Restaurant Wedding at Ricarda's

Believe it or not, this wedding was planned in only four weeks, that’s right, not four months (which would still be a pretty short time to pull together a whole wedding), but FOUR WEEKS! After Rachael and Tyler got engaged they decided that they didn’t want to spend months planning their wedding, they were engaged and they wanted to get married, straight to the point and without overthinking it. They both knew what they wanted, and quickly turned their vision into a stunningly beautiful reality.

The plan was to have their ceremony in Rachael’s family backyard with only their immediate family present, following a reception to celebrate with all their family and friends. Once they booked their wedding venue at Ricarda’s, a beautiful Italian restaurant in downtown Toronto, everything came together quickly. Rachael’s aunt kindly lent a hand in putting together all the gorgeous florals and decor that accompanied the romantic atmosphere of the downtown restaurant while Rachael’s mom generously prepared her home for the afternoon ceremony in her backyard that was pretty much a personal forest and haven.

The morning of the wedding day the rain was non-stop, and for a few moments we all thought the contingency plan was going to have to be executed for the backyard wedding ceremony. However, the timing was perfect and the rain halted only minutes before everyone was ready to get things started and just before the bride was set to walk down the aisle. The ceremony was held in the centre of the backyard, where the bride (who went barefoot!) and groom were surrounded by trees and their closest family members. It was both intimate and vast at the same time. Being surrounded by such nature was humbling, but the emotional elements of the wedding ceremony elevated the level of intimacy and made everyone in attendance feel near and dear to the bride and groom.

Emotions ran high, there were a lot of tears (including Tyler when he first saw Rachael) and A LOT of laughs throughout the ceremony. Quite a few of these laughs were induced by Rachael’s nephew telling an innocent, yet inappropriate joke to try to get Tyler to laugh instead of cry as Rachael was walking down the aisle. You could clearly see the families sharing in the joy that Rachael and Tyler were feeling as they tearfully exchanged rings and laughed through their pun-filled vows. The bride and groom were so incredibly grateful that they had been able to share this moment with the groom’s grandmother and the bride’s grandfather, it was adorable how much time they spent with them throughout the wedding day and capturing those candid moments between them reminded me of how special a role wedding photography has in documenting those cherished memories.

After taking advantage of the beautiful foliage to photograph the bride and groom, we all travelled into downtown Toronto to meet up with all the rest of the friends and family that would be joining in the celebration. Ricarda’s is an intimate restaurant that has both an elegant and modern feel. The mood was set and all the guests were ready to party. Rachael and Tyler made a grand entrance and started their evening off with an emotional first dance. They both sang along to the entire song, only pausing to laugh or cry. Everyone in the room could feel the love emanating from them, it was a really perfect moment. Being a wedding photographer herself, it filled my heart seeing the bride and groom appreciate living in the moment and soaking in all their emotions at every turn on the wedding day.

The rest of the evening was filled with tons of laughter and many, many jokes. Rachael and Tyler made a point to spend time with every single one of their guests who had made arrangements to attend their wedding on such short notice. Everyone was dancing, singing, taking polaroids, and sharing in the couple’s happiness. The vibes in Ricarda’s throughout the evening were chill but jubilant and the atmosphere of the Toronto restaurant made the perfect location for the celebration.

It was incredibly powerful to be a part of a wedding day that had such an emotional presence, where everyone was deeply connected to their feelings and able to express them openly with their loved ones. Rachael and Tyler are two in a million and the little one they are bringing into this world is going to be a part of one amazing, supportive family.

VENDORS
Venue/Catering: Ricarda’s
Florist (Bouquet/Boutonnieres): Sweatpea’s
Wedding Dress: The Gown
Alterations: Susan Dicks
Earrings: Anna Sportun
Second Shooter: Brian Bettencourt (3B Photography)

Archeo Wedding in the Distillery District

A lunch wedding in the heart of downtown Toronto.

The day started off with both the bride and groom getting ready in condo penthouses with some pretty outrageous views of downtown Toronto. The beautiful cityscape in the background of the top floor was also the perfect setting for Lisa and Don’s first look, providing us with an incredible and higher than life start to the entire wedding day.

