in, followed by the bridal party. As the bride and groom made their entrance, cheers erupted and napkins were swung around in the air to celebrate them.

Imagine, dinner hosted under Hearn Lodge’s signature white tent. A beautiful, breezy structure set against the backdrop of a still pond, their famous Lodge, and tall evergreens. The atmosphere struck the perfect balance between classy, beach, and refined.

As guests find their seats, they’re treated to a locally-sourced meal that celebrated the best of Essex County. Toasts flowed as smoothly as the wine coming from their custom Bianca and Brandon wine bottles, with speeches full of laughter, a few happy tears, and plenty of heartfelt moments.

Mini Golf at Golden Hour

One of the most unforgettable parts of the evening came in between dinner courses and speeches. The sun dipped low on the horizon, casting warm golden light across the lawn. Bianca and Brandon joined their guests at a mini golf course at the Lodge just outside their reception tent.

With putts in hand and the sound of laughter in the air, guests gathered around to witness their fun first hand. The newlyweds shared a few playful putts, stealing kisses between holes and making memories that looked straight out of a movie. It was so perfect considering golf is one of Brandon’s favorite hobbies!

A Hearn Lodge Canoe Ride with Sunset — and Ducks

Just before dusk, while music began to hum from the tent and guests sipped cocktails by the pond, the bride and groom slipped away for a quiet moment alone. They stepped into a small canoe and pushed off onto the mirror-like pond beside the reception tent and sparkling fountain.

As they drifted across the water, the world seemed to pause. It was peaceful, poetic, and incredibly intimate, like their own fairytale. Guests stood along the shoreline, capturing photos and smiling at the dreamlike scene unfolding before them.

As if on cue, a pair of ducks swam out from the reeds, trailing behind the canoe like tiny escorts. The bride laughed as one gave a cheerful quack, adding a dose of whimsy to an already perfect moment. It was peaceful, unhurried, and full of joy—just the two of them, floating in a little bubble of sunset magic and nature’s quiet charm.

A Sunset Send Off At Hearn Lodge

It was another amazingly perfect summer wedding and I will never forget them and the love radiating from them throughout the entire night. Hearn Lodge was stunning and I had an amazing experience there along with the bride and groom. Reach out if you’re thinking of having your wedding here, I’d love to work with you! Checkout my other work on my website andreiadanielle.com.

XOXO,

Andreia