Matt Ballard Photography Blog

Top 5 Kitchener Weddings and Waterloo Weddings Locations

2009-07-14T04:19:00.000-07:00

Kitchener Ontario and Waterloo Ontario, or KW as we lovingly refer to it, has some absolutely beautiful spots for weddings.

People who have been to Kitchener weddings and Waterloo weddings are likely to have a leg up on those who haven't as far as knowing where the best locations are.

As a KW photographer, I thought I'd share my Top 5 Kitchener Weddings and Waterloo Weddings Locations, and invite everyone to join in with their top 5 by posting in the comments section. Feel free to add yours by leaving a blog comment!

So, in no particular order, here's my Top 5 Kitchener Weddings and Waterloo Weddings Locations...

La Hacienda Sarria - if you haven't seen it, check it out! I bet you're surprised!

Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery - a gorgeous location with tons of spots for photos!

Waterloo Inn - a great spot for a KW wedding... beautiful facilities and great staff!

St. George Hall - a very nice location that has a beautiful church right on the property!

The Walper Terrace Hotel - a truly beautiful location with elegance and charm!

and... I'm going to sneak in one more...

The Concordia Club as I've done quite a few weddings there and they do a great job.

There are plenty more great locations in the Kitchener Waterloo area. These are just the Top 5 that come to mind. If I can find the time, maybe I'll do a Top 20 Kitchener Weddings and Waterloo Weddings locations list. :)

In the meantime, feel free to add your suggestions for great Kitchener Weddings and Waterloo Weddings locations by leaving a blog comment!

If you're looking for a Kitchener photographer or a Waterloo photographer for your wedding, I'd love to work with you on your big day. Check out the wedding galleries to see my work.

Our current Wedding Specials offer the best value, or you can tailor a package just for you by emailing me at matt@mattballardphotography.com.

Kitchener Ontario Parks and Wedding Photos Locations

2009-07-06T01:00:00.000-07:00

Kitchener Ontario has some great parks to consider for wedding photos if you're getting married in the Kitchener area.

Here's a link to the list of Kitchener Parks published by the City of Kitchener
http://www.kitchener.ca/parks

Victoria Park is probably the most popular, and it has some beautiful spots for doing wedding photos. Keep in mind that because Victoria Park is so popular, it's fairly normal to see two or three other weddings being photographed there on any given Saturday throughout the wedding season. This can mean parking is hard to find, which can add to the time you'll need to budget for photos.

Woodside National Historic Site is a beautiful spot for wedding photos. Besides being the historic home of Canada's 10th Prime Minister, William Lyon McKenzie, Woodside boasts over 4 hectares of beautiful gardens and parklands. The house on the property dates back to 1853 and has been beautifully restored, making a great background for photos. Kitchener photographers love to shoot Woodside because there are so many possibities for photos.
http://www.kitchenerkiosk.com/kitchener-tour/Woodside-National-Historic-Site.php

Doon Heritage Crossroads is another great Kitchener spot to consider for wedding photo location. You'll find an open-air museum of the pioneer days, and a lot of fun spots to do wedding photos.
Most Kitchener photographers have shot at Doon Heritage Crossroads.
http://www.kitchenerkiosk.com/kitchener-tour/Doon-Heritage-Crossroads.php

La Hacienda Sarria is probably the most beautiful spot in Kitchener. It's a renovated old factory over on Union Street. Renovated is the key word here. The owner gave the building an incredible makeover, turning it into a castle for his wife. Along the way, he paid attention to every little detail imaginable, from the hard wood floors to the beautiful iron work displayed throughout the property.

There's a beautiful Sunflower garden on one side of the property, complete with a series of ornate reflecting pools. The landscaping is incredible and serves to make the house itself look that much more majestic. Check out the photos from Krista and Aldo's wedding to see wedding photos at this amazing estate.

If you're interested in booking La Hacienda Sarria, bookings are handled through Bingemans.

Need a Kitchener Photographer for your wedding? I'd love to work with you on your big day. Check out the wedding galleries to see my work.

