Hidden Valley Resort, an Ascend Collection Resort

Wedding Day

Ceremony

Cocktail Reception

Dinner & Speeches

Dance/ Social

Late Night Station

Let it Be

(Disclaimers)﻿

Please keep kids, politics, and drama at home! Before officially RSVP-ing please note our guest count is non-reversible/ refundable and we would appreciate your certainty in confirming attendance before June 2026. Your presence is the best present we can ask for! Please no gifts, but cards are welcomed.

Our Wedding

all you need is love

How We Met

We first met in 2020, working at a restaurant in Whitby that was bustling despite being at the brink of the pandemic. At this time we rarely worked the same shifts but if you ask Justin, he says he knew Kendra was the girl of his dreams the first time he laid eyes on her the day she came in for an interview.&nbsp;A year or so passed with minimal interaction beyond friendly banter.Justin went on to start a new career elsewhere.&nbsp;However, the universe knew we were destined to reconnect. After a few work functions, and mutual friend shindigs we began seeing each other more often.&nbsp; It was as if there was some magnetic force pulling the two of us together, and after a while the random interactions slowly turned into more intentional, and unforgettable dates. We couldn’t be without each other. Justin would pick Kendra up from her late night shifts, despite having to be up for work at 4:30am. We would stay up all hours of the night talking, laughing, and just getting to know each other, even though it felt like we had known each other for years, and knew we would continue to know each other forever. We bonded over things like our love for music (specifically The Beatles), shared so many similar views on life, what we wanted out of it, and truly saw the best in one another.&nbsp; After only a few months of officially dating, Kendra was looking for somewhere new to live, and Justin so kindly offered to share his home- even though at this point we spent basically every night together anyway, in 2023 we moved in together. Our first two years together were filled with lots of fun including concerts, beach days, and getting to know each others’ friends and family better.&nbsp; Our families instantly fell in love with our love, and knew this was the real deal. An even further testament to our commitment to one another was how Justin was there for Kendra through the hardships of career changes, and the unfortunate circumstance of severely breaking her ankle. We learned hard and fast that we truly would love each other through the ups and downs life threw our way, and deeply understood the meaning of being there for one another for better or for worse.&nbsp;This year we are starting a new chapter in our new apartment and looking forward to all the memories that will be made together there.

Meeting & Asking Her Dad 'The Big Question'

I remember the first time in our relationship- even though we weren't even officially dating at this point.&nbsp;Kendra asked me if I would like to drive to Muskoka with her and meet her dad and her step mom. Of course I was nervous, but also was always willing to with confidence. I remember singing songs Kendra would play and it felt calming and stress free, especially considering meeting the parents! (Kendra was actually more nervous than I was at this point- only because she knew he was the one) Once we pulled up I had flowers for Erica, and Ryan made an ice breaker joke, saying “why does only she get flowers! Where's mine!” So I was reassured, and felt like these people seem very chill and super welcoming.We had a great weekend, and from there our relationship kept escalating more and more, to an unbelievable state where everyday we couldn't not see each other and even on the days we said “okay today we will have a night off and see you tomorrow”, well, never worked out like that. We inevitably would message back and forth and see each other anyway. I'd go pick her up and we would always be inseparable. There were multiple thoughts about how I could ask Kendra’s dad for her hand in marriage, at this point we've spent lots of time with all sides of the families etc.&nbsp;I had a rough moment during one of the visits we had in the middle of the summer, another night up in muskoka; a lot going through my head with my dad's health situation, and I needed a moment at the fire pit just to give myself a moment to breathe. Ryan walked over and we talked about what was going on and related similar situations. It was at that moment being vulnerable and open I needed to "have the talk" and man to man tell him. At this point we all know each other for quite a while. I asked “how would you feel if I asked for Kendra's hand in marriage?”, he looked at me with a smile and said “I know you make her happy everyday, you're a good guy, I appreciate you asking, so of course I accept that man!”We had a good hug, a shot afterwards, and from there it was game on!

