The Hare Wine Co. Wedding in Niagara-on-the-Lake
Written by Anika Kitchen, Ontario Wedding Photographer
The Hare Wine Co. sits right in Niagara-on-the-Lake, and it's one of the most textured venues I get to shoot in all year. Vines on one side, a rustic stone courtyard on the other, and a barrel cellar underneath for couples who want something moodier and more intimate. Ceremonies happen out on the lawn beside the vineyard rows, and in late July that light does something you genuinely can't fake, warm, a little hazy, gold well before actual golden hour shows up. The Grand Courtyard photographs like a corner of Europe, all that stone doing exactly what stone does once the sun starts dropping. For couples who want a full sensory day, wine, food, that rustic-but-elevated feel, this is one of the best rooms in Niagara to do it in.
Courtney & Anthony
Silly, foodies, adventurous. That's how Courtney and Anthony described themselves to me before their July 25th wedding, and by the end of the day I didn't need the description anymore, I'd seen it. They built the whole thing around a 70s-inspired palette, gold and sunset tones running through the florals and the table settings, and somehow it never tipped into costume. It just felt like a love story that could've happened in 1975 or last week. Sunny, warm, that kind of light all day that makes you not want to put the camera down. With 120 guests at The Hare, there was room to go big and still keep it feeling like a room full of people who actually knew each other.
The morning moved slow at first. Bridesmaids getting ready together, Courtney's mom helping her into her dress, and then a first look with her dad that had both of them a little undone before the ceremony had even started. I'd asked Courtney ahead of time to set aside a few things for me to shoot on their own, and she'd clearly thought about it, stationery she'd designed herself, the rings, her shoes. Small stuff that doesn't matter to anyone but the two of them, which is exactly why it's worth stopping for.
Flower girls and ring bearers led the walk down to the ceremony out among the vines, still one of my favourite spots on the whole property for a processional.
Inside, the gold and sunset palette carried through every table, and the receiving table ended up being one of my favourite detail shots of the day. Willow Cakes & Pastries built them a cake worth its own little pause at the cutting, and later on someone worked the dance floor handing out cannolis, which is a detail I wish more couples thought of. First dance, parent dances, a room full of older relatives who'd clearly been waiting all night for their turn on the floor. Somewhere in there Courtney and Anthony changed into matching Converse for the party, which tracks, since these two had already had pizza together at their engagement shoot. Late night pizza showed up again at the reception, a nice little callback, and by then the whole room had that loose, nobody's-leaving-yet energy that tells you a wedding actually worked.
"Amare Studios photographed our wedding last year, and we are still completely in love with the photos! From start to finish, Anika and Carson were incredible to work with. They made us feel comfortable right away and brought such a calm, positive energy to the day. They were especially great at guiding us and our family during photos, organized without being pushy, and always making sure things felt natural and relaxed. What really stood out was how they captured both the big moments and the small, emotional details. Looking through our gallery feels like reliving the entire day, and they managed to preserve so many genuine, candid moments that we'll treasure forever. We're so grateful we chose Amare Studios and would absolutely recommend them to anyone looking for talented, thoughtful photographers who truly care about their clients and their work." - Courtney & Anthony
Vendor Team
Videography: Beautiful Life Studios
DJ: Chamberlain Entertainment
Band/Live Music: Mo Guzman Music
Cake: Willow Cakes & Pastries
Hair & Makeup: Artistry by Vic
Florist: June Floral & Garden
Officiant: Paul Fletcher
Getting Married at The Hare Wine Co. in Niagara-on-the-Lake?
If you're planning a wedding at The Hare Wine Co. and looking for a photographer who knows this venue and loves shooting here, I'd love to hear about your day. Get in touch here. 🫶🏼
More About Amare Studios
I'm Anika, the photographer and creative director behind Amare Studios. Along with my team, I've spent nearly a decade photographing weddings across Ontario, and after hundreds of them (plus one of my own), I've learned exactly what makes a couple feel comfortable, seen, and genuinely themselves in front of a camera.
My style is documentary at heart with an editorial eye for light. I don't pose you into something that feels foreign, I create the conditions for real moments to happen, and then I catch them.
If that sounds like the kind of photographer and videographer you're looking for, stick around and say hello.
Frequently Asked Questions About The Hare Wine Co. Weddings
What's it like to have a wedding at The Hare Wine Co. in Niagara-on-the-Lake?
It's one of the most versatile winery weddings in the region. You get the vineyard lawn for an outdoor ceremony, a stone courtyard that photographs like something out of Europe, and a barrel cellar for couples who want a moodier, more intimate reception space, all on one property in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Where is The Hare Wine Co. located?
The Hare Wine Co. is located in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, one of the newer winery venues in the region and part of the Vintage Hotels collection.
What is The Hare Wine Co. like for wedding photography?
The vineyard lawn, stone courtyard, and barrel cellar all photograph completely differently, so a single day at The Hare can give you rustic golden hour portraits, moody indoor shots, and European-feeling courtyard frames all in one gallery.
Does The Hare Wine Co. have an outdoor ceremony option?
Yes. Couples can say their vows on the great lawn beside the vineyard, under the trees along the vines, or on the winery's private patio. Courtney and Anthony married out among the vines, and that's still one of my favourite ceremony backdrops in Niagara.
What kind of couples get married at The Hare Wine Co.?
Couples who want a full sensory day, good wine, real food, and a rustic-but-elevated setting that doesn't feel stiff. Courtney and Anthony's retro, food-forward, 120-guest celebration is a good example of what this venue can hold.
Do you photograph weddings at The Hare Wine Co. regularly?
Yes, it's one of my favourite Niagara venues to shoot. If you're getting married at The Hare Wine Co. and want to talk about documentary photography and videography coverage, get in touch here. 🫶🏼
