Getting married at Mary Lake, Port Sydney

“Watching Madison come down the stairs was amazing,” says Chris. “I also loved watching her dance with her Dad, and hearing the speeches at the reception.”

The bride equally cherished her walk down to meet her love.

“It was the real deal when I came down the aisle and everyone was there,” recalls Madison. “Our families are so important to us. When I got to the dock, I saw that Chris was barely holding it together emotionally. When he and my Dad saw each other as we reached the dock, it was very special for me.”

The couple exchanged vows on the dock beneath a birch arch made by Chris. The happy groom was inclined to jump the gun when it came to the wedding kiss. He kept trying to plant one on his bride before the marriage ceremony was completed.

“I had to block him,” laughs Madison. “He was really going for it.”

The wedding party’s photo session moved along quickly so they could join the festivities. The couple loved being photographed in the boat they use every evening for fishing. In their fancy wedding attire, the newlyweds trolled a few fishing rods and relaxed together.

“Our photographers, Greg and Jody Waldock, were amazing,” says Chris of his cousin Greg and his wife. “We had about 25 minutes for photos and they got over 10,000 pictures. They used two cameras from different angles.”

Chris’s mother sourced about 1,000 lights to illuminate the large reception tent set in the forest beside the home’s driveway. Custom crackers with a birch bark finish popped open to give each guest a paper crown and a trivia question about the bride and groom. The outstanding food from local vendors Fresh Kutz, Granny Lyn’s Kitchen and Vince’s Market drew raves from guests. Even the small jars of maple syrup were made locally at Maple Bluff Farm.

Looking back, Madison and Chris agree the day went even better than they hoped. Madison advises future brides to take more time to plan than they did, and do one more thing.

“Get along well with your mother-in-law and she will help you out!” says Madison. “But really, a longer engagement gives you the time to get everything you want.”