“Amazing (made us want to do it all over again)!!”
Audrey + Lucius
People travelled for huge distances for Audrey & Lucius’ Manoir Hovey wedding. In fact, none of their guests was from Canada. Almost everybody had made their way from all over the US. They obviously knew this would be a wedding to remember, and they did not leave disappointed!
Of course, the fact that their guests were willing to travel such great distances suggests they all have a whole lotta love for the couple. And indeed, both Audrey and Lucius are the kind of people who make everyone feel like their best friends. They have a super-easy-going way about them and go out of their way to make people feel welcome. They had a dream to escape to an idyllic location on a lake in Canada, and Manoir Hovey fit the bill exactly.
On the day, everything could hardly have been more perfect. The weather made sure everyone could enjoy this amazing wedding venue. Guests went swimming, fishing, kayaking or just relaxed by the pool before the wedding itself got underway. The ceremony was short but sweet with Lac Massawippi as the backdrop.
Wedding Photos at Manoir Hovey
Manoir Hovey is a stunning wedding venue. A beautiful 1900s mansion situated in the Eastern Townships of Quebec, it has Lac Massawippi as a backdrop, and the whole place just has that sense of elegance about it and so much character.
The uber-talented Elyna Kudish Events looked after all the styling and made the whole event look jaw-droppingly gorgeous. Photographic evidence to follow…
The reception took place in a tipi on the venue grounds as the sun set. After which, all the guests moved to the main building to dance the night away with the help of a superb band. Perfect.
I want to thank Sebastien D’Amour for shooting this one with me. But most of all, huge thanks and congratulations to Audrey & Lucius. I loved photographing this wedding, and they made me feel so welcome, just as they make everyone feel.
You can also view their wedding slideshow HERE
Getting married at Manoir Hovey: a photographer’s guide
I have photographed weddings at Manoir Hovey many times, across every season, so if you are in the early stages of planning your own day here, this is the practical side of what to expect, from someone who has spent a lot of time working the property with a camera.
Where it is, and getting there
Manoir Hovey sits on the shore of Lake Massawippi in North Hatley, in the Eastern Townships, about an hour and a half southeast of Montreal down the autoroute. It is a Relais & Châteaux property, and there is on-site parking. The single biggest advantage of getting married here is that your guests can stay over: with more than fifty rooms, suites and cottages across the estate, the wedding becomes a proper weekend rather than an evening that ends with everyone driving home in the dark.
Getting ready
Because there are rooms and cottages all over the grounds, most couples get ready on site, often in one of the cottages like Cartier, Heron or Montcalm. It makes for a calm, unhurried morning: two prep spaces a short walk apart, good window light, and no travel across town. That ease almost always shows up in the pictures.
Ceremony and reception spaces
There are really two kinds of ceremonies here. In good weather, couples marry outdoors at the water’s edge or under the old trees with the lake behind them. When the weather turns, or for winter weddings, the ceremony moves indoors to one of the salons and still feels intimate rather than makeshift. Some couples also marry first at St. Barnabas Church in the village, a couple of minutes away, then return to the Manoir for everything else. Receptions are held inside, and the scale is part of the appeal: this is a venue built for intimate and mid-size weddings, so dinners here feel personal, with Le Hatley leading the kitchen.
The best spots for photographs
If you give me a little time at the right moment, here is where we go. The lakefront at golden hour is the signature frame: calm water, warm light, the Manoir behind you. The Library and the Tap Room, both with fireplaces, are my reliable indoor options when it is raining or bitterly cold, and they still feel like the venue rather than a generic backdrop. The verandahs and forest paths give a third, greener look. The one piece of advice I always give couples here is to protect a short window at sunset, because that lake view only fully pays off in the last hour of light.
Capacity and seasons
Capacity is worth an honest word: Hovey suits intimate and mid-size guest counts, so if you are planning a very large wedding, it is best to have that conversation with their team early. On timing, autumn is spectacular for the colour, but do not overlook winter: a snow-covered lakefront is one of the most striking backdrops in the region, and the indoor spaces are made for it.
Planning a wedding at Manoir Hovey?
If you are getting married at Manoir Hovey, or anywhere in the Eastern Townships, I would love to hear about your plans, so drop me a message. You can see more of my work on the wedding photography page, and if you are still weighing up locations, have a look at my guide to the best Eastern Townships wedding venues.
One Response
“Beautiful” is the word which describes all the images. Every detail of the pictures is well captured. The bride and the groom will surely cherish these moments forever.