Strolling around the gorgeous grounds of historic Dundurn Castle in the fall is always a pleasure, and with Bijou and Josh in front of my lens at this Hamilton engagement session, we all felt as though we were in a fairytale.

Built in the 1800’s, the Italianate-style villa is the former site of a fortified military encampment established by the British in 1813. You can almost feel the weight of its history when you stand right in front of its gorgeous pillars and look up. Added later in the decade, the Coach House is very different than the main building, and yet it perfectly complements it! Dundurn Castle is also a beautiful option for your wedding, it can suit up to 120 guests! Both of Bijou & Josh’s outfits worked so well at this location, but I have to be honest that their formal outfits were my favourite.

Immediately Taken

Bijou and Josh met when she was technically “his boss” but not quite (that’s a private joke there). They met early one day in the lunchroom while she was waiting for her interview. His smile was the most genuine and pure that she’d seen in a long time. He was so taken with her that he went to get coffee four times in the next hour. And didn’t drink any of them. A gentleman to the core, he waited for weeks before he took the chance to ask her for her number. And the rest is history, they say!

When Josh proposed with a GORGEOUS purple sparkler, the ring of her dreams, it was only confirmation that they were perfect for each other. Not too much later, the couple decided that he would also wear an engagement ring during their engagement. I think it’s actually a lovely idea, and I know it’s common practice in the Netherlands, where I come from. There the couple actually decides together when they will get engaged, and keep the date a secret from their family until it happens. Western engagements, where the man goes down on one knee, are still my favourite, however! Josh and Bijou just happened to get the best of both worlds.

Dressed for Love

This unseasonably warm fall day Bijou still got all the fall colour she’d hoped for. We had to reschedule from an earlier rain date, and I’m so glad we did! We started our session with Bijou and Josh in the most gorgeous outfits. Bijou was wearing a gorgeous Fashion Nova design, and she looked and felt like a princess. Josh dressed up very well also, and couldn’t keep his eyes off of her. The light, the castle, the fall colours and then these two; everything felt like a fairytale.

The second outfit was a gentle homage to his passion; music. They looked like superstars, and the guitar was the perfect touch. Josh even took the opportunity to teach Bijou a little more about the guitar, and my heart just filled when I saw them interracting. It’s nice to see that true gentle love in a couple that we get to work with, we’re just the luckiest photographers in the world

Planning their Future

We met Bijou and Josh at Ali and Evan’s elopement and again at Virginia and Dave’s intimate wedding. Intimate events seem to be a theme, so we’re super excited that these two are planning an intimate butterfly conservatory elopement for March. Planning their big day together with them is proving to be so much fun; it’s really lovely to get to know all of our couples during this process. Bijou and Josh, we are so blessed to know you and are excited that your wedding is less than 6 months away! If this Hamilton engagement session is any indication, it’s going to be the best day!

The Vendor Team

Dresses | Fashion Nova
Makeup | Marked by Carm
Venue | Dundurn Castle