Our Engagement Story 

We went to flea markets and malls, and always would ask one another "what if we ever got married one day, what kind of rings would you like?" Kendra couldn't stress enough "I always wanted a green emerald ring with yellow gold, nothing too flashy”&nbsp;so now this was Justin's mission!It is now fall going into Christmas 2024, Justin has already purchased this new ring, hiding in his easily accessible safe. At this point Kendra has a cast, still hardly walking from her ankle breaking accident, and it just didn't seem like the time to propose, but that was okay, it gave him lots of time to plan, save and figure out the next move. Justin had shown our family pictures of the ring during the holidays and both sides of the family seemed to always be in wonder, like when will this ever go down!We are now in Summer 2025; for Kendra's dad’s bday we had scheduled to celebrate with him during the Civic holiday weekend, but in the back of Justin's mind was ‘I already know we are moving labor day weekend this year, so civic holiday is our absolute last long weekend to go away and make this special’. So Ryan and him texted back and forth and played it cool, never letting her know what will happen to start the rest of our lives. So for almost a year Justin and our families kept the (absolutely perfect) ring a secret until the weekend of August 1st 2025 when we took a spontaneous trip to Ottawa. Neither of us had been there before, and it was exciting to get away from the city and escape before our upcoming move. His long time friend Mike, and his wife, Heather joined us (unknowingly to Kendra at the time to be his proposal assistants). The weekend was full of sight seeing, delicious food, cool pit stops, and adventure. On Sunday the 3rd we took a boat cruise across the river just before sunset. After off-boarding there was a beautiful lookout point we walked up to, and as Mike and Heather offered to capture a picturesque moment of the two of us Justin got Kendra to turn away from him while he got down on one knee and popped the question! Kendra was completely flabbergasted and overjoyed with pure bliss. This moment will be in our hearts forever, and in our minds while we say "I Do" on our wedding day.

Our Story

a Day in the life

Photos

We get by with a little help from our friends

Stephanie Ketlaar

Ryan Lawrie

Heather Grisch

Mike Grisch

Cassidy McNee

Daniel Jordan

Vanessa Morrison

Andrew Morrison

Wedding Party

There's a Place

If you are choosing to stay at the Hidden Valley Resort where our ceremony and reception will be taking place, there is a discount offered to any of our guests- just mention you are a part of the Johnstone/ Pendrigh wedding. There is a two night stay minimum required if selecting this option, and it must be booked before June 30th.Reservations can be made by calling directly to the resort (705) 789-2301, emailing reservations@hiddenvalleyresort.ca, or clicking the 'website' button below.

Sitting on the shores of Peninsula Lake, Hidden Valley Resort, an Ascend Collection Member and is one of the best places to stay in Huntsville, Ontario for those who love outdoor adventures. Not only do our Huntsville accommodations feature a private sandy beach with canoes and paddle boats. What this place offers:Escape from the day-to-day at one of the best hotels in Huntsville, Ontario. Our rustic, classical décor evokes frontier days and starlit nights. Our spacious guest rooms offer a warm, welcoming ambiance, and comfy beds you can sink into after a long day adventuring in the Muskoka region. Not only do our premises feature a private sandy beach, but you can also enjoy a dip in our seasonal outdoor pool. In the colder months, you can still take a swim in our indoor heated pool or just relax in our sauna.

﻿If you are only looking to stay one night, below are some other options located in the area.

This Ontario motel offers free newspapers and rooms with microwaves and refrigerators. The motel is located in Huntsville within a 5-minute walk of shopping and dining. Free Wi-Fi and coffee makers are standard in rooms at the Huntsville Inn. The rooms have brown bedding and reading lamps by the beds. The upper floor features a shared balcony. The property offers a 24-hour front desk and free parking. Ironing services are also available. The Huntsville Inn is within a 20-minute drive of Arrowhead Park. Santa’s Village is 43 km from the property.

Huntsville Inn

Rodeway Inn King William is located in Huntsville, 5 miles from Deerhurst Highlands Golf Course and one mile from Muskoka Heritage Place - Museum, Village, Train. This 2-star inn offers free WiFi. The inn has family rooms. All rooms in the inn are equipped with a coffee machine. The rooms have air conditioning and a TV, and some accommodations at Rodeway Inn King William have a balcony. Guests at the accommodation will be able to enjoy activities in and around Huntsville, like hiking and fishing. The Acres Driving Range Artisans Gallery is 7 miles from Rodeway Inn King William, while Santa s Village is 26 miles from the property.