Our current Wedding Specials offer the best value, or you can tailor a package just for you by emailing me at matt@mattballardphotography.com.

Cambridge Ontario Parks for Photo Locations

2009-07-01T11:35:00.000-07:00

Following up on my list of Cambridge Golf and Country Clubs, I thought I'd mention that the City of Cambridge has a great list of area parks.

Here's the link for the list of Cambridge Ontario Parks.
http://www.cambridge.ca/community_services/parks

Mill Race Park is probably the most popular wedding photo location here in Cambridge, mostly due to the beautiful stone ruins situated along the bank of the Grand River.

If you want to hold your wedding ceremony or do wedding photos at Mill Race Park, you need to make a reservation with the City. You can get a reservation form here.

If you're looking for a Photographer for your wedding in Cambridge, Ontario, have a look at our wedding galleries!

If we have your date available, you may be interested in one of our Wedding Specials. To build a custom package, please send me an at matt@mattballardphotography.com.

Cambridge Ontario Golf and Country Clubs

2009-07-01T11:14:00.000-07:00

A lot of couples ask about wedding locations when they're planning their wedding in Cambridge, Ontario.

We're lucky here in Cambridge, because we have a lot of beautiful locations to choose from, as most Cambridge photographers will tell you.

There are six Golf and Country Clubs in Cambridge that do weddings. I've shot at all of them, and they're all very nice locations.

Here's a list of them complete with website links so you can check them out for yourself if you're planning a wedding.

Cambridge Ontario Golf and Country Clubs

Beaverdale Golf Club
http://www.golfnorth.ca/beaverdale.html

Cambridge Golf & Country Club
http://www.cambridgegolfclub.com

Grand Valley Golf and Country Club
http://www.grandvalleygolf.com

Galt Country Club
http://www.galtcountryclub.com

Savannah Golf Links
http://www.savannahgolflinks.ca

Whistle Bear Golf Club
http://www.whistlebear.ca

If you're looking for a Cambridge, Ontario Photographer for your wedding, please feel free to look through our online wedding portfolio of wedding photos too!

And check out our current Wedding Package Specials. If you want to customize a package, just email us at matt@mattballardphotography.com.

Lilly Starts a New Fashion Trend!

2009-06-21T08:09:00.000-07:00

Lilly is such a little genius. She invented this new fashion trend all by herself. I think it's going to catch on quickly!

She's does it with her shorts too. Definitely a trend setter!

Carline and Colin - The Wedding

2009-06-15T07:21:00.000-07:00

The weather was a little uncooperative for Carline and Colin's BIG DAY, but they weren't fazed by it at all. They were such a fun loving couple that a little rain wasn't going to put a damper on their fun on their wedding day.

We started the day with photos of Carline and her girls getting ready at the Waterloo Inn. From there we were off to St. Teresa Parish in Kitchener for the ceremony, followed by photos at Carline and Colin's home where we waited for a break in the weather to run outside and get some photos in their beautifully landscaped backyard.

Then it was back to the Waterloo Inn for the cocktail hour and reception. As usual, the Waterloo Inn did a wonderful job, and everything looked beautiful.

Getting married soon in Kitchener Waterloo Cambridge? If you're looking for a wedding photographer in the Kitchener Waterloo area, we'd love to talk to you about working with you on your big day! Email Matt at matt@mattballardphotography.com or call us at 519-497-0876.

Uncle Bobs New Business Cards & The Importance of Professional Wedding Photography

2009-05-20T09:53:00.000-07:00

A common term that professional wedding photographers know all too well is "Uncle Bob". When we hear about an "Uncle Bob" situation, we usually laugh, shake our heads, sigh, or a combination of all three. "Uncle Bob" in this context refers to someone at the wedding (or going to be at the wedding) taking photos who is not a professional. They are often a family member, often an actual Uncle, and are often taking photos for free or close to it.

The problem with "Uncle Bob" is that, while he or she probably takes very nice pictures of flowers in the garden, the family dog, and occasionally a good family photo, "Uncle Bob" is just not experienced at photographing weddings.

