The First One
Welcome to the first blog from On the Ridge! Here we are hoping to share with you some projects, tips and insights from our little corner of Southwestern Ontario. If you have anything you’d like to see here, please let us know!
I tried and tried to think of the best way to start this blog. There are so many things that we are hoping to share with you here, but the first post almost felt like the most important post (you know what they say about first impressions). It was a really scary decision and to be frank, I didn’t think I would ever make the right one. Then, it came to me, just like that... what better way to start the blog for a space that hosts celebrations of love then to tell you about the moment I knew I was in love with Sydenham Ridge.
The first time I was here, at Sydenham Ridge, was in October of 2015. I came out with my sister-in-law to check it out during a photoshoot that was happening on site and if you knew my sister-in-law Sarah, you’d know, she’s always trying to get into some kind of hijinks. We weren’t here long when she convinced me to take a golf cart through the trails. So off we went, Sarah driving (just a point to note, Sarah’s car driving is questionable and her golf cart driving doesn’t fair much better) and I, with my camera, holding on for dear life.
The trails were a bit over run, and the leaves had started to fall, but it was a beautiful sunny day and we were just having a really great time gabbing about the space, and just life in general when we turned a corner. And were faced with this…
(Photo Credit: Nikki Carradine
The pine forest.
It took my breath away, like really did (In all honesty, I initially thought it was the quick stop that Sarah had made, but then realized that it was the way the light peaked through the trees that was doing it to me). I think our drive through that section of the property was the quietest the two of us had ever been together, but it was just so peaceful and glowy and stunning. Luckily I was in the right state of mind to take a few photos!
(Photo Credit: Nikki Carradine
It wasn’t long after we started hosting events that the appeal of the forest caught on and I’m not surprised! It has quickly become a favourite amongst our couples and photographers. In fact, some of our favourite pictures taken at Sydenham were taken in the pine forest.
(Photo Credit: Andrea Bartholomew Photography)
(Photo Credit: Misty Nolan Photography)
(Photo Credit: Haley Thuss Photography)
(Photo Credit: Cassidy Crowe Photography)
When it comes right down to it, I think what I love most about the pine forest is that it really just is so encompassing of Sydenham Ridge in general. It’s elegant, rustic and serene. And also, really really cool.
(Photo Credit: Nkki Carradine)