Rodeway Inn King William

Amenities Make use of convenient amenities such as complimentary wireless internet access, concierge services, and a fireplace in the lobby. Business Amenities Featured amenities include complimentary wired internet access, a business center, and a 24-hour front desk. Free self parking is available onsite. Rooms Make yourself at home in one of the 17 individually furnished guestrooms, featuring refrigerators and LED televisions. Your memory foam bed comes with premium bedding. Rooms have private balconies or patios. Complimentary wired and wireless internet access keeps you connected, and digital programming provides entertainment. Private bathrooms with shower/tub combinations feature deep soaking bathtubs and complimentary toiletries. Attractions Distances are displayed to the nearest 0.1 mile and kilometer. Huntsville Civic Center Algonquin Theater - 1 km / 0.6 mi Group of Seven Outdoor Gallery - 1 km / 0.6 mi Muskoka Heritage Place - 1.8 km / 1.1 mi Lions Lookout - 2.2 km / 1.4 mi Selkirk Park - 3.9 km / 2.4 mi Lake Vernon - 4.2 km / 2.6 mi Huntsville Downs Golf & Country Club - 4.8 km / 3 mi Deerhurst Lakeside Golf Course - 5.1 km / 3.2 mi Arrowhead Provincial Park - 5.4 km / 3.4 mi Big East River Provincial Park - 5.5 km / 3.4 mi Hutcheson Beach - 5.8 km / 3.6 mi Grandview Golf Club - 5.8 km / 3.6 mi Treetop Trekking Huntsville - 6 km / 3.7 mi Hidden Valley Highlands Ski Area - 7.4 km / 4.6 mi Arrowhead Lake - 10.3 km / 6.4 mi The nearest airports are: Muskoka, ON (YQA) - 46.3 km / 28.8 mi Toronto Pearson Intl. Airport (YYZ) - 213.1 km / 132.4 mi The preferred airport for Rainbow Inn is Toronto Pearson Intl. Airport (YYZ). Location A stay at Rainbow Inn places you in the heart of Huntsville, within a 15-minute walk of Huntsville Civic Center Algonquin Theater and Group of Seven Outdoor Gallery. This motel is 1.1 mi (1.7 km) from Muskoka Heritage Place and 1.3 mi (2.1 km) from Lions Lookout. Headline Near Lions Lookout

Rainbow Inn

Knights Inn Huntsville features rooms equipped with a microwave and refrigerator. This motel is located in downtown Huntsville and overlooks Hunter’s Bay. Guestrooms include access to free Wi-Fi and cable TV. They have a cabin décor and feature a seating area. Currently the daily continental breakfast at the Knights Inn Huntsville is unavailable due to Staffing issues &amp; COVID-19 Guests can go for a hike or visit the picnic and playground area. Knights Inn Huntsville is 5.6 mi from the Hidden Valley Highlands Ski Area and Bike Park. Arrowhead Provincial Park is within a 10-minute drive of the hotel.

Knights Inn Huntsville, ON

Travel

Things to Do

Registry

Come Together

Our venue will be open for all guests to attend 4:00pm-12am

Jack & Jill

We are serving dinner buffet style, below are the food options that will be available. If you have any specific allergies or dietary restrictions please reach out to us so we can let the caterer know and we will do our best to accommodate.

What's On The Menu?

Hors D'oeuvres

Mini Beef Wellingtons Falafel Balls Feta Bruschetta Crostini

Starters

Roasted Red Pepper and Tomato Soup Baby Greens with Apple Vinaigrette Crudité with Hummus

Mains

Beef Striploin EntrecoteRed Wine Demi Roasted Chicken SupremeBoursin Cream Sauce

Sides

Garlic Whipped Redskin Potatoes Fresh Seasonal Vegetable Array

Dessert

Chef's Seasonal Dessert Selections and Sweet Treats Freshly Brewed Coffee and Tea

16" Party Pizzas Two cheeseOne PepperoniOne VegetarianOne Meat LoversOne Hawaiian

Beverages

Each guest will receive three drink tickets, in addition to every table being offered two bottles of Chateau des Charmes VQA cabernet merlot and unoaked chardonnay each. Any additional drinks can be purchased at our private bar.

Kendra & Justin

Kendra & Justin

Wedding Party

We get by with a little help from our friends