Melissa and Allen
A Surprise Elopement in London Ontario

October 21, 2022

Aiden Laurette Photography | Bride and groom pose for wedding photos in London Ontario

A Surprise Party with a Twist

When was the last time you had to create a backstory to attend a wedding?! Melissa and Allen’s wedding in London, Ontario, was a surprise to all their guests. I’m talking like only 5 people knew, including the couple themselves, so I had to blend into the crowd to take the photos. All of Melissa’s friends and family thought that Allen was throwing a surprise party for her, and all of Allen’s friends thought that Melissa was the one throwing him the party! I concocted a backstory about being a friend of Melissa’s, and the wedding planner was “a friend of Allen’s.” It was absolutely hilarious; I felt like a spy! The couple hid until the time came to reveal that the “surprise” was actually for the guests. Melissa and Allen were actually tying the knot!

Melissa and Allen’s guests were shocked, to say the least! Even one of the bridesmaids was in the dark until the time came. Seeing how thrilled all the guests were for Melissa and Allen to get married was beyond heartwarming. Once everyone was present and accounted for and expecting a birthday party, the wedding planner distributed some envelopes to all the guests, and they were wedding invites! They told everyone why they were all really gathered at Melissa and Allen’s house.

Accordingly, the wedding planner assigned small tasks for everyone to do to help transform the house from a birthday party to a wedding! Without a doubt, things like “move the chairs to create an aisle” and “take down the Happy Birthday banner” were necessary to help transition between the two events. Also, what was the main question that everyone had? “What do we do with the birthday cards and gifts we brought?”

The Sweetest Day for the Sweetest Couple

I have obviously attended a lot of weddings, and I can honestly say that this is one of the sweetest. Emotions are a given during wedding ceremonies, and this one was no exception! The Bride hid until it was time for her to walk down the aisle, which is always an incredibly special thing! Melissa and Allen’s love for one another was evident as they exchanged some of the most charming vows I’ve ever heard. The couple spent over 8 years in a long distance relationship if you can believe it! Talk about meant to be and persevering.

The surprise of the century definitely provided some laughs and unexpected moments.Everyone thought it was a drop in party. A guest arrived late – she walked in to see a bride and groom at a wedding instead of the birthday party she was expecting! Some guests also had to leave early, but that was all expected. It was a low-key intimate affair with only about 35 guests and some of the best food I’ve ever eaten thanks to Village Catering & Deli in Thamesford. There’s something so special about seeing things go exactly the way the bride and groom want them to go!

Can we take a second to talk about the PERFECT weather that day?! We took some photos in PEAK Fall foliage on a bridge we found and I am a lot in love with the results! I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Fall is the best time to photograph weddings. Mother Nature gives us a STUNNING backdrop, and it’s so nice to be able to work without sweating like mad. There is just something so satisfying about Fall foliage mixed with wedding attire!