Weddings are a "live" event where just about anything can and will happen to throw a wrench into the schedule. A professional wedding photographer knows this and can adapt to situations that arise with a transparency and skill that can only come from experience and training. "Uncle Bob" just doesn't have anywhere near the experience, skill, and training of a professional wedding photographer.

A wedding... YOUR WEDDING, is a pretty important event. Some would say a VERY important event, perhaps one of the most important events in your life. When I see people recommending having a relative or friend photograph a couple's wedding, I cringe. Not only is this putting a HUGE amount of responsibility on a person who is unqualified to do the job (and likely also isn't even aware of just how unqualified they are until the day of the wedding), but it's setting up the bride and groom for some serious disappointment.

A wedding day isn't a repeatable event. Unlike a portrait session or a commercial shoot, where we can re-schedule if there is a problem or the shots don't turn out as the client wanted, you can't do this with your wedding. You could try, I guess, to get all those guests back on a given day, at the same location, with all the same attire, same decorations, etc... (you get my point), but I don't think you'd be very successful, nor would you want to.

When all is said and done, the only thing you really have left to remember your big day with is your wedding photos. You've put a lot of time and effort, not to mention expense, into such a big event, so don't you want to make sure your wedding photos will be beautiful memories of that wonderful day?

I feel bad when I hear stories of couples who were very disappointed with their wedding photos taken by "Uncle Bob". I have couples contact me hoping that I can "fix" their photos that "Uncle Bob" took, and I feel bad when I have to tell them that there is very little that can be done. Even when something can be done, the amount of time involved in "fixing" their "Uncle Bob" photos is going to make it a much more expensive process than if they had just hired a professional wedding photographer in the first place.

Take the time to look through the portfolios of professional wedding photographers. You'll quickly see the differences in style and vision, but more importantly, you'll see the difference in quality. Compare the images of some of the best professional wedding photographers with those shot by someones "Uncle Bob". The differences become VERY evident, VERY fast! You'll quickly develop a feeling for what you like and what appeals to you, and you'll be able to see why having "Uncle Bob" or a "bargain" photographer shoot your wedding is just not worth it... at any price.

Love Conquers Cancer

2009-05-16T05:36:00.000-07:00

Love can save us all. Love is the greatest power on Earth.

Without Love, who are we?

Love can be hard. Love can hurt. Love can conquer.

Love is excellent. Love is greater than hate. Love is easy.

Losing a Love is painful.

Loving without being loved in return can hurt.

Love is so strong that nothing can withstand it.

With Love, we have everything.

Love believes. Love understands. Love endures.

Love forgives. Love brings smiles brighter than the sun.

With a little more Love, and a little less hate, we can do anything.

Matt Ballard - May 15, 2009 - www.loveconquerscancer.com

I have lost the dearest of friends to cancer. My family has been threatened by it.
But it will not win. I believe that love will conquer cancer. I believe that we all can make a difference in the fight.

I am donating my time for all Engagement Sessions and Couples Sessions in return for a $100 donation to the cancer charity of your choice. Call or email today to book an Engagement or Couples Session and help us prove that LOVE CONQUERS CANCER.

To book an Engagement or Couples Session, please call me at
519-497-0876, or email me at matt@mattballardphotography.com.

Ashtyn... a Children of Kitchener Waterloo Photo Session

2009-05-05T06:09:00.000-07:00

View the rest of Ashtyn's Children of Kitchener Waterloo session here.

Call today to register your child for the Children of Kitchener Waterloo project and help support the McMaster Children's Hospital!

519-497-0876

Lilly's 1st Birthday

2009-03-31T05:21:00.000-07:00

Lilly's 1st Birthday Party. Her birthday is April 1st, but we had a family party this past Sunday, March 29, 2009. Lilly had her first piece of birthday cake, and she LOVED it (as you can see)!

View the Full Size HD version here.

Julia... a NEXT TOP TEEN session

2009-03-29T02:00:00.000-07:00

Another great NEXT TOP TEEN session with Julia!

