Katie & Austin’s Hawthorn Estates wedding will stand out to me as one of the most beautiful, well-timed and relaxed wedding days of my 2022 wedding season.

I often find with Hawthorn Estates weddings, my day can range between 8-10 hours depending on the time of the year, wedding party numbers, and program for reception.

If you’re wondering what Katie & Austin’s day-of timeline was, here is a great example of a well-timed 8 hour day. Katie got ready off location (hair & makeup) and in this case, I arrived just for a very small amount of photo’s of her and her girls putting on their dresses (less focus on getting ready photos saves about an hour of time on your day).

7:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. – Girls getting ready at alternate location

12:30 – 1:00 p.m. – Wedding party arrives at venue – light photography of dresses being put on and invitation suite

1:00 – 3:00 p.m. – First look / wedding party pictures

3:30 p.m. – Ceremony Starts 

4:00 p.m. – Cocktail Hour

• Hor d’oeuvres circulated
• Family pictures taken
• Reception area/bar will open 

5:00 – 5:15 p.m.  – Call to seating

• No grand entrance/wedding party entrance, we’ll all just sneak in and seat ourselves before introductions

5:30 p.m. – Dinner – served by Urban Prairie Cuisine and quite literally on elf my favourite caterers!!!!!

• Grace to start
• Will be served Family Style (cross between buffet and plated i.e. dishes will be served on large dishes on the table, everyone can help themselves)
• Salad to start, entrées will be served ~6:00-6:15 
• Bar will remain open

6:45ish (or once all tables have been served) – 7:15 p.m. – Speeches

• Toast to the bride/welcome to the family
• Toast to the groom/welcome to the family
• Couple Speech – quick thank you
• Dessert will be buffet style and will be set out during speeches
• No official cake cutting
• Bar will remain open

~7:30 p.m. – First dances

• Austin & Katie
• Father/daughter & mother/son dances at the same time/same song

~8:00 p.m. – Sunset photos

• Will try to sneak away for golden hour sunset photos
• 8:30 p.m. Photography coverage ends – 8 hour day

Having postponed their wedding due to Covid, the couple patiently waited until they could have their dream day with their friends and family. Perfectly curated with the sweetest details and most beautiful flowers by her best friend and talented local wedding florist Juniper Jayne Creative, these two finally received the most perfect weather and beautiful sunny day. Hawthorn Estates is easily one of my top five venues to shoot at for Winnipeg Wedding Photography. The owners, Tammy & Rob are truly the most caring and dedicated couples that do everything in their power to make sure all their wedding couples and guests of the couple have the utmost incredible experience on their wedding day. The property alone is incredible for photography, this venue is one of my favourites for providing a multitude of beautiful backdrops (especially at sunset) with not far to go, resulting in a very smooth seamless day that doesn’t feel rushed. Your wedding photo portions of your day will go smooth, quickly and feel more organic than having to rush around from spot to spot with a wedding party and transportation.

I can never say enough great things about this venue, the feel and aesthetic, all the well thought out amenities, amazing owners and incredible grounds!

Enjoy some of my favourite Images from Katie & Austin’s wedding day.

Vendors whom brought this day together beautiful are as follows:

Venue: Hawthorn Estates

Flowers: Juniper Jayne Creative

Caterer: Urban Prairie Cuisine