It’s difficult to know where to start with this one, but I think a little back story is in order. Sam and Greg are my neighbours, I’ve known Greg since university and I’ve known Sam since she became a part of Greg’s life. These two hold a very special place in my heart and it’s hard to express what an honour it was to photograph their wedding(s). In June, Sam and Greg decided to elope at Osgoode Hall with just their parents, witnesses (Brian being one of them) and myself present. I’ll save that full story for another post, and all the photos that come with it, but it ‘s a pretty good story and wouldn’t have been possible without a lot of help from Cyndy, an officiant and friend.
Fast-forward to August and we are at Sam and Greg’s wedding celebration that they hosted at Madsen’s Greenhouse in Newmarket. They both had shaken off most of the nerves during their elopement and were ready to have a fun celebration with all their family and friends. Ironically, Greg’s family hosts a yearly family reunion during the summer, bringing together relatives from near and far to celebrate. I knew how much it meant to him to share in that experience with not only Sam, but her parents and family as well. The union of their families was at the core of why they wanted to host a wedding in the first place, and they managed to host both sides of the families for a memorable event.
Madsen’s Greenhouse is a perfect venue to hold such an event. With each space as gorgeous and unique as the last, it creates an atmosphere of otherworldliness and surrealism. Along with their astrology themed tables and decor, the beautifully lit greenhouse created a magical, maybe even Harry Potter-esque feel. For a place
There was no shortage of hilarious moments throughout the day. Greg’s first look reaction to Sam was at the surface hilarious, but knowing Greg as a person, I realized how sweet and sincere his reaction was to seeing his beautiful bride for the first time. The fun-loving aspect of their relationship translated perfectly into the atmosphere of the day. After some post-ceremony tequila shots, the festivities kicked off and the party continued right to the very end. A few honourable mentions of moments include the Rupaul’s Drag Race references they threw in, having their radio-host groomsman MC introduce hilarious bridal party entrances, and Sam’s little nephews working as “ring security” for the ceremony.
Throughout the day I shot a roll of slide film and a roll of black and white as a wedding gift to these two special people in my life. Having the opportunity to give them their negatives (and slides) after the wedding is such a unique way to start their collection of family heirlooms. It was also cool because my partner, Brian, was the best man and had his Leica with him for the whole day. So I’ve also included some photos from his perspective as a sort of behind the scenes of the wedding day. Brian and Greg have been best friend’s for many years, so I know that the images he took were a special way for him to cement and preserve the memories he was about to share with his dear friend.
As a wedding photographer you always get a unique inside perspective of a wedding day. Being one of the few people who spends the whole day by the sides of the bride and groom, you tend to form a pretty strong connection with them. For me, it’s such a fascinating aspect of the job and I’m constantly inspired by the individual human elements present at every wedding. This time around I got to experience an additional layer of connection, being so close with the bride and groom prior to the wedding allowed me to access emotions and moments that would otherwise go undetected and the level of comfort and connection I had with the bride and groom was unlike any experience I’ve had as a wedding photographer.
I can’t thank Sam and Greg enough for trusting me to capture their wedding day(s) and for allowing me to be included in such a meaningful and special way. I am forever grateful and I know their two wedding days will be ones we will never forget and I look forward to reliving these memories with them at our on-going dinner-parties.
VENDORS
Venue: Madsen’s Greenhouse, Newmarket
Second Shooter: Sarah Bodri
Lab: Downtown Camera
Personal Photos and Scans: 3B Photography