I’ll start with a little overview of what this incredible day entailed to give you an idea of what to expect from these images. Keanu and Patricio took an alternative route in planning their wedding. They knew they wanted to elope and when the world was less complicated they originally planned to say their vows on a trip they had planned to beautiful Vancouver B.C. but to simplify things for them and their families, they chose to elope in Toronto instead amidst a wild 2020 full of unpredictabilities. The two grooms wanted to have a fun and memorable day, so they planned to stop at locations that had great meaning to their relationship (including the spot where they first met) and have a pop-up ceremony in High Park to exchange their vows to one another. Keanu and Patricio knew they didn’t need a lot to celebrate their love, they just needed to do it their own way, so choosing an urban elopement that made the most of what Toronto has to offer created a unique and beautiful experience for them to share.
I love how they structured their elopement day, keeping things simple and low-key without the pressure of a traditional timeline. To kick things off the grooms got ready together at The Broadview Hotel in one of their vintage boutique hotel rooms. There, Patricio surprised Keanu with a remade version of the comic book boutonniere their cute pup had destroyed shortly before the wedding. We got to make use of the nearly empty hotel, taking portraits on the rooftop and in the bar lounge, taking advantage of the stunning atmosphere that the Broadview Hotel has to offer, all to themselves.
We then made our way across town to High Park, where Keanu and Patricio had planned their renegade wedding ceremony in the High Park Amphitheatre. They had their immediate family (including their two dogs!) and very close friends meet them at the park to witness their I do’s and officially become husband and husband. Even though it rained the whole time, it actually created this romantic atmosphere for the entire ceremony and everyone in attendance, including the grooms, were enthralled in the mood, heightened by the subtle rain drops and the rare sights and sounds of an empty High Park. What I seriously love about these small and intimate elopements is how easy it is to feel the love and emotion, every single person so immersed in the experience that every heartbeat and exhale can be heard and resonates among every witness. It’s a unique and beautiful experience, something that the two grooms didn’t take for granted and truly embraced along the way.
After the guests departed, we had the space all to ourselves and took advantage of the beautiful location. The rain slowed down and we explored the park, taking in the perfect and fleeting fall colours. Having a special nook of High Park all to ourselves was unbelievable but utterly perfect for Keanu and Patricio to take in their first few moments as one another’s husband.
Next on the itinerary was hitting up all the meaningful places across Toronto that were iconic to Keanu and Patricio’s relationship. The first stop, of course, was where they first me, at the corner of Queen and John in the heart of Downtown Toronto, where a mutual friend was hoping to set them up (and succeeded!). We popped champagne and toasted to the newlyweds - both grooms were on cloud nine and having the time of their lives, soaking the energy of the city and making the most of their elopement. Their lighthearted, happy-go-lucky attitudes were contagious and really made their urban adventure elopement an unforgettable experience.
Next stop was the iconic Sneaky Dee’s for more celebrating (and a couple of tequila shots) before hitting up our final destination, Trinity Bellwoods. They lit a joint (Oh Canada!), chilled in the park, and reminisced about their perfect day as they shared a few tokes.
Keanu and Patricio are further proof that a wedding day doesn’t have to look any certain way, what really matters is being together, doing what you love with the one who matters most. They took advantage of Toronto’s diverse landscapes and iconic locations to create the ultimate urban elopement experience that highlighted important moments in their shared lives. It goes too show you don’t always need mountaintops in B.C. to create an incredible elopement experience for your wedding.
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Getting Ready Location: The Broadview Hotel
Ceremony Location: High Park Amphitheatre
Officiant: Molly Johnson
Second Shooter: Brian Bettencourt (3B Photography)