On the rustic patio of Archeo in the Distillery District, Lisa and Don said their vows to each other and celebrated with their family and friends. It transitioned from a gorgeous outdoor ceremony space, with the classic Old-Toronto red brick backdrop, to an open concept lounge space (couches included), serving as the perfect spot for the cocktail hour.

Lisa and Don kept things informal and light-hearted. It was an afternoon of socializing, eating and basking in the sun. The perfect August weather kept the guests out on the patio where the children were having a blast running around and the adults were mingling in the sunshine among some of the Distillery District’s beautiful classic architecture. The atmosphere was so relaxed, the kind of relaxed you feel at your family BBQ on a long weekend. The bride and groom allowed themselves to spend time with each and every one of their guests who had come from near and far to celebrate this major milestone.

The couple was able to infuse their love of France and everything it meant to them into their decor and favours. They had the ultimate candy bar which was enjoyed by all the guests throughout the afternoon (especially the kids). They also had their own love lock sign as used as their guestbook, mimicking both the bridge in Paris (where the bride and groom went on their honeymoon) and the sign right around the corner in the Distillery District.

We did things a bit backwards in terms of the wedding photography, which in hindsight, provided us with a much more relaxed paced so the bride and groom could bask in the moment. We did all of the bridal party and couples portraits after the wedding had wrapped and we were free to explore the Distillery District. It was such a blast hanging out with their crew with no timeline constraints giving us ample opportunity to explore all the Distillery has to offer. Once we finished up with the bridal party, Lisa, Don and I made our way over to Sugar Beach, which was just a short walk from where their dinner was held, the goal was to give the bride and groom some quality time together in the soft afternoon light. The beach was crowded but it didn’t stop us from making our way right through the middle of it to take advantage of the gorgeous location. Surrounded by sunbathers we got some of the most unique portraits (and a few waves from boaters on the lake), but ultimately, Lisa and Don’s connection created a bubble around them as they enjoyed being in one another’s arms for the first time alone on the wedding day. Despite being among an eclectic group of Toronto residents, we ultimately had moments where we felt entirely on our own. I was sucked into their beautiful world just long enough to capture it.

VENDORS
Stylist: Hair Envy Creative Designs
Wedding Dress: Regan Gown by Haley Paige
Bridesmaids Dresses: Elmwood Brides
Grooms Suit: GG Custom
Shoes: DSW and Kenneth Cole
Jewelry: Local Eclectic
Florist: Pink Twig
Coordinator: The Event Design Co.
Cake: Baking Up Treble
Venue: Archeo
Second Shooter: Kristina Ruddick
Invitations: Impressions

Madsen's Greenhouse Wedding in Newmarket

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

Art Gallery of Hamilton Wedding

I’m thrilled I got to be part of this beautiful wedding at the Art Gallery of Hamilton. Having studied curatorial arts in University (and even curating my own exhibitions) I have a strong passion and love for art galleries and museums. Kamila and Anthony share the same creative perspective and appreciation as I do, which made photographing this wedding that much more memorable for me.

Kamila and Anthony are two people who love fiercely and have a huge support system behind them. Their day was full of surprises, tears, a ton of laughter, and an overflow of love, it was an emotional rollercoaster of a day.

Shortly after the ceremony we headed to the woods by their house to do some photos. Little did Anthony know, Kamila had a set up a surprise for him. As they followed the path through the forest there was a little table for two lit by candles and holding a very special bottle of bubbly. Kamila had so many stories of how Anthony had surprised her over the years with things she never expected and she knew this day was her opportunity to return the favour once and for all. Accompanied by their adorable pup Benny, they sipped champagne and laughed about how Kamila spilled it all over herself while trying to get the bottle open just moments before.

Although they had the largest bridal party I’ve ever shot, you could see that each one of them had an immense amount of love and support for both the bride and groom. Anthony’s best man even helped him propose in New York City by bringing down their dog Benny to surprise Kamila after he had proposed to her in Central Park (yes, another surprise!).

The bride and groom are both creatives and had a strong vision of what their wedding day would look like. The choice to have their reception at the Art Gallery of Hamilton was an easy one because they loved art and the spaces with in the Art Gallery created a unique atmosphere for their friends and family to get lost in. Most notably, the reception room gave them a blank canvas to work with which provided inspiration for Anthony’s custom artwork to cover the walls. Kamila is a painter, the aesthetic of her work is both whimsical and full of her personality, and Anthony was really able to incorporate her style into the vinyl that he designed for the wall of wedding reception area. The massive white wall was covered in pastels that mimicked brush strokes and mirrored the plants and flowers that were present in the room. It was a really stunning piece of work and brought a romantic, and almost fairytale feel to the space.

As close as their were with their bridal party, you could see that the bride and groom were just as closely knit with every single person in attendance. Their guests filled the Pavilion of the art gallery with a lot of laughter and a lot of tears. They remembered those who they wished could be present and celebrated the wedding day in their memory. Kamila and her mom shared an emotional first dance that had everyone giving them a standing ovation as they cleared the tears from their faces. The bond that Kamila and Anthony shared with everyone in the room made you feel like they were all truly one big family.

It was a day filled with unforgettable memories taking place in a beautiful setting, I couldn’t ask for anything more. I hope you enjoy the moments from Kamila and Anthony’s wedding at the Art Gallery of Hamilton.

VENDORS
Venue: Art Gallery of Hamilton
Second Shooter: Caitlin Free

A Cottage Wedding at Eganridge Resort

The cool thing about this love story is that it Jen and Mike met way, way, way back, in elementary school. On top of that, a majority of their bridal party know each other from those youthful years as well. Very few people can say they have meaningful friendships that date back to such early years, so for the bride and groom to have these life-long friends stand by their side on such a monumental occasion in their lives was truly special and deeply meaningful. 

Eganridge resort in Kawartha Lakes was the perfect backdrop to host their intimate wedding ceremony. With a lakeside ceremony space and a garden style cocktail hour, this Muskoka Cottage inspired venue created the perfect atmosphere for the Jen and Mike’s love celebration. 

The bride and groom are very much cottage country people, so getting to spend the entire weekend with their closest friends and family in a huge lakeside cabin at the resort was not only ideal, but highly familiar and special. 

Jen had the sweetest details planned out for the wedding day. Her mom, a retired florist, put together all the florals for the wedding and her dad helped with any handy work that needed to be done (including having to use wire cutters to get a metal tag off of her veil!). I loved seeing all the old photos at their wedding, showcasing memories that they shared from the early stages of their relationship, including a photo of the two of them together at Mike’s prom. Photos like this not only serve as a time-capsule for nostalgic feelings and reminiscing of the good old days, but they truly serve as a thoughtful reminder of the evolution of their relationship that has allowed them to arrive at this moment in time and significant occasion in their united life together.

The outdoor ceremony took place in a vast field beneath a giant tree. The beautiful landscape that surrounded the bride and groom along with their friends and family made for a peaceful and serene moment in the wedding day. The candid emotions and honest vows made for a very sincere ceremony where the love between Jen and Mike was felt by all in attendance. The ceremony was followed by a beautiful cocktail hour in the garden, with the view of the lake taking centre stage as the live band set the mood for all of the guests to enjoy themselves. It goes without saying, that choosing to get married at a cottage will always result in beautiful views and authentic nature to shine, especially here in Ontario.

Later on in the day we got to bare witness to an unbelievable sunset. The bride and groom made the most of their outdoor wedding space and decided to take a walk along the water to enjoy a quiet moment together and take in the pink hues of the sunset during golden hour. I always love to take in these moments with couples, being a Toronto wedding photographer means I’m usually within the city where sunsets have limited views, but on that day, the view of the pink sunset was infinite and the fleeting moments between the bride and groom followed along.

As the sky turned blood orange and blue hour dawned upon us, it was time to eat some good food, toast one another, and listen in on speeches that told the tale of Jen and Mike’s love story. There was some hilarious story telling and brutal roasting, which lead to many tears and a lot of laughter. Accompanied by the live band, the upbeat group partied hard into the night.

When you are surrounded by those that mean the most to you, in a place that reminds of your favourite place in the world, it’s hard not to enjoy yourself from beginning to end.

VENDORS
Second Shooter - Kristina Ruddick
Hair and Makeup - Allison and Paola of Erin Shannon Hair & Makeup
Wedding Dress - Blush by Hayley Paige from Sash and Bustle
Bridesmaid Dresses - White Toronto
Groom's Suit - Jos A Bank 
Bride's Shoes - BHLDN
Florist - Kris Corbett (Bride’s Mom)
Photobooth - Big Event Floral
Venue / Catering / Coordination - Eganridge Resort
Cupcakes - Cakes by Stephanie

A Lakeside Wedding at Hidden Valley Resort

For some reason it always surprises me, at least just a little, that I come across people through my work that I have a lot in common with. Megan and Collin were no exception. With Meagan being an ex-varsity soccer player and Collin being an ex-varsity baseball player we had much to talk about when it came to sports. I really admire that Meagan followed her talent from Ontario to the United States, as I can appreciate how much courage and dedication it had taken her to get there. It only makes sense that following her passion led to her to the man she was going to marry. Meagan and Collin now live in Miami and have left a trail of family and friends all along the way. 

For their wedding day, Meagan and Collin drove all the way from Miami so that they could bring along their handsome bulldog, Murphy. Their family and friends from all the different times and places in their lives came together in at a small lakeside resort in Muskoka. 

They said their vows along the waterfront, with a cameo from Murphy as he walked down the aisle. There was only a small little hiccup when Collin dropped Meagan’s ring before the exchange (it’s OK, it didn’t fall in the water) but other than that it was a profoundly genuine and beautiful ceremony. Their personalized vows had everyone in tears, Meagan and Collin both professed their gratefulness for the serendipitous meeting and their love for each other. As they walked back down the aisle and Mr. and Mrs. Starnes they dragged Murphy behind them, as he was a little tired from the days events. 

As the cocktail hour on the veranda turned into the indoor evening reception, Meagan’s brother showed a surprise video that he had put together. The video was a bunch of congratulations, well wishes, and apologies from special friends and family members who were not able to make it to the day. Seeing Meagan and Collin’s reactions to each message was both heartwarming and heartbreaking. Again, they had all their guests in tears. The warmth and closeness that was shared in a room full of people who may not have necessarily known each other or had anything in common could all appreciate and celebrate the love of Meg and Cas.

VENDORS
Second Shooter - Brian B Bettencourt of 3B Photography
Hair and Makeup - Glitz Galz
Wedding Dress - Anne Jean-Michel from La Vie en Blanc
Groom's Suit - Jos A Bank 
Bride's Shoes - Nine West
Florist - Cottage County Flowers
Venue / Catering - Hidden Valley Resort
Cake - Whimsical Bakery

Urban Oasis Wedding at Airship37

I first met Ali and Alex over drinks at The Drake Commissary back in May.  After spending a couple of hours talking and laughing over drinks I knew these people were my kind of people. They decided to say their vows at Airship37 on a very warm day in July. Airship37 is located on the outer edge of the Distillery District and is a modern, urban oasis. With a few DIY touches courtesy of Ali's mom, the ceremony space became uniquely theirs. 

During their ceremony, Ali and Alex performed a rose giving ceremony with their mom's as well as a lighting of a unity candle with each other. All the thought and meaning they put into the small details of their ceremony really made it a personal and memorable experience. Alex's mother, Grandmother and a couple of other close relatives flew in from Italy to be there to witness their vows. Ali's side was also a very close knit family which includes two little nieces, one even being the miniature version of Ali with the same hairdo and flowers to match. Seeing the strong bonds between each and every family member, on both sides, was really heartwarming and inspiring.

We spent the rest of the evening celebrating the love between Ali and Alex and soaking the the gorgeous sunset that lit up the sky. After a secluded slow dance under the string lights, Ali and Alex partied hard into the night, but no without a couple of very sweet dances between Alex and his Grandmother.  Ali and Alex put together a intimate and simple wedding day where they were able to share a very meaningful day with their closest.

VENDORS
Second Shooter - Brian B. Bettencourt of 3B Photography
Makeup Artist - Angela Xuereb
Hairstylist - Ashley Shantz Bridal
Wedding Dress - Madison James
Bridesmaid Dresses - Vera Wang Collection
Groom's Suit - Freeman Floral
Florist - Quince Flowers
Coordinator - Derek Drapala
Venue / Catering - Airship37 (Berkeley Events)
 

A Farmhouse Wedding in Caledon, ON

I first met Cat and Gab at a brewery in the Junction last year. You know people are your kind of people when they asked you if we wanted to share popcorn and a cheese plate to accompany our craft beer (I think it was a Tuesday and they were enjoying their weekend). Soon after we learned that Cat and Gab own their own dog walking business in Toronto and have a pup of their own, Bertie. It felt like we had endless things in common, from running our own businesses to our love of quality food to our (Gab and I's) love of Harry Potter.

Fast-forward a few months to their engagement session where they brought us into their home, shared some more cheese, and met their pup and cats. I have a lot more to say about that session but I will save it for it's own blog post. 

Fast-forward a few more months and we found ourselves at a beautiful farm on a dark and stormy day, Cat and Gab's wedding day. With the forecast calling for the storm to let up in the afternoon they were both in high spirits and both seemed equally as nervous as they were excited. Throughout the day there were so many personal touches and special moments, it's almost hard to choose favourites or share specifics. But there was one moment from the day that did stand out a little more than the rest, which was right after the first look when Cat surprised Gab with custom wedding bands that she had gotten made for them. It was the kind of moment when you are like, wow, these two people are so thoughtful and able to express their love for each other in such a beautiful and meaningful way.

Seeing these two strong-willed and vibrant women saying their vows surrounded by a very large and very inclusive group of family and friends, coincidently on the day of the Toronto Pride Parade, was an extremely impactful moment. From having Bertie walk down the aisle to the 14 closest friends that they made their bridal party, it was one to remember. Cat and Gab are two people I'm excited to know for a long time and right now I'm excited to share my version of their day through photographs.

VENDORS
Second Shooter - Brian B Bettencourt of 3B Photography
Hair Stylist - Tiffany Dasilva 
Makeup Artist - Nicole Forest
Bride's Wedding Dress - Blu Ivory
Bride's Suit - Denis Gagnon
Florist - Jazmin Burri 
Venue/Coordination - Cambium Farms
Catering - Cabral Catering 
Party Favours - Tuck Shop Kitchen
Cake - Marie-Claude Savard and Robyn Pomerantz
Invitations - Paperless Post

Intimate Toronto City Hall Wedding

I met Anjo and Cam through a mutual friend as they were planning their city hall elopement. In a few short weeks they pulled together an intimate, beautiful, and emotional family gathering. Cam's traditional Scottish roots lead to the inclusion of bag pipes, kilts, and a few sgian dubh's (knives that you put in your sock) and Anjo's family travelled across the country from B.C (arriving the day before) for the wedding. They had their ceremony at Toronto City Hall followed by a quick photo stop at Osgoode Hall and finally, The Broadview Hotel, where they stayed the night and hosted their family for dinner.

Despite the short turnaround from wedding planning to the actual wedding, there was still a lot of anticipation for the day. Anjo and Cam's parents had never met, and when they did there was instantly so much love and kindness professed by both sides. This celebration was really an accurate reflection of Anjo and Cam and the love they shared with each other and their families. You could tell that this marriage wasn't just uniting two people, but uniting two families. It was special to be included in a such a deeply personal and intimate moment in their lives. It's a true gift as a photographer to be in the presence of such sincerity and love, elements of life like those are what I love capturing and remind me that photography is the gift of memory, and through the images, we can relive fleeting moments in our lives.

VENDORS
Second Shooter - Brian B. Bettencourt of 3B Photography
Venue / Catering - The Broadview Hotel
 

A Couple's Session at St. James Park

My first blog post of 2018. I am starting this year with a direction, following my artist style and creative drive. Meeting Amanda and Michael this past fall was a great opportunity to explore my style and an influence of the editorial. Amanda and Michael have been happily married for 5 years and were looking to celebrate their love with a couple's session that had an editorial edge. With an influence of vintage Vogue magazine covers we explored their connection and captured their moments. During the whole session I felt as if I was in the right place, exploring a blend of editorial fashion and working with a couple. As I progress this year I will remind myself of this session and the feeling it gives me.