Lilly loves her bath!

2009-03-26T07:48:00.000-07:00

Lilly just loves her bath! She can be tired and cranky, but as soon as she sees the bath, she's all smiles. She'd stay in until the bathwater was cold if we let her.

If you'd like us to capture priceless memories like these of your little one having fun in the tub, call or email us today to schedule a bath tub session!

Katie... a NEXT TOP TEEN session

2009-03-25T06:54:00.001-07:00

Tired of boring High School photos?

Sign up for a NEXT TOP TEEN photo session!

Addison... a Children of London session

2009-03-24T14:21:00.000-07:00

www.childrenoflondon.com

The Smiths

2009-03-18T04:54:00.000-07:00

Lilly thinks its funny!

2009-03-15T16:06:00.001-07:00

The Next Top Teen

2009-03-10T06:50:00.000-07:00

Do you have what it takes to be THE NEXT TOP TEEN?

Are you tired of the same old boring school photos you get every year?

Sign up for the next photo session now! Send us an email at info@nexttopteen.com with your name, email address, phone number where we can contact you, and the city you live in.

The Next Top Teen will be photographing hundreds of teens from areas all over Ontario, competing for the chance to be The Next Top Teen. The cost to enter is a donation of $25 to your local Children's Hospital or the Children's Miracle Network. Photo and Model Portfolio Packages will be available for purchase after each session.

The judges are YOU, the viewing public, who determine who the winner is from each session and who will to advance to next round of competition. To vote, all you have to do is send us an email with the contestant's name in the subject line. Votes will be tallied after the deadline given, and the winner will be announced the following week.

In addition to moving on to the final round, winners of each monthly round will receive a PLATINUM MODEL PACKAGE which includes a full day photo shoot at up to 3 locations with multiple outfit changes.

Eventually the competition is narrowed down to ten finalists who compete for a One Year Modelling Contract and the NEXT TOP TEEN title.

If you are between the ages of 13 and 19 and would like to enter The Next Top Teen, send us an email at info@nexttopteen.com with your name, email address, phone number where we can contact you, and the city you live in.

If you would like us to come to your city or town, send us an email at info@nexttopteen.com and let us know.

Want to do a photo session on location at your home? We can schedule an on location session for just you, or you and your friends. Send us an email at info@nexttopteen.com with your name, email address, phone number where we can contact you, and the city you live in.

Spring Wedding Specials!

2009-03-01T14:56:00.000-08:00

We're booking fast for 2010, but we still have a few 2009 dates remaining so we've put together some Incredible Spring Specials to finish filling up the calendar.

Check out the Spring Specials and email us now to see if we still have your date available!

Happy Valentine's Day Honey!

2009-02-14T12:35:00.000-08:00

Valentines Special Ends Soon!

2009-02-12T07:54:00.000-08:00

If you haven't checked out our Valentines Special on our Wedding Packages, you've still got time! The special ends in 2 days on Valentine's Day.

Kyle and Tricia... a Winter Wedding

2009-01-20T09:57:00.000-08:00

It was a SUPER cold, beautiful winter day for Kyle and Tricia's wedding, and they decided to stay inside for photos where it was warm. :)

The ceremony and reception were at St. George Hall in Waterloo, ON. The hall was decorated for Christmas and looked great. Photography coverage was 4 hours, and as you can see, we can cover a lot in 4 hours.

A Couple More Additions to the Wedding Portfolio

2009-01-12T06:10:00.000-08:00

Latest Wedding Portfolio Additions

2009-01-03T16:54:00.000-08:00

I'm in the process of up-dating my portfolio as I usually do at this time of year.

Here's a couple of the latest Wedding images to make the cut.

A Summer one to help us think warm!

A Winter one to remind us why we we're inside on the computer :)

And one to bring a smile and remind you to hug your loved one today.

Lilly's Red Hat

2009-01-01T13:12:00.000-08:00

Lilly and Dad

2008-12-26T08:55:00.001-08:00