Couple:

Claire & Brendan

Location:

Ladybank Schoolhouse

From the Photographer:

I had the pleasure and privilege of meeting Claire & Brendan when we did a photography session in the city right before the lockdown in 2020. I had been following Claire on social media for a while (as you do), and was thrilled to finally meet in person. Working with them was incredible and we ended up talking about films for quite a while afterwards and making plans to hang out again. Since then we’ve become fast friends and when Claire mentioned she was thinking about proposing to Brendan and wanted to document it, I was giddy about being her partner in crime. To make it even better, when Claire decided on Ladybank Farm as their vacation spot, I knew they were in the right hands. The space, experience and customer service make you feel like you’re receiving a warm hug.

Frances Beatty, Frances Beatty Photography

Cozy self care vacation at Ladybank Farm

building a fire in woodstove cozy vacation Ladybank Farm

Tree prints on the wall at Ladybank Farm

Flowers by Euclid Design Co. and bird prints

From the Couple:

How did you meet?
We met through online dating - the old fashioned way, on OK Cupid. Claire was moving back to Toronto and Brendan was about to delete his OK Cupid profile when Claire sent him a message. We met for coffee at Bulldog Coffee (Brendan somehow got lost and was very late) and then went for a long walk. We ended up walking through the Allan Gardens greenhouse, still a very special place for both of us, and grabbed a drink at Hair of the Dog.

How did you fall in love?
Patience, and a willingness to listen and be the best we could be for each other. It wasn’t always linear, but it was always something we worked at. It was also probably when we competed to see who could make the best chocolate mousse. Claire won.

Cozy reading vacation at Ladybank Farm by the fire

Tea and reading by the fire at Ladybank Farm

Couple read together by the window at Ladybank Farm

What brought you to Ladybank Farm?
After filming a feature film in the summer, we both very much needed a vacation away from the city. It was the perfect getaway spot. Secluded, well cared for, and a gorgeous farm to wander, with forests, fields, and very friendly cows!

How did you hear about Ladybank Farm?
Claire found it on Georgian Bay in Love while looking for potential vacation spots north of the city. A recommendation from Frances and its obvious charms made it the clear winner. One of Brendan’s childhood homes was an old converted one room school house beside a farm, so he may be biased.

Couple walking down a rural road at sunset in Grey Highlands

Engagement session at sunset in Grey Highlands

cows grazing at sunset in grey highlands

wild apple tree engagement session in grey highlands

Tell us about your experience:
It was absolutely magical. It was a perfect chance to wind down and spend some time with just us. It was great being able to take long walks, come back to the schoolhouse, and build a fire every night. We ate well, read, and remembered how to relax. We also re-watched the entire Lord of the Rings trilogy (thank you, Peter, for making sure we had a DVD player!) - one half each night for the six nights we were there.

Cozy engagement session in wildflower field at Ladybank Farm

Was there anything extra special about your stay?
It’s hard to choose just one thing. The fresh eggs and veggies were wonderful, and we definitely put them to use. Cooking and food is very important to the two of us, so having the best ingredients and a spacious, well-equipped kitchen in which to use them was a wonderful gift. Peter and the entire Ladybank team were very helpful and attentive. They came by and made sure we were settled, and knowing that we were without a car while we were there, even grabbed a few groceries for us at one point! They were so careful to ensure we did not run out of firewood for our beloved evening fires! Peter was also so supportive of Claire’s secret proposal plans, ensuring that Rachel could get in early to deliver flowers, and putting Claire in touch with Fran Harnisch. We felt so cared for and welcomed. Ladybank is very high on our list of favourite places we’ve ever stayed. They truly have hospitality down to an art.

Claire felt so spoiled working with everyone to make this a special trip for Brendan. Rachel offered to drop off the flowers before they arrived, Frances was a sounding board, partner in crime, and emotional anchor from the very start, and Fran H. created a beautiful menu that was perfect for the two of us and the occasion (complete with chocolate mousse)! Everyone was just wonderful.

What was your favourite thing about your visit?
Claire was very pleased with all of her secret plans, and being able to surprise Brendan right on arrival with Rachel’s wonderful bouquet was very fun, and it was a delight to enjoy the flowers all week. Claire proposing was the best part of a trip composed entirely out of the best parts. It was straight out of a movie. Brendan had proposed last year at Allan Gardens, but we both always liked the idea of both of us proposing and having rings. It was important to both of us that we felt like we were both choosing and being chosen. Frances supplied a clever excuse for coming to take photos, so Brendan did not suspect what was coming. Claire proposed in the middle of a field just as the sun was going down. Eat your heart out, James Ivory. Not to mention the dinner on our last night that Claire coordinated with Fran H., which is one of the best meals we’ve